The Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS) is a research institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), engaged in basic and applied research on soils with the aim of supporting sustainable agriculture in India. It is located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and functions as the apex national body for soil science research within the ICAR system.
| Name | Indian Institute of Soil Science |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | IISS |
| Type | Public agricultural research institute |
| Parent body | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India |
| Location | Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| Field | Soil science, soil fertility, soil biology, soil physics, soil chemistry |
The institute was set up to serve as a national centre for research on soils, with a mandate that covers soil characterisation, fertility evaluation, nutrient management, soil biology and biochemistry, soil physics, and the long-term sustainability of soil resources under Indian agro-ecological conditions. It coordinates research across cooperating centres in different agro-climatic zones of the country and also conducts capacity-building programmes for scientists, students and extension workers.
Soil science research in India has historically been carried out at agricultural universities, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, and the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP) in Nagpur. With the increasing demand for higher productivity, concerns over declining soil health, and the need for integrated nutrient management following the Green Revolution, the ICAR established a dedicated institute focused on soil-related research issues, leading to the formation of IISS at Bhopal.
The institute's research programmes typically span the following broad themes:
IISS coordinates and houses national-level coordinated research projects related to soil, including programmes on long-term fertiliser experiments and on micro- and secondary nutrients and pollutant elements in soils and plants. These coordinated projects link IISS with state agricultural universities and other ICAR institutes across the country.
The institute offers post-graduate research opportunities for Ph.D. scholars in soil science and allied disciplines through affiliations with universities, and hosts trainees, interns and visiting scientists. It also organises short-term training courses, workshops and farmers' interaction programmes on themes such as soil health management, balanced fertilisation and use of biofertilisers.
IISS publishes research bulletins, technical reports, training manuals and extension folders on topics such as soil testing, integrated nutrient management and soil health cards. Scientists at the institute contribute to national and international journals, and the institute participates in policy support to programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, including initiatives related to soil health.
As the lead ICAR institute on soil science, IISS plays an important role in advising on national policies related to soil health, fertiliser recommendations and sustainable land use. Its long-term experiments and coordinated research generate baseline data on the changing status of Indian soils, which is used in shaping schemes such as the Soil Health Card programme and broader strategies for sustainable intensification of agriculture.