The Indian Council of Philosophical Research set up by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, was registered as a society in March 1977 under the Societies Act, 1860, but it actually started functioning in July 1981 under the Chairmanship of Professor D.P. Chattopadhyaya. The Council has a broad-based membership comprising distinguished philosophers, Social scientists, representatives of the University Grants Commission, Indian Council of Social Science Research, Indian Council of Historical Research, Indian National Science Academy, the Central Government and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The Governing Body (GB) and the Research Project Committee (RPC) are the main authorities of the Council.