As approved by the Committee of Direction and the Governing Body of the Centre, a Student Welfare Fund was instituted at the Centre in 2018-19 and 2019-20 with an initial contribution of Rs.1,00,000/- from the CDS Endowment Fund exclusively to cover abnormal medical expenses of the students from the yearly bank interest of the fund. It was decided to collect contributions from the CDS alumni to supplement the fund.
The CDS Alumni Association (CDSAA), in its meeting on November 18, 2025, had requested the Centre to revise the present guidelines for the utilisation of the fund by incorporating the urgent needs of the students and to constitute the CDS Student Welfare Fund Management Committee with representatives from the CDS faculty, CDS students and the CDS Alumni Association (CDSAA). The Committee is supposed to be responsible for formulating guidelines and establishing mechanisms to identify students eligible for financial assistance through additional donations to the existing Student Welfare Fund. CDSAA will play an active role in mobilising such contributions. The Committee shall meet twice a year, preferably at the beginning of each semester, to review and discuss the applications received.
The suggested members of the Committee are:
CDSAA representative: Dr Meena Chacko
Faculty representation: Dr Ritika Jain
Student representative: Ms Alphons Rose Jerry
- Purpose and Current Scope of the Fund
The Fund will primarily be used to support MA students in meeting tuition and other institute-related fees.
- Availability of Support
The number of students who may be supported in any given cycle (semester), as well as the extent of financial support, will depend on the availability of resources within the Fund.
- Duration of Support
Financial assistance will be granted for one semester at a time.
- Initial Review of Requests
Upon receiving a request for support, one or more members of the Committee may interact with the applicant to better understand their circumstances and needs. The Committee will review socio-economic information previously submitted by the applicant as part of their CDS admissions materials.
- Prioritisation in Case of Multiple Applications
In instances where multiple requests are received, the Committee will prepare a ranking of applicants based on vulnerability of candidates. Subject to the availability of funds, support will be offered to the most vulnerable applicant(s). Assistance may be provided either fully or partially.
- Continuation of Support in Subsequent Semesters
Eligibility for disbursal of funds in any subsequent semester will be contingent upon the following criteria:
- A minimum of 75% attendance in all registered courses.
- Securing at least a C- (C minus) grade in each course.
- Positive feedback from individual instructors regarding effort and academic engagement.
- Maintenance of the required aggregate grade average across semesters (for applicants in the third and fourth semesters).
We are inviting contributions to the CDS Student Welfare Fund to help sponsor the education fees of MA students who need financial support to continue their course.
Guidelines for the Payment
SB Collect CDS page will be opened. Instead of it If SB collect home page is opened then search centre for development studies.
Please provide the following details during payment.
Under the payment category select “Donation to student welfare fund.”
Name , Mobile Number, Purpose, Permanent address and official address, Period of association with the centre, Remarks, Donation amount.