The Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute is a premier institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research engaged in research, education and extension activities on sheep and rabbits. It was established in 1962 at Malpura in Rajasthan, now campus is known by the name of Avikanagar. The campus is spread over an area of 1510 hectare. It has three regional research centres in different climatic zones of the country to develop technologies for the regions. North Temperate Regional Research Station (NTRS) at was established in 1963 in temperate region at Garsa, Kullu in Himachal Pradesh. The Southern Regional Research Centre (SRRC) was established in 1965 in sub temperate region at Mannavanur in Tamil Nadu. Arid Research Centre (ARC) was established in 1974 at Bikaner in the Arid Region of Rajasthan. The institute and its sub-stations have been working for enhancing the productivity of sheep by applying scientific methods and developing new technologies.

The new strains of sheep Avikalin and Bharat Merino have been evolved. The production traits of native sheep Malpura, Mawrari and Chokla have been sizably improved by scientific breeding, feeding and management. The evolution of a prolific sheep from Malpura using Garole germplasm is in progress. Some of the important technologies generated are: maximization of fodder production through multi-tier agro forestry system, intensive lamb production for mutton, complete feed block for feeding during scarcity, artificial insemination of sheep through liquid chilled semen, embryo transfer technology, cost effective worm control program for sheep, disease data information system for organized sheep and goat farms and wool and hair blended products.