The Institute of Development Studies Jaipur was established in 1981 on the initiative of a group of academicians, scholars, and administrators from Rajasthan. The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the Government of Rajasthan are supporting the Institute. It is an autonomous organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1958. The main objectives of the Institute include: (a) contributing to the understanding of the development processes and problems; (b) conducting studies on problems of the marginalized sections and the hinterland; (c) adopting a multi-disciplinary approach in its research activities; and (d) providing a forum for different stakeholders to discuss various developmental issues. The Institute encourages pursuing multidisciplinary research agendas. It takes cognizance of the macro environment, planning processes and strategies including their socio-economic dimensions, and attempts to make interventions through researches and dialogues. Special emphasis is provided to study the processes of change, 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 marginalized sections of the society. The Institute is specifically concerned with regional issues relating to Rajasthan and Western India. Being an ICSSR-State Government supported organisation, it aims to promote research, training, consultation, and change of scholarship and information dissemination in the state and beyond.

Since its establishment, the Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur (IDS) has adopted a multidisciplinary and dynamic approach to research on topics related to development. The Institute has established partnerships with the state and central governments, other parastatal organisations, the private sector, and a wide range of non-governmental organisations and members of the civil society for furthering its objectives. It has also created a forum for voicing concerns related to public policy on socio-economic issues in the state of Rajasthan and beyond. Additionally, it conducted training programmes for capacity building among several stakeholders in the development sphere.