Plant Introduction Scheme was sanctioned at IARI, New Delhi in . . . . . . . .

Plant Introduction Scheme was sanctioned at IARI, New Delhi in 1947.
The ICAR scheme for “Plant Introduction” commenced functioning in 1946 in the Botany Division of IARI under the leadership of the late Dr. Harbhajan Singh as the first ‘Operational Scientist’. The unit was further expanded and strengthened as ‘Plant Introduction and Exploration Organization’ in the Botany Division in 1956 and later developed as a separate ‘Division of Plant Introduction’ in IARI in 1961.
It was upgraded to an independent institute 'The National Bureau of Plant Introduction' in August 1976 which was rechristened as 'The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources' in January 1977.