ADS is an association of individuals, groups and organizations adhering to the principles and practices of democratic socialism or social democracy (we use these terms inter-changeably). The organizations consist of trade unions, political parties, or their members, development organizations, civil society organizations and so on. ADS is open to all those who accept  democracy and socialism as fundamental and inter-related principles at the development of people and society.

Amongst its goals, the principal one is to provide a platform for politicians from across the  parties for enriching their understanding of social democracy and helping them promote it in  their respective parties. Since there is no single all-India social democratic party in  existence, ADS come handy as non-party or all-party platform to comrades associated with various parties for the sake of political electoral exigencies. The platform is accessible to all  those comrades who are active outside the political parties.