Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Thiruvananthapuram, a leading autonomous social science research institution under the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the Department of Planning and Economic Affairs (Government of Kerala), invites applications for the recruitment of 2 Associate Professor positions in Economics and Social Sciences. The Centre pursues an active research programme in development economics and offers prestigious Ph.D. and M.A. programmes with degrees awarded by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.
CDS Faculty Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Organization | Centre for Development Studies (CDS) |
| Location | Prasanth Nagar, Ulloor, Thiruvananthapuram - 695011, Kerala |
| Position | Associate Professor (Economics/Social Sciences) |
| Total Vacancies | 2 (1 Unreserved, 1 ST) |
| Pay Scale | Academic Level 13A of 7th Central Pay Commission Matrix |
| Recruitment Notification | Faculty Recruitment: 01/2026 |
| Online Application Portal | https://cds.edu/jobs/ |
| Last Date for Online Application | 28 February 2026 |
| Expected Date of Joining | Last week of June 2026 |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |
| Contact Phone | 0471-2774277 |
| Official Website | www.cds.edu |
Vacancy Details
| Sl. No. | Position | Category | Number of Posts | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Associate Professor | Unreserved (General) | 1 | Academic Level 13A (7th CPC) |
| 2 | Associate Professor | ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 1 | Academic Level 13A (7th CPC) |
| Total Vacancies | 2 | |||
Eligibility Criteria
Essential Qualifications
- PhD Degree: PhD (awarded) in Economics, Statistics, Demography or any Social Science subjects with focus on issues related to development
- Master's Degree: Master's Degree with at least 55% marks (or equivalent grade on point-scale)
- Age relaxation: Relaxation of 5% allowed for reserved category candidates (i.e., from 55% to 50%)
Work Experience
- Minimum 8 years: A minimum of eight years of experience of teaching and/or research in an academic/research position equivalent to that of Assistant Professor in a University, College, Accredited Research Institution or industry
- Publications: A minimum of seven publications in peer-reviewed or UGC-listed journals
Preferred Qualifications and Requirements
- Ability to teach at the Masters and PhD levels
- Ability to supervise doctoral research scholars
- Capability to work in a multicultural research environment
- Experience in development economics research and policy analysis
- Strong publication record in reputed journals
Salary and Benefits
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | Academic Level 13A of 7th Central Pay Commission Matrix |
| Dearness Allowance | As per Government of India norms |
| Other Benefits | Medical facilities, pension, gratuity and other allowances as per ICSSR/CDS regulations |
| Retirement Age | 65 years |
About Centre for Development Studies (CDS)
- Leading autonomous social science research institution
- Under the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Government of India
- Supported by the Department of Planning and Economic Affairs, Government of Kerala
- Pursues active research in applied development economics
- Offers prestigious Ph.D. and M.A. programmes in Economics and Applied Economics
- Degrees awarded by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi
- Located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - a hub of research and higher education
- Multicultural research environment with faculty from diverse backgrounds
Application Procedure
How to Apply
- All applicants are required to apply online in the prescribed format
- Visit the CDS website: https://cds.edu/jobs/
- Complete the online application form with correct and complete information
- Upload all required attachments in the specified format
- Submit the application before the deadline
- Keep a copy of the submitted application for your records
Required Enclosures
Self-attested scanned copies of the following documents must be uploaded along with the application:
- PG (Master's) degree certificate and mark/grade sheets
- PhD degree certificate
- Proof of date of birth
- Documents demonstrating 8 years of teaching/research experience (appointment letters, service certificates, pay slips, etc.)
- List of publications with proof (copies of published papers in peer-reviewed or UGC-listed journals)
- Caste Certificate (mandatory for candidates applying for reserved category ST post)
- No Objection Certificate from present employer (if currently employed in Government/PSU)
- Vigilance Clearance from present employer (if currently employed in Government/PSU)
Application Format
- Use the prescribed format available on the CDS website
- All details must be entered accurately and completely
- Incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected
- Supporting documents must be clear and legible
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | January 23, 2026 |
| Online Application Start | As per CDS website |
| Last Date for Online Application | 28 February 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Expected Date of Joining | Last week of June 2026 |
Selection Process
- Shortlisting of applications based on prescribed eligibility criteria
- Presentation and Interview of shortlisted candidates
- Evaluation of research output, teaching methodology and academic contributions
- Final selection based on merit and performance in interview
- Medical examination of selected candidates
- Approval by the Governing Body
- Decision of the selection committee is final
Important Instructions and Notes
Eligibility Notes
- Indian Nationals Only: Only Indian nationals need to apply. Applications from Indian nationals abroad will also be considered.
