The National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad of the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, came into being as the  “Occupational Health Research Institute” in the year 1966,  and rechristened as its present name in 1970. The Institute has two Regional  Centers. The regional occupational health center Bangalore, established  in 1977and kolkata in 1980.

The Institute has been established with the following defined objectives :

     -To promote intensive research in the field of occupational health.

     -To promote the highest quality of endeavors in both fundamental and applied research without restrictive regulations.

     -To apply basic data towards devising of new technique's  for the purpose of clinical or experimental uses.

For the last three decades the Institute has been  devoted to the cause of working class of people,  aiming to help to  provide “Occupational Health” to workers, through: Research, Education, Services and related activities.

 Research  programme and activities address  the national priorities and needs, through multi-disciplinary approach, encompassing epidemiological studies, experimental studies, ergonomics and intervention technologies. The major contribution of the institute can be seen in the form of peer-reviewed publications, reports and large number of know hows.  Varieties of control technologies, including methods, techniques and equipment has been  developed for the prevention and control of occupational hazards.

The government authorities, judiciary, both  the organized and unorganized sectors of industry, have been benefited by the Institute's expertise and  facilities, from time to time. 

The Institute imparts  regular training and education in Occupational and Environmental Health. to  personnel of different categories.
 
The Institute has been recognized as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health in the South-East Asia Region since 1981 and as a Participating Institute for International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), a program organized jointly by WHO, International Labor Organization (ILO) and United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), in 1984.

The Institute foresees its vision to create Safe Work Environment by Quality Support Systems in resolving problems and promoting health and safety at workplaces.

NIOH aims to expand its activities in the Asia-pacific region for occupational health and safety (OHS) research and services to strive accomplish the value of health and safety through pursuing multi-pronged approach in research to application.

This primer institute in the region  aim  to re-examine  its  broad framework  to consolidate  functions and activities, and to embark upon the the workforce which is  likely to face in the years to come.  In order to promote OHS goal to the industry, it plans to achieve a symbiotic relationship with the host communities (local industry, MNC's, regulatory bodies and institutional agencies)  towards achieving the target. The NIOH plans to play a greater role in public awareness and education in OHS in the country.  The institute is having state of art infrastructure to fulfill the needs and its objectives, which plays important role in research and development work.