Courses at Centre for Development Studies - Thiruvananthapuram Courses & Fees 2026

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.