# Centre for Development Studies > Indian research institution in Trivandrum, Kerala **Wikidata**: [Q5062404](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5062404) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_for_Development_Studies) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-for-development-studies ## Summary The Centre for Development Studies (CDS) is a premier social science research institute and university located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Established in 1971, it operates under the affiliation of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and is recognized as a key institution for development-focused academic research in India. ## Key Facts - **Type**: Research university and institute focused on social sciences and development studies. - **Location**: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala, India. - **Established**: 1971. - **Parent Organization**: Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). - **Official Website**: http://www.cds.edu. - **Web Feed**: https://cds.edu/feed/. - **Wikipedia Title**: Centre for Development Studies. - **Wikipedia Languages**: English and Chinese. - **Wikidata Description**: Indian research institution in Trivandrum, Kerala. - **AISHE Code**: C-59912 (All India Survey on Higher Education). - **ROR ID**: 02dteh969 (Research Organization Registry). - **GRID ID**: grid.433028.e (Global Research Identifier Database). - **VIAF ID**: 312948155 (Virtual International Authority File). - **Freebase ID**: /m/02w4f0w. - **Quora Topic**: Centre-for-Development-Studies. - **Ringgold ID**: 29358. - **Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued)**: 157886920. - **NLA Trove People ID**: 808538. - **Sitelink Count**: 2 (connections across Wikimedia projects). ## FAQs ### What is the primary focus of the Centre for Development Studies? The Centre for Development Studies is a research institution specializing in social sciences, with a core emphasis on development studies, including economics, policy analysis, and social development in India and globally. It functions as both a research hub and a university, contributing to academic discourse and evidence-based policymaking. ### Which national body oversees the Centre for Development Studies? CDS is affiliated with and receives support from the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), which is the national apex body for promoting social science research in India. This affiliation provides institutional guidance, funding opportunities, and integration into India's broader social science research ecosystem. ### Where is the Centre for Development Studies physically located? CDS is situated in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. This location places it in a state known for high social development indicators, providing a contextual backdrop for its research on socioeconomic progress. ### When was the Centre for Development Studies founded, and what is its historical significance? CDS was established in 1971, during a period of expanded focus on development planning in post-independence India. Its founding reflects the growing need for dedicated research institutions to address complex developmental challenges, and it has since become a longstanding contributor to social science scholarship. ### Does the Centre for Development Studies offer academic programs? As a classified university, CDS likely engages in higher education activities such as postgraduate teaching and doctoral supervision, consistent with its role in advancing knowledge in development studies. However, its primary identity, as per its description, is that of a research institution. ### How is the Centre for Development Studies recognized in global academic databases? CDS is identified in multiple international research registries, including ROR, GRID, VIAF, and Ringgold, which facilitate global collaboration and data sharing. It also holds an AISHE code (C-59912), confirming its recognition within India's higher education framework. ## Why It Matters The Centre for Development Studies plays a critical role in shaping India's developmental trajectory by producing rigorous, policy-relevant research in social sciences. Its affiliation with ICSSR amplifies its influence, enabling it to contribute to national debates on poverty, inequality, governance, and economic planning. By focusing on development studies, CDS addresses core challenges faced by emerging economies, providing evidence that informs government policies, NGO strategies, and international development agendas. Its longevity since 1971 has allowed it to build deep expertise and longitudinal data resources, making it a trusted source for empirical analysis. Furthermore, as a university, it trains future researchers and policymakers, ensuring the continuity of high-quality social science inquiry. The institute's presence in Kerala—a state with notable achievements in human development—offers a unique laboratory for studying development models, which it disseminates through publications, conferences, and advisory roles. This combination of research, education, and policy engagement makes CDS indispensable for anyone interested in evidence-based approaches to social and economic progress in India and similar contexts. ## Notable For - **Premier ICSSR Institute**: CDS is one of the leading research centers under the Indian Council of Social Science Research,享有 national priority and funding for social science research. - **Longstanding Legacy**: Founded in 1971, it is among the older dedicated development research institutes in India, with over five decades of accumulated scholarship. - **Development Studies Focus**: Specializes in interdisciplinary research on economic development, social policy, and governance, distinguishing it from general social science institutes. - **Policy Impact**: Regularly contributes to government committees and policy drafts, directly influencing national and state-level development strategies. - **AISHE Recognition**: Holds the official AISHE code C-59912, certifying its status as a recognized higher education institution in India. - **Multilingual Academic Presence**: Maintains Wikipedia entries in both English and Chinese, indicating international outreach and accessibility. - **Comprehensive Global Identifiers**: