Established in 1951, the National Institute of Science Communication (NISCOM) earlier known as Publications & Information Directorate (PID), is a constituent unit of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). The R&D programmes being undertaken at NISCOM are geared towards meeting the information needs of the different  segments of society. Apart from bringing out a variety of scientific and technical publications, providing information services and training in science communication, NISCOM undertakes consultancy work in designing, editing and publication of S&T journals, books and reports, etc. NISCOM has also an active programme in electronic publishing and undertakes consultancy work in CD-ROM publishing.

 
MANDATE

• Providing formal linkages of communication among the scientific community in the form of research periodicals in different areas of science and technology.
• Collection, collation and dissemination of information on plant and mineral wealth, and on industrial infrastructure of the country.
• Setting up of specialized databases and providing information services to entrepreneurs, policy planners, agriculturists and research workers.
• Popularization of science.
• Human resource development in the field of science & communication.
• Electronic publishing.
• Providing consultancy services on editing, designing and printing of various types of S&T publications and consultancy on CD-ROM publications.

MAJOR R&D PROGRAMMES
 

Dissemination of Information to Scientific Community

    To provide communication links among members of the scientific research community, NISCOM publishes a family of 13 journals of international repute covering all the major disciplines of science.
Each journal has an editorial board, constituted at intervals of three years, which functions as an advisory body with regard to policies, scope and quality of the journal. The editorial boards comprise leading members of the Indian scientific community and experts from outside India in some cases. Publication in all the NISCOM research journals is subject to peer review as per international practices for scholarly communications. A research journal in Hindi is also brought out.
   Exclusive Chinese editions of two of the NISCOM research journals, Indian Journal of Chemistry, Sec.A and Indian Journal of Chemistry, Sec. B are being brought out in collaboration with Shanghai World Publishing Corporation, Shanghai, People's Republic of China to facilitate dissemination of Indian work in China and adjoining countries.

Wealth of India

    NISCOM brings out encyclopaedic publications on Indian raw materials, and monographs on specific topics. Thirteen volumes and supplements of the Wealth of India provide authentic information on plant, animal and mineral resources of India. These publications serve as informative and reliable sources of reference for researchers, policy makers, industrial entrepreneurs, agriculturists and students. A new series semi-popular science books, Natural Resources of India, has been started. In this series three books entitled Citrus in India, Tea in India and Groundnut in India have been released. NISCOM has set up a Raw Materials Herbarium & Museum which acts as a repository of economic raw materials. The Hindi version of Wealth of India, called Bharat Ki Sampada is also published.

Science Popularization

    Popularization of science is one of the major programmes of NISCOM. Under this programme popular science books, popular science journals, S&T encyclopaedia and science features for the mass media are being produced. Profusely illustrated and moderately priced books brought out under the CSIR Golden Jubilee Series have proved very popular, running into several editions in a span of 3-4 years. The encyclopaedia, Golden Treasury of Science and Technology, has also become very popular. Many of these books have been translated into Hindi and other Indian languages. Besides the Golden Jubilee series several popular science books and monographs have also been brought out. Some of these are part of the Sci-Fun Series, Sagar Manthan Series and Vistas in Biotechnology series. Under the 'Q' series meant for school children, books entitled 'What', and 'How' have been brought out. NISCOM also brings out the CSIR Handbook, Status Report on S&T in India, etc.
    Science Reporter, Vigyan Pragati and Science ki Duniya, the popular science journals of NISCOM enjoy a very large circulation, the sales of latter crossing one lakh copies. NISCOM has recently acquired an exihibition-cum-sales van to promote sales of its products among students and at smaller towns around Delhi.

Information Services

    The major information service of NISCOM, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Information Service (MAPIS), is being extensively used by students, researchers, industrialists, entrepreneurs, agriculturists and government agencies This service is now available for on-line search through INSDOC. Also, NISCOM acts as a national node of the Asian and Pacific Information Network on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants(APINMAP),  the aim of which is to promote exchange of information and resources among 14 countries of the Network. In addition, NISCOM provides a service on identification of plants and their raw materials through its Raw Materials Herbarium & Museum. A bimonthly abstracting journal, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Abstract (MAPA), which covers world literature on all aspects of medicinal and aromatic plants is also brought out.

Training in Science Communication

    NISCOM conducts short term as well as long term training programmes aimed at human resource development in the area of science communication. The short term training programmes conducted at national as well as international level include courses on S&T writing and editing. NISCOM is also an off-campus centre of the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) for conducting long term M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in Science Communication and Journalism. A small nucleus of research in science communication is also active.

Electronic Publishing

    NISCOM is currently managing the production and marketing of a series of CD-ROMs for a consortium of nine Asian organisations, Asian Health, Environmental & Allied Databases (AHEAD). It has all the necessary hardware and software to carry out data processing, pre-mastering and mastering for CD-ROM and recording of disks. Plans are afoot to bring out multi-media publications for a variety of user groups.

MAIN FACILITIES

• Photo type-setting and DTP.
• Offset printing.
• Designing, layout and graphic art.
• Computerized databases.
• Electronic publishing equipment.
• Herbarium.
• Well-stocked Library.

SERVICES OFFERED

• Information services on medicinal & aromatic plants, and plant and crude drug identification.
• Consultancy for editing, designing and printing of S&T documents, brochures, books, journals, etc.
• Consultancy for CD-ROM publishing.
• Science feature service for the mass media.
• Reprography services.

PUBLICATIONS                          

Research Journals:
    Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research (monthly), Indian Journal Of Chemistry(Sec. A) (monthly). Indian Journal of Chemistry (Sec. B) (monthly), Indian Journal of Chemical Technology (bimonthly), Indian Journal of Engineering & Materials Science (bimonthly), Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (monthly), Indian Journal of Marine Sciences (quarterly), Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics (bimonthly), Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Physics (monthly), Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research (quarterly), Journal of Intellectual Property Rights (bimonthly), Bharartiya Vaigyanik Evam Audhyogik Anusandhan Patrika (half-yearly).

Abstracting Journal :
    Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Abstracts (bimonthly)
Encyclopaedic Publications :
    The Wealth of India-Raw Materials, Bharat Ki Sampada-Prakritik Padarth
Popular Science Journals:
          Science Reporter (monthly), Vigyan Pragati (monthly) and Science ki Duniya (quarterly)
CSIR Newsletters:
    CSIR News (semi-monthly), CSIR Samachar (semi-monthly).
BOOKS & MONOGRAPHS
    Advanced level monographs on specific and composite topics, popular science books, monographs and encyclopaedia



DIRECTOR IN CHARGE
Dr. Ashok Jain

CONTACT ADDRESS
Dr K. S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi, 110 012.
Telephone: 5746024
Telegram : PUBLIFORM, NEW DELHI.
Telex    : 031-77271.
Fax      : (091)11-5787062
E-mail   : niscom@sirnetd.ernet.in
EPABX    : 5786301-07 (7 lines)