Gram Niyojan Kendra was founded by the husband - wife team of Late Prof. K.K. Mukherjee and Sutapa Mukherjee in January 1977.

The vision for Gram Niyojan Kendra was borne by the forces sweeping the country in mid 70’s promoting large scale voluntary action for rural transformation. The initial mission and vision of Gram Niyojan Kendra was to guide and support the developmental processes undertaken by activists and voluntary organizations, by providing them knowledge and building their capacities for undertaking development action.

The guiding forces of the Kendra included Late Shri K.S. Radhakrishna (former Secretary, Gandhi Peace Foundation) Late Shri Karan Bhai (Director, Gandhi Ashram), Late Ch. Bhagwant Singh (Agriculture Production Commissioner, Government of U.P), Late Dr. Ram Das (Director, Institute of Planning and Training, Government of U.P.), Late Shri Prem Bhai (Secretary, Banwasi Sewa Ashram and also Jamnalal Bajaj award winner) Late Prof. K.D. Gangrade (Retd Professor Delhi School of Social Work).