Listed in major research databases (ROR, GRID, VIAF, Ringgold), facilitating global academic networking and resource discovery. - **Strategic Location**: Based in Kerala, a state with high human development indices, providing a contextual advantage for studying development outcomes. ## Body ### History and Institutional Affiliation - The Centre for Development Studies was founded in 1971 to address the need for specialized research in development economics and social sciences in India. - It is formally affiliated with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the national organization established to promote and coordinate social science research. - This affiliation provides CDS with academic autonomy, access to ICSSR's network of institutes, and eligibility for competitive research grants. - Over its history, CDS has evolved from a small research group into a full-fledged university and think tank, maintaining a consistent focus on empirical, policy-oriented scholarship. ### Geographic and Administrative Context - CDS is located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Thiruvananthapuram is also known as Trivandrum, as reflected in its Wikidata description. - Kerala's high social development metrics, such as literacy and healthcare, offer a rich empirical setting for CDS's research on development paradigms. - The institute's physical campus and administrative operations are centered in this city, which serves as a hub for academic and governmental activities in the state. ### Organizational Identity and Classification - CDS is classified as a university (instance_of: university), aligning it with global higher education institutions that combine teaching, research, and public service. - Despite its university status, its primary operational identity is that of a research institution, emphasizing scholarly output over large-scale undergraduate teaching. - It functions as a subordinate entity (subclass_of) within the broader category of academic institutions and geolocatable entities, meaning it has a fixed physical location and academic mission. ### Digital Footprint and Online Presence - The official website is hosted at http://www.cds.edu, serving as the central portal for publications, events, and institutional information. - An active web feed (https://cds.edu/feed/) provides updates on research outputs, news, and announcements, supporting real-time dissemination. - Wikipedia maintains an entry titled "Centre for Development Studies" in two languages: English and Chinese, indicating international recognition and multilingual accessibility. - The Wikidata description succinctly captures its essence: "Indian research institution in Trivandrum, Kerala." - With a sitelink count of 2, CDS is connected across at least two Wikimedia projects, enhancing its visibility in open knowledge ecosystems. ### Recognition Through Standardized Identifiers - **AISHE Code (C-59912)**: Assigned by the All India Survey on Higher Education, this code officially recognizes CDS within India's national higher education database. - **ROR ID (02dteh969)**: The Research Organization Registry identifier uniquely distinguishes CDS in global research information systems. - **GRID ID (grid.433028.e)**: The Global Research Identifier Database ID facilitates cross-institutional collaboration and data integration. - **VIAF ID (312948155)**: The Virtual International Authority File ID aggregates CDS's authority records from libraries worldwide. - **Freebase ID (/m/02w4f0w)**: This legacy identifier from the Freebase knowledge graph connects CDS to structured data repositories. - **Quora Topic (Centre-for-Development-Studies)**: Presence on Quora indicates engagement with public Q&A platforms around its expertise. - **Ringgold ID (29358)**: The Ringgold identifier is used in academic publishing and library systems for institutional disambiguation. - **Microsoft Academic ID (157886920)**: Although discontinued, this ID reflects CDS's historical inclusion in Microsoft's academic graph. - **NLA Trove People ID (808538)**: This identifier from Australia's National Library links CDS to international bibliographic resources. ### Research and Academic Scope - CDS's work falls under the field of development studies, encompassing economics, political science, sociology, and public policy with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. - Its research outputs typically include working papers, monographs, journal articles, and policy briefs, often addressing themes like poverty alleviation, agricultural development, health economics, and governance reforms. - As a university, it likely offers postgraduate programs (M.Phil., Ph.D.) in development-related disciplines, training scholars and practitioners. - The institute hosts seminars, workshops, and conferences that attract national and international academics, fostering intellectual exchange. ### Ecosystem and Collaborations - Through its ICSSR affiliation, CDS is part of a network of social science research institutes across India, enabling resource sharing and collaborative projects. - Its global identifiers suggest active participation in international research consortia and data-sharing initiatives. - The multilingual Wikipedia presence hints at efforts to engage with non-English speaking academic communities, particularly in China. ### Impact and Legacy - Since 1971, CDS has contributed to a vast body of literature on Indian development, with many of its researchers influencing government committees and planning commissions. - Its location in Kerala allows it to study a region often cited for its "Kerala model" of development, providing comparative insights for other developing regions. - The institute's sustained output over five decades has cemented its reputation as a center of excellence, attracting visiting scholars and students globally. - Recognition through AISHE and multiple international IDs underscores its compliance with national and global standards for research institutions. ## References 1. GRID Release 2017-01-10 2. Google Knowledge Graph 3. GRID Release 2015-12-14 4. GRID Release 2016-12-06 5. Quora 6. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions 7. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph 8. [Source](http://aishe.gov.in) 9. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)