About Institute of Objective Studies

"A vision without a task is drudgery. A task without a vision is a dream. A vision with a task is but a hope of the world." -- Dr. M. Manzoor Alam, Chairman, IOS

Vision

The Institute of Objective Studies envisions creating a conducive platform and relevant paradigm for the establishment of a humane global society. The IOS, a think-tank, intends to work on futuristic action plans and strategies to contribute to the development processes of our society. The institute endows a platform for scholars, intellectuals, social thinkers, and Ulema to engage in socio-political, economic, cultural discourses intertwining with the Islamic perspective. 

Mission

The Institute of Objective Studies commits to work for a goal of developing strategies from an Islamic perspective, aligning with the Constitutional values to streamline mechanisms and methodologies for the empowerment of Muslims; to disseminate significant information to the ummah about the trends and strategies in the field of education, economy, employment, law, environment, media and journalism, management, and social mobility; to work for collaborative efforts with other institutions and NGOs with the use of modern technology to develop the tools of inquiry and communication; to identify and start a conversation on relevant and contemporary subjects and work upon them with idealism and pragmatism. 

In a nutshell, the IOS focuses upon following tasks:

1. Analysis and study of topics of socio-cultural, economic, political importance.
2. Research in the fields of social sciences, humanities, law, environment, and management with the Quranic perspective.
3. Conducting surveys, collecting data, and investigation in respective fields
4. Organize seminars, symposia, conferences, workshops, and lectures on pressing topics.
5. Publish books, dissertations, monographs, reports, journals, and periodicals.
6. Grant scholarships and other achievement awards to the expertise of respective fields.
7. Operating a data bank and publication of e-magazine.
8. Guiding and coordinating activities of different chapters of the IOS in different parts of the country.

Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) was established in the year 1986 with a view to promote empirical and conceptual research. Research is carried out on ideologies and problems relevant to Indian polity, society, economy, religion and culture. Attention has been focused on the problems of Muslims and other minority groups. The studies include the problems of development processes, community relations, social tensions, status of women etc. Within the said period the Institute has established itself as a Centre of research and intellectual activities, which is known for its objectivity in the academic world.

Its achievements and programme have received recognition from the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. The IOS is in Consultative Status (Roster) with ECOSOC of UN.

The Institute has tried to fill the academic vacuum in approaching societal issues faced by Indian people in general and Muslims in particular. It has provided a platform for serious intellectual endeavor in the areas of Social Sciences and Humanities, and became a trendsetter in the fields of conceptual and investigative research on the Qur'anic approach to human problems and the problems of Muslims in India. Various survey projects, which focus on the problems of Muslims and other weaker sections of Indian society, are fulfilling a long felt need for statistical information and analysis in different areas.

Institute of objective studies functions in a structured manner through three types of set-ups. These set-ups are as follows:

1. Governing Structure

Institute of Objective Studies is registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 as a society for promotion of knowledge. The governing structure of the Institute as per its Memorandum of Association consists of two bodies: The General Assembly and the Governing Council.

A. General Assembly
The General Assembly is the supreme body of the Institute. It elects members of the Governing Council, passes the budget and annual report and recommends suitable programmes to the Governing Council. The General Assembly consists of 137 members.

B. Governing Council
Governing Council is the executive body of the Institute. It is responsible for administration and control of the affairs and efforts for the fulfillment of aims and objectives of the Institute and submits report of activities and progress to the General Assembly.

2. Academic Structure

The Academic Structure of the IOS consists of the following bodies:

Academic Committees
Chapters
Review and Publication Committee
Scholarship Committee
Finance Committee
Website Committee

Academic Committees

The academic committees formed for the different disciplines of the social sciences, humanities and law, supervise academic activities of IOS. The functions assigned to the academic committees are as follow:

• To advise the Institute about the activities and programmes to be undertaken by it in different areas;
• To plan various long-term and short-term research and other related activities such as seminars, workshops, orientation programmes etc.; and
• To monitor and evaluate the projects and activities sponsored and undertaken by the Institute.

Presently 23 academic committees are functioning to help IOS advance its objects.

Committee on Geography
Committee on Language and Literature
Committee on Education
Committee on Sociology
Committee on Environmental Studies
Committee on Revealed Knowledge
Committee on History
Committee on Psychology
Committee on Women's Studies
Committee on Economics
Committee on Law
Committee on Dialogue
Committee on Human Rights
Committee on Policy Studies
Committee on Political Science
Committee on Philosophy
Committee on Labour Studies
Committee on Current Issues
Committee on South & South East Asian Studies
Committee on Waqf Studies
Committee on Dalit Studies
Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
Committee on Central Asia, Middle East and Balkan

Chapters

The Chapters of the IOS have been established in the five important cities in India to concentrate on their respective region to actively pursue advancement of the objectives of the IOS. The objectives of these Chapters are:

• Holding of conferences, seminars, workshops, symposia, lectures, discussions and other special programmes;
• Recommendation of students for award of scholarships and fellowships;
• To arrange for the orientation of the scholarship awardees and other research scholars;
• Developing liaison with educational and research institutions located in their respective regions;
• Maintenance of research libraries for the benefit of scholars;
• Undertaking of research projects assigned by the IOS; and
• Introduction and promotion of objectives of the IOS.

The list of chapters is given below:

Review and Publication Committee

The functions of the committee are to evaluate the research proposals received from the academic committees in the light of aims and objects of the IOS.

Scholarship Committee

The scholarship committee has been entrusted an important task of implementation of scholarship scheme.

The committee formulates policies for award of scholarships under the scheme. Besides, it also arranges for orientation of awardees through regular meetings and other means so that they may be able to contribute in advancement of the IOS mission.

Finance Committee

The finance committee takes care of the financial matters of the Institute.

Website Committee

The website committee looks into all the matters related to the IOS website and its further improvement.

3. Administrative Structure

Administrative set up of the Institute is headed by Administrative Officer who works under the supervision and control of the Chairman and Secretary General.

Public Relation Officer, Accounts Officer, Programme Officer, Record officer, and other subordinate staff support the Administrative Officer.

The administrative aspects of the chapters are taken care of by the respective co-ordinators. The support staff assists the co-ordinators. The co-ordinators also exercise administrative control over the research staff of the chapter.

Office bearers of the Institute are as follows: