History
CSD is a leading research and policy studies institution that puts equality and justice at the core of social development.Established in 1962 in New Delhi, CSD emerged as an intellectual and social sciences academic hub, under the leadership of the legendary freedom fighter, social activist, academician and planner, Dr Durgabai Deshmukh. In 1964, the CSD became formally affiliated to the India International Centre and in April 1970 it was registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 with C.D Deshmukh as President and Dr (Smt.) Durgabai Deshmukh as Executive Chairperson and Honorary Director. The Southern Regional Centre (SRC), CSD, Hyderabad, was established in Hyderabad in 1967. CSD engages in policy-oriented research with a special focus on social aspects of development planning and concern for social justice and equity that continues to guide the work of CSD. The Major of research at CSD is to encourage examination of diverse impacts of policy and appreciation of diversity in understanding the relationship between the state and people
Governance and Organisation
The current President of CSD is the distinguished former diplomat Prof Muchkund Dubey. The CSD-SRC enjoys functional autonomy through its own Managing / Finance Committee which started functioning since 2002. Dr P.M. Bhargava, former Vice-Chairman, Knowledge Commission and former Member, National Security Advisory Group, Government of India, was the former Chairperson of the Committee until his demise on August 1, 2017. Currently, Prof. Shanta Sinha is the Chairperson of the Managing Committee, a Retired Professor of Political Science, University of Hyderabad and Raman Magsaysay Awardee for