Institute of Social Sciences

The Institute of Social Sciences was registered on 28 August 1985 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The Institute commenced its journey with the objective to study contemporary social political and economic issues and problems, in an interdisciplinary perspective and to make available its findings and recommendations to government bodies, social scientists, policy makers, people s and workers organizations, so as to widen their options for action. The evolution of an informed and action-oriented public opinion is the primary aim of the Institute. The Institute takes considerable pride both in its research and advocacy work. As a Ford Foundation document puts it, the Institute of Social Sciences is a leading centre which has a strong legitimacy among senior policy-makers, bureaucrats and politicians. It regularly hosts high-profile meetings and workshops for policy-makers, training institutions and leading non-governmental organizations. The ISS has created a niche both among policy-makers and civil society through its numerous researches; advocacy through conferences, seminars and workshops; and monitoring through public interest litigations and other more direct forms of interventions. Academicians, political leaders including those holding ministerial ranks or constitutional positions, public servants, and social workers have joined hands and lent their support to the Institute s efforts in the field of local self-government. The Institute grew over the years and eventually moved to its new premises. The then Vice-President of India Shri K R Narayanan laid the foundation stone of the building on 7 October 1994 at Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj. The building having a total built-up area of 13,211 sq.ft was completed in 1998 and the ISS finally shifted to its new premises in May 1999.The generous financial contributions from various State governments, countries, international bodies and individuals amounting to over Rs.2.50 crores speak volumes for the enormous goodwill, professional competence and legitimacy that the ISS acquired in such a short span of its life. The Institute has developed a computerised library and documentation centre in the new building. The centre has established a network with institutions engaged in similar areas of study as well as with local government bodies in the various states. Government and non-government organisations, international agencies, U.N. organisations are seeking the help of the Institute for data on local government system. Research scholars and students from India and abroad visit our library for reference. The role of the ISS attracted groups of scholars and activists in other States which led to the birth of new centres of ISS. The first centre was established in Bangalore in 1994 which was followed by centres in Bhubaneswar (1999), Kolkata (2002) and Thiruvanthapuram (2003). Each Centre was demand-driven from the respective regions. They lobbied for their projects independently of the ISS at Delhi. The Institute is currently at an important phase of its further development. It is also redefining the thrust areas for research and other interventions, in order to provide a definitive meaning and direction to its future course of action.