45 Opportunities for Pharma, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Life Sciences candidates at IHBT

CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. The institute is engaged in research and development focused on the sustainable utilization of Himalayan bioresources. Its research areas include biotechnology, bioinformatics, agriculture, medicinal and aromatic plants, food technology, and microbial resources.

Walk-in-Interviews are scheduled to be held on the date(s) as mentioned below against the position(s) in the respective column for the selection of suitable candidate(s) in the areas under the following projects for recruitment on purely temporary basis for the duration of the projects as mentioned or till completion of the projects, whichever is earlier

Senior PAT
Position Code : 17001
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “Deciphering the Stress-induced and Chloroplast-triggered programmed cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana” (GAP 0340)
Age : 40 Years as on 16.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 42,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. in Biotechnology / Biochemistry / Plant Sciences from a recognized University and 3 years’ experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organizations and Scientific activities and services; OR Ph.D. in Biotechnology / Biochemistry / Plant Science from a recognized university and 2 years’ experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organizations and Scientific activities and services.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in Liposomes, NSG, Gene Cloning, Phytology.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2027

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17002
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “Genome editing for crop improvement (GE-Crop)” (MMP025301)
Age : 35 Years as on 16.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : (a) Rs. 31,000/- PM + 10% HRA for candidates qualified in CSIR-UGC / ICAR / ICMR NET incl. lectureship / assistant professorship or GATE or qualifying national-level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or Agencies/Institutions; (b) Rs. 25,000/- PM + 10% HRA for others.
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. in Biotechnology / Molecular Biology / Botany / Biochemistry from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in working with plant cell cultures, agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation of plants, cloning and routine molecular biology techniques.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2027

Senior-PAT
Position Code : 17003
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “Genome editing for crop improvement (GE-Crop)” (MMP025301)
Age : 40 Years as on 16.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 42,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. in Biotechnology / Molecular Biology / Botany / Biochemistry from a recognized University and 3 years’ experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organizations and Scientific activities and services; OR Ph.D. in Biotechnology / Molecular Biology / Botany / Biochemistry from a recognized University and 2 years’ experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organizations and Scientific activities and services.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in working on molecular biology tools and techniques, genome editing, plant transformation.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2027

