Functions, powers and responsibilities of the Director
Director is the Executive Head of the Laboratory. The responsibilities of director are

1. Realizing the mission of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), which is "to continuously improve our understanding of the seas around us and to translate this knowledge to benefit all"
2. Creating an environment in NIO conducive to nurturing of innovation and productive research in support of the mission of the institute.
3. Managing the affairs of the institute as per the decisions of the Management Council.
4. Director shall in all matters have powers delegated to him by the Governing Body of CSIR.
   [Ref : Rule 53 A iii of CSIR Rules & Regulations and Bye-laws]

Bye-laws further provide for delegation of powers to other officers / functionaries subordinate to Director. The details of powers of DG,CSIR; RC; MC; Director and the powers delegated to other functionaries may please be referred to at link delegation.

Duties of a Scientist (One or many of these depending upon the need and level)

1. Conceive, plan, initiate and execute research that is consistent with the mission of NIO "to continuously improve our understanding of the seas around us and to translate this knowledge to benefit all"
2. Support industries and other organisations (government and non-government ) through consultancy and contract research .
3. Participate in the professional activities that promote sciences in general, and ocean sciences in particular, including dissemination of knowledge, protection of IPR, etc.
4. Attend to the tasks as assigned in support of the mission of the institute.
5. Create healthy and ethical atmosphere that promotes research in the areas related to the mission of the institute.

Duties of the Documentation Officer

1. Acquire, organize and disseminate information through channels like: Institute's library and information services, outreach programmes, website and under Rights to Information (RTI) Act.
2. Formulate and implement policies concerning information management that provide backup to the research activities and outreach programmes of the country in general and institute in particular
3. Keep liaison with other information centres, professional associations and groups dealing with information management especially marine information management
4. Seek instructions from Director, NIO on the matters beyond routine for implementation

 Duties of the Controller of Administration

1. Formulate and implement the policies concerning administrative procedures for smooth functioning of the institute.
2. Provide advice to the functional bodies (committees, groups) within the organization.
3. Keep liaison with CSIR on matters related to administration.
4. Provide healthy working conditions and atmosphere to the institute by correct interpretation of rules and laws.
5. Advice Director, NIO on the matters related to administrative nature for decision.
6. Seek instructions of the Director on the matters beyond routine for implementation.

 Duties of the Administrative Officer

1. Overall in-charge of the activities in the Administrative sections that deal with matters like personnel; maintenance, upkeep and security of the institute's property; logistics support; control on the expenditure from administrative angle; etc.
2. Reporting /Reviewing officer for the staff working in administrative block.
3. Execute the power delegated to the Administrative Officer
4. Take over the duties of the Controller of Administration in absence of the position.
5. Undertake the tasks as assigned from time-to-time of non-routine nature.

  Duties of the Controller of Finance and Accounts

1. To assist and advise the Director on all financial matters and be responsible for providing support services to all the scientific staff and bench-level-scientists.
2. Active participation in management decisions being an ex-officio member in statutory and other committees like Management Council, Standing Purchase Committees, Standing Disposal Committee, Departmental Promotion Committee, Honorarium Distribution Committee, Estate & Work Committee etc.
3. Liaison and co-ordination work in respect of DACR & CSIR audit parties.
4. Financial concurrence of all the proposals including service matters.
5. To keep liaison with CSIR HQs on matters related to Finance/ Accounts/ Audit.
6. Preparation of REs & BEs, review of expenditure vis-a-vis budget allocation.
7. Preparation of annual account, income & expenditure statement and balance sheet.
8. Scrutiny of pension cases and issue of PPO, retirement /death gratuity, commutation order etc.
9. Implementation of activities related to modernization and computerization of finance & accounts functions.
10. Any other work assigned by CSIR/Director.

 Duties of Stores and Purchase Officer

1. Overall in-charge of the activities in the Stores and Purchase sections that deal with matters like purchase of stores, maintenance of stores inventories, write-off of unserviceable items, auction of outdated stores, etc.
2. Reporting /Reviewing Officer for the staff working in the Stores and Purchase section.
3. Execute the policies concerning purchase and stores procedures for smooth functioning of the institute.
4. Provide advice to the functional bodies (committees, groups) within the organization.
5. Keep liaison with CSIR on matters related to Stores and Purchase.
6. Provide healthy working conditions and atmosphere to the institute by correct interpretation of rules and laws.
7. Advice Director, NIO on the matters related to stores and purchase for decisions.
8. Seek instructions of the Director on the matters beyond routine for implementation.