The ICMR–National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT), Chennai, stands today as one of the premier institutions dedicated to tuberculosis (TB) research in India and globally. For nearly seven decades, the institute has been at the forefront of generating scientific evidence, developing innovative tools and strategies, and guiding national and international policies for TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Our journey reflects a remarkable evolution shaped by scientific rigor, visionary leadership, and the commitment of generations of researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals. The growth and success of our institute over the decades have been made possible by the visionary leadership of several eminent Director Generals of ICMR and the Directors of the institute who guided the institute through different phases of scientific advancement. Equally important has been the dedication and tireless work of the institute’s scientific, technical, and administrative staff. Their collective efforts have built a culture of excellence and integrity that continues to define NIRT today.

The origins of the institute date back to 1956, when it was established as the Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Centre (TCC) in Madras as a collaborative project between the Government of India, the Government of Tamil Nadu, the World Health Organization, and the British Medical Research Council. The establishment of this center marked the beginning of systematic scientific investigations into tuberculosis treatment strategies in India. Recognizing the importance and impact of the research being conducted, the center was converted into a permanent establishment under ICMR in 1964. As the scope and scale of its work expanded, the institution was renamed the Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC) in 1978, reflecting its broader mandate to undertake comprehensive research on all aspects of TB. In 2011, acknowledging its national leadership role and multidisciplinary research portfolio, the institute was further elevated and renamed the ICMR–National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis.

NIRT has a rich legacy of conducting landmark studies that have profoundly influenced TB control strategies worldwide. One of the most notable contributions was the ‘Madras Study’, which revolutionized the understanding of TB treatment by demonstrating that domiciliary treatment of TB patients is as effective as treatment in sanatoria. This finding fundamentally changed TB care practices globally and laid the groundwork for community-based TB treatment approaches. Another historic milestone was the Chengalpattu BCG vaccine trial, the largest BCG vaccine trial ever conducted in the world, which provided invaluable insights into the ineffectiveness of BCG vaccination in preventing tuberculosis. The institute has also played a pivotal role in the development and evaluation of short-course chemotherapy regimens, which later formed the backbone of the Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) strategy, a cornerstone of global TB control. NIRT also implemented the Model DOTS Project in Tiruvallur, which served as an important demonstration site for the operationalization of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP). The lessons from this project helped shape programmatic implementation strategies across the country.

In recent years, the institute has continued to contribute to major national and global TB initiatives. NIRT played a leading role in the National TB Prevalence Survey (2019–2021), the largest such survey ever conducted in India, which provided robust estimates of TB burden and critical insights into gaps in case detection. The institute has also been actively involved in evaluating shorter and more effective treatment regimens, including the mBPAL regimen, aimed at improving treatment outcomes for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

The current mandate of the institute is to provide scientific understanding and technologies needed to support the fight against TB by conducting high-quality research based on national priorities. This mandate aligns closely with India’s ambitious goal of eliminating tuberculosis and contributes significantly to the global effort to end TB as a public health threat.

Today, NIRT operates through a diverse set of specialized departments that bring together expertise across biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and social science disciplines. These include departments of Bacteriology, Immunology, Clinical Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Clinical Trials, Epidemiology, Statistics, Pediatric Tuberculosis, Socio-Behavioral Sciences, Evidence Synthesis, Health Economics, Health Technology Assessment, Bioinformatics, Veterinary Sciences, Biorepository, and Virology. The multidisciplinary nature of our work enables us to address tuberculosis from bench to bedside to community.

Our current research priorities focus on addressing the most pressing challenges in TB control. A key area of emphasis is the development and validation of more accurate, affordable, and indigenous diagnostic technologies that can enable rapid detection of TB and drug resistance. We are also actively engaged in research aimed at shortening and improving the safety of treatment regimens for both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB. Another important area of focus is TB prevention, including the development and evaluation of novel vaccines, host-directed therapies, and preventive treatment strategies. At the same time, the institute is exploring innovative strategies for early case detection, improved treatment adherence, and effective TB prevention, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Recognizing that tuberculosis is not merely a biomedical disease but also a social and economic challenge, our research increasingly integrates social, behavioral, and health systems perspectives. Through disciplines such as health economics, health technology assessment, and socio-behavioral sciences, we aim to ensure that innovations are not only scientifically sound but also feasible, scalable, and equitable.

Collaboration has been a cornerstone of NIRT’s success. The institute works closely with the Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s the Central TB Division, State TB Programs (most notably the Tamil Nadu State TB Elimination Programme), Medical colleges, National and International research institutions, Universities, and Global Health Organizations. Most importantly, our institute is recognized as the WHO Collaborating Center for TB Research and Training. These partnerships have enabled us to translate scientific discoveries into policies and practices that strengthen TB control efforts both nationally and globally. We are deeply grateful to all our partners and collaborating institutions who continue to support our mission. Their contributions, combined with the dedication of our Scientists, and staff, enable NIRT to remain at the cutting edge of tuberculosis research.

As I look toward the future, the challenge of tuberculosis elimination demands sustained innovation, collaboration, and commitment. At NIRT, we remain steadfast in our mission to generate high-quality scientific evidence, develop transformative technologies, and support evidence-based policies that can accelerate progress toward a TB-free India and a TB-free world. We welcome researchers, partners, and stakeholders to join us in this collective endeavor as we continue to build upon our rich legacy and strive for new breakthroughs in the fight against tuberculosis.