The National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) has eight branches located in different parts of the country. Though originally conceived and established for carrying out some specific activity, these branches now represent NICD in the geographical area where they are situated. The branches are multipurpose in function and carry out various activities including investigation of out-breaks of communicable diseases, rendering expert advice to the states on matters pertaining to public health etc. In addition to these activities each of the branch lays special emphasis on diseases of importance in the area of its location. A brief on the different branches is given as under.