In any process industry, instrumentation and automation play an important role for its techno-economical growth. There is a fast growing need of instrumentation in sugar industry in the light of overall automation which will help in increasing the efficiency of the process and save energy. During 1970's the level of instrumentation in sugar industry was very poor and minimal. The implemented instrumentation systems were either pneumatic or electrical. Most of these were in non-working conditions. Hence, the purpose of their implementation could not be availed for correct process operations.

The main reasons for the non-working conditions of instruments were:

• Low level instrumentation
• Frequent failures due to hostile environmental conditions
• Poor maintenance
• Lack of Instrumentation Engineers/ Technicians.

In view of the above reasons, VSI started instrumentation division in 1977 for improving the efficiency of sugar plants through effective instrumentation measurement and control systems. The main activities of the division are teaching, training, development and extension services.