Professor I P Desai (1911-1985) was a renowned sociologist and the founder Director of the Centre for Social Studies (CSS) Surat, India. Prof. Desai obtained his PhD from the Bombay University and taught sociology at the Bhavnagar College, the University of Poona  and the M.S. University in Baroda.  Notable among his works are Some Aspects of Family in Mahuva, Vedchhi Movement, The Patterns of Migration and Occupation in a South Gujarat Village, Untouchability in Rural Gujarat and Caste as a Basis of Backwardness. He was the president of the Indian Sociological Society during 1976-78.