The National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS) was established as an autonomous organization through a Resolution in 1985 and it started functioning in April, 1986, under the administrative control of the then Ministry of Population Welfare (MoPW), with an aim to undertake action oriented research and surveys in the field of population & development and evaluation of various components of Population Welfare Programme for providing feedback to the relevant Ministries and Divisions for policy formulation, strategic planning and enhancing performance of service delivery tiers.

At its take off stage, NIPS has been privileged to get patronage and receive visionary guidance from late Dr. Mahbub ul Haq, the then Minister for Commerce, Finance, P&D and Population Welfare and also the Chairman of the NIPS’ Board of Governors (BOG). No account of NIPS’ history is complete without paying tribute to late Dr. M. S. Jillani, the founding Executive Director, NIPS, for his great efforts and continuous support for the organization.