RESTRUCTURING THE INDIAN COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Report of The Fourth Review Committee March 2007

The Indian Council of Social Science Research New Delhi

4th Review Committee

Contents Pages Letter of Transmittal Acknowledgements

iii iv

Introduction

1-4

I

Social Science Research in India: Evolution and Current Status

5-23

II

ICSSR: Role and Functioning

24-37

III

Future Directions

38-59

IV

Conclusions

60-61

V

Summary of Recommendations

62-73

Annexure: i. ICSSR Institutes ii. Research Projects iii. Research Fellowships and Training iv. International Collaborations v. Organisation Structure and Human Resource Management

74-103 104-128 129-148 149-159 160-188

Appendix: i. List of Social Science Research Institutions ii. List of Scholars Who Attended Consultations iii. List of Institute Directors Who Attended Consultations

189-199 200-201 202

Bibliography

203-204

ii

The Fourth Review Committee The Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi March 18 2007

ProfessorAndre Beteille Chairman,ICSSR Dear ProfessorBeteille, We, members of the Fourth Review committee constituted by the Council, have completed our work and are happy to submit our Report on Restructuring of the Indian Council of Social Science Research. The Report is based on extensive discussions with you, Professor T.C.A. Anant and other colleagues at the ICSSR secretariat, consultations with a wide cross section of social scientists and our own deliberations on the functioning of the ICSSR within the context of the current state of social science research. There is a general feeling that the Council has not made as large an impact in promoting serious social science research as was expected. But it is recognized that this is due to factors beyond its control and reflects the malaise affiicting social science research as a whole. The nature of this malaise and the importance and urgency of redressing it are underscored in the Report. We are convinced that radically redesigning the council in the form of the Indian Academy of Social Sciences is required to enable it to play an active role in promoting high quality social science research in India. Our major suggestions contain the following key elements: .a substantial increase in funding by earmarking 0.1% of the public sector plan expenditure every year as grants to the Academy to support research on contemporary social and developmental issues in the country; .a major reorientation in programme priorities and funding strategies to ensure better balancing between different activities; .devising stricter mechanisms and procedures to ensure accountability for superior professional quality of projects and their outputs; .To ensure that the restructured organisation is autonomous, transparent and professionally managed the Council be converted into 'The Indian Academy of Social Sciences' as a statutory body.

We hopethat our reportwill playa part to revitalize social scienceresearchin India.

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