Central Institute of Fisheries Education

Higher Education and Fisheries Researchcife.edu.in

ICAR-CIFE is India's first fisheries university and government research institute under ICAR, offering postgraduate education, fisheries R&D across 11 disciplines, NABL-accredited testing, and technology licensing to the aquaculture industry through six regional centres.

Company typePrivate
Founded1960
HeadquartersMumbai, India
Headcount251–500
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

What Central Institute of Fisheries Education does

Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE) is a government research and deemed university established in 1960, operating under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) within India's Ministry of Agriculture. Headquartered in Versova, Mumbai, it is recognised as India's first fisheries university and offers postgraduate programmes (MFSc and PhD) alongside research and extension activities. The institute's core activities span research across 11 fisheries disciplines, postgraduate education, and technology transfer through six regional centres spread across India, with a total workforce of 292 employees.

CIFE's core deliverables include: (i) a portfolio of 18 commercially important fisheries technologies, 7 of which carry ICAR certification; (ii) NABL-accredited testing services covering 31 parameters for aquaculture industry and regulators; (iii) postgraduate degree programmes in fisheries science; and (iv) extension, training, and technology licensing services to state fisheries bodies (e.g., COFFED Bihar). The institute also operates the Centre for Fisheries Entrepreneurship Development (CEFED), established in May 2025 with NFDB funding under the PMMSY scheme, to deliver entrepreneurship training to the fisheries sector.

The business model is a hybrid government-and-commercial structure. The dominant revenue line is the ICAR block grant, supplemented by academic tuition fees, fee-based NABL testing services, technology licensing royalties, and training programme income. Recent strategic moves — NABL accreditation, technology licensing to state bodies, and the CEFED launch — indicate an institutional intent to grow the non-grant revenue share and position the institute as both a research producer and a commercial service provider to India's aquaculture and fisheries industry.

Central Institute of Fisheries Education firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Central Institute of Fisheries Education
Legal name: Central Institute of Fisheries Education
Website: https://cife.edu.in
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1960
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 251–500 employees
Short description: ICAR-CIFE is India's first fisheries university and government research institute under ICAR, offering postgraduate education, fisheries R&D across 11 disciplines, NABL-accredited testing, and technology licensing to the aquaculture industry through six regional centres.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Central Institute of Fisheries Education industry classification

Industry

Product category: Higher Education and Fisheries Research
NAICS: Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511), Animal Production and Aquaculture (112)
SIC: Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
akta.pro primary industry: Aquaculture & Fisheries Operations (EDAOAOAK)
akta.pro secondary industries: Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA), Seafood & Aquaculture Certification Services (MSC/ASC/BAP) (AFALAMAL)

Keywords

Fisheries education
Aquaculture research
Fish vaccine development
Fisheries technology transfer
Analytical testing services

Where Central Institute of Fisheries Education is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Mumbai
HQ country: India
HQ region: Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

Central Institute of Fisheries Education business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

Government Funding (ICAR): As an ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) institution under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, CIFE receives regular government budgetary allocation for its operations, research, and infrastructure.
Academic Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from academic programmes including M.F.Sc (Master of Fisheries Science) and Ph.D. degrees. Students pay tuition and fees for enrolled programmes.
Analytical and Testing Services: NABL accredited laboratory testing services for water quality, soil quality, fish and shrimp disease diagnosis, and next-generation sequencing. Fees are charged per test parameter.
Technology Licensing and Commercialization: ITMU facilitates technology transfer and commercialization of institute-developed technologies to industry partners. Revenue generated through licensing fees, technology transfer agreements, and consultancy contracts.
Training and Capacity Building Programmes: CASH Training Portal and CEFED conduct regular training programmes, entrepreneurship development sessions, and capacity-building courses for fisheries stakeholders, generating fee-based revenue.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Usage-based	Pay-as-you-go	NABL Testing Parameters - approved rates for 31 accredited parameters
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	International Guest House - Serving/retired Officers of NARS (ICAR/SAUs) on official visit
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	International Guest House - Serving/retired Officers of NARS (ICAR/SAUs) on private visit
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	International Guest House - Serving Officers of Central Govt./State Govt./Autonomous Organizations/PSUs on Official or Private visit
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	International Guest House - Private visitors (other than ICAR, SAUs, Central or State Govt.) on Official visit
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	International Guest House - Foreign visitors (SAARC Countries)
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	International Guest House - Foreign visitors (Other than SAARC Countries)

