Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP)

The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) is an autonomous research institute funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It studies plant fossils and the deep history of the Earth across the geological record. Professor Birbal Sahni founded the institute on 10 September 1946 as the Institute of Palaeobotany, and it became an autonomous research organisation on 9 July 1969. Its work spans palaeobotany, palynology, palaeoclimate, Quaternary studies, geochronology and geoheritage, and it publishes the Journal of Palaeosciences. The institute runs a museum holding the fossil plant collection assembled by Professor Sahni together with type and figured specimens added by its own scientists. It also operates the Centre for Promotion of Geoheritage and Geotourism, an amber analysis and palaeoentomology laboratory, sophisticated analytical instrument facilities and a knowledge resource centre. Doctoral research, a master's dissertation programme and short-term training and internship programmes run alongside outreach activities that take fossils and palaeoscience to schools and colleges.