The Lok Sabha in April 1955 resolved : This house is of the opinion that the Government of India should take necessary steps to introduce uniform weights and measures throughout the country based on metric system [1][circular reference] Key Functions of NPL: Maintaining SI Units: NPL establishes and maintains the Indian standards for the International System of Units (SI), which includes units like meter, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, candela, and mole.

The main building of the laboratory was formally opened by Former Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 21 January 1950.

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, inaugurated the Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Laboratory on 23 December 1975.

In particular its objectives are: To establish, maintain and improve continuously by research, for the benefit of the nation, National Standards of Measurements and to realize the Units based on International System (Under the subordinate Legislations of Weights and Measures Act 1956, reissued in 1988 under the 1976 Act).

To identify and conduct after due consideration, research in areas of physics which are most appropriate to the needsof the nation and for advancement of field To assist industries, national and other agencies in their developmental tasks by precision measurements, calibration, development of devices, processes, and other allied problems related to physics.

In 1957, India became member of the General Conference of Weight and Measures (CGPM), BIPM, an International Intergovernmental organization constituted by diplomatic treaty, i.e. ‘The Metre Convention’.

The objective was to bring greater coordination between the various groups and to give the standards activity a programme-based approach on a bigger scale and enable the Laboratory to play its role more effectively.

It has since been maintaining six SI base units; namely, metre (for length), kilogram (for mass), second (for time), kelvin (for temperature), ampere (for current) and candela (for luminous intensity).

Each modernized country, including India has a National Metrological Institute (NMI), which maintains the standards of measurements.

The standard unit of length, metre, is realized by employing a stabilized helium-neon laser as a source of light.

By a sophisticated instrument, known as an optical interferometer, any length can be measured in terms of the wavelength of laser light.

The NPL also maintains a group of transfer standard kilograms made of non-magnetic stainless steel and nickel-chromium alloy.

The caesium atomic clocks maintained at NPL are linked to other such instituted all over the world through a set of global positioning satellites.

The unit of electric current, ampere, is realized at NPL by measuring the volt and the ohm separately.

Experimental work has been initiated to realize mole, the SI unit for amount of substance The NPL does not maintain standards of measurements for ionizing radiations.

One of the important research activities undertaken by NPL is to devise the chemical formula for the indelible ink which is being used in the Indian elections to prevent fraudulent voting.

Currently the division is headed by Dr. C. Sharma and section is primarily focusing on development of sensor for cholesterol, measurement and microfluidic based biosensors.

During the 28th Indian Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica (ISEA) (2008-2009), CSIR-NPL established a state of art Indian Polar Space Physics Laboratory (IPSPL) at Indian Permanent Research Base Maitri (70 0 46’ S, 110 43’ E), Antarctica on the occasion of International Polar Year (IPY) for continuous and real time monitoring of high latitude ionosphere to address the scientific interest of high latitudinal ionospheric consequences caused by the modulation of near-earth space environmental conditions.

In 2011 CSIR-NPL provided leadership to the Antarctic expedition to India's newly constructed 3rd permanent scientific base “Bharati” (69° 24’ S, 76 ° 11’) to test & validate its facilities during extreme winter conditions.

The indelible ink used to mark the fingernail of a voter during general elections is a time-tested gift of CSIR to the spirit of democracy.

National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has established an atmospheric monitoring station in the campus of Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) at Palampur (H.P.)

Mitra – 1968 Dr. Vinay Gupta - 2017 Contributors to Nobel Peace Prize-winning team for Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC Dr. A.P.