National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management

What National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management does

The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) is an autonomous research institution established in 2010 by the Government of India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) under a Memorandum of Understanding with Anna University, Chennai. It operates as the country's nodal technical body for coastal and marine ecosystem research, covering India's 11,098.81 km coastline across 84 coastal districts, 3,432 fishing villages, and a coastal population of 171 million. NCSCM is organized into seven specialized research divisions — Coastal Environmental Impact Assessment (CIA), Conservation of Coastal and Marine Resources (CMR), Futuristic Research (FTR), Geospatial Sciences (GEO), Integrated Social Sciences & Economics (ISE), Integrated Island Management (IIM), and Knowledge, Governance and Policy (KGP) — supported by accredited laboratories in ecotoxicology, hydrochemistry, coastal ecology, and remote sensing/GIS.

NCSCM's product portfolio combines web-based GIS portals and reference databases with applied research outputs. Core digital products include CoMBINe (a Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Integration Network documenting 8,102 species built on Darwin Core 2.0), the CZMP Portal (Coastal Zone Management Plan maps for coastal states), the Indian Wetlands Portal, and GIS applications for offshore wind and seaweed resource mapping. Outputs include the Atlas of Mangrove Zonation in India, ESA mapping covering 34,000 sq.km, 12 Critically Vulnerable Coastal Areas (CVCA), high-resolution erosion/accretion mapping, and Blue Flag beach assessments. The institution holds NABL, NABET, CPCB, AERB, Platinum IGBC LEED, and STQC certifications, and operates from a Platinum-rated green building on the Anna University Campus in Chennai.

NCSCM's business model is entirely non-commercial: it is funded through annual budget allocations from the Government of India (₹44.68 crore disclosed via RTI for FY 2025-2026). It provides research outputs, consultancy, laboratory services, and capacity-building programs to government agencies, state coastal management authorities, academia, and coastal communities at no direct cost. Its go-to-market is event-driven and policy-driven — through scientific publications, policy briefs, MoEF&CC oversight, ministerial releases, and partnerships such as the NIRANTAR climate program with NIHE, and bilateral engagements with Seychelles and France. The Chairman of its Governing Body is the Hon'ble Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, embedding it directly within India's environmental governance architecture.

Name

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management

Legal name

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management

Website

https://ncscm.res.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NCSCM is India's autonomous nodal research institution under MoEF&CC for sustainable coastal management, conducting scientific research, GIS-based mapping, and policy support for India's 11,098 km coastline and 84 coastal districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Research and Coastal Management Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAMAI

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

SECONDARYBPADALAI

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

Keywords

• Coastal zone management
• Marine biodiversity research
• Environmental impact assessment
• Geospatial coastal mapping
• Wetland conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Chennai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Budget Allocation: NCSCM operates as a fully government-funded research institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The organization receives annual budgetary allocations from the Government of India. According to RTI data, the total budget for the public authority is ₹ 44,67,88,200.00 with proposed expenditures of the same amount.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NCSCM is an autonomous government research institution that delivers applied scientific research, policy guidance, and geospatial databases for sustainable management of India's coastal and marine ecosystems. It operates web-based information portals (CoMBINe biodiversity database, CZMP, Indian Wetlands, Offshore Wind, Seaweed), runs seven specialized research divisions, and provides laboratory, consultancy, and capacity-building services to government agencies and coastal stakeholders.

Product overview

NCSCM operates as a research institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Its product portfolio consists of multiple web-based portals and research divisions. The core digital products include CoMBINe (biodiversity database), CZMP Portal (coastal zone management plans), Indian Wetlands Portal, Offshore Wind Portal, and Seaweed Portal. These are complemented by seven specialized research divisions covering coastal environmental impact assessment, marine conservation, geospatial sciences, island management, and policy governance. The organization provides consultancy services, laboratory facilities, and capacity building programs alongside its digital platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CoMBINe: Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Integration Network - a database documenting coastal and marine biodiversity species along the Indian coastline

