Thrust Areas

For over four decades, the Institute of Social Sciences (ISS) has been at the forefront of addressing critical issues that directly affect the lives of ordinary people. These include Panchayats, Urban Governance, Health, Education, Women’s Leadership, Tribal and Dalit Representation in Panchayats, Disaster Management, and a broad spectrum of development concerns.

The Institute hosts specialized Centers and Chairs that conduct advanced studies in key domains such as: Multi-level Federalism, Public Policy, and Governance, Asian, African, and Latin American Studies, Urban Studies, Development Economics, Decentralized Planning and Local Self-Governance

Over the years, ISS’s research and action-oriented agenda has contributed to significant knowledge generation and community-level development. This work has supported numerous pro-people’s policies and innovative practices across the country.

Strategic Focus for the Future:
Drawing from its rich legacy and responding to current and emerging development challenges, the Institute will concentrate on the following five key thrust areas:

Since the landmark constitutional amendments in 1993–94, the ISS has been deeply involved in strengthening the Panchayati Raj system and deepening democratic decentralization across India. The Institute works across all three tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and actively collaborates with Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, State Departments of Panchayats, Local NGOs and grassroots organizations, Academic and research institutions, and National and International development partners.

Key Initiatives include:

  • Capacity Building: Training communities and elected Panchayat representatives, with a focus on empowering women, Dalits, and Adivasis.
  • Research & Knowledge Generation: Conducting studies on devolution, governance practices, fiscal decentralization, and institutional performance.
  • Decentralized Development Planning: Promoting active community participation through effective Gram Sabha facilitation and decentralized planning.
  • Policy Advocacy: Engaging with stakeholders to address policy gaps and implementation challenges in Panchayati governance.

CURRENT FOCUS AREAS:

  • Leadership of Women, Dalits, and Tribals and Public Service Delivery
  • Panchayat Facilitating Agriculture Development
  • Next Generation Panchayats – innovations and digital transformation
  • Climate Change and Panchayats – adaptive governance and local climate resilience

The rapid pace of urbanization in India presents both challenges and opportunities. The ISS
recognizes that Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are pivotal in managing growth, delivering services,
and promoting inclusive development. With increasing economic activity concentrated in urban
hubs, the Institute focuses on strengthening democratic governance and planning in these
spaces.

KEY INITIATIVES:

  • Urban Governance Research: Studies on municipal finance, urban planning, and governance models, especially in small and medium towns.
  • Capacity Building for ULBs: Training municipal officials and elected representatives to improve service delivery, citizen engagement, and digital governance.
  • Inclusive Urban Planning: Promoting participatory planning processes that integrate the needs of informal workers, migrants, women, and marginalized groups.
  • Urban-Rural Continuum: Exploring synergies between urban centers and surrounding rural areas to support balanced development.

CURRENT FOCUS AREAS:

  • Democratizing Urban Governance
  • Smart and Inclusive Urban Planning
  • Urban Public Services and Infrastructure
  • Linking Urban Growth with Sustainable Livelihoods

Recognizing the transformative potential of social enterprises in addressing developmental
challenges, ISS supports models that blend innovation, social impact, and sustainability. These
efforts aim to promote inclusive economic growth through entrepreneurship and community-
driven development.

KEY INITIATIVES:

  • Policy Research: Analysis of the evolving roles of Union, State, and Local Governments in policymaking, resource distribution, and governance.
  • Inter-governmental Relations: Dialogues and studies on fiscal federalism, the role of institutions like the Finance Commission, and models of center-state-local collaborations for public service deliveries for distinct categories of people.
  • Global Studies: Comparative research on governance systems and practices in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, bringing global insights to Indian policy discourse.
  • Capacity Building for Levels of Governments: Training programs on inter-governmental coordination, law-making, and policy implementation.

CURRENT FOCUS AREAS:

  • Decentralization and Fiscal Federalism
  • Governance Reforms and Institutional Innovation
  • Comparative Studies
  • Public Policy Analysis and Advocacy

Recognizing the transformative potential of social enterprises in addressing developmental challenges, ISS supports models that blend innovation, social impact, and sustainability. These efforts aim to promote inclusive economic growth through entrepreneurship and community-driven development.

Key Initiatives

  • Research on Social Entrepreneurship: Mapping grassroots innovations and impact-driven enterprises working in areas such as health, education, livelihoods, and environment.
  • Support Ecosystems for Startups: Facilitating incubation, mentorship, and access to finance for social enterprises, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
  • Sustainable Livelihood Programs: Partnering with cooperatives, self-help groups, and community-based organizations to foster inclusive economic opportunities.
  • Policy Engagement: Advocating for an enabling ecosystem that supports ethical businesses and inclusive markets.

Current Focus Areas

  • Women-led Enterprises in Rural and Urban areas
  • Social Impact Investment and Impacts
  • Circular Economy and Green Jobs
  • Innovation for the Bottom of the Pyramid

In an era of escalating climate risks, the ISS emphasizes the urgent need for community-based disaster preparedness and climate-smart governance. The Institute’s approach integrates local knowledge, decentralized planning, and scientific data to build resilience.

KEY INITIATIVES:

  • Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Community training, participatory vulnerability mapping, and strengthening local institutions for emergency response.
  • Climate Adaptation Planning: Collaborating with Panchayats and ULBs to incorporate climate resilience into local development plans.
  • Research and Policy: Studying the socio-economic impacts of climate change and advocating for inclusive, adaptive policy responses.
  • Technology and Innovation: Exploring digital tools, early warning systems, and sustainable practices to mitigate climate risks.

CURRENT FOCUS AREAS:

  • Community Resilience and Early Warning Systems
  • Local Climate Action Plans (LCAPs)
  • Inclusive DRR Strategies
  • Climate Governance and Local Institutions