IDS has extensive expertise in the dynamics of rural development and industrialization. Appropriate technology studies, integrated rural development plans and marketing schemes for village industries are some of the key areas of IDS research. Specific studies include a scheme for collecting 40,000 litres of milk from 52 Mahila Mandals in Karnataka, a feasibility report on tasar silk manufacturing units in Bihar, a scheme for protected water supply in villages, and a study on delivery arrangement at village and block levels.

In a recent study, IDS was involved in formulating an action plan to link rural micro-level enterprises with the organized sector in selected districts of the country. The range of agro-based industries studies include edible oils, dairy, sugar, guar gum and plywood. For the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development, IDS made comprehensive district industrialization plans for selected districts in the four regions of the country. In the same field, a policy paper was made on the issue of decentralized planning for agriculture and rural development.