The Association was set up primarily, as per its Bye Laws

1. to assist, facilitate, and promote and undertake research, training and allied activities, in particular, in relation to major problems calling for inter-disciplinary perspectives, through co-operation among social science institutions and agencies engaged in research and training in social sciences, and especially in the fields of economic, social and technological development and change;
2. to facilitate exchange of information on research and training, as between institutions;
3. to facilitate co-operative arrangements for research and training, as between institutions, e.g. mutual arrangements for exchange of research and training personnel and of research studies and survey and statistical data; to organize strategic training to build capabilities and capacities.
4. to encourage and assist formation of regional and local Chapters and study groups from time to time, with a view to facilitating co-operation among interested associations and institutes, reviewing progress in the development of research and training, and suggesting and exploring areas and problems calling for greater attention in future on the part of social scientists and social science institutions;
5. to organize on its own or arrange for workshops and seminars from time to time on selected problems, especially of an inter-disciplinary nature, in co-operation with interested institutions, associations and others interested in promotion of social sciences.
6. to promote greater sharing of infrastructure facilities among members of the Association for research and training in statistical and empirical studies and investigations, for instance, in respect of statistical equipment, computers, library resources, and conference facilities;
7. to arrange for periodical conferences of social scientists;
8. to create and disseminate information, publish journal, newsletters, reports and studies on ongoing research and training developments and prospective needs and priorities for the information of member institutions and others interested in promotion of social sciences.
9. to co-operate and exchange information and publications with other associations and organizations, both national and international, pursuing or interested in similar objectives and activities.
10. to foster the training of research workers in fields related to its objects and to undertake training programmes.
11. to promote application of knowledge of social sciences and stimulate development of the profession of social sciences; to facilitate participation of social scientists in major policy making and planning activities at national and state levels and to promote application of social sciences in policy making.