International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai - (Deemed University), was established in July 1956 jointly by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (The Government of India and the United Nations).

The Government of India and the United Nations has established itself as the premier Institute for training and research in Population Studies for developing countries in the Asia and Pacific region.

The aim of the institute to get a grasp of population science to strengthen reproductive health and conduct further research in the area.

Until July 1970 it was known as the Demographic Training and Research Centre (DTRC) and till 1985 it was known as the International Institute for Population Studies (IIPS).

The Institute was re-designated as a Deemed University & self-affiliated as International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai on 19 August 1985 under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

The institute is an autonomous body under the administrative supervision of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Central government of India. (IIPS) serves as a regional Institute for Training and Research in Population Studies for the ESCAP region.

The recognition has facilitated the award of recognized degrees by the Institute itself and paved the way for further expansion of the Institute as an academic institution.

IIPS holds a unique position among all the regional centers, in that it was the first such center to be started, and serves a much larger population than that served by any of the other regional centers.

Besides teaching and research activities, the Institute also provides consultancy to the Government and Non-Government organizations and other academic institutions.

During the past 53 years, students from 42 different countries of Asia and the Pacific region, Africa and North America have been trained at the Institute.

Many, who are trained at the Institute, now occupy key positions in the field of Population and Health in Government of various countries, Universities and Research Institutes as well as in reputed National and International organizations.

The Institute presently offers M.A./M.Sc. in Population Studies, M.Sc. in Biostatistics & Demography, Master of Population Studies (MPS), M. Phil. and Ph.D. in Population Studies. Also, Institute offers the variety of distance education in the field of add-on courses.

The institute has from time to time, conducted short-term training programmes for various organizations covering various themes and issues. The training programmes have been sponsored by various organizations like WHO, UNFPA, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Government of India, various state governments, Department of Family Welfare, etc.

The University Grants Commission sponsored refresher courses have also been organized at IIPS. Training programmes have also been conducted for senior level official, of the state family welfare departments, for district family welfare officers, officials from different NGOs and international agencies.

Personnel from various Asian, African, European countries like Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, Bhutan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Botswana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, etc.

The duration of the courses has also varied, from one week to four weeks. IIPS conducts two kinds of training programmes, first one is as per the demand or requirements of the external agencies (donor agencies) and the second one is totally designed by IIPS on core areas of population and health.

Vision:

• To position IIPS as a premier teaching and research institution in population sciences responsive to emerging national and global needs based on values of inclusion, sensitivity and rights protection

Mission:

• Strive to center of excellence on all population and relevant issues through high-quality education, teaching, and research
• Achieved by creating competent professionals
• Generating and disseminating scientific knowledge and evidence
• Collaboration and exchange of knowledge, and advocacy and awareness

Objectives:

• To train persons from India and other countries in demography and related fields, including demographic aspects of family planning
• To undertake scientific research on population problems which are of special importance to India and other countries in the ESCAP region
• To collect, organize and disseminate demographic information about the population of India and other countries of the world
• To provide services of research, evaluation, training, consultation and guidance related to demographic problems to government departments, public corporations or private establishments as deemed desirable in pursuance of the objective of the Society
• To undertake, organize and facilitate study courses, conferences, lectures, seminars and the like to promote the aforesaid objectives
• To undertake and provide for publication of journals and research papers, books and to establish, maintain libraries and information service in furtherance of the objectives of the society