• The Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) was started as Central Mango Research Station on September 4, 1972 under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore
• The Research Station was upgraded to a full-fledged Institute and named as Central Institute of Horticulture for Northern Plains on June 1, 1984
• Renamed as Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) on June 14, 1995, is serving the nation on different aspects of research on mandated subtropical fruits
• Has two experimental farms, one at Rehmankhera (132.5 ha) approximately 25 km away from the city and the other (13.2 ha) at Rai Bareli (R.B.) Road, in the city of Lucknow
• Has scientific nursery facilities, well established orchards, fully equipped laboratories; trainees hostel-cum-guest house located at R.B. Road Campus
• Has in place MOU  to facilitate capacity building  with Allahabad Agricultural Institute (Deemed University), Allahabad, APS University, Rewa, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, and Lucknow University, Lucknow; trains students for acquiring M.Sc and Ph.D degrees
• Recognized by IGNOU, New Delhi as one of the study centres for offering one year Diploma Course on value added products from fruits and vegetables
• National Horticulture Mission has identified the Institute as nodal centre for imparting training on rejuvenation of old and senile mango orchards and meadow orcharding in guava
• A fully equipped pesticide residue analysis and bio-control laboratories are other features
• Modern facility to address issues of post-harvest management is available  Transfer of Technology initiatives and Kisan Call Centre (Toll Free No:18001801551)

The institute is presently functioning with the following mandates:

• Basic, strategic and applied research to enhance sustainable productivity, quality and utilization of subtropical horticultural crops.
• Repository of subtropical horticultural crop genetic resources and scientific information.
• Transfer of technology, capacity building and impact assessment of technologies.

The institute pursues its mandate through the following objectives:

• Management of genetic resources of mandated fruit crops and their conventional and molecular characterization.
• Crop improvement through breeding and genetic engineering.
• Enhancing productivity through improving quality and quantity of planting material using modern propagation techniques and root stocks, precision farming practices including mechanization and management of biotic and abiotic stresses.
• Reduction in post harvest losses through improved post harvest management practices, value addition and diversification of products.
• Human resource development, transfer of technology and evaluation of its socio-economic impact.
• Data storage and retrieval on all aspects of mandated crops.