Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute and the University Grants Commission, the Institute also serves as University Grants Commission's Inter-University Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences (IUC). The IUC invites permanent teachers from Government Colleges and Universities from all over the country as Associates to the Institute for a period of up to three months. During term time, the Centre has up to twenty Associates at any given time. The IUC Associates are the Institute's guests and they are entitled to the general facilities offered to its Fellows. The Associates are required to take part in all the Institute's academic activities and thus constitutes an important section of its academic community.

Under the auspices of the Inter-University Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences, Research Seminars and Study Weeks are also organized; both at the Institute and in other parts of the country. Research Seminars are primarily meant for young researchers in Universities and colleges; and Study Weeks bring together eminent thinkers to deliberate on problems of great urgency for our society and nation.