The Maharashtra Association of Anthropological Sciences (MAAS) is an academic non-governmental (voluntary) organisation based at Pune, Maharashtra in Western India. Since 1976, it has functioned through three arms, Centre for Tribal and Rural Development (CTRD), Centre for Health Research and Development (CHRD) and Centre for Documentation and Dissemination (CDD). MAAS is involved in training in research methodology, health and development through course work, seminars, symposia and workshops. It undertakes basic and intervention research in the areas of public health and development through holistic perspective. MAAS strives to use knowledge for understanding and promoting solutions to human problems in tribal, rural and urban communities. Through its activities, MAAS has been bringing together peoples’ representatives, policy planners, administrators, activists and academicians to discuss issues around gender, culture, environment, health and education in the perspective of development. MAAS has organic links with the University of Pune and other academic and research institutions in India and abroad.