The Department started in 1956 has its focus on democratic decentralization and development administration. The department has got support under UGC-special assistance programme for research on Decentralization and Women Empowerment. The Rajiv Gandhi Chair for Panchayati Raj Studies of the Department is nationally known for its contribution in the field of Panchayati Raj. Ford Foundation supports a Major Research Project on Globalization and Local Governance.