Research is a human activity based on intellectual investigation and aimed at discovering, interpreting and revising human knowledge on different aspects of the world. The term research is also used to describe an entire collection of information about a particular subject. Research can fall into two different types’ i.e. primary research and secondary research.

Pune is well known for its education facilities and education quality. The contented environment and sufficiently good infrastructure provide its numerous students an ideal environment to pursue research in various areas of science, arts, commerce and languages. Pune is known as an education and research hub due to the fact that numerous research institutions for higher education have multiplied in Pune since India’s independence. The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute a reputed institute for research and instruction in Sanskrit and Prakit languages was founded in Pune in 1917. Apart from these there are other research institutes which provide research facility to students such as, Agharkar Research Institute, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, National Centre for Cell Sciences, National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Central water and power research station, Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, National Institute of Virology, National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology among others. 70 research institutions have been recogninised by the University of Pune for research purpose.

Armed Forces Medical College AFMC is continuously involved in conducting research. Other than service based projects, research in clinical and laboratory subjects is also carried out. "Research is of fundamental importance to students," says D V Kulkarni, vice-principal, Fergusson College, which has set up a separate wing called DES Resolve, to operate research based projects. The students of Fergusson's department of computer sciences are presently working on three research projects for Mahindra-British Telecom (MBT). The Symbiosis Institute Mass Communication (SIMC) also provides specialty to research. Students of SIMC are doing an extensive research on NGOs in the city and other students are doing media projects for corporates.

Courses in Research:

1. M.Phil, Master of Philosophy, Eligibility: Passed Master degree from a recognized university, Duration-1 to 2 years,
2. Ph.D, Doctorate of Philosophy, Eligibility: Passed Master degree with good marks or M.Phil, Duration-2 to 5 years.
3. D.Litt, Doctorate of Letters, Eligibility PhD, Duration is not specified

Agharkar Research Institute
Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Road,
Pune - 411004
Maharashtra, India.
Phones: +91-20-25654357, +91-20-25653680
Fax:  +91-020-25651542
E-mail:  director@aripune.org
Website: www.aripune.org

Courses:
Ph.D. degree

Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan,
Pune 411 008
Maharashtra
India
Phone: +91-20-2589-3600
Fax:   +91-20-2589-3825
Email: siralkar@tropmet.res.in
Website: http://www.tropmet.res.in/
 
Courses:
Forecasting Research
Climatology & Hydrometeorology
Physical Meteorology & Aerology
Instruments & Observational Techniques
Theoretical Studies
Climate & Global Modelling

National Centre for Cell Sciences
NCCS Complex, University of Pune Campus,
Ganeshkhind,
Pune 411007, Maharashtra, India
Phone: +91-20-25708000
Fax: +91-20-25692259
E-Mail: co-ordinator@nccs.res.in, infonccs@nccs.res.in, infonccs@giaspn01.vsnl.net.in  
Website: www.nccs.res.in

Courses:
Ph. D. degree

National Chemical Laboratory (NCL)
Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune - 411008, India
Tel: +91(0)20-25902000, 25893400;
Fax: +91(0)20-25902601
Website: www.ncl-india.org

Courses:
Ph. D. degree

CENTRAL WATER AND POWER RESEARCH STATION
Khadakwasla, Pune-411024
Maharashtra, India
Phone: +91(20)24103200/24380511/24380825
Fax: +91 20 24381004
Email: wapis@cwprs.gov.in, director@cwprs.gov.in
Website: www.cwprs.gov.in

1. Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)
2. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics