The Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS) was established in August 1996 as an independent think tank devoted to studying security issues relating to South Asia. Over the years leading strategic thinkers, academicians, former members of the Civil Services, Foreign Services, Armed Forces, Police Forces, Paramilitary Forces and media persons (print and electronic) have been associated with the Institute in its endeavour to chalk out a comprehensive framework for security studies - one which can cater to the changing demands of national, regional and global security. The Executive Committee, which is currently headed by a member of the National Security Advisory Board, reflects this essential mix of experience and expertise.

The Institute maintains close liaison with the Indian Ministries of Defence and External Affairs. Despite this close proximity, the Institute provides ample scope for alternative views and approaches by hosting a wide range of opinion articles on its interactive website, with the aim of bringing out the areas of convergence and divergence in the thought processes of policy planners and executors and the final benefactors, the people. The Institute has also established dialogue processes with leading institutions and think tanks in India and abroad to facilitate the exchange of ideas to develop a better understanding of their point of view.

The Institute has steadily enlarged the range of its activities since its inception. Apart from analyzing the existing approaches to security, the Institute has made a foray into evolving alternative approaches to security relevant to India and the world, to promote a harmonious and secure regional and global order.  The Institute, particularly, focuses on:

• Disarmament and arms control

• Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

• Comprehensive and co-operative security

• Non-military threats to security

• Confidence building measures

• Terrorism

• Indo-Pak relations

• Regional cooperation in South Asia

• China’s security policies

• Security and governance

• Human security