An Introduction:
CIFE came into existence as a Government of India setup at Mumbai on 6th June, 1961 with the assistance of FAO/UNDP.
Later w.e.f. 1st April 1979, the Institute came under the administrative control of ICAR, New Delhi

CIFE has been providing LEADERSHIP IN FISHERIES EDUCATION in India as also in the neighbouring Afro-Asian countries for more than 35 years.

In due recognition of its pioneering role in manpower development for fisheries sector, the Ministry of HRD and UGC accorded DEEMED UNIVERSITY status to CIFE on 29 th March 1989.

CIFE thus , has the distinction of being the FIRST FISHERIES UNIVERSITY in India.

Mandate :
To conduct education and research programmes leading to post - graduate(M.F.Sc.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in specialised disciplines of fisheries science and technology.

To conduct capsule courses for catering to the refresher training needs of fisheries development and extension personnel.

To conduct basic research in frontier areas of fisheries science and technology through institutional and collaborative efforts.

To conduct need based capsule /vocational training on various technologies related to fisheries and allied disciplines.

To provide institutional support for consultancy and participation in sponsored projects and programmes with other institutions and agencies for fisheries research in inland, coastal and marine ( both within EEZ and beyond)

Academic Programmes :
CIFE offers Master's and Doctoral programmes in different disciplines of fisheries.

Admission to the course is based on All India Entrance Examinations , candidate past academic records and interview.

Master's course is of 4 semesters and Doctoral of 6 semesters

Academic programme involves cause work, seminar and dissertation / thesis work.

Attendance requirement is 85%.

Evaluation system is both internal and external with grading on a 10 point scale.

Foreign students can also gain admission through by forwarding their applications to their embassies at New Delhi or through the respective Indian Mission to Secretary, DARE, Government of India, ICAR , Krishi Bhavan, New Bhavan , New Delhi -110001. The Institutional economic fees of $4000 per annum is to be paid besides other fees as per the requirements of CIFE.

Research Activities :
The CIFE has acquired fishing vessels which are used for on - board training and research programmes of the Institute in fishing, navigation, oceanography, fishery biology, pollution and other such studies

The research thrusts of CIFE involve basic research of applied value focussing more on developing site- specific and user friendly technology packages.
The research efforts of CIFE are pursued through :
1) Institutional Research Projects
2) Ad-hoc research programmes
3) Sponsored / Externally funded research projects
4) Students research programmes

Extension Pursuits:
Short term training programmes on various aspects of fisheries are regularly conducted by CIFE for fisherfolk, aquafarmers, entrepreneurs and other interested enthusiasts.

CIFE has a system of rendering fishery advisory service in which the entrepreneurs, aquafarmers etc are given on the spot expert guidance on their technical problems relating to fisheries and aquaculture.

Organising aqua-exhibitions, aquafarmers and entrepreneurs meets fisheries awareness programmes , etc. are routine features of CIFE extension activities.

Extension literature on user friendly technological packages are regularly brought out by CIFE in regional languages.

Services Offered:
CIFE offers consultancy on various aspects of fisheries , viz. seed production and growout operation of carps; hatchery management and farming of giant freshwater prawn; hatchery and growout operation of penaeid shrimps; use of bio-fertilizers in aquaculture; aquaculture in ground saline water ponds; disease diagnosis and their control in aquaculture; advanced techniques in aquatic biotoxinology; engineering aspects of aquaculture ; EIA studies related to fisheries and aquaculture projects;socio economic impact assessment  relating to fisheries / aquaculture etc.

The Institute conducts need - based capsule/ vocational training on various technologies related to fisheries and aquaculture etc.

CIFE also provides library services including computer literature search on CD-ROMs, data processing and exchange.