Right To Information

Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) is registered as a trust registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act (Gujarat) 1950.

All matters relating to the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad were brought under the aegis of Department of Space (DOS) vide notifying Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 for DOS, vide Notification No. Doc No. CD-567/72 dated 18/07/1972, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

The main emphasis of the Trust is on Research & Development in basic sciences in the field of Physical Sciences. The Trust is funded by the Department of Space, Government of India.
The main research activities pursued by PRL in accordance with its vision statement pertain to the following areas: Click Here

The Laboratory is located at Navarangpura Ahmedabad Gujarat India. The PRL Trust is governed by PRL Council of Management.
Click Here to view Organisation Chart
In order to smoothly execute the functions/activities of each unit, Department of Space (DOS) has delegated its power to constituent units. Accordingly, Director, PRL has been given Administrative and Functional powers of ‘Head of the Department’ for efficient functioning of PRL. Director has further delegated his financial and administrative powers down in line of control up to levels which are required for the operation of functional entities.
Three types of decisions are taken in the organization viz., Technical, Administrative and Financial.

In order to promote R&D in the field of physical sciences, PRL Council of Management are responsible for formulating and guiding the implementation of technical activities. The project level decisions are taken as per the decision making tree of the organization under each project. PRL has also developed project management structure to review its major projects which includes Project Review Boards, Scientific Council etc.

The Administrative decisions pertaining to personnel are taken through the hierarchical chain based on the extent of delegation provided to the officers.

Financial decisions are also taken by the officers within the powers delegated to them.
The rules and regulation formulated by the Govt. Of India in the form of Fundamental Rules, Supplementary Rules, General Financial Rules, etc., as notified by Department of Space are adopted on `mutatis mutandis’ with modification where ever required.

PRL has also adopted the Purchase Procedure formulated by DOS relating to Procurement Management as briefly indicated below.

PRL procures various Electronic/Mechanical/Electrical equipment, Consumables, raw material and fabrication works, etc. required for R&D and other activities of the Laboratory. PRL follows DOS procedures in procurement activities. Generally, procurements are made through tendering as follows:
  • Public Tender
  • Limited Tender
  • Single Tender (Proprietary/Emergency/Standardization of machinery/ spares parts)
Public tenders are advertised in the leading Newspapers and also hosted in PRL/ISRO websites. Public Tenders are opened in the presence of suppliers/vendors. Limited Tenders are issued to the vendors available in the data bank of Purchase Division of PRL. The bids received are technically evaluated by the duly constituted Technical Evaluation Committees/respective user divisions and recommendations are on technically acceptable and commercially lowest offer basis. These recommendations are further reviewed by following Purchase Committees constituted for the purpose depending upon the value.
  • Single Window Clearance Committee.
  • Contract Finalization Committees.
PRL for award and execution of civil works (including electrical/mechanical etc.), Facilities Contracts Manual/CPWD Manual/DOS guidelines are followed.
Subject to the provisions available in the approved budget/ project, Director, PRL is empowered to sanction the expenditure on project/purchases up to the delegated powers by DOS. Accounts Division has in-built system for control of expenditure as per the approved budget.
The rules and regulations formulated by the Government of India in the form of Fundamental Rules, Supplementary Rules, General Financial Rules, etc., and as notified by DOS are followed with suitable modifications, wherever required. The following are the rules, manuals, etc., held by PRL and used by its employees for discharging its functions:
  1. Fundamental Rules
  2. Supplementary Rules
  3. General Financial Rules
  4. DOS Employees (CCA) Rules 1976
  5. CHSS Rules
  6. CSMA Rules (where CHSS facilities are not available)
  7. Facilities Contract Manual/CPWD Manual/DOS guidelines.
  8. CCS (Pension) Rules 1972
  9. CCS Conduct Rules 1964
  10. Purchase Procedure, DOS
The relevant documents relating to procurement management, personnel management are held by PRL. The following documents are held by the Trust:
  1. Fundamental Rules
  2. Supplementary Rules
  3. General Financial Rules
  4. DOS Employees (CCA) Rules 1976
  5. CHSS Rules
  6. CSMA Rules (where CHSS facilities are not available)
  7. Facilities Contract Manual/CPWD Manual/DOS guidelines.
  8. CCS (Pension) Rules 1972
  9. CCS Conduct Rules 1964
  10. Purchase Procedure, DOS
  11. Annual Report
  12. Document Manual Revised
An important component of involvement of public in formulation of policies and implementation thereof is by way of co-ordination with national laboratories. Also, the report on activities of PRL is available to public on the website which provides an opportunity for the public to convey their suggestion/point of view.
  1. Composition of Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) Trust.
The meetings of these bodies are not open to public but only to the members. The Agenda and Minutes of these are also not accessible to public.
  1. Information for which PRL is already under obligation of non-disclosure agreement with other parties.
  2. Details related to Scientific Payload and other key research and development efforts.
  3. Layout, Equipment Details and Photographs of the facility and other Infra Structure.
  4. Front / Backend design and layout of in-house developed equipments.
  5. Design details of Systems / Electronic Boards designed for internal projects.
  6. The Agenda and Minutes of Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) Council of Management.
PRL does not give any concession or issue any permit/authorization.
No person has been appointed on Compassionate Grounds in PRL.
PRL website (http://www.prl.res.in) contains Annual Report, details on the Scientific research and technical activities being pursued by PRL, which can be accessed by citizens.
Click Here for Name, designation and other particulars of RTI Authorities

Click Here for Details of RTI application/appeals received.

Click Here for Training RTI.

Click Here for RTI Reply details.

Click Here for Details of Parliamentary questionnaire.

Click Here for Consultancy committee of key stake holders for advice on suo-moto disclosure.