Located in Gwalior, it is primarily involved in the research and development of detection and protection against toxic chemical and biological agents.
[2] Advanced Biological Defence Research Centre (ABDRC) was established, in 2021, under DRDE as a Biosafety level 4 laboratory that will work on highly contagious virus, their effects on human being, and developing safeguards.
Research and development activities at DRDO cover important demarcated disciplines like aeronautics, rockets and missiles, electronics and instrumentation, combat vehicles, engineering, naval systems, armament technology including explosives research, terrain research, advanced computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, works study, systems analysis and life sciences including high-altitude agriculture, physiology, food technology and nuclear medicine.
In addition to undertaking research and development activities, DRDO also assists the Services by rendering technical advice regarding formulation of requirements, evaluation of systems to be acquired, fire and explosive safety and mathematical and statistical analysis of operational problems.
The courses at these institutions have been evolved primarily to meet the needs of DRDO, Department of Defence Production and Supplies and the three Services.