State Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj is the apex institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department at State level to undertake various capacity building and research activities. SIRD&PR Conceptualize, Design, Organize, Coordinate and Monitor training and Capacity Building of the elected representatives of three tier Panchayat Raj Institutions, Officials of RD&PR and other line departments, CBOs and general Public. The Institute was found in 1990 and registered under Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. Presently the Institute is functioning in a 25 acre campus at Maraimalainagar,near Chennai.

The SPRC/CPR will strive to Strengthen and improve the Rural Local Governance through effective and systematic capacity building of elected representatives in Tamil Nadu. The primary responsibility of SPRC/CPR will be to accelerate the capability building of the Panchayat functionaries, develop and disseminate knowledge about Panchayat Administration and Rural Development as a Whole,among the officials of Rural Development Department and other line departments across the State and function as a think tank on Panchayat Administration for the State Government.

The Purpose of Programme Implementation is to implement all the schemes implemented under Rural Development by RD&PR Department, Ministry of Rural Development and others and submitting UCs.

The CLWE & EP is to provide a strong and vibrant Institutional platform for the poor in rural areas and to acquire skills and knowledge that could lead to their empowerment and transformation into self-employed homemakers by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities This centre works on all aspects of livelihood promotion and offer sources and opportunities among Rural & Urban people and enhance their future prosperity by increasing their ability to successfully manage their own livelihood options and improve their food security. This centre also conducts training Programmes, Workshops, Seminars and orientation programmes on Farm, Non-Farm and Service sectors of livelihood of RD & PR functionaries and various target groups. Our activities also focus on empowering women so that they can generate their own income and become empowered in all aspects (social, economical, political).

The Centre for Civil Engineering and Technology provides its Rural Technical officials with opportunities to explore the wonders of civil engineering in the most conducive atmosphere. The Centre boasts of state-of-the-art facilities, a wide variety of core civil engineering Techniques and New & Innovative Technologies.
We strive to work on cutting edge technologies to tackle global challenges in construction, infrastructure planning and development, transportation, pollution, water supply and management. The engineers those who are engaged in the field should be well equipped with adequate technical knowledge for delivering quality infrastructure facilities for rural community. For this SIRD&PR has been conducting various training programs for the technical officials. The centre also undertakes a major peer knowledge sharing by bringing in experts from CRRI-Delhi, NITTR, NIOT, Anna University and other able educationalists.

SIRDPR, Tamil Nadu established the Centre for Information and Communication Technology (CICT) to concentrate exclusively on the latest technological developments in the Information Technology, e-Governance, etc., and its utilization in the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department in Tamil Nadu. CICTs main working areas would be special focus for the training and research in e-GramSwaraj, Planplus, Data Security, Public Financial Management System(PFMS), Awaas Soft, Nrega Soft, Training Planning & Management System (TPMS) and TNRD&PR. The trainings are sub divided for the specific participants as Technical Management and Orientation training for IT experts/Computer Programmers, Assistant Directors/Block Development Officers and Elected Representatives respectively. All the trainings are planned based on the need of the hour for latest and smart technologies used and suggested by Government of India and Government of Tamil Nadu. The centre is expected to strengthen the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj functionaries in terms of utilizing the latest and smart technologies for the transparent and accountable governance and service delivery to the citizens.

The Rural Development is comprising of various subject matters, including Biodiversity preservation, Climate Change, Disaster Mitigation and management. The Government of India and Government of Tamil Nadu are implementing various schemes which is directly or indirectly act on these areas. The target universe of this Department is rural masses in Tamil Nadu living in plains, coastal, hilly, dry areas, facing multiple risks. To over come the risks in short- and long-term basis, certain activities to be taken to create awareness on their resources such as the bio resources. On preserving biodiversity of the local area will influence the Climate Change actions positively and reduce the disaster risks through mitigation measures.

The Centre for Networking, Communication and New Initiatives is the primary duty of this centre is to create networking with the Institutions/Organisations involved in Rural Development and Panchayat Raj related areas, across the County, conduct distance learning programmes through Certificate Courses and issue of magazines and also to take up innovative initiatives related to the organisational objectives.

The Regional Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj at SathiyaVijayaNagaram in Tiruvannamalai district, Krishnagiri in Krishnagiri district, Pattukottai, in Thanjavur district, Bhavanisagar in Erode district and T.Kallupatty in Madurai district are entrusted with the task of imparting training. RIRD & PRs are headed by Principals in the cadre of Additional Director/Joint Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department

The RIRD, S.V. Nagaram located in the Village Panchayat limit of Sathya Vijayanagaram, Arani Taluk of Tiruvannamalai district. The building complex of this institute is located amidst marvelous Architectural remains of Jagirs under the Vijayanagar Empire. One of the buildings, the Queen Palace was constructed in French Architecture by a Jagirdhar in 18th Century.

The total area of the training centre is 36.10 acres, which include Orchards, Garden and Farmlands apart from the Palace. New Administrative Block, Three New Hostel Buildings constructed for RIRD&PR are also located in the premises.

Regional Institute of Rural Development, Bhavanisagar is a Training institute under the control of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Department situated in Erode District. As Rural Extension Training Centre from 1959 presently the nomenclature of the Institute is called as Regional Institute of Rural Development.

On completion of the Krishnagiri Dam, buildings and lands worth about Rs.1.88 lakhs were purchased in 1958 from Public Works Department for the running of the Regional Institute of Rural Development. The buildings purchased include 2 dormitories and 46 staff quarters. Out of the two Regional Institute of Rural Development functioning at T.Kallupatti (Madurai District), one was shifted to this premise. This Centre started and functioning from 12.02.1958, giving training (Government) to Rural Welfare Officers and Rural Artisans. Training for other Rural Development department personnel has been given from the RIRD thereafter.

The RIRD, Pattukkottai located in the Pattukkottai Municipality limit and Pattukkottai Taluk of Thanjavur district. The total area of the training centre is 20.92 acres, which include, Quarters, Workshop and Farmlands. New Administrative Block constructed for RIRD&PR are also located in the premises.

RIRD&PR is headed by a Joint Director cadre official of RD & PR Department. He is assisted by three RD&PR Lecturers of RD and Assistant Director Cadre officials from Local Fund Audit Department also. This centre has multi-disciplinary faculties belonging to Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Local Fund Audit Departments. Apart from the department officials, Guest Lecturers are also being engaged on the specific areas depending upon the requirements.