The Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur was established in 1981 on the initiative of a group of academics, scholars and administrators of Rajasthan and is being supported by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the Government of Rajasthan (GoR). Apart from the ICSSR and Government of Rajasthan, the Institute receives support from various national and international organisations interested in research and development. The Institute is an autonomous organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The main objectives of the Institute include:

• to contribute to the understanding of the development processes and problems;
• to focus studies on the issues and problems of the by-passed sections and regions;
• to bring a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach in studying and resolving the issues; and
• to provide a forum for the interested groups in resolving problems of importance to the State and its people by mutual discussion and understanding.

The Institute is a multi-disciplinary research organisation. It takes cognizance of the macro environment, planning processes and strategies including their socio-economic dimensions and attempts to make timely interventions through research and dialogues. Particular attention is given to the study of processes, the impact of trickle down effects of growth, direct public interventions such as poverty reduction and employment generation programmes,and the participatory efforts of voluntary organisations with respect to the marginalised sections of the society. The Institute is specifically concerned with regional issues relating to Rajasthan.

The researchers at the Institute are concerned with issues critical to livelihood such as sustainable use of natural resources; improvements in irrigation and water management; pattern and pace of agricultural development; land use and livestock management; deterioration of common property resources and environment; illiteracy; poor social infrastructure; low access of poor to food and minimum social services; unemployment and poverty in rural and urban areas; levels of political consciousness; communalism; violence and atrocities on women; empowerment of women; and emerging role of the state, NGOs, PRIs and cooperatives in the changing economic and social environment. Based on the informed assessment an attempt is made to bridge the gap between ground realities or practices and macro initiatives. A distinguishing feature of the Institute is to help design interventions for grassroot organisations that are concentratedly attempting to cope with the problems of deprivation in a specific area.