Products and services

• CoMBINe (Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Integration Network) A web-based biodiversity database documenting marine species along the Indian coastline, featuring species identification tools, checklists, and distribution maps. Contains 8,102 species, 3,805 common names, and 13,069 pictures. Built on Darwin Core 2.0 metadata standard with DiGIR protocol. Targeted at marine researchers, conservationists, and government agencies.
• CZMP Portal (Coastal Zone Management Plan) Web portal providing access to Coastal Zone Management Plan maps and regulatory data for Indian coastal states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Used by state governments and coastal regulation authorities for CRZ compliance.
• Indian Wetlands Portal Information portal dedicated to Indian wetlands, including the 99 Ramsar sites and wetland conservation data across India. Supports research institutions and government agencies engaged in wetland management.
• Offshore Wind Portal ArcGIS-based portal for offshore wind energy resource assessment and data for India's coastal regions, supporting energy planners and policymakers.
• Seaweed Portal ArcGIS-based web application providing data and mapping of seaweed resources along Indian coastal areas for marine resource planners and researchers.
• Laboratory Facilities (Ecotoxicology, Hydrochemistry, Coastal Ecology) NABL-accredited laboratory services providing ecotoxicology bioassays, hydrochemistry analysis, and coastal ecology assessments for marine and estuarine water studies. Available to government agencies and researchers.
• Geospatial Facilities (Remote Sensing & GIS Lab) Remote sensing and GIS-based geospatial analysis services for coastal mapping, shoreline change, erosion-accretion assessment, and environmental monitoring. Provided to government agencies and research collaborators.
• Consultancy Services NABET-accredited consultancy services covering environmental impact assessment, coastal zone management policy guidance, blue carbon assessment, and shoreline change studies. Provided on a project basis to government agencies.
• Capacity Building and Training Programs Training programs, workshops, and professional development courses in coastal and marine sciences, delivered to government officials, researchers, and students.
• Internship Programs Structured internship and student exposure programs offered to postgraduate students from partner universities and scientific academies such as Tamil Nadu Academy of Sciences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99 Ramsar wetlands managed - highest in Asia
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• France–India Friendship GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Members of Parliament from the French Senate visited NCSCM as part of the France-India Friendship Group to advance understanding of coastal and marine environmental management on 13th April 2026.
• Republic of SeychellesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2026His Excellency Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of the Republic of Seychelles, and Mrs. Veronique Herminie, First Lady, visited NCSCM on 6th February 2026, indicating bilateral cooperation in coastal and marine management.
• G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Collaborative partnership for NIRANTAR program - VERTICAL 4: Climate Change Support under MoEF&CC. NCSCM organized the III Quarterly Review Meeting of NIRANTAR with NIHE on 18 December 2025, indicating active joint initiative on climate change research.
• Anna UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSCM was established through a Memorandum of Understanding between MoEF and Anna University, Chennai. The institution operates from Anna University Campus. Documents indicate the Anna University Declaration from 21 June 2010 formalizing this partnership for coastal management research.
• MoEF&CC - HPSC & GBcoreOthersNCSCM operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Sh. Bhupender Yadav, Hon'ble Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change serves as Chairman of HPSC & GB of NCSCM, indicating direct governmental oversight and support.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Institute of Oceanography (NIO): India's premier oceanographic research institute under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Both NIO and NCSCM conduct marine and coastal research under Government of India mandates, share scientific publication channels, and serve overlapping stakeholder groups in coastal ecosystem research.
• Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS): Autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences providing ocean information and advisory services. Strongly comparable to NCSCM as a government ocean/marine research entity with national mandate, data portal infrastructure, and stakeholder service orientation.
• Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE): Kochi-based nodal centre under the Ministry of Earth Sciences for marine living resources research. Directly comparable to NCSCM's Conservation of Coastal and Marine Resources (CMR) Division, with similar mandate, government funding, and coastal biodiversity research focus.
• National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR): Goa-based autonomous research institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Functions as a peer government research body with specialized national mandate covering polar and ocean research, comparable institutional structure, and similar capacity-building programs.
• G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE): Almora-based autonomous institute under MoEF&CC covering Himalayan environment. Explicitly listed as NCSCM's formal NIRANTAR program partner for Climate Change Support vertical, making it a directly comparable government research institution with shared ministry oversight and parallel divisional structure.
• National Institute of Hydrology (NIH): Autonomous research organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti conducting hydrological research. Comparable to NCSCM in its structure as a government-mandated research body with laboratory facilities, training programs, and policy advisory roles in its specific domain.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Central Institute of Fisheries Education: Mumbai-based deemed university under ICAR focused on fisheries and aquaculture education/research. Directly comparable to NCSCM in addressing the 3,432 fishing villages and fishery stakeholders along India's coast, with similar government mandate and scientific research orientation.

Broad incumbents

• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI): India's leading environmental and sustainability research think tank with significantly broader scope (energy, climate, biodiversity). Comparable to NCSCM in environmental consulting capability, NABET accreditation, and government advisory function, but operates at a larger, more diversified scale.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI): Premier US-based private non-profit oceanographic research institution. Internationally comparable to NCSCM in marine/coastal research focus, lab-driven science, and policy advisory role, but operates at a much larger scale with global research footprint.
• Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML): UK-based impartial marine research organization delivering science for ocean sustainability. Comparable to NCSCM as a national marine research institution with policy advisory role, marine biodiversity focus, and emphasis on coastal zone management, though operating at a smaller scale than global peers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Ncscm_Moefcc
• Facebookfacebook.com/ncscm.chennai.92
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-centre-for-sustainable-coastal-management

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management