Uttarakhand Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (UIRDPR) was established in the year 2002 as an apex autonomous training & capacity building institution under the aegis of Department of Rural Development of the state Government. The Institution was entrusted for functioning in the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj sector. Consequent to the creation of the separate State of Uttarakhand, the state government entrusted the R S Tolia Academy of Administration, commonly known as ATI, the task of infrastructure development and setting up of the UIRDPR along with the pursuance of the initial training functions for UIRDPR from its campus at Nainital. The setting up of the Institute was initiated by establishing a cell at Academy's campus at Nainital. This led to the creation, setting and infrastructure development of the UIRDPR during 2002 to 2006, till the present campus of the Institute came into existence in the year 2006 at Rudrapur, after a thoughtful decision. The institute is presently functioning in its sprawling lush green 45 acres new campus. The Director of R S Tolia Academy of Administration is the Chairman of the executive committee of UIRDPR for administrative and technical guidance, whereas, at the state level the Institution is headed and administered by the Principal Secretary, RD&PR. The Executive Director is the executive head for manifestation and administration of the functions of the Institution at local level.