Dr. Bharati Kulkarni MBBS, DCH, MPH, PhD, FAMS
Director, ICMR-NIN
Email:
director.nin@icmr.gov.in
Contact: +91-40-27197233 / 319
Fax: +91-40-27019074
Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), a premier nutrition research institution in India is committed to advancing the science of nutrition and addressing public health challenges in India and beyond.
In the glorious history of ICMR-NIN spanning longer than a century since its establishment in 1918, the institute has been contributing significantly to the nutrition policies and programs that have shaped the health and well-being of our population. Our mission is to provide evidence-based solutions to combat public health challenges of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and non-communicable diseases and to ensure the food and nutritional security through innovative and impactful research. The knowledge products from our institute serve as a resource for policymakers, researchers, and communities, providing insights that empower individuals to lead healthier lives. From our role in national programs like POSHAN Abhiyaan to our collaborations with global organizations, we are dedicated to translating research into actionable impact.
At ICMR-NIN, we pride ourselves on the interdisciplinary nature of our research, which encompasses clinical, and population studies, nutritional biochemistry and molecular biology, food safety, dietetics, nutrition communication and extension. Our contributions, such as the Indian Food Composition Tables, nutrient requirements for Indians, and the Dietary Guidelines for Indians are few examples that have set benchmarks in public health nutrition. We are actively engaged in several ongoing projects aimed at improving the diet and nutritional status of our population. These initiatives focus on studying the current status as well as trends in the nutritional status of our population through a nationwide Diet and Biomarkers Survey which involves comprehensive data collection in about 200,000 individuals, interventions targeting amelioration of public health nutrition challenges like childhood undernutrition, anaemia, non- communicable diseases, developing India-specific growth standards for children, and evaluating the Fortified Rice Program, among others. The research output from these initiatives will play a crucial role in shaping policy decisions and advancing public health outcomes. We also offer highly sought-after MSc and PhD programs for capacity building in nutrition research.
As we navigate the challenges of rapidly changing nutritional landscape marked by complex challenges of changing dietary habits, rising prevalence of obesity, non-communicable diseases, climate changes and threat to nutritional security, ICMR-NIN remains steadfast in its commitment to make an impact through excellence and innovation. With our committed team of talented scientists, state-of-the-art facilities, and a focus on community engagement, we aim to continue our legacy of strengthening knowledge base for building a healthier, more resilient India to realize the dream of Vikasit Bharat @2047.