The Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) was established in 1991 as a registered body by a group of social scientists in Patna, Bihar.

In 2008, ADRI established a dedicated centre for the regular preparation of the AES and conduct other research studies related to the economic policy and public finance of the state as well.

Such research includes studies on resource mobilisation, quality of state government spending, management of deficits and debt, framework of centre-state financial relations, and policies for economic and social development.

In 2000, Bihar was bifurcated and the NLM then entrusted ADRI with the responsibility of organising another SRC at Ranchi[6] to support the campaign in the newly formed state of Jharkhand.

The SRC at Patna also organises, along with the Akshar Bihar function, anannual lecture in memory of Myles Horton and Paulo Freire, doyens of adult education.