The objectives of the Institute broadly cover three activities viz., training, service and operational research in the field of communicable diseases and their prevention and control in the country.

The broad Objectives and Functions of the Institute are:

·         To advise Government on issues related to prevention and control of communicable diseases in the country.

·         To initiate enquiries and undertake investigations on communicable diseases including such problems as may be referred to the Institute by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and the State Governments from time to time.

·         To assist the state health authorities in field investigations as may be undertaken by them and providing them with technical assistance wherever necessary.

·         To undertake operational research on prevalence and spread of communicable diseases and their prevention.

·         To carry-out epidemiological investigations, mapping-out of areas of endemicity, study of communicable disease statistics on modern lines and generally to elucidate the principles underlying the prevalence of communicable diseases in India.

·         To advise upon and assist in carrying-out control measures of communicable diseases and to study these scientifically and to evaluate them.

·         To undertake clinical investigations on communicable diseases and treatment. To study techniques of early diagnosis, relapse problems and to update and institute modern technologies and molecular methods for detection and surveillance of epidemic prone diseases.

·         To train research workers in the concerned disciplines.

·         To train personnel in epidemiology and control of communicable diseases.

·         To publish scientific results, technical guidelines, training manuals and bulletins.

·         Organise workshops on topics of topical interest like Epidemiology and Training, Rabies Epidemiology and Referral Laboratory for Poliomyelitis.