
Centre for Development Studies- Infrastructure and Campus Facilities
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Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, an autonomous social science research institute established in 1970, is affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. It offers prestigious MA and PhD programs in economics, recognized for academic excellence. With a unique campus by Laurie Baker, CDS fosters research and strong career development.

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

More about CDS Thiruvananthapuram Infrastructure and Campus Facilities
Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, is widely recognized as a distinguished autonomous social science research institute in India. Established on October 19, 1970, CDS has cultivated a strong legacy in development studies. Affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, its core mission revolves around rigorous research, teaching, and training in crucial economic development areas. The institution offers a two-year Master's Programme in Applied Economics, a four-year PhD Programme in Economics, and an Integrated M.Phil-Ph.D. These programs equip students with robust analytical and empirical methodologies for contemporary economic issues. Admissions for the MA program are primarily through CUET-PG, while PhD admissions involve a specific entrance test. CDS also supports academic diversity with scholarships, including those for students from SAARC countries. Located on a 10-acre campus in Prasanth Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram, the institute's architecture, designed by Laurie Baker, emphasizes sustainability and provides an inspiring learning environment. The campus features an extensive library with over 170,000 titles and digital resources, comfortable hostels for men and women, a guesthouse, and a cafeteria, all contributing to a vibrant student experience. CDS places strong emphasis on career outcomes through its dedicated placement cell. This cell actively connects students with industries, providing training and grooming sessions, including mock interviews. Graduates secure positions with leading firms like KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, EY, and Cognizant. The Centre also participates in significant international collaborations, such as the GLOSTAR project involving various global universities, and offers a PhD Internship Abroad program, enhancing its research capabilities and providing invaluable global exposure in economic development.
Infrastructure and Campus Facilities at CDS Thiruvananthapuram
Discover the full range of campus facilities at CDS Thiruvananthapuram including hostels, libraries, sports infrastructure, labs, classrooms, and innovation centers. Learn about student accommodation, dining options, Wi-Fi availability, and modern amenities that support academic and personal growth.
Library
Facility | Summary | Features |
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K.N. Raj Library | The K.N. Raj Library stands as a cornerstone of academic life at the Centre for Development Studies, recognized as one of India's foremost social science research and reference libraries. It boasts an extensive collection of over 150,000 titles and subscribes to thousands of print and e-journals, offering comprehensive resources across diverse disciplines like economics, sociology, and development studies. Housed in two architecturally significant towers designed by Laurie Baker and fully automated with Libsys software, the library provides a conducive environment for in-depth research and study, complemented by various digital and physical services to support its users. |
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Food Options
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Cafeteria | The Centre for Development Studies houses a spacious Cafeteria with a seating capacity for 80 people, offering a diverse menu of traditional Indian cuisine that includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Committed to providing nutritious and balanced meals at reasonable costs, the cafeteria is managed by a dedicated Canteen Management Committee, ensuring quality and catering to the entire CDS community, including students, staff, and guests. |
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Laboratories
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Computer Lab | The dedicated Computer Lab at the Centre for Development Studies is equipped with 15 personal computers running Windows 10 and 8.1, providing students and researchers with a modern computing environment. It includes essential software, notably statistical packages such as STATA and E-Views, making it a crucial resource for data analysis and research. The lab is regularly utilized for specialized computer-based training programs and workshops. |
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IT Facilities
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Campus-wide Wi-Fi Connectivity | The Centre for Development Studies provides a fully Wi-Fi enabled campus, ensuring seamless internet connectivity across all its buildings, including the guest house and student hostels. This robust IT infrastructure, enhanced by separate Wi-Fi amplifiers in guest house rooms for strong access, supports an environment conducive to modern learning and research, allowing students and staff to stay connected and access online resources from anywhere on campus. |
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Computer Centre | The Centre for Development Studies houses a dedicated Computer Centre, serving as a central hub for all computing resources and IT services on campus. This facility supports the academic and administrative needs of the institution, providing essential digital infrastructure for students, faculty, and staff. |
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Basic Services
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Departmental Store | The Centre for Development Studies includes an on-campus departmental store designed to cater to the everyday needs of its students and staff. This convenient facility ensures that essential items are readily available, enhancing the comfort and ease of campus life for the entire community. |
