The ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) is a premier research institution in India, operating as the largest center under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Its origin traces back to 1918 when Sir Robert McCarrison established the "Beri-Beri Enquiry Unit" at the Pasteur Institute in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, to solve the problem of nutritional deficiency diseases. This unit evolved into the "Nutrition Research Laboratories" (NRL) in 1928 and was shifted to Hyderabad in 1958. It was renamed ICMR-NIN in 1969 on its golden jubilee.
The institute's mechanism involves conducting problem-oriented research to generate high-quality evidence for tackling public health nutrition problems. It formulates the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and Dietary Guidelines for Indians (DGIs), which translate scientific evidence into practical recommendations for the population. ICMR-NIN also conducts operational research for the planning and implementation of national nutrition programs, such as those involving the distribution of iron-folic acid tablets and Vitamin A doses.
ICMR-NIN connects directly to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare through the ICMR and acts in an advisory role to national bodies like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). A significant recent change is the release of the updated Dietary Guidelines for Indians (DGIs) in 2024, which replaced the 2011 edition. The 2024 guidelines introduced a more comprehensive approach, including the "1000-day nutrition" concept for pregnant women and a specific target of consuming 400 g/day of vegetables, up from 300 g/day in the 2011 guidelines. The core function of providing evidence-based nutritional guidance for public health remains the same.