Advances in observational techniques in astrophysics and cosmology in the past decade have led to unprecedented developments in our understanding of the fundamental physical nature of the universe at large. Together with the developments in fundamental particle physics, this led to an increasing realization that the astrophysical and cosmological phenomena provide ideal laboratories for probing fundamental laws of nature in regimes of temperature, density and energy not accessible on Earth. ASTROPARTICLE PHYSICS, the area of research exploring this close connection between fundamental particle physics on one hand and astrophysics and cosmology on the other, has, therefore, become one of the most important areas of fundamental research worldwide. Our centre is a new initiative in the country and should be viewed as a National Forum for AstroParticle physics. This centre is funded by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) under the XI-plan projects. Mandate of the centre is to carry out advanced research and training in the interface areas of High Energy Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology.