The Archives at NCBS is a public collecting centre for the history of science in contemporary India. These are in various forms: manuscript collections (with the prefix, MS), institutional collections (NS or NI), artefact collections (AT), bibliographic collections (BB), and oral history collections (OH). The holdings range from manuscripts to negatives to photographs, books, fine art, audio recordings, scientific equipment, letters, field and lab notes.
The best way to understand the full nature of material in the collections is by visiting the detailed finding aids on our ArchivesSpace digital catalogue.
The Archives at NCBS will always be a work in progress. Collections are periodically added, revised and updated. Its growth also depends on the participation of the broader community. To contribute material or share opinions and feedback about the Archives, please do write to us at 
Sample Collections
Leslie Coleman Papers
Leslie Charles Coleman was an entomologist and plant pathologist, who was appointed as the first Director of Agriculture in Mysore State. He is renowned for setting up local agricultural and experimental unions and research institutions...[Read More]
Obaid Siddiqi Papers
Obaid Siddiqi (1932-2013), was the co-founder and first Centre Director of the National Center for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore. Siddiqi worked extensively on the genetic neurobiology of the fruit fly, Drosophila...[Read More]
MS Swaminathan Papers
The MS Swaminathan Papers contain over 48000 archival objects from 80+ years, covering agricultural research through correspondence, field notes, photographs, administrative documents, media clippings and more...[Read More]
Featured Collections: Please visit our Featured Collections page for more context
MS014 Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS)
MS027 Shripad and Nandini’s Papers of Narmada Struggle
OH002 Oral Histories - History of Science (assorted)
OH003 Oral Histories - Ecology and Conservation
OH004 Oral Histories - The Life of Science collaboration
LB001 Science Reporter Magazine
SD002 Small Donations - Ecology
SD003 Small Donations - Agriculture
