Functions, powers and responsibilities of the Director
Director is the Executive Head of the Laboratory. The responsibilities of director are- Realizing the mission of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), which is "to continuously improve our understanding of the seas around us and to translate this knowledge to benefit all.
- Creating an environment in NIO conducive to nurturing of innovation and productive research in support of the mission of the institute.
- Managing the affairs of the institute as per the decisions of the Management Council.
- Director shall in all matters have powers delegated to him by the Governing Body of CSIR. [Ref : Rule 53 A iii of CSIR Rules & Regulations and Bye-laws]
Duties of a Scientist (One or many of these depending upon the need and level)
- Conceive, plan, initiate and execute research that is consistent with the mission of NIO "to continuously improve our understanding of the seas around us and to translate this knowledge to benefit all"
- Support industries and other organisations (government and non-government ) through consultancy and contract research.
- Participate in the professional activities that promote sciences in general, and ocean sciences in particular, including dissemination of knowledge, protection of IPR, etc.
- Attend to the tasks as assigned in support of the mission of the institute.
- Create healthy and ethical atmosphere that promotes research in the areas related to the mission of the institute.
Duties of the Documentation Officer
- Acquire, organize and disseminate information through channels like: Institute's library and information services, outreach programmes, website and under Rights to Information (RTI) Act.
- Formulate and implement policies concerning information management that provide backup to the research activities and outreach programmes of the country in general and institute in particula
- Keep liaison with other information centres, professional associations and groups dealing with information management especially marine information management
- Seek instructions from Director, NIO on the matters beyond routine for implementation
Duties of the Controller of Administration
- Formulate and implement the policies concerning administrative procedures for smooth functioning of the institute.
- Provide advice to the functional bodies (committees, groups) within the organization.
- Keep liaison with CSIR on matters related to administration.
- Provide healthy working conditions and atmosphere to the institute by correct interpretation of rules and laws.
- Advice Director, NIO on the matters related to administrative nature for decision.
- Seek instructions of the Director on the matters beyond routine for implementation.
Duties of the Administrative Officer
- Overall in-charge of the activities in the Administrative sections that deal with matters like personnel; maintenance, upkeep and security of the institute's property; logistics support; control on the expenditure from administrative angle; etc.
- Reporting /Reviewing officer for the staff working in administrative block.
- Execute the power delegated to the Administrative Officer
- Take over the duties of the Controller of Administration in absence of the position.
- Undertake the tasks as assigned from time-to-time of non-routine nature.
Duties of the Controller of Finance and Accounts
- To assist and advise the Director on all financial matters and be responsible for providing support services to all the scientific staff and bench-level-scientists.
- Active participation in management decisions being an ex-officio member in statutory and other committees like Management Council, Standing Purchase Committees, Standing Disposal Committee, Departmental Promotion Committee, Honorarium Distribution Committee, Estate & Work Committee etc.
- Liaison and co-ordination work in respect of DACR & CSIR audit parties.
- Financial concurrence of all the proposals including service matters.
- To keep liaison with CSIR HQs on matters related to Finance/ Accounts/ Audit.
- Preparation of REs & BEs, review of expenditure vis-a-vis budget allocation.
- Preparation of annual account, income & expenditure statement and balance sheet.
- Scrutiny of pension cases and issue of PPO, retirement /death gratuity, commutation order etc.
- Implementation of activities related to modernization and computerization of finance & accounts functions.
- Any other work assigned by CSIR/Director.
Duties of Stores and Purchase Officer
- Overall in-charge of the activities in the Stores and Purchase sections that deal with matters like purchase of stores, maintenance of stores inventories, write-off of unserviceable items, auction of outdated stores, etc.
- Reporting /Reviewing Officer for the staff working in the Stores and Purchase section.
- Execute the policies concerning purchase and stores procedures for smooth functioning of the institute.
- Provide advice to the functional bodies (committees, groups) within the organization.
- Keep liaison with CSIR on matters related to Stores and Purchase.
- Provide healthy working conditions and atmosphere to the institute by correct interpretation of rules and laws.
- Advice Director, NIO on the matters related to stores and purchase for decisions.
- Seek instructions of the Director on the matters beyond routine for implementation.
Work Allocation to Employees
- Work allocation to different S&T staff is done as per the mandate of institute vis-à-vis specialization of research activity.
- Administrative works: The routine administrative work is being allocated to the officials on rotational basis.



