This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
1892
Dr. Waldemar Mordecai Haffkine creates India's first vaccine, targeting Vibrio cholerae.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 501.
1 October 1897
In response to an outbreak of plague in India, Dr. Waldemar Mordecai Haffkine creates and tests a vaccine against Yersinia pestis.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 501.
10 August 1899
The Plague Institute is established in Bombay, directed by Dr. Waldemar Mordecai Haffkine.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 501.
1900-1915
The Plague Institute is successful in developing vaccines for cholera and typhoid.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 502.
1900
The Pasteur Institute of Kasauli is established in Kasauli.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 502; "Kasauli," Indiainfo.com, <http://travel.indiainfo.com/packages/hillstations/kasauli.html>.
1901
The Vaccine Institute is established in Nagpur to develop vaccines for different diseases.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 502.
1905
The Central Research Institute at Kasauli is established.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 502; "Kasauli," Indiainfo.com, <http://travel.indiainfo.com/packages/hillstations/kasauli.html>.
1907
The Pasteur Institute of South India at Coonoor is established to develop vaccines for such diseases as rabies and polio.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 502; "Coonoor," Hill Resorts in India, <http://www.hillresortsindia.com/india/coonoor-travel.html>.
1909
The Central Malaria Bureau at Kasauli is established in Kasauli.
—Indian Parasitology Centers, <http://www.parasitologyindia.org/parasitology_centers.htm>.
1920
The Plague Institute begins to manufacture a rabies vaccine.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 502.
1924
The Maharaja of Gwalior sets up a research laboratory in Gwalior to explore the forest products and mineral resources of the area.
—Defense Research & Development Establishment, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/material/drde/history.shtml>.
1927
The Central Malaria Bureau at Kasauli is renamed the Malaria Survey of India.
—Indian Parasitology Centers, <http://www.parasitologyindia.org/parasitology_centers.htm>.
1930
The Plague Institute is renamed the Haffkine Institute following the death of Dr. Waldemar Mordecai Haffkine.
—Haffkine Institute, <http://theory.tifr.res.in/bombay/academic/institutes/haffkine-inst.html>.
1938
The Malaria Survey of India moves to New Delhi and becomes the Malaria Institute of India. The center primarily conducts research on "vector biology and control, genetics, cellular and molecular biology, parasitology, epidemiology, pharmacology and biochemistry that is related to malariology and the development of malaria control strategies." The institute maintains close links with international medical organizations as well as national laboratories.
—Indian Parasitology Centers, <http://www.parasitologyindia.org/parasitology_centers.htm>.
1940
The Department of Antitoxins and Sera is established at the Haffkine Institute, Bombay and the Central Research Institute, Kasauli.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 502.
1940
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act is passed. The act creates a legal framework for the vaccine industry in India.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 507.
1947
A research center in Gwalior is inaugurated by the Governor General of India and becomes known as the Jiwaji Industrial Research Laboratory.
—Defense Research & Development Establishment , <http://www.drdo.org/labs/material/drde/history.shtml>.
17 February 1951
The Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow is inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
—Indian Parasitology Centers, <http://www.parasitologyindia.org/parasitology_centers.htm>; Central Drug Research Institute, <http://www.cdriindia.org/>.
1958
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is established as an amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment (TDE) of the Indian Army, the Directorate of Technical Development and the Defense Science Organization. DRDO is set up to provide the Armed Services with new technology.
—John Pike, "Defense Research And Development Organization: Indian Special Weapons Agencies," Federation of American Scientists, 29 May 2002, <http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/agency/drdo.htm>; Captain Paul McQuay, "Summary of The Indian Defense Science And Technology Organization," 16 March 1995, <http://www.nmjc.org/aoard/9501.html>, accessed 5/30/01; DRDO, <http://www.drdo.com>.
1960
Field Research Laboratory (FRL) is founded in Leh under the control of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
—Field Research Laboratory (FRL), <http://www.drdo.org/labs/dls/frl/history.shtml>.
28 December 1961
The Defense Food Research Laboratory is established at Mysore. The laboratory is set up to deal with the different food challenges facing the military and paramilitary forces.
—Defense Agricultural Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/dls/dfrl/index.shtml>.
1962
The Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences is established at Madras, with a focus on high-altitude physiology, psychology, nutrition, and biochemistry.
—Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/dls/dipas/history.shtml>.
1962
ICAR's FRL becomes part of DRDO, under the control of the Defense Science Laboratory in Delhi. The lab is set up to make the hostile terrain of Jammu and Kashmir conducive to agriculture.
—Field Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.com/labs/dls/frl/history.shtml>.
9 February 1962
The Research & Development Establishment, Pune is founded as an amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment, Ahmedanagar and Inspectorate of Engineering Stores, Calcutta. It is set up as a nodal establishment to meet the technical requirements of Army engineers.
—Defense Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/combat/r&de/history.shtml>.
October 1962
The Field Laboratory (FLT) is established to address the specific requirements of troops located in northeast India.
—Defense Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/dls/drl/history.shtml>.
1963
The Vaccine Institute places a freeze-dried smallpox vaccine on the market.
—Anthony T. Tu, Toxin-Related Diseases: Poisons Originating From Plants, Animals And Spoilage (New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., 1993), p. 502.
1963
Malaria Institute of India is renamed the National Institute of Communicable Diseases.
—Indian Parasitology Centers, <http://www.parasitologyindia.org/parasitology_centers.htm>.
November 1963
The Field Laboratory (FLT) is moved to Tezpur.
—Defense Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/dls/dipas/history.shtml>.
1968
The Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences is relocated to the Army Base Hospital in Delhi.
—Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/dls/dipas/history.shtml>.
