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Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)

22 Aug 2025 GS 2 Constitutional Statutory & Regulatory Bodies
Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Click to view full image

Context:
The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) issued a showcause notice to the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) for “deliberately scandalising and maligning the reputation and image of Election Commission of India”.

Up to 90% of the CSDS staff salaries and 50% of its administrative costs are covered by the ICSSR, as part of its Grant-in-Aid scheme, according to Education Ministry.

About Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR):

  • ICSSR was established in the year of 1969 by the Government of India to promote research in social sciences in India.

  • An autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

  • It receives its funding through grants from the Ministry of Education for its research programmes and activities.

  • It is an autonomous institute, meaning it functions independently with a mandate to promote and fund social science research in India.

  • The Ministry of Education provides 100% grant-in-aid for its operations and activities.

Role:

  • As the apex body for social science research in the country, it supports research through institutional and individual grants, fellowships, and by maintaining a network of research institutes and regional centers.

  • ICSSR provide grants for projects, fellowships, international collaboration, capacity building, survey, publications etc. to promote research in social sciences.

Organisational Structure

The ICSSR’s highest decision-making body, known as the Council, has 26 members, which includes the ICSSR Chairman and the Member-Secretary, 17 Social Scientists (Non-Ex-Officio members), one Co-opted member and six Ex-officio members representing the Government of India.

The Member Secretary is the Chief Executive Officer and heads the ICSSR Secretariat consisting of Directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors and other officials. 

The ICSSR’s officials, apart from their normal official duties, make regular contributions through research papers, articles, articles in edited books, journals etc., and have also delivered lectures during the reporting year.

The Council has three standing committees, namely the 

  1. Research Committee (RC), 
  2. Research Institutes Committee (RIC) and 
  3. Planning and Administration Committee (PAC).



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