About NFD
An Institution Rooted in Thought and Action
Founded in 1966 by Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai in Ahmedabad, the Nehru Foundation for Development (NFD) was envisioned as a space for reflection, dialogue and institution building around India’s development challenges.
Today, NFD functions as an enabling platform that nurtures specialised institutions working across science education, environment, health, livelihoods, culture and urban development—guided by the belief that development must be inclusive, ethical and rooted in knowledge.
Our Guiding Principles
Scientific Temper
Promoting evidence-based thinking and rational inquiry in development practice.
Community Participation
Encouraging local ownership and participatory approaches.
Institution Building
Focusing on long-term capacity and sustainable impact.
Ethical Governance
Ensuring transparency, non-partisanship and public accountability.
A Living Institutional Ecosystem
NFD advances its mission through a network of specialised institutions working across interconnected domains of development. Each institution operates independently while contributing to a shared vision of sustainable and equitable progress.
Our Institutions
Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai
The Visionary Behind the Institution
A physicist, institution builder and visionary, Dr. Sarabhai believed that science must serve society. His approach integrated scientific thinking with social responsibility, shaping institutions that continue to contribute to India’s development.
Areas of Engagement
Science Education
Environmental Sustainability
Rural Development
Public Health & Nutrition
Livelihoods & Crafts
Urban Sustainability
Working Together for Sustainable Impact
NFD collaborates with government agencies, academic institutions, civil society organisations, and development partners to co-create solutions and scale impact across sectors.