The institute’s journey began in 1979 with the launch of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Seeds, also known as the “National Seed Project”. In recognition of its growing importance and contributions, it was established as the Directorate of Seed Research on 31 December, 2004. Following a decade of significant achievements in quality seed production and technological research, the ICAR Governing Body upgraded the directorate to the “Indian Institute of Seed Science” (IISS) in 2016. More recently, with the approval of the EFC for 2021-26, the institute was rechristened as ICAR – National Institute of Seed Science & Technology (ICAR-NISST).