PDIL started as the technology wing of [[Fertilizer Corporation of India]] in 1951, emerged as a separate entity named FPDIL in 1978 after the restructuring of [[Fertilizer Corporation of India]] and was renamed PDIL in 1981 with a head office in Sindri, Jharkhand.<ref>{{Cite webcitation needed|title=About Projects and Development India Limited, News, MOU, CSR, Financials, Appointments, CMD & Directors,Reviews |url=https://www.psuconnect.in/company/projects-and-development-india-limited-131#:~:text=PDIL%20in%201981%20with%20a%20head-office%20in%20Sindri,%20Jharkhand |access-date=2024-07-22March |website=www.psuconnect.in2015}}</ref> It is a project management and engineering consultancy providing services from [[concept]] to commissioning for fertilizer and allied chemical, oil and gas industries.<ref>{{citation|author=B.L. Mathur|title=Towards economic development|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uFLXG9VgqXIC&pg=RA4-PT28|year=2001|publisher=Discovery Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7141-592-2|page=4}}</ref>
PDIL has helped develop [[catalysts]] and operate the world's only [[public sector]] catalyst manufacturing plant at Sindri.<ref name=ttc>{{cite news|last=Chourasia|first=Namita|title=Appeal to CM for Sindri plant survival|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050601/asp/jharkhand/story_4795145.asp|accessdate=12 July 2011|newspaper=The Telegraph (Calcutta)|date=1 June 2005}}</ref>
