Bridging governance and scholarship

Karnataka is notable among Indian states for its tradition of involving experts in shaping development policies, particularly in Bengaluru, which hosts institutions such as the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC). Established in 1972 by Prof V K R V Rao, who believed that scholarship could influence policy more effectively than ministerial roles, ISEC exemplifies this approach. Prof Rao, a towering figure in Indian social science and instrumental in establishing institutions such as the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi School of Economics, and the National Council for Applied Economic Research, was elected Minister of Education after a major victory in Bellary. He soon resigned from Indira Gandhi’s Cabinet, however, to pursue his larger vision of building a research centre in Karnataka. He designed ISEC as an autonomous, multidisciplinary institute bringing together economics, sociology, political science, and environmental studies. Over time, ISEC has demonstrated that social science research can be both rigorous and policy-relevant, forging a vital link between scholarship and governance in the pursuit of equity and sustainable development.

After founding ISEC, Prof Rao led a Ford Foundation-funded study on development planning for Tumakuru district. This included a detailed survey to identify priorities, shape district-level planning, and introduce a cluster approach to rural development. In the 1970s, the Bangalore City Survey, based on extensive fieldwork, provided comprehensive data on Bengaluru. The Centre for Research in Urban Affairs now focuses on urban policy feedback related to urban development issues. ISEC also conducted an orientation programme on decentralisation following the 1984 law enacted by the Government of Karnataka. A national seminar involving experts from across the country was held, and its proceedings were shared with the state government, contributing to the strengthening of decentralised development. An induction course for district officers involved several senior IAS officers. Another landmark was the 1983 National Seminar on Centre-State Relations, which helped shape the idea of the Inter-State Council, eventually established in 1990 to enhance coordination between the Union and the states. 

Beyond policy  

ISEC faculty have significantly influenced agricultural policy, from the Green Revolution and irrigation development in Karnataka to the formulation of sericulture policies and the 1993 Satish Chandran Committee report. Their work informed Karnataka’s first comprehensive agricultural policy in 1995 and a second draft in 2006, as well as studies on farmer suicides. Over 20 years, this influence extended to issues such as WTO-related policies, agricultural pricing, climate change, and district planning, shaping both state and national strategies.

ISEC’s role in conducting the National Family Health Survey and its wider work in demography have been widely recognised, particularly for contributions to understanding employment trends, population projections, and public health challenges.  The institute regularly hosts public lectures on current issues, including the Rajyotsava Lecture, the VKRV Rao Memorial Lecture, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture on Ethics, the Rajbhavan Lecture, and the LS Venkataraman Lecture, along with numerous seminars and workshops.

ISEC currently has nine centres focusing on diverse areas of social science research, including agricultural and rural transformation; economic policy and planning; decentralised development; social change; population studies; urban development; human development and education; and political institutions. In addition to funding from the Government of Karnataka, the Government of India, and the Reserve Bank of India, the institute undertakes sponsored projects for national and international agencies.

Since its inception, ISEC has developed a vision document articulating its goals for the next decade and a research perspective for its faculty. These documents are reviewed every 10 years, and the institute's research broadly aligns with their directives, while faculty members are encouraged to pursue independent research and publish accordingly. The PhD programme at ISEC is among the most prestigious in the country, and its alumni hold many significant positions in India and abroad. In the coming decade, ISEC aims to secure degree-awarding status for its doctoral programme. Having completed 50 years as an active participant in state policy-making, ISEC is widely recognised for its contributions. Owing to the commitment of those who have shaped it over the years, the institute has established itself as one of India’s leading centres for social science research. With continued support from the Government of Karnataka, ISEC should aspire to become an institute of excellence in the social sciences for the state, fully autonomous in its functioning. Karnataka has adopted a unique collaborative model involving policy experts in planning and implementation, which has helped it maintain leadership in development despite various natural challenges.

(The writer is a former director of ISEC)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.