M. P. Birla Planetarium has been involved not only on edutainment but also in astronomy popularization, teaching and research. Due to its research activities in different branches of astronomy, astrophysics & cosmology and also because of its tremendous efforts in spreading the knowledge of astronomy among school and college students, the M. P. Birla Institute of Fundamental Research under whose aegis this planetarium runs, has been recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO).
The M. P. Birla Planetarium, over the last five decades of its existence has hosted national and international seminars in astronomy and connected fields and has been regularly organizing astronomical expeditions for the studies of eclipses and other celestial events. The Planetarium has also been organizing special lectures and exhibitions in connection with centenaries of astronomers like Galileo, Kepler, Tycho Brahe and others. The faculty members, regularly attend national and international conferences and workshops and deliver lectures. Dr. Debiprosad Duari, Director, Research & Academics regularly delivers lectures at different universities and colleges to motivate further interest and research activities in astronomy.

The M. P. Birla Planetarium was chosen as the venue for the 7th International Planetarium Directors’ Congress in 1980. Several planetarium directors from all over the world attended this conference and participated in deliberations.
The Planetarium is equipped with an electronics laboratory for design and fabrication of scientific equipment. In 1993, after two years of work, this lab set up an automation system for executing the special effects and visuals during a planetarium show. Regular upgradations of our control systems are done at the in-house facility. Another feature of the M. P. Birla Planetarium, which makes it unique , is the practice of delivering live lectures during the shows, thereby giving the general public and school students an opportunity to interact with experts on the subject.