The Centre for Development Studies (CDS) is an Indian research and postgraduate teaching institution based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is recognised for its work in development economics and allied social sciences, and has been associated with policy-oriented research relating to the Indian economy, the Kerala model of development, demography, migration, labour, and public finance.
| Name | Centre for Development Studies |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | CDS |
| Type | Research and postgraduate teaching institute |
| Location | Prasanth Nagar, Ulloor, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Field | Development studies, economics, social sciences |
| Founder | K. N. Raj (and colleagues) |
| Affiliation | Jawaharlal Nehru University (for academic programmes) |
| Supported by | Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR); Government of Kerala |
Overview
CDS functions as an autonomous social science research institute. It conducts long-term research programmes, hosts visiting scholars, and offers postgraduate degree programmes in economics whose degrees are awarded by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. The institute is among the research centres recognised by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).
Background and founding
The Centre was established with the active involvement of the economist K. N. Raj, who had earlier served as a member of the drafting team for India's First Five-Year Plan and as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi. Raj, along with a group of associates, set up CDS as an independent institution in Thiruvananthapuram, with support from the Government of Kerala. The campus at Ulloor was designed by the architect Laurie Baker, and is widely cited as a notable example of his cost-effective, ecologically sensitive architectural style using exposed brickwork and traditional techniques.
Academic programmes
CDS offers postgraduate and doctoral programmes in economics. The degrees, including the M.A. in Applied Economics, M.Phil. and Ph.D., have been awarded through the institute's academic association with Jawaharlal Nehru University. Admission to the programmes is conducted through national-level entrance procedures, and students are typically supported by fellowships.
Research areas
- Development economics and macroeconomic policy
- Agriculture, rural development and natural resources
- Industry, trade and technology
- Labour, employment and migration
- Health, education and human development
- Demography and population studies
- Public finance and fiscal federalism
- Regional studies, with particular focus on Kerala and the southern Indian states
Significance
CDS has contributed substantially to the body of empirical and theoretical work on the Kerala model of development, which examines the state's relatively high social indicators despite modest per capita income. Studies undertaken at the institute on Gulf migration from Kerala, decentralised planning, and the state's demographic transition have informed both academic literature and public policy in India. Several economists and social scientists associated with CDS have gone on to hold senior positions in Indian academic, governmental, and international institutions.
Campus
The CDS campus is situated in Prasanth Nagar, Ulloor, in Thiruvananthapuram. In addition to academic and administrative blocks, it houses a specialised library on development studies, a computer centre, and residential facilities for students and visiting researchers. The Laurie Baker–designed buildings are themselves a recognised architectural landmark in the city.
Related topics
- K. N. Raj
- Laurie Baker
- Kerala model
- Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Indian Council of Social Science Research
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Development economics
References
- Wikidata entry: Q5062404
- Indian Council of Social Science Research – list of recognised research institutes
- Jawaharlal Nehru University – academic affiliations and programme listings