Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU)
The Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Cell of ICAR was restructured and renamed as the National Agricultural Innovation Fund (NAIF) scheme, which came into effect on October 2, 2006. Under this initiative, each ICAR institute was mandated to establish an Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU) to strengthen institutional mechanisms for protecting and managing intellectual property, as well as for promoting the transfer and commercialization of technologies.
At ICAR-CSSRI, the ITMU serves as the nodal unit responsible for undertaking key activities, which include:
- Protection of intellectual property generated from institute’s research.
- Filing and processing of applications for patents and other forms of IP rights.
- Monitoring and maintenance of granted patents and other registered IP.
- Facilitation of transfer and commercialization of ICAR-CSSRI technologies at the institute level.
The ITMU functions under the administrative framework of the Council through the Zonal Technology Management Unit (ZTMU), which provides oversight and guidance. To streamline decision-making and ensure institutional accountability, an Institute Technology Management Committee (ITMC) has been constituted. This committee comprises members representing scientific, administrative, and financial domains of the institute to provide balanced oversight in matters related to IP management, technology transfer, and commercialization.
ITMU Nodal Officer: Dr. Ajay Kumar Bhardwaj
The members of the ITMC are as follows:
Dr. R.K. Yadav, Director, ICAR CSSRI, Chairperson
Dr. Ajay Kumar Bhardwaj, Member Secretary
Dr. A.K. Rai, Head, Division of Soil and Crop Management
Dr. SK Sanwal, Head, Division of Crop Improvement
Dr. Satyendra Kumar, Head, Division of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Dr. Suresh Kumar, Head (A), Division of Soil Science Research