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Laundry Facilities | The Centre for Development Studies provides convenient laundry facilities for its residents, with automatic washing machines available in both the student hostels and the guest house. This amenity ensures that students and visitors have easy access to necessary cleaning services, contributing to hygiene and convenience on campus. |
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Academic Spaces
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Classrooms | The Centre for Development Studies features modern, spacious, and comfortable classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to provide a high-quality learning environment. Equipped with multimedia capabilities and smart classroom technology, these spaces facilitate interactive teaching and learning, integrating a wide range of educational resources like videos, simulations, and virtual experiments to enhance the student experience. |
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Baker Auditorium | The Baker Auditorium, named after the renowned architect Laurie Baker who designed the campus, is a key academic space with a seating capacity for approximately 150 people. This well-equipped venue hosts a variety of academic events, including seminars, conferences, and public lectures, providing modern facilities for presentations and gatherings. Its intimate ambiance, complemented by distinctive alternating curved walls, creates an ideal setting for intellectual discourse and community engagement. |
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Joan Robinson Hall | The Joan Robinson Hall provides a versatile space within the Centre for Development Studies, serving as a dedicated facility for academic discussions, presentations, and various other institutional events. It contributes to the vibrant intellectual and social life of the campus by accommodating diverse gatherings. |
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Entry/Exit Rules
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Hostel Movement Rules | To ensure student safety and accountability, the Centre for Development Studies has established specific entry and exit rules for hostellers. Students planning an overnight stay off-campus are required to inform the Estate & Engineering section, providing their mobile number. For departures after 10:00 PM, hostellers must sign a register at the Security point, detailing their name and mobile number, facilitating oversight and security. |
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Sports & Fitness
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Gymnasium | The Centre for Development Studies offers a dedicated gymnasium facility for its students, actively promoting health and well-being within the campus community. This accessible venue provides opportunities for exercise and fitness education, encouraging students to maintain healthy lifestyle choices and contributing to a culture of wellness. |
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Indoor Badminton Court | The Centre for Development Studies features an Indoor Badminton Court, providing a dedicated space for students and staff to engage in recreational and competitive badminton activities regardless of weather conditions. This facility supports physical fitness and fosters a sense of community through sports. |
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Hostel Facilities
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Student Hostels (5 Blocks) | The Centre for Development Studies provides comprehensive on-campus residential facilities through its five modern hostel blocks, offering a total of 90 rooms designed to ensure student comfort and productivity. With separate accommodations for male and female students, the hostels primarily feature spacious, single-occupancy rooms, each furnished with essential amenities like a bed and study table, and equipped with attached baths and mosquito nets. Residents benefit from Wi-Fi connectivity, dedicated study halls, quiet spaces for academic focus, and shared facilities such as automatic washing machines and microwave ovens. |
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MH Hostel | The MH Hostel, a key part of the Centre for Development Studies' residential facilities, is a three-story building offering 24 comfortable rooms. Each room is designed with the student's comfort in mind, featuring a private balcony that provides a refreshing personal space and natural ventilation. |
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WH Hostel | The WH Hostel at the Centre for Development Studies is a two-story accommodation block, providing 18 well-maintained rooms for students. This hostel offers a comfortable and conducive living environment, contributing to the overall residential experience on campus. |
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LH Hostel | LH Hostel, a smaller, more intimate residential option at the Centre for Development Studies, is spread across three floors and features six rooms. Each room in this hostel is equipped with a balcony, offering residents a personal outdoor space to relax and enjoy the campus surroundings. |
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LHA Hostel | The LHA Hostel at the Centre for Development Studies is a three-story residential building providing 12 rooms, each designed to enhance the living experience with a dedicated balcony. This hostel offers a balanced blend of privacy and access to fresh air, catering to the needs of its residents. |
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NH Hostel | The NH Hostel is the largest residential facility at the Centre for Development Studies, featuring four floors and 30 rooms. Designed for student comfort, each room in this hostel includes a balcony, offering residents a private outdoor area and contributing to a pleasant living environment. |
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Safety & Security
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Safe Learning Environment | The Centre for Development Studies is committed to providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for all its students, ensuring their well-being and security on campus. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their personal belongings, with clear procedures in place for reporting any instances of theft or loss to the designated Wardens and the Estate & Engineering section. |
