Historical Background

Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam came into existence on August 20, 1969.  Commodore KR Ramanath (Later Rear Admiral) was the founder Director of the Laboratory. He was also the Director of Naval Science & Technology (DNST) at DRDO HQrs.

The laboratory initially functioned from POL stores at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. The laboratory was shifted into a war barrack at Andhra University on 05th Sept 1969 and the Laboratory was formally inaugurated by Sri. Lankapalli Bullayya, the then Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University on 04th Apr'1970. The laboratory functioned in Andhra University campus for about 2 and half years and moved into a hired accommodation at Kirlampudi Layout, Visakhapatnam.

The foundation stone for construction of NSTL Main Building was laid by Dr.BD Nagchaudhry, the then Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri on 02nd Mar'1974. Meanwhile, a separate sanction was issued for construction of a temporary shed of 10,000 sq.ft floor area and the laboratory was shifted into this temporary shed from its hired accommodation. The shifting from Visakhapatnam city to NSTL's premises was completed between Sept'1975 and Dec'1975.