Syeda Saiyidain Hameed (born 1943) is an Indian social and women's rights activist, educationist, writer and a former member of the Planning Commission of India.

[3] Hameed received Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour in 2007, for her contributions to Indian society.

Her next move was as an executive assistant at the Minister of Advanced Education and Manpower, Government of Alberta in 1975 and was promoted in 1978 as the Director of Colleges and Universities at the Ministry.

Her first assignment was with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), working on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Sufism from 1987 to 1991.

The Forum interacted with Ulemas on matters of Muslim Personal Law such as Polygamy, triple talaq and inheritance.

She founded Women's Initiative for Peace in South Asia (WIPSA) with Mohini Giri and Normal Deshpande.

[12] As a Member of Planning Commission, she had responsibility for Health, Women and Children, Voluntary Sector, Minorities, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.

She was Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad[15] a post she held till January 2015.

[6] She is a member of the Global Board of Directors of The Hunger Project,[16] a member of its jury panel for Sarojini Naidu Prize for Journalism,[17] and sits in the Governing Council of the Zaheer Science Foundation, a non governmental organization promoting scientific research and educational reform, in association with the Union Government.

[17] She was associated with Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi as an honorary member of its Women's Empowerment Committee.

Presently, she sits on the Boards of Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, Janvikas, and Sahr Waru-Women's Action and Resource Unit, Population Foundation of India, Swami Shradhanand Memorial Institute, Centre for Women's Development Studies, and Action Aid (India) and Global Trustee of South Asia Foundation (SAF).

[28] Her next book was also on Abul Kalam Azad, Islamic Seal on India's Independence: Abul Kalam Azad-a Fresh Look, published by Oxford University Press,[29] which preceded Dr. Zakir Husain: Teacher Who Became President, a book edited by Hameed, on the renowned educationist and the first President of India.