It is an ancient proverb that emphasizes the importance of imparting necessary skills to the mankind to lead a sustainable living. IT enabled tools and techniques are revolutionizing the digital era and galloping to open up AI bots, the humanoids. Equally, Biotechnology enabled genetic modifications can jump start to evolve newer species and novel products in fisheries and aquaculture sectors. In the line of these objectives, the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) was established during the 6th five-year plan. ICAR-NBFGR started functioning as an independent institute in December 1983 at Prayagraj, which later shifted to Lucknow in 1999. The institute is recognized and designated by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Government of India, as the nodal repository agency, under section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 of India. Further, the NBFGR was ranked 18th among all ICAR institutes during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 (combined) and emerged as a Centre of Excellence for research on AqGR. Aquatic genetic resources are important for livelihood generation, ecosystem services, aquaculture diversification, products of high commercial value, etc. Over the years, the institute significantly contributed for the conservation of aquatic genetic resources for intellectual property protection and sustainable utilization with planned conservation of 3246 fish species belonging to 256 families and 57 orders. ICAR - NBFGR has developed expertise in the areas of fish taxonomy, databases, genomics, conservation genetics, captive breeding of important indigenous species, in - situ & ex-situ conservation, diagnostics tools for fish pathogens etc. The institute has undertaken exploratory surveys across the country and discovered around 70 new fish species and created the world’s largest collection of fish cell line repository. With all experience and expertise, the institute developed the ReportFishDisease application, which is coordinating the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) funded by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India. The institute received National Award for e-governance 2024 (Silver) for National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases - establishment of e-Governance in aquatic animal disease management system under category IV (Research on Citizen Centric Services by Academic/Research Institutions) by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India. Besides, the Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) of the institute has received ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation for detecting 25 important aquatic animal pathogens, including those listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and emerging pathogens affecting finfish, crustaceans, and molluscs. The accreditation is helping to gain international acceptance of the testing results, reinforce the laboratory’s technical excellence and enhance the credibility of AAHL. The Institute is also the Associate Partner Laboratory of the WOAH Collaborating Centre for Emerging Aquatic Animal Diseases, CEFAS, Weymouth, United Kingdom. Further, the Bureau generated genomic and transcriptome resources of prioritised species including databases towards conservation of FGR of the country. In addition, the Institute has created successful models for sustainable livelihood development in North east region, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Lakshadweep and in many more states. It possesses an excellent state-of-the-art laboratory with advanced capabilities in genomics, bioinformatics, disease diagnostics etc. The ICAR-NBFGR also has live gene bank / germplasm resource centres in various locations of the nation, hatcheries, fish farm, public aquarium, and several other facilities. The Regional Centre of the institute, Peninsular Aquatic Genetic Resources in Kochi, Kerala is carrying out research activities towards conservation of the valuable FGR of the biodiversity hotspot, the Western Ghats, marine and island ecosystems. ICAR-NBFGR remains at the forefront of addressing emerging challenges such as exploration of uncharted territories to document and conserve fish diversity, conservation of vulnerable species, transboundary aquatic animal diseases and antimicrobial resistance. The institute remains committed to pioneering research, conservation strategies, and community-driven initiatives to ensure sustainable management of the nation’s valuable fish genetic resources.