Defence Research and Development Establishment Defence Research & Development Establishment ( DRDE ) is an Indian defense laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO ) . Located in Gwalior , it is primarily involved in the research and development of detection and protection against toxic chemical and biological agents . DRDE is organized under the Life Sciences Directorate of DRDO . The present director of DRDE is Dr . ( Prof . ) M . P . Kaushik . History . In 1924 , the Maharaja of Gwalior established a research laboratory to explore forest products and mineral resources . In 1947 , the Jiwaji Industrial Research Laboratory ( as the lab was known ) was inaugurated by C . Rajagopalachari , the then Governor General of India . In 1966 , it was taken over by the Ministry of Defence . As its research activities expanded , in 1973 , JIRL was made a separate laboratory , and renamed as Defence Research & Development Establishment . Area of work . DRDE is the primary defence laboratory involved in the development of NBC detection and protection systems . It conducts research in the fields of biochemistry , microbiology , biotechnology , Virology and toxicology . It conducts safety and toxicological evaluations of hazardous chemicals and materials . It also develops rapid diagnostic tests for pathogens and investigates preventive measures for the control of diseases . To protect from Chemical weapons , it also conducts research in the area of detection , protection and decontamination of hazardous chemicals . Research and development activities at DRDO cover important demarcated disciplines like aeronautics , rockets and missiles , electronics and instrumentation , combat vehicles , engineering , naval systems , armament technology including explosives research , terrain research , advanced computing , artificial intelligence , robotics , works study , systems analysis and life sciences including high - altitude agriculture , physiology , food technology and nuclear medicine . In addition to undertaking research and development activities , DRDO also assists the Services by rendering technical advice regarding formulation of requirements , evaluation of systems to be acquired , fire and explosive safety and mathematical and statistical analysis of operational problems . DRDO offers specialised training at its two premier training institutions called Institute of Armament Technology , Pune and Defence Institute of Work Study , Mussoorie . The courses at these institutions have been evolved primarily to meet the needs of DRDO , Department of Defence Production and Supplies and the three Services . Projects and Products . Technologies for Civilian use . As a by - product of its research , the lab also develops civilian applications of biotechnology , especially in human waste disposal , disease control , pest control , etc . As is common with DRDO laboratories , many of the technologies developed by DRDE are available for civil use and have been transferred to private sector . Technologies transferred to the civilian sector include diagnostic kits / systems for Anthrax , Dengue , Malaria , and other infections . It has also developed insecticides , pest repellents and water quality testing and purification kits . Its major thrust area is defence against Bio - Terrorism , including chemicals agents like Sarin and biological agents like Botulinum neurotoxin .