# Centre for the Study of Developing Societies

> Indian research Institute for the social sciences and humanities

**Wikidata**: [Q5062632](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5062632)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_for_the_Study_of_Developing_Societies)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-for-the-study-of-developing-societies

## Summary
The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) is an Indian research institute dedicated to the social sciences and humanities. Founded in 1963 by Rajni Kothari, it is located in Delhi and operates under the aegis of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). The organization is formally classified as a research institute, distinct from a university or think tank, with a primary purpose of conducting systematic investigation and generating new knowledge.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1963
- **Founder:** Rajni Kothari
- **Location:** Delhi / New Delhi, India (Coordinates: 28.678, 77.218)
- **Parent Organization:** Indian Council of Social Science Research
- **Type:** Research Institute
- **Primary Focus:** Social sciences and humanities
- **Website:** http://www.csds.in/index.php
- **GRID ID:** grid.465019.f
- **ROR ID:** 008seds41
- **ISNI:** 0000000121719709
- **VIAF ID:** 141866996
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n50078211
- **Wikipedia Languages:** English, Sanskrit, Simple English, Tamil (4 sitelinks)

## FAQs
### Q: Who founded the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies and when?
The institute was founded in 1963 by the academic and political scientist Rajni Kothari.

### Q: How is the institute related to the Indian Council of Social Science Research?
The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies functions under the Indian Council of Social Science Research, which serves as its parent organization.

### Q: Where is the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies located?
The institute is headquartered in New Delhi, India, specifically at latitude 28.678 and longitude 77.218.

### Q: How is this organization classified in library and knowledge systems?
It is classified as a research institute (distinct from universities or think tanks) and is mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization. It holds specific identifiers such as the Library of Congress Authority ID n50078211 and the Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406.

## Why It Matters
As a dedicated research institute, the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies serves as a specialized engine for intellectual discovery in the social sciences and humanities. Unlike universities that must balance research with teaching, or think tanks that often focus on specific policy outcomes, this institute exists primarily to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. By concentrating resources on fundamental inquiry, it provides a space for long-term, high-risk research into developing societies. Its establishment in 1963 created a distinct organizational form in India's intellectual landscape, contributing to the global understanding of social structures and humanities without the distraction of undergraduate education or commercial constraints.

## Notable For
- Being a premier Indian institute dedicated exclusively to social sciences and humanities research.
- Distinguishing itself as a research institute rather than a think tank or scientific society.
- Holding a unique "NGO Darpan" ID (DL/2017/0166359), indicating its registration status in India.
- Maintaining a multilingual presence across Wikipedia in English, Sanskrit, Simple English, and Tamil.
- Being indexed in major global research databases including GRID, ROR, and ISNI.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies is an Indian research institute focused on the social sciences and humanities. It is classified formally as a "research institute," a type of organization defined by its primary purpose to conduct research rather than teaching or commercial activity. In structured data systems, it is mapped as a `ResearchOrganization` and `Thing`. It is distinct from:
- **Universities:** It does not typically grant degrees or provide undergraduate education.
- **Think Tanks:** It pursues fundamental inquiry across disciplines rather than focusing primarily on policy influence.
- **Scientific Societies:** It is an operational entity conducting investigation, not just a membership organization.

### History and Leadership
The institute was established in **1963**. It was founded by **Rajni Kothari**, a notable figure in Indian academia. The organization has endured for decades as a hub for social science research.

### Location and Geography
The institute is physically located in **Delhi**, with its headquarters in **New Delhi**, India. Its precise geographic coordinates are **28.678 latitude and 77.218 longitude**.

### Organizational Structure
The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies operates under the **Indian Council of Social Science Research**, which acts as its parent organization. It is also listed under the **NGO Darpan** portal with the ID DL/2017/0166359.

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
The institute maintains a robust footprint across academic and knowledge management systems:

*   **Academic & Research Databases:**
    *   **GRID ID:** grid.465019.f
    *   **ROR ID:** 008seds41
    *   **ISNI:** 0000000121719709
    *   **Ringgold ID:** 193412
    *   **Microsoft Academic ID:** 108294501 (discontinued)
    *   **Yale LUX ID:** group/3d2a60db-ab83-4191-a817-08a2105de244

*   **Library & Authority Control:**
    *   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n50078211
    *   **VIAF ID:** 141866996
    *   **National Library of Israel J9U ID:** 987007579340105171
    *   **NL CR AUT ID:** kn20081211007

*   **Web and Knowledge Graphs:**
    *   **Website:** http://www.csds.in/index.php
    *   **Wikidata Description:** "Indian research Institute for the social sciences and humanities"
    *   **Quora Topic:** Centre-for-the-Study-of-Developing-Societies
    *   **Freebase ID:** /m/05q8f46
    *   **UIA Open Yearbook ID:** 1100039709

### Linguistic Coverage
The institute has a digital presence on Wikipedia in four languages: **English (en)**, **Sanskrit (sa)**, **Simple English (simple)**, and **Tamil (ta)**, reflecting its regional and academic relevance.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. ROR release v1.19
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. GRID Release 2016-12-06
6. Quora
7. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
8. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File