Since the first report on the serodiagnosis of HIV-1 infection in 1987, several laboratories from India have contributed significantly to the knowledge of HIV/AIDS over the years. These reports span a wide range
of disciplines including serological and molecular characterization of the viral strains circulating in India; elucidation and characterization of the recombinant strains; study of the economic impact of the viral infection; examination of the immune profile of the host; delineating the natural history of HIV-1/AIDS; evaluation of the awareness among general
populations; molecular validation of the primary viral isolates and study of their pathogenic properties including neuro-pathogenesis; developing and evaluating alternative therapeutic strategies for HIV/AIDS; vaccine development and validation in human clinical trials, etc.