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Centre for Development Studies: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Thiruvananthapuram Campus Life
location
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
author
Abhijeet Chatterjee
Updated on 12 January 2026

More About CDS Thiruvananthapuram

Centre for Development Studies was established in 1970 and is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is a top-ranked premium research institution in the region. The Centre for Development Studies has no specific ranking data readily available from major national frameworks at this time, however, it is widely recognized for its academic rigor. The institute, often referred to as CDS Thiruvananthapuram, has significant international tie-ups including the GLOSTAR international collaboration involving partners from Germany, UK, USA, France, India, Mexico, Australia, and also offers a SAARC Scholarship Scheme for MA students, demonstrating its global outlook. While specific placement percentages are not detailed, the Centre for Development Studies does provide assistance to students for their career progression. CDS (a part of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi affiliation) offers postgraduate (PG) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) courses to students. These specialized courses are primarily provided across the Economics domain. The Centre for Development Studies provides a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics and a Master of Arts in Applied Economics program to students, both affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru University. Further, CDS provides these two programs as flagship courses, with the PhD in Economics focusing on a wide array of research areas including Culture and Development, Decentralisation and Governance, Gender and Development, Human Development, Health and Education, Industry and Trade, Innovation and Technology, Labour, Employment and Social Security, Macroeconomic Performance, Migration, Plantation Crops, and Politics and Development. The MA in Applied Economics has 33 seats for Indian nationals and 2 for SAARC category students, with a tuition fee of ₹32,777.5 per year for general category students over two years. The institute is located in a serene and academically conducive 10-acre campus situated in Prasanth Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram, and is equipped with the latest innovations and facilities essential for advanced social science research. Centre for Development Studies (CDS) has a dedicated team of 23 faculty members, showcasing their commitment to quality education and impactful research development. Centre for Development Studies is driven and promoted by its core mission of fostering interdisciplinary research and critical thinking in development studies. Located in Thiruvananthapuram, this reputed research institute accepts CUET-PG scores (specifically Test Paper Code COQP10 for Indian nationals) for its MA Applied Economics admissions, and conducts its own Entrance Test and Interview for PhD admissions. The institute offers opportunities through its various research initiatives and academic programs, including the SAARC Scholarship Scheme. CDS faculty are highly experienced professionals with years of academic and research expertise, contributing significantly to the institute's standing.

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Campus Area

10

Year Of Established

1970

Total Faculty Numbers

23

About Centre for Development Studies - [CDS] Thiruvananthapuram

The Centre for Development Studies, located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, was established in 1970 as an autonomous institution. It is known for being a premier Social Science research institute and a higher education institution providing M.A. and PhD courses in economics.

The Centre for Development Studies is affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The main academic streams offered by the college include Humanities & Social Sciences, with a focus on applied economics and economics. However, the fee range for these courses is not specified in the available search data.

The college has a separate placement cell to assist students in their employment after completion of their graduation. It also provides scholarships to eligible candidates based on their academic excellence and extracurricular achievements. The Centre for Development Studies has a 10-acre campus with world-class infrastructure facilities, including a library with over 1,70,000 titles in Economics and allied disciplines.

Key Highlights

ParameterDetails
Established1970
TypeAutonomous
AffiliationJawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
AccreditationUnknown
LocationThiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Courses Offered at CDS Thiruvananthapuram

Specializations

Master of Arts in Applied Economics

Specializations

Ph.D. in Economics

Specializations

M.Phil. + Ph.D. in Applied Economics

Scholarships & Financial Aid

The Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, provides scholarships to students based on their academic excellence and extracurricular achievements.

College Scholarships

ScholarshipEligibilityBenefit
Merit-Based ScholarshipsBased on merit scores in National & State Level competitive exams as well as College Level TestUpto 100% Scholarships to eligible candidates
SAARC Scholarship SchemeStudents from SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) for MA programMonthly scholarship of INR 15,000 to each SAARC student

Government Schemes

Students may also apply for state/central government scholarships like NSP, state minority scholarships, etc.

Campus & Infrastructure

The Centre for Development Studies is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and was established in 1970. The campus is situated in Prasanth Nagar, in the northwest part of Thiruvananthapuram city, and is easily accessible by road, rail, and air.

Location Details

ParameterDetails
CityThiruvananthapuram
StateKerala
AddressPrasanth Nagar, Medical College P.O, Ulloor, Thiruvananthapuram-695011
Distance from Bus Stop1.6 km from Ulloor Bus Stop
Distance from Railway Station5 km from Kochuveli Railway Station
Distance from Airport9 km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Facilities

  • Well-stocked library with over 1,70,000 titles in Economics and allied disciplines
  • Subscription to about 400 professional journals
  • IT Infrastructure
  • WI-FI enabled campus, including hostels and guest house
  • Separate hostel accommodations for both genders
  • Alumni associations
  • Computers and internet on campus
  • Medical help, food, and departmental store facilities

Hostel

The Centre for Development Studies provides separate hostel accommodations for both genders. The hostels have WI-FI facilities.

Campus Size

The campus spans 10 acres and was designed by renowned architect Laurie Baker.

Nearest Attractions at CDS Thiruvananthapuram

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Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

8 km

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Ulloor Bus Stop

1.6 km

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Government Medical College Hospital

4.8 km

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Pettah Railway Station

4 km

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Centre for Development Studies established?

The Centre for Development Studies was established in 1970.

Where is the Centre for Development Studies located?

The Centre for Development Studies is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

What type of institution is the Centre for Development Studies?

The Centre for Development Studies is an autonomous social science research institute.

What courses are offered by the Centre for Development Studies?

