Institute Of Social Sciences

Promotes participatory democracy, gender equity, and human rights through research and advocacy in India and beyond

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About

  • Headquarters

    New Delhi, Delhi

  • Since

    1985

The Institute of Social Sciences (ISS) is an organisation that was registered under the Societies Registration Act of India in 1985. It started its op Read moreerations in New Delhi and later moved to its own premises. ISS is dedicated to the integration of participatory democracy with development. It serves as a think tank and resource centre focusing on local democracy, democratic decentralization, human rights, and women's political empowerment at the grassroots level. ISS conducts research, advocacy, and policy monitoring activities that have gained recognition both nationally and internationally. The vision of ISS is to become a leading institution in research, training, and outreach programmes related to participatory democracy, local governance, gender equity, human rights, and addressing social issues like poverty and unemployment. Its mission is to inform public opinion, provide policy recommendations, and contribute to discussions on these important topics. While its primary focus is on India's diverse society, ISS also collaborates with international organisations to address global challenges and opportunities. The organisation aims to conduct multidisciplinary social science research and make its findings available to Government bodies, civil society organisations, policymakers, and concerned citizens to facilitate informed decision-making based on solid evidence. ISS has a track record of over two decades of integrating research with action.

Demographies Served

Programs

  • Indian Federalism Perspectives (IFP)

    On its 10th anniversary in October 2020, the Centre for Multilevel Federalism (CMF) under the Institute of Social Sciences (ISS) introduced a series of papers titled 'Indian Federalism Perspectives' (IFP), edited by Prof. KK Kailash of the University of Hyderabad. These papers delve into the Indian federal system's responses to the pandemic.

  • Research Programme on Local Governance

    ISS actively researches and promotes democratic decentralization in rural and urban areas. This involves studying the performance of self-governing bodies, monitoring legislative changes, and advocating for Panchayat elections. It also evaluates training programmes, conducts action research in Madhya Pradesh, and studies the inclusion of marginalized groups in governance while emphasizing financial devolution and decentralized planning.

  • Policy Research and Governance

    The Institute of Social Sciences (ISS) is a research-focused organisation with numerous publications. It intervenes in policy matters resulting from its research, impacting public interest. ISS focuses on local government and governance, expediting panchayat elections in states like Andhra and Bihar. It identifies local governance human rights violations, assisting grassroots representatives. Policy research and governance are integral to ISS's mission, bridging research findings with civil society engagement for social, political, and economic justice as per the Indian Constitution.

  • Centre for Multilevel Federalism (CMF)

    District
    State

    The Centre for Multilevel Federalism (CMF), an initiative of the Institute of Social Sciences (ISS), New Delhi, established in 2010, is a leading network of scholars specializing in federal studies in India and beyond. CMF's projects include Migration and Gender, Green Federalism, and Juridical Studies. In 2020, it launched 'Indian Federalism Perspectives,' accessible via email or the website. CMF collaborates with institutions to study India's federal system and offers resources on power distribution. It promotes interdisciplinary research, engages experts, and organises events. The Centre also supports young researchers through internships.

  • Centre for Public Policy & Governance

    The Centre for Public Policy & Governance at the Institute of Social Sciences (ISS), led by Prof. Rumki Basu and comprising Dr. Sharmistha Aich, Dr. Rama Rohini, and Ms. Anshul Bhamra, addresses the pandemic's revelations of weaknesses in various sectors. It emphasizes the need to reassess policies related to education, health, e-governance, gender, and employment in India and other democracies. The Centre aims to engage the public in transparent and accountable policy processes through research and advocacy. It seeks to drive sector-specific policy improvements based on evidence-based research, ultimately influencing societal, economic, and political reshaping in the post-pandemic era.

Leadership Team

  • George Mathew

    Chairman

  • Ash Narain Roy

    Executive Director & Secretary

  • Dr. Rukmini Bhaya Nair

    Treasurer

  • Jaya Jaitly

    Member, Governing Board

  • Sudhindra Bhadoria

    Member, Governing Board

Demographics & Structure

  • No. of Employees

    21-50

M&E

  • Internal, External Assessors

    No

Policies

  • Ethics and Transparency Policies

    No

  • Formal CEO Oversight & Compensation Policy

    No

Political & Religious Declarations

  • On Affiliation if any

    No

  • On Deployment Bias if any

    No

Registration Details

  • Registration ID

    S/15981

  • VO ID / Darpan ID

    DL/2010/0032584

  • FCRA

    231650405

  • CSR Registration Number

    Not Available

Location

Other Details

  • Type & Sub Type

    Non-profit
    Society