Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Thiruvananthapuram, has announced Faculty Recruitment 02/2026 for the appointment of Assistant Professors. The recruitment covers three faculty vacancies: two Unreserved positions and one position notified for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). The selected candidates will enter at Academic Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Matrix, and CDS expects the successful appointees to join by the first week of January 2027.
The essential academic requirement is an awarded PhD in Economics, Statistics, Demography, or another Social Science subject where the candidate's work is related to development. Candidates must also hold a Master's degree with at least 55% marks or the applicable equivalent grade. Through its corrigendum dated 23 September 2026, CDS clarified that candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC-NCL and PwBD categories are eligible for a 5% relaxation at the Bachelor's as well as Master's level for eligibility and assessment of good academic record. The relaxation is based on qualifying marks and does not include grace-mark procedures.
Research quality is an explicit eligibility component. Applicants must have at least one publication in Development Economics or Development Studies in a UGC-approved journal or a SCOPUS-indexed journal. CDS also states a preference for candidates who can teach and contribute in areas such as Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Econometrics, Statistics, Demography, Environmental Economics, Agricultural Economics, Public Finance and Development Economics at Master's and PhD levels, while also supervising doctoral researchers. Candidates are expected to be comfortable working in a multicultural research environment.
The recruitment is open only to Indian nationals, including Indian nationals residing abroad. Where an overseas Indian applicant is shortlisted, CDS may conduct the interview through video conferencing on the same day as the interviews for other applicants. CDS also specifically encourages qualified women candidates to apply.
Applications must be submitted online through the CDS recruitment link. Applicants are required to provide complete and correct information and upload the prescribed supporting documents. The notified enclosures include self-attested copies of the postgraduate degree certificate and mark or grade sheets, PhD degree certificate, proof of date of birth, and the applicable PwBD certificate for candidates claiming the reserved vacancy or PwBD relaxation.
The 23 September 2026 corrigendum further clarifies that a PwBD candidate must submit a valid Disability Certificate, UDID Card or another prescribed disability certificate issued by the competent authority under the applicable Government of India rules. The certificate must establish the nature and percentage of disability and the candidate's eligibility for the relevant reservation or relaxation. Candidates claiming any other category-based relaxation must similarly produce the prescribed valid certificate.
Applicants already serving in Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Boards or Autonomous Bodies must submit a No Objection Certificate and Vigilance Clearance from their present employer at the time of presentation and interview if these documents were not uploaded with the online form. CDS states that no TA or DA will be paid for attending the presentation and interview. The Centre may shortlist a smaller number of applicants from among those satisfying the minimum conditions and may keep a post vacant if no suitable candidate is found. Canvassing in any form is a disqualification.
The application window closes on 30 October 2026 at 5:00 PM. The official notification does not state an age limit, application fee or an exact rupee salary figure; therefore these details have not been invented in this recruitment record.
