NIOT Chennai's Acoustic Test Facility gets international recognition; Dr Jitendra Singh unveils plaque
Dr Jitendra Singh on 12 April 2025 unveiled a plaque at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, marking the international recognition of its indigenously developed Acoustic Test Facility as India's Designated Laboratory in underwater acoustics under the BIPM.
Summary
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on 12 April 2025 unveiled a plaque at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, an institute of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, recognising its Acoustic Test Facility (ATF). Set up in 2004, the ATF is India's only NABL-accredited facility for calibration of hydrophones, accredited since 2005. It took part in a 2018 Key Comparison exercise led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), UK, with laboratories from 7 other countries. Through CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, it has been recognised as India's 'Designated Laboratory' in underwater acoustics under the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), Paris, effective 30 January 2024.
Key facts
- Facility
- Acoustic Test Facility, NIOT Chennai (MoES)
- Set up
- 2004
- Distinction
- India's only NABL-accredited hydrophone calibration facility (since 2005)
- Recognition
- India's Designated Laboratory in underwater acoustics under BIPM, Paris (via CSIR-NPL)
- Effective
- 30 January 2024
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Acoustic Test Facility recognised as India's Designated Laboratory in underwater acoustics belongs to which institute?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai
National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Under which international body has NIOT's Acoustic Test Facility been recognised as India's Designated Laboratory in underwater acoustics?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM)
International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), Paris, through CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, effective 30 January 2024.
Consider the following statements about the Acoustic Test Facility at NIOT, Chennai: 1. It is India's only NABL-accredited facility for calibration of hydrophones. 2. It was set up in 2018. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. It is the only NABL-accredited hydrophone calibration facility; it was set up in 2004, and 2018 was the year of the NPL-UK Key Comparison it took part in.