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Incubation Centers
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Research Themes and Units | The Centre for Development Studies functions as an autonomous social science research institute, dedicated to advancing knowledge and promoting interdisciplinary studies in development. Its extensive research agenda is structured around 11 distinct themes, including critical areas like Innovation and Technology, Human Development, and Governance, ensuring a broad and impactful contribution to socio-economic understanding. The Centre actively engages in empirically oriented and theoretically informed research, fostering a dynamic environment for academic inquiry and problem-solving. |
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Medical Facilities
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Medical Help | While the Centre for Development Studies provides general medical help on campus, it primarily supports student health through a robust Student Welfare Fund. This fund is specifically designed to cover the health expenditures of registered students, facilitating both in-patient and out-patient treatments at hospitals within Thiruvananthapuram city, with assistance provided on a reimbursement basis or, in emergencies, through advance payments. |
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Recreational Areas
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Guest House Living Room | The Guest House at the Centre for Development Studies offers a spacious living room, providing a comfortable and relaxing common area for visitors and guests. This well-appointed space is equipped with a television, offering a perfect spot for unwinding, socializing, or enjoying entertainment. |
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Extracurricular Activities & Fests | The Centre for Development Studies fosters a vibrant campus life that extends beyond academics, offering numerous opportunities for students to engage in diverse extracurricular activities. These include platforms to showcase talent in areas such as dance, singing, art, literature, and drama, alongside active participation in sports meets and annual college fests, which serve as significant stages for students to express their creativity and organizational skills. |
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Student Help Desks
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Career Counselling and Placement Cell | The Centre for Development Studies features a dedicated Career Counselling and Placement Cell that serves as a vital link between students and the professional world. This cell actively engages with industries to foster strong relationships, providing comprehensive support to students through various training programs, career counseling sessions, and mock interviews, all aimed at equipping them with essential employment-seeking skills and facilitating their desired career placements. |
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Alumni Association | The Centre for Development Studies maintains an active Alumni Association, a network of former students dedicated to supporting the current student body. This association plays a valuable role in offering advice, mentorship, and career assistance, leveraging the collective experience of its members to benefit those currently pursuing their studies. |
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Student Welfare Fund | The Centre for Development Studies supports its students' well-being through a dedicated Student Welfare Fund, a corpus established to assist with health expenditures. This fund covers both in-patient and out-patient treatments at local hospitals for registered MA and PhD students, subject to specific income criteria. Financial assistance is primarily provided on a reimbursement basis, with provisions for advance payments in urgent medical situations, ensuring critical support for student health. |
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Transport Services
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Campus Accessibility & Local Transport | The Centre for Development Studies boasts excellent connectivity, ensuring ease of access for students, staff, and visitors through various transport modes including road, rail, and air. Strategically located, the campus is well-served by local bus routes, with a central bus terminal nearby. Additionally, its proximity to three major railway stations and the international airport in Thiruvananthapuram, coupled with readily available pre-paid taxis and auto-rickshaws, facilitates seamless commuting to and from the institution. |
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Disability Services
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Accessibility for Persons with Disability (PwD) | The Centre for Development Studies demonstrates its commitment to inclusivity by offering specific provisions for Persons with Disability (PwD) candidates. This includes an exemption from the application fee for those with 40% or more disability, and eligibility for admission irrespective of their marks in the qualifying degree, aiming to promote equitable access to education. |
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Accommodation for Parents
Facility | Summary | Features |
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Guest House | The Centre for Development Studies offers a well-appointed Guest House with 14 rooms, designed to provide a homely and comfortable stay for official guests, including parents and relatives of students and staff. Each room is equipped with essential amenities such as electric kettles, cable television, and hot water, alongside Wi-Fi access. The facility also provides shared conveniences like an automatic washing machine, microwave, and refrigerator, ensuring a pleasant and convenient experience for visitors. |
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Campus Gallery Of CDS Thiruvananthapuram









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