ICTS is a multi- and inter-disciplinary effort with a strong human resource development component. The main goals of ICTS are to foster research, be a resource for high level education and training, and reach out to the larger society by being a node for scientific information and values.

Research
The basic idea behind ICTS is to contribute critically to research excellence and strength in theoretical sciences through a well thought out, responsive, program of research activities and necessary education/training for the future. In this context, theoretical activities in traditional areas of the physical and mathematical sciences suggest themselves. However there will be emphasis on activities in areas overlapping traditional fields of science, keeping in mind that strength in individual disciplines lends to fruitful interdisciplinary collaborations. These areas include, for example, biological physics, computational science, complex systems, fluids, the interface between cosmology, particle physics and string theory, new emergent areas of mathematics with applications to biology, finance and so on.

ICTS provides a platform and infrastructure to organize various activities in theoretical and mathematical sciences, at the forefront of knowledge. The emphasis is on activities in areas overlapping traditional fields of science. By planning for researchers to meet for critical periods of time that foster discussions and collaborations, the Centre helps focus creative scientific energy both for national growth, and as a resource for global science and for this region of the world.

Education & Training
There is a profound need in India today to inspire students to take up careers in the basic sciences. One of the key ingredients in bringing this about (besides material issues) is the awareness among students of the fascinating questions science asks and tries to find answers to. The Centre will contribute to the flourishing of native talent by organizing interaction meetings of students (and their professors) with visiting scientists and scholars. Some of the research level activities of the Centre will be preceded by an instructional workshop, to enable young Indian and foreign participants to make the best use of the program. Students at the right stages of their career, who spend one or two semesters at the Centre, can benefit enormously from the activities of the Centre.

Outreach
An important aspect of ICTS, from the very beginning, has been to make freely available the proceedings of its activities in various formats. To facilitate this, the Centre maintains a Service Infomatique. Access to video recordings of lectures and other audio-visual material is made available on the ICTS website and on DVDs and CDs. Lectures of ICTS programs will soon be made available to other institutions in the country via a broadband webcast. As part of its programs, ICTS also organizes regular activities like public lectures in the sciences and other societal issues, with a view to seek active engagement and support for its activities from society. This helps foster an active interest in basic sciences in society

Public-Private Partnership
Basic sciences form the core knowledge on which technology and industry is based. In order to sustain a healthy and productive interaction between these endeavors it is imperative to forge partnerships between basic science, technology and industry. Such partnerships play an important role in developed countries and it is important to induct them in India. ICTS will contribute to this process by presenting platforms for interaction between scientists, technologists and leaders from industry. Mathematical finance, bio-technology, mathematical modeling, material science, etc are a few of the areas where fruitful collaborations can be forged.