Indian Council of Agricultural Research
ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle
भाकृअनुप-केन्द्रीय गोवंश अनुसंधान संस्थान
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Institute)
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Institute)
The ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Cattle (ICAR–CIRC), Meerut, a premier institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is the country's apex institution exclusively dedicated to research on cattle genetic improvement, conservation of bovine germplasm and enhancement of cattle productivity.
With its unique national mandate, the Institute provides scientific leadership for developing productive, profitable, climate-resilient and sustainable cattle production systems suited to diverse agro-climatic conditions.
The Institute originated as the Project Directorate on Cattle (PDC) on 3 November 1987 through upgradation of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cattle at the Military Farms School and Research Centre, Meerut, and was upgraded as ICAR–CIRC in 2014 in recognition of its contributions to cattle research and breeding.
"Improvement of cattle for high productivity and profitability."
Germplasm improvement and technology development for realizing enhanced productivity and profitability.
A 5/8 Holstein Friesian × 3/8 Sahiwal crossbred developed with the Ministry of Defence. Systematic selection, performance recording and progeny testing have driven substantial gains in milk productivity, making Frieswal an important dairy crossbred for tropical production systems.
Coordinates genetic improvement and conservation of important indigenous breeds — Gir, Sahiwal, Kankrej, Tharparkar and Rathi — with measurable genetic gains in milk production.
The All India Coordinated Research Project on Cattle and Field Progeny Testing programme provide a national platform for genetic evaluation, performance recording, progeny testing and conservation, implemented through 17 centres across six states.
Through its Male Germplasm Unit and collaborating centres, the Institute has produced more than five million frozen semen doses from genetically superior bulls, with a germplasm network spanning collaborating ICAR institutes, State Agricultural and Veterinary Universities and other organizations.
Research spans cattle breeding and genomics, genomic selection, assisted reproductive technologies (OPU, IVF and embryo transfer), animal nutrition and feed evaluation, physiology and reproduction, animal health, precision livestock farming, climate resilience, and value addition. Emerging areas include genome editing, cell and gene resources, sex-sorted germplasm, stress and disease resilience, draught power assessment, and scientific validation of bioactive properties of cattle-derived products.
Nucleus facility for maintenance, evaluation and utilization of elite breeding bulls and production of quality frozen semen.
Maintains elite Frieswal, Sahiwal and Tharparkar cattle for research, genetic evaluation and demonstration.
Supports research and technology in milk processing and value addition — dahi, chhach, paneer, khoa and ghee — and trains farmers, entrepreneurs, SHGs and students.
A single-window platform for dissemination of frozen semen of Frieswal and elite indigenous breeds, plus access to milk products, vermicompost and farmyard manure.
Learn more →Ensures quality green fodder for the Institute's livestock.
Promotes recycling of livestock waste into useful organic inputs.
Established under the Meri Maati Mera Desh initiative, supporting biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness.
ICAR–CIRC is supported by a robust digital and knowledge infrastructure, including the Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit, National Knowledge Network connectivity, e-governance systems and a scientific library strengthened through the Government of India's One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative. The Institute actively undertakes externally funded research, collaborative programmes, technology assessment, capacity building, frontline demonstrations and farmer-oriented extension activities in partnership with ICAR institutes, State Agricultural and Veterinary Universities, State Governments, industry and other stakeholders.
Approximately 70 km from Delhi, well connected by road and rail, and accessible via nearby airports at Hindon, New Delhi and Jewar (Noida).