Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru Urban was established in 1972 by the Late Professor V.K.R.V. Rao. It is a social science research institute and it is the largest among the 27 institutions supported by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

It is one of the premier institutions established to impart & provide in the field of higher education for the deserving candidates and prove to be a milestone in the part of progress.

ISEC is presently affiliated to Bangalore University - Bengaluru, University of Mysore - Mysuru, Mangalore University- Mangaluru, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Assam University - Silchar and the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru for the award of the Ph.D. degree.

They also have collaboration with foreign universities like Maastricht University, Netherlands and Groningen University, Netherlands, for the Ph.D. Programme.
 
ISEC is one of three major institutions established by Prof. V. K. R. V. Rao, along with the Delhi School of Economics and the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi.

The Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) is an All India Institute for Interdisciplinary Research and Training in the Social Sciences and is registered as a Society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, to create a blend of field-oriented empirical research and advances in social science theories leading to better public policy formulation.

The Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) is a premier interdisciplinary research and training institute in Social Sciences in India. Over the years, ISEC has carved a place of pride in Social Science Research map of India by the research contributions of the distinguished faculty and with the guidance of eminent members of the Board of Governors.

Today, ISEC is the largest research institute established under Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). Its primary objective is to provide high-quality academic training to Ph.D. Students to prepare them as distinguished researchers and teachers in the field of social sciences.

Objectives:

• To conduct interdisciplinary research in analytical and applied areas of social sciences, encompassing diverse aspects of development
• To assist both central and state governments by undertaking systematic studies of resource potential, identifying factors influencing growth and examining measures for reducing poverty
• To establish fruitful contacts with other institutions and scholars engaged in social science research through collaborative research programs and seminars, and to conduct training courses and refresher programs for university and college teachers and public functionaries