CSIR National Physical Laboratory (CSIR‑NPL), New Delhi hosted the 53rd Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Memorial Tournament (SSBMT), First Zonal (Outdoor) 2026 from 23 to 26 October 2026. The tournament was organised by the CSIR‑NPL Club under the CSIR Sports Promotion Board (SPB). Teams from CSIR laboratories across the country took part, with eight cricket teams and eight volleyball teams. A total of 112 cricketers and 64 volleyball players participated.

At the inauguration ceremony on 23 October, CSIR Director‑General Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi was the chief guest. Also present were the Director of CSIR Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) and the Chair of the CSIR Sports Promotion Board, Prof. Pradeep Kumar Ramancharla.

Addressing the gathering, the Director‑General said physical and mental health are essential for everyone. She noted that staff from administrative, technical and scientific cadres were participating, including the Director of CSIR‑Himalayan Biodiversity Technology Institute (IHB​T), Palampur. Prof. Pradeep Kumar urged participants to work on endurance, flexibility and strength and to practice pranayama as part of a healthy lifestyle. New 2026 guidelines of the SPB were released and the tournament souvenir was unveiled.

At the closing ceremony on 26 October 2026, Dr. Geeta Vani Raysam, Director of CSIR National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NISCPR), was the chief guest and Dr. Anuradha Madhukar, Secretary of the SPB, was the special guest. From this Zone‑I tournament, two cricket teams – CSIR National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa and CSIR Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani – and two volleyball teams – CSIR National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow and CSIR‑CEERI, Pilani – qualified for the next stage. Dr. Raysam and Dr. Anuradha congratulated the qualifying teams and wished them success in the upcoming matches.

Dr. Neeraj Chaudhary presented a vote of thanks.