NIAS conducts the following residential courses every year which are distinguished by their interdisciplinary character, and are taught by both Institute faculty and reputed guest lecturers from across the country. The earlier courses were based on the broad theme Integrated Approach to Knowledge and Information . The courses of the last four years have been based on more specific themes, but retain the broad multi-disciplinary approach.

I. Course for Senior Executives
This is a one residential course conducted in the month of January every year  for persons in senior positions in government and industry. The faculty for the course generally include well known public figures, eminent scientists and technologists, distinguished men and women of letters, academics, humanists and sociologists, dynamic entrepreneurs and experienced administrators. The lectures are designed so as to allow for close interaction between faculty and participants. Special panel discussions are arranged in order to bring together speakers with divergent views, so that a more comprehensive and balanced understanding of the issues may emerge. Twenty three courses have been conducted so far. The theme of the course conducted during January 2009 was devoted to Excellence in Leadership.

II. Course for University and College Teachers
The primary objective of this three-week residential course is to invite university and college teachers of varied disciplines from all across the country and expose them to new advances in various fields of knowledge, put them in touch with India's socio-cultural roots and engage them in discussions on major problems facing the country. This is achieved through lectures, panel discussions, participatory dialogues, group projects and educational tours. Eleven courses have been conducted so far. The 11th Course conducted during 16 January - 5 February 2008 was devoted to An integrated Approach to Knowledge and Information for University and College Teachers. Course Theme-Frontier Areas of Research and Education: the Role of Universities

III. NIAS-DST Training Programme for Senior Scientist-Administrators
This course of one week duration is directed towards a group of senior scientists and organised by DST and NIAS. The purpose of the course is to provide scientific, social, economic and cultural perspectives on the science and technology enterprise in the country. Seven courses have been conducted so far. The seventh course was conducted 10-22 August 2009 with the theme Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Science and Technology.

IV. NIAS-DST Workshop on Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is making enormous changes across the world in the past decade. It is often hailed as the second industrial revolution and is termed as disruptive technology. It also has the power to transform society particularly in India. The National Institute of Advanced Studies combines the study of natural and social sciences and is uniquely positioned to organize this conference A one-week workshop on 'Dimensions of Nano-Technology: Science, Technology, Business and Society' is being conducted on a regular basis by NIAS in association with the Indian Institute of Science ( INI & SID) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR). The workshop is being sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Three workshops have been conducted so far.

V. NIAS-DST Programme for Senior Executives from Power Sector
The Second NIAS-DST Programme for senior executives from the Power Sector Units of Central, State governments and private organizations was conducted during 22-28 February 2009. The main theme of the programme was 'Energy Security and Management'. The programme is sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology.

V. Summer School on Philosophy for the Social Sciences and Humanities
A three-week summer school for Masters and PhD students from all over the country is conducted during the month of June every year. This workshop is organized by the Centre for Philosophy, NIAS. The workshop will introduce students to philosophy which is necessary to understand topics in social sciences and humanities. Classes will be conducted by eminent philosophers and will be at an accessible level for students who may not be students of philosophy

Courses conducted in the past


I. Course for the Indian Space Research Organisation
This course of one-week duration is directed towards a group of senior engineers and scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation, identified as likely to be part of its future leadership.  The purpose of the course is, in general, to help in shaping the orientation and planning skills needed by this group, and in particular, to offer a view of the broader horizons to which the goals of the Indian space programme may be set as the country enters the 21st century. The Sixth course conducted during 29 September to 6 October 2005 was devoted to the theme  Indian Space Enterprise: Achieving Social Impact

II. Course for the Indian Administrative Service
This course of one-week duration is directed towards a group of Senior IAS Officers from across the country. The fifth course was held during 29 May - 4 June 2005 with the theme Disaster Management. 

III. Course for Indian Foreign Service Probationers
This course is of one-week duration. The thrust is to provide the probationer diplomat with a broad outlook on India's cultural, economic, social and intellectual ethos, including in particular science and technology, to enable deeper ppreciation of the issues peculiar to a transforming civilisation that is building new relations with the rest of the world. Four courses have been conducted so far. This course is usually held in the month of July every year. The last course was conducted during the period 31 July - 5 August 2000 with the theme India and the Oceans.

IV. Course on Understanding Science
This is a two-week course conducted during summer and co-sponsored by the JNCASR, Bangalore for undergraduate and graduate students. The course introduces the students to the broader perspectives needed to understand the nature and growth of scientific knowledge. Three courses in the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 have been conducted in this series.