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Central Institute of Fisheries Education product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) is a deemed-to-be-university under India's ICAR that delivers postgraduate fisheries education (M.F.Sc and Ph.D.), conducts applied aquaculture and fisheries research across 11 disciplines, and commercialises developed technologies through licensing, incubation (CEFED), NABL-accredited analytical testing, and capacity-building programmes for farmers and industry stakeholders.

Product overview

ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) operates as India's first fisheries university, offering a portfolio of ICAR-certified technologies and commercially important products. The portfolio includes: (1) value-added fish processing technologies such as Laminated Bombay Duck Technology, Pangasius Mince Emulsion Sausages, Salt Fermented Indian Mackerel, exotic leather fabric from fish skin, and Solar Powered Cool Box; (2) aquaculture technologies including IoT Prototype for Biofloc Fish Culture, Sensor Based Automatic Aeration System, Airlift Based Biofloc Aquaculture System, Floating Carp Hatchery, Catfish Hatchery and Rearing, and Aquaponics Model; (3) fish health products including CIFE-Argunil and three ICAR-certified inactivated vaccines (CIFE-FLAVAC, CIFE-Aeromonas V vac, CIFE-Ed-Vac); (4) supporting services such as NABL-accredited analytical and testing services, Centre of Excellence in Fisheries Entrepreneurship Development (CEFED) for startup incubation, and the Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU) for technology transfer and IPR management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

M.F.Sc and Ph.D. Fisheries Programmes
Outreach and Capacity Building Programmes
NABL-Accredited Analytical Testing Services
Technology Licensing (ITMU) Licensing of CIFE-developed fisheries technologies and intellectual property to industry and entrepreneurs, including process know-how and proprietary products developed by the institute's research divisions.
CEFED Incubation Support Incubation services for fisheries and aquaculture start-ups, providing start-up registration support, mentorship, and access to CIFE lab facilities, targeting entrepreneurs building ventures around CIFE-licensed technologies.
Guest House Accommodation On-campus guest house facility for visiting trainees, students, and officials, with 13 AC rooms and 4 non-AC rooms.

Quantifiable outcome

NABL accredited for 31 testing parameters (water quality, soil quality, fish disease diagnosis, next-generation sequencing)
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use Central Institute of Fisheries Education