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17004
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 16.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M. Pharm in Pharmacology or M.Sc. in Biochemistry from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in in vitro cell culture models and animal in vivo experimentation.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17005
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 16.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : B.Tech. in Food Science & Technology / M.Sc. Food Science & Technology / M.Tech. in Food Technology from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in nutritional quality analysis; value added food product development.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17006
No. of post : 05
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 19.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Agriculture (Agronomy / Soil Science / Organic Agriculture / Extension Education / Vegetable Science) / M.Sc. Botany / M.Sc. Horticulture specialization in Medicinal & Aromatic Plants / M.Sc. Plant Physiology / Environmental Science from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Work experience of conducting field trials / plant data recording / medicinal and aromatic crops and proven experience in the form of research and extension.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17007
No. of post : 02
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 19.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : (a) Rs. 31,000/- PM + HRA for candidates qualified in CSIR-UGC / ICAR / ICMR NET incl. lectureship / assistant professorship or GATE or qualifying national-level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or Agencies/Institutions; (b) Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA for others.
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Agriculture (Agronomy / Soil Science / Organic Agriculture) / M.Sc. Botany / M.Sc. Horticulture specialization in Medicinal & Aromatic plants from a recognized University.
Desirable Qualification : Work experience of conducting field trials/plants data recording/Medicinal and aromatic crops and proven experience in the form of research & extension with NET.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17008
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 21.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. in Agriculture (Plant Breeding / Genetics and Plant Breeding / Seed Science & Technology) or M.Sc. Genetics and Plant Breeding or M.Sc. Botany from a recognized University.
Desirable Qualification : Working experience in plant germplasm characterization on morphological, biochemical and molecular basis.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17009
No. of post : 02
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 21.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. in Agriculture (Agronomy / Soil Science / Genetics and Plant Breeding / Agroforestry) or M.Sc. Botany from a recognized University.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in field plantation, cultivation and management of medicinal and aromatic plants; experience in soil and plant analysis.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17010
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 21.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Agriculture (Plant Pathology) or M.Sc. Microbiology from a recognized university or equivalent.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in molecular characterization of microorganisms.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17011
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 21.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : B.E. / B.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering / Automobile Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Mechatronics or M.Sc. in Agriculture with specialization in Agronomy / soil Science from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Hands-on experience in farm machinery design / fabrication, sensors / IoT, AutoCAD / Solid works, OR field experimentation, data collection & analysis, and technical report writing.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17012
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 21.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : (a) Rs. 31,000/- PM + HRA for candidates qualified in CSIR-UGC / ICAR / ICMR NET incl. lectureship / assistant professorship or GATE or qualifying national-level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or Agencies/Institutions; (b) Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA for others.
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Agriculture (Plant Breeding / Genetics and Plant Breeding / Seed Science & Technology) or M.Sc. Genetics and Plant Breeding or M.Sc. Botany from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Work experience in plant germplasm characterization on morphological, biochemical and molecular basis.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Assistant-I (PA-I)
Position Code : 17013
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 22.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 18,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : 10th plus ITI / SSC.
Desirable Qualification : Experience of Plant tissue culture technician with certificate for Skill Competency recognized by NCVET.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-II
Position Code : 17014
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 22.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 28,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Life Sciences (Specialization in Plant Sciences) from a recognized university and 2 years’ research experience in R&D in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organizations and Scientific activities and services.
Desirable Qualification : Work experience in plant cell organ culture, molecular biology techniques and biochemical profiling techniques.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17015
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 22.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Molecular Biology / Biotechnology / Plant Breeding / Genomics / M.Sc. Botany / M.Sc. Seed Science Technology from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Work experience in molecular characterization, NGS / molecular markers / high-throughput genotyping.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17016
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 22.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : (a) Rs. 31,000/- PM + HRA for candidates qualified in CSIR-UGC / ICAR / ICMR NET incl. lectureship / assistant professorship or GATE or qualifying national-level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or Agencies/Institutions; (b) Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA for others.
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Agriculture (Agronomy / Soil Science / Agroforestry); M.Sc. Horticulture (Medicinal & Aromatic Plants); M.Sc. Botany from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Work Experience: Conduct of field trials, plant data observation, and agronomic evaluation of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17017
No. of post : 02
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 22.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Agriculture (Agronomy / Soil Science / Agroforestry); M.Sc. Horticulture (Medicinal & Aromatic Plants); M.Sc. Botany from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Work Experience: Conduct of field trials, plant data observation, and agronomic evaluation of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17018
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “Smart Village” (MMP045201)
Age : 35 Years as on 22.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Floriculture / Biotechnology / Botany from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Work Experience in the area of floriculture evidenced by research publication.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2028

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17019
No. of post : 02
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 23.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. in Agri. (Agronomy / Plant Physiology); M.Sc. in Botany from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in conducting agriculture field trials, Plant data collection, biochemical analysis, and Soil analysis.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17020
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 23.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : (a) Rs. 31,000/- PM + HRA for candidates qualified in CSIR-UGC / ICAR / ICMR NET incl. lectureship / assistant professorship or GATE or qualifying national-level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or Agencies/Institutions; (b) Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA for others.
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. in Agri. (Agronomy / Plant Physiology); M.Sc. in Botany from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in conducting agriculture field trials, Plant data collection, biochemical analysis, and Soil analysis.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17021
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 23.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Zoology or Entomology from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Experience of rearing of insects; development of biopesticides; lab and field efficacy studies of pesticides. Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17022
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “Determinants of Attitudes Toward Novel Agrotechnologies: An Integrated Model of Technology Acceptance and Diffusion in Farming Communities of the Himachal Pradesh” (IHP002414)
Age : 35 Years as on 23.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : (a) Rs. 31,000/- + 10% HRA for candidates qualified in CSIR-UGC / ICAR / ICMR NET incl. lectureship / assistant professorship or GATE or qualifying national-level examinations conducted by Central Govt. Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or Agencies/Institutions; (b) Rs. 25,000/- + 10% HRA for others.
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. in Life Sciences / Agriculture / Agriculture Extension / Statistics / Agribusiness Management from a recognized University.
Desirable Qualification : Handling of large data sets.
Tenure of the project upto : 31-03-2027