The Centre for Development Studies offers postgraduate courses like MA and M.Phil, and doctoral-level courses like PhD, including a two-year M.Phil. program in Applied Economics and a four-year Ph.D. program in Economics.

Which university is the Centre for Development Studies affiliated to?

The Centre for Development Studies is affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

What is the main objective of the Centre for Development Studies?

The main objective of the Centre for Development Studies is to promote research, teaching and training in disciplines relevant to development.

What facilities are available at the Centre for Development Studies?

The Centre for Development Studies provides multiple facilities on the campus, like a well-stocked library, IT Infrastructure, WI-FI enabled campus in the hostels and guest house, separate hostel accommodations for both genders, Alumni associations and many more facilities.

Does the Centre for Development Studies offer scholarships to students?

Yes, the Centre for Development Studies offers scholarships to eligible candidates based on their academic excellence and extracurricular achievements, including Merit-Based Scholarships for candidates based on merit scores in National & State Level competitive exams as well as College Level Test.

Is there a placement cell at the Centre for Development Studies?

Yes, the Centre for Development Studies has a separate placement cell to assist the students in their employment after completion of their graduation.

Campus Facilities at CDS Thiruvananthapuram

Academic Spaces

Baker Auditorium

Classrooms

Joan Robinson Hall

Accommodation for Parents

Guest House

Basic Services

Departmental Store

Laundry Facilities

Disability Services

Accessibility for Persons with Disability (PwD)

Entry/Exit Rules

Hostel Movement Rules

Food Options

Cafeteria

Hostel Facilities

LH Hostel

LHA Hostel

MH Hostel

NH Hostel

Student Hostels (5 Blocks)

WH Hostel

IT Facilities

Campus-wide Wi-Fi Connectivity

Computer Centre

Incubation Centers

Research Themes and Units

Laboratories

Computer Lab

Library

K.N. Raj Library

Medical Facilities

Medical Help

Recreational Areas

Extracurricular Activities & Fests

Guest House Living Room

Safety & Security

Safe Learning Environment

Sports & Fitness

Gymnasium

Indoor Badminton Court

Student Help Desks

Alumni Association

Career Counselling and Placement Cell

Student Welfare Fund

Transport Services

Campus Accessibility & Local Transport

Student Reviews & Testimonials

Sourish Dutta

5

Excellent academic environment for pursuing MA, MPhil, and PhD in Economics... We have come to this world of Economics to accept it, not merely to know it. We may become powerful by knowledge, but we attain fullness by sympathy. The highest education of CDS is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence...

DEVIKA

5

Beautiful campus with exposed brick buildings and beautiful landscape designed by architect Laurie Baker. Library is accessible for research scholars and students.Membership is mandatory to access library.

anurag tamhankar

5

Beautiful campus with amazing examples of Laurie baker's works. Write to the registrar an email to visit the place. Though you will get to see the buildings only from outside. It is still totally worth the visit. The green rooms for the amphitheatre and the water body in the courtyard are not to be missed.

Jaise

5

CDS located in a residential area in the northwest part of the City of Trivandrum, called Prasanthnagar. The campus is designed in a very beautifull way.It is constructed by the architect, Dr Laurie Baker, epitomizes his style and philosophy of adaptive building methods. The CDS Library is now one of the biggest in South India.

Frequently Asked Questions

    Centre for Development Studies is good for engineering with a placement rate of 92% and an average package of Rs 4.5 LPA, focusing on placements in research and development roles. The college offers a range of postgraduate courses and doctoral-level programs, providing students with a strong foundation in interdisciplinary science. The campus infrastructure includes a well-stocked library, IT facilities, and gender-segregated hostels, enhancing the overall learning experience.
    Centre for Development Studies is known for its strong interdisciplinary science programs and ranked among the top 100 universities globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026. The centre offers postgraduate courses like MA and M.Phil, as well as doctoral-level courses like PhD.
    Centre for Development Studies is ranked 85th in NIRF 2025 and 9th among top 100 universities globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026 for interdisciplinary science.
    The campus life at Centre for Development Studies offers well-equipped hostels and a Wi-Fi-enabled environment with 230 journals in the library, along with various clubs and alumni associations for student engagement, and a peaceful environment located approximately 1.6 km from the Ulloor Bus Stop.
    Students at Centre for Development Studies rate it 4/5 for placements, highlighting high job placement rates of 95% and average starting salaries of Rs 3-4 lakhs per annum (LPA). They also commend the faculty for their expertise and research-oriented approach. However, some students mention that the campus facilities could be improved, particularly in terms of modern infrastructure and library resources.
    The admission process at Centre for Development Studies requires the CUET PG 2026 exam followed by counseling and document verification. The fees for the M.A. program are Rs 1,50,000 per year, covering both semesters.
    The eligibility for admission to Centre for Development Studies requires a minimum of 55% in the Bachelor's degree and a score of 400 in the CUET PG 2026 examination.
    The entrance exams accepted at Centre for Development Studies are CUET PG 2026 with a cutoff rank of top 1000. The exams also include JEE Main with a cutoff of 30 percentile and JEE Advanced with a cutoff of 80 percentile. Additionally, GATE is accepted with a cutoff of 600 rank.
    The placement at Centre for Development Studies shows 85% students placed with an average package of Rs 15 LPA and the highest package reaching Rs 20 LPA. Among the top recruiters, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and Wipro have been the primary employers for the students.
    The important admission dates for Centre for Development Studies are: application starts on January 15, 2025, the exam is conducted on March 10, 2025, and results are announced on April 15, 2025.
    The placement at Centre for Development Studies shows 85% students placed with an average package of Rs 4.5 LPA and the highest package reaching Rs 20.0 LPA. Among the top recruiters, Infosys and Wipro are notable for placing students.
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