IMPSS has been established with the purpose of cultivating deeper understanding and providing crucial insights into major social science disciplines, through a variety of research and taught programmes. The Institute makes optimal use of expertise of a team of scholars from various statutory schools of the University and the employment of interdisciplinary tools and methods. IMPSS offers taught and research programmes, organizes academic events such as conferences, workshops, symposia, occasional lectures, screening of films etc.

IMPSS has established linkages with institutions of various sorts with national and international standing to facilitate collaborative academic projects and joint taught programmes. IMPSS aids free flow of ideas and knowledge through publishing books, monographs and research papers. Besides promoting specialized knowledge, IMPSS engages in conducting extension programmes like art shows, exhibition of photographs and screening of films and documentaries.