About ICPR:
Historical Background
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.
Organizational Set up
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. These bodies are vested with well-defined powers and functions. The Governing Body which consists of Chairman, Member-Secretary, not less than three or more than eight members appointed by the Council, a representative each of the Ministry of Education (earstwhile MHRD) and Ministry of Finance and two nominees of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, administers, directs and controls the affairs of the Council. The Research Project Committee, which includes the Chairman, not less than five or more than nine members appointed by the Council and the Member-Secretary, scrutinizes and sanctions grants-in-aid for the projects and other proposals received or planned by the Council. The Finance Committee scrutinizes the budget estimates and other proposals involving expenditure.
The Chairman and the Member-Secretary who are appointed by the Central Government are vested with well-defined powers and duties.
Funding/Finance
The funds of the Council will consist of the following:
(a) Grants made by the Government of India for the furtherance of the objects of the Council;
(b) Contributions from other sources;
(c) Gifts, donations, benefactions, bequests or other transfers;
(d) Receipts of the Council from other sources;
(e) Income from the assets of the Council.
Aims and Objectives
The Council has been set up by the Government of India to achieve the following aims and objectives:
- To review the progress of research in Philosophy from time to time;
- To sponsor or assist projects or programmes of research in Philosophy;
- To give financial support to institutions and organizations engaged in the conduct of research in Philosophy;
- To provide technical assistance or guidance for the formulation of research projects and programmes in Philosophy, by individuals or institutions, and/or organize and support institutional or other arrangements for training in research methodology;
- To indicate periodically areas in and topics on which research in Philosophy should be promoted and to adopt special measures for the development of research in neglected or developing areas in Philosophy;
- To co-ordinate research activities in Philosophy and to encourage programme of inter-disciplinary research;
- To organize, sponsor and assist seminars, special courses, study circles, working groups/parties, and conferences for promoting research in Philosophy, and to establish institutes for the same purpose;
- To give grants for publication of digests, journals, periodicals and scholarly works devoted to research in Philosophy and also to undertake their publication;
- To institute and administer fellowships, scholarships and awards for research in Philosophy by students, teachers and others;
- To develop and support documentation services, including maintenance and supply of data, preparation of an inventory of current research in Philosophy and compilation of a national register of philosophers;
- To promote collaboration in research between Indian philosophers and philosophical institutions and those from other countries;
- To take special steps to develop a group of talented young philosophers and to encourage research by young philosophers working in universities and other institutions;
- To advise the Government of India on all such matters pertaining to teaching and research in philosophy as may be referred to it by the Government of India from time to time;
- To enter into collaboration on mutually agreed terms, with other institutions, organizations and agencies for the promotion of research in Philosophy;
- To promote teaching and research in Philosophy;
- Generally to take all such measures as may be found necessary from time to time to promote research in Philosophy; and
- To create academic, administrative, technical, ministerial and other posts in the Council and to make appointments, thereto in accordance with the provisions of the Rules and Regulations.