Customer profile

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Central Institute of Fisheries Education technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Central Institute of Fisheries Education partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025NFDB, under the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, provides financial support to CIFE for establishing the Centre of Excellence in Fisheries Entrepreneurship Development (CEFED) in May 2025 under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). CEFED functions as a dedicated centre for promoting fisheries entrepreneurship, innovation, incubation, and enterprise development.
COFFED, Bihar (Cooperative Fisheries Federation)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Catfish Hatchery Technology licensed to COFFED, Bihar for commercial application. COFFED Bihar commercially deploys CIFE's catfish hatchery and rearing technology for fish seed production.
Department of Fisheries, Government of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIFE collaborates with the Department of Fisheries on national initiatives including NFDP (National Fisheries Digital Platform), PMMSY implementation, FIDF (Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund), Artificial Reef programme, Fisheries Clusters, Integrated Aqua Park, and the 100 Coastal Resilient Villages initiative.
ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICAR is the parent organization of CIFE. CIFE operates under the ICAR framework as a national research and education institute under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. ICAR provides the institutional mandate, funding, and governance structure.
State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIFE collaborates with State Agricultural Universities across India for academic programmes, joint research projects, and technology dissemination. The International Guest House gives priority to ICAR/SAU officers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Central Institute of Fisheries Education competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University: State-level fisheries university offering undergraduate and postgraduate fisheries programmes in India. Directly comparable to CIFE as a dedicated fisheries higher education and research institution, with overlapping student, research, and extension mandates in aquaculture.
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU): State veterinary and animal sciences university with fisheries programmes and ICAR collaboration. Comparable to CIFE as a state agricultural university offering fisheries-related education, research, and extension services in India.
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS): State fisheries university offering fisheries science and ocean studies programmes with research and extension mandates. Directly comparable to CIFE in fisheries higher education, aquaculture research, and training delivery in India.
Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA): Sibling ICAR institute focused on brackishwater aquaculture research and technology development. Directly comparable to CIFE within India's ICAR system as a fisheries research and technology development peer with overlapping stakeholder base.
College of Fisheries, Mangaluru (KVAFSU): Constituent fisheries college under Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University offering B.F.Sc, M.F.Sc and Ph.D. programmes. Directly comparable to CIFE in fisheries education and aquaculture research within India.

Others

Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA): Statutory body promoting Indian marine product exports and quality compliance. Ecosystem-level peer to CIFE in fisheries value chain - overlapping in testing, traceability, and seafood quality standards in India.
National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): Statutory body under the Department of Fisheries implementing PMMSY and fisheries development programmes. Adjacent to CIFE as a strategic funding and policy partner that channels government fisheries development resources, including CEFED.

Broad incumbents

University of Stirling - Institute of Aquaculture: Internationally recognized aquaculture research and postgraduate training institute. Comparable to CIFE as a dedicated fisheries/aquaculture postgraduate and research institution, with stronger global industry linkages.
Wageningen University & Research - Aquaculture and Fisheries Group: Leading global agricultural and fisheries research university with strong aquaculture R&D and commercial licensing programmes. Comparable to CIFE in fisheries research depth, education, and technology development at international scale.
WorldFish Center: International research organization focused on aquatic food systems in developing countries. Comparable to CIFE in aquaculture research, capacity building, and technology transfer for fisheries development in Asia and Africa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Central Institute of Fisheries Education compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance4 records

Central Institute of Fisheries Education financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Central Institute of Fisheries Education leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Central Institute of Fisheries Education subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries9 records

Central Institute of Fisheries Education funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Central Institute of Fisheries Education M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Institute of Fisheries Education

What does Central Institute of Fisheries Education do?

Is Central Institute of Fisheries Education a public or private company?

Central Institute of Fisheries Education is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was Central Institute of Fisheries Education founded?

Central Institute of Fisheries Education was founded in 1960. It employs 251 to 500 people.

Where is Central Institute of Fisheries Education based?

Central Institute of Fisheries Education is headquartered in Mumbai, India, in the Asia region.

How does Central Institute of Fisheries Education make money?

Five revenue lines are on record. Government Funding (ICAR) is the primary driver. The others are academic Tuition and Fees, analytical and Testing Services, technology Licensing and Commercialization and training and Capacity Building Programmes.

Who are Central Institute of Fisheries Education's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA) and College of Fisheries, Mangaluru (KVAFSU). Others are Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB). Broad incumbents are University of Stirling - Institute of Aquaculture, Wageningen University & Research - Aquaculture and Fisheries Group and WorldFish Center.

Does Central Institute of Fisheries Education have an API?

No public API is recorded for Central Institute of Fisheries Education.

What industry is Central Institute of Fisheries Education in?

Central Institute of Fisheries Education's product category is Higher Education and Fisheries Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAOAK, Aquaculture & Fisheries Operations, with a secondary code of EDABALAA, Agriculture & Food Production. Its NAICS code is 61151 and its SIC code is 8200.