The Center for Sustainable Technologies was established in 1974 originally as ASTRA (Application of Science and Technology for Rural Areas) with primary objective of correcting the strong urban bias in R&D in Science and Engineering. A large number of diverse projects in the areas of energy, buildings and small-scale industries has since been pursued. CST has received support from Indian Institute of Science and bulk of the work has been carried out through external funding.



The main areas of work have been in bioenergy, biogas, gasification, fuel efficient stoves and driers, water purification, renewable energy, climate change, forestry and alternative building materials and and low-cost building technologies. New and current areas include sustainability studies, building-comfort and climate-responsive architecture, BIPV (building integrated photovoltaic's) and integrated water and sanitation in habitats.



The Centre for Sustainable Technology also has been carrying out some rural extension activities at its Ungra Field Centre, located about 110km from Bangalore in Kunigal Taluk, Tumkur District.



Centre for Sustainable Technology welcomes applications from Indian citizens for Faculty positions in the fields of Mechanical, Chemical, and Civil Engineering branches focused on R & D relevant to rural science and technology problems. Candidates interested in the field of 'Energy, Environment and Forestry' linked to R & D relevant to rural scientific and technological issues to promote sustained rural development are also welcome to apply.