Senior-PAT
Position Code : 17023
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 40 Years as on 26.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 42,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Chemistry / M. Pharma from a recognized University and 3 years’ experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organizations and Scientific activities and services; OR Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences from a recognized University and 2 years’ experience in Research and Development in Industrial and Academic Institutions or Science and Technology Organizations and Scientific activities and services.
Desirable Qualification : Work Experience in the Area of Natural Product Chemistry / Organic Synthesis / Catalysts.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17024
No. of post : 02
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 26.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : (a) Rs. 31,000/- PM + HRA for candidates qualified in CSIR-UGC / ICAR / ICMR NET incl. lectureship / assistant professorship or GATE or qualifying national-level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments like DBT/DST or equivalent and/or Agencies/Institutions; (b) Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA for others.
Educational Qualifications : MSc Chemistry / M Pharmacy from recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in the Area of Natural Product Chemistry / Organic System / Catalysts.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17025
No. of post : 02
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 26.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Chemistry from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in the Area of Natural Product Chemistry / Organic System / Catalysts.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17026
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 26.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Chemistry / M. Pharma from Recognized University.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in the area of organic synthesis / natural product chemistry will be preferred.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17027
No. of post : 02
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 27.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Chemistry from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in the field of Essential Oils / Natural Product Chemistry.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17028
No. of post : 02
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 27.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : M.Sc. Chemistry / M. Pharma / MS Pharma from a recognized University.
Desirable Qualification : Experience in the area of analytical tools with special reference to chromatographic & spectroscopic techniques will be preferred; OR experience in isolation and characterization of nature molecules from medicinal and aromatic plants or product development.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Assistant-I (PA-I)
Position Code : 17029
No. of post : 01
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 27.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 18,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : 10th plus ITI / SSC.
Desirable Qualification : ITI in welder/plumbing.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

Project Associate PAT-I
Position Code : 17030
No. of post : 03
Projects Title & Project Number : “CSIR Aroma 4.0: Driving Sustainable Rural Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through Aromatic Plants” (MMP025304)
Age : 35 Years as on 27.10.2026
Stipend Per Month : Rs. 25,000/- PM + HRA
Educational Qualifications : B.Tech. Chemical Engineering / M.Sc. in Chemistry / Industrial Chemistry / Wood Science & Technology from a recognized university.
Desirable Qualification : Experience of at least one year in research & development in R&D organization / industry.
Tenure of the project upto : 31.03.2029

General instructions
1. Candidates reporting for interview after 10.00 AM will not be allowed to appear for interview.
2. Eligible candidates may appear for “Walk-in-Interview(s)” on the date, time and place mentioned above along with an application on prescribed format (with latest colored passport size photo affixed on it) which is available on the CSIR-IHBT website i.e. ihbt.res.in along with self-attested photocopies of their testimonials of age, educational qualifications, experience etc. at the time of interview.
3. The relaxation in the age limit for the candidates belonging to the category of SC/ST/PwBD/Women and the category of OBC shall be 05 years and 03 years respectively or as per Govt. of India instructions issued in this regard from time to time.
4. Engagement under any of this positions shall be on behalf of the sponsoring agency and shall be temporary and co-terminus with the tenure of the project or 06 years whichever is earlier. Further such engagement, directly or indirectly, shall not provide any right/claim for regularization for permanent post of CSIR.
5. If any candidate wants to apply for more than one position code they will have to submit separate application form for each position code.
6. Candidates must also bring with them original certificates of testimonials at the time of appearing for the interview failing which he/she will not be allowed to appear for interview.
7. No Travelling Allowance will be paid for attending the interview.
8. Candidates must ensure that they bring self-attested copies of their essential certificates otherwise, their applications will not be accepted.
9. The Selection Committee(s) may adopt the selection criterion at its own i.e. either by conducting direct interview or objective test (Based on Multiple Choice Questions) followed by interview on the same day.
10. Number of selected candidates may vary from the advertised positions depending upon performance of candidates during the selection process.
11. The positions are purely temporary and co-terminus with the duration of the project. There will be no right implicit or explicit for regular position or any post in CSIR-IHBT, Palampur whatsoever.
12. The decision of the Director, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur shall be final on any matter relating to engagement of above mentioned positions in CSIR-IHBT, Palampur (H.P.).
13. The Competent Authority reserves the right to relax any of the provisions contained in this advertisement on reasonable ground.
14. The performance of the Project Staff would be reviewed after every six-months period and any one not found up to the mark, may be terminated.
15. Request for online Interview will not be entertained at any circumstances.

Walk in Interview
Date : 16-10-2026 : 17001 to 17005
19-10-2026 : 17006 to 17007
21-10-2026 : 17008 to 17012
22-10-2026 : 170013 to 17018
23-10-2026 : 170019 to 17022
26-10-2026 : 170023 to 17026
27-10-2026 : 170027 to 17030
Interview Time : 09:30 AM for all posts
Venue : CSIR-IHBT, Palampur (H.P.)