- Video Conferencing: If shortlisted, interviews for candidates abroad may be held via video conferencing on the same day as other applicants
- Government Employees: Applicants serving in Government/PSU/Autonomous Bodies are required to submit a 'No Objection Certificate' and Vigilance Clearance from the present employer at the time of interview (if not uploaded with the application)
Other Important Points
- No TA/DA: No Travelling Allowance (TA) or Daily Allowance (DA) will be paid to candidates for attending the Presentation and Interview
- Final Decision: Decision by the selection committee will be final and binding
- No Canvassing: Canvassing in any form will be a disqualification
- Vacant Posts: The Centre reserves the right to keep the post vacant if no suitable candidate is found
- Shortlisting: The Centre reserves the right to shortlist a smaller number of applicants from those who fulfill the minimum advertised conditions
- Jurisdiction: In case of any disputes, suits or legal proceedings against CDS, jurisdiction shall be limited to courts in Thiruvananthapuram
- Website Updates: Any addendum or corrigendum will be posted only on the CDS website. Candidates are requested to check the website regularly
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many Associate Professor positions are available?
A: A total of 2 Associate Professor positions are available - 1 in the Unreserved (General) category and 1 in the ST (Scheduled Tribe) reserved category.
Q: What is the salary for Associate Professor position?
A: The salary is at Academic Level 13A of the 7th Central Pay Commission Matrix, along with dearness allowance and other allowances as per Government and ICSSR norms.
Q: What are the educational qualifications required?
A: Candidates must have a PhD (awarded) in Economics, Statistics, Demography or any Social Science subject focusing on development, and a Master's Degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved category candidates).
Q: What is the minimum experience required?
A: A minimum of 8 years of teaching and/or research experience in an academic/research position equivalent to Assistant Professor, along with a minimum of 7 publications in peer-reviewed or UGC-listed journals.
Q: What is the last date to apply?
A: The last date for submission of online applications is 28 February 2026.
Q: How should I apply?
A: All applications must be submitted online through the CDS website at https://cds.edu/jobs/. No offline or postal applications are accepted.
Q: What documents are required to be uploaded?
A: Self-attested scanned copies of PG degree certificate and mark sheets, PhD degree certificate, proof of date of birth, documents proving 8 years experience, publication proofs, caste certificate (if applying for ST post), and NOC/Vigilance Clearance (if employed in Government/PSU).
Q: What is the teaching and research focus expected?
A: Preference will be given to those who can teach at Masters and PhD levels, supervise doctoral research, work in development economics, and contribute actively to the Centre's research programmes.
Q: When is the expected joining date?
A: Selected candidates are expected to join duty by the last week of June 2026.
Q: Will TA/DA be provided for the interview?
A: No, TA/DA will not be paid to candidates for attending the Presentation and Interview.
Q: Can I apply if I am working in a Government institution?
A: Yes, you can apply, but you must submit a 'No Objection Certificate' and Vigilance Clearance from your present employer at the time of interview (or upload them with the application).
Q: Is there any age limit for this position?
A: There is no specific age limit mentioned in the notification. However, the retirement age for the position is 65 years.
Q: Can NRI/Foreign nationals apply?
A: Indian nationals and Indian nationals abroad can apply. If shortlisted, candidates abroad may attend interview via video conferencing.
Q: What is the research focus of CDS?
A: CDS pursues active research in applied development economics with a focus on issues related to development, economic policy, and social science research.
Contact Information
| [email protected] | |
| Telephone | 0471-2774277 |
| Address | Centre for Development Studies, Prasanth Nagar, Ulloor, Thiruvananthapuram - 695011, Kerala |
| Website | www.cds.edu |
| Online Application Portal | https://cds.edu/jobs/ |
Important Links
| Online Application Portal | https://cds.edu/jobs/ |
| Notification PDF | Faculty-Recruitment-2026.pdf |
| Official Website | www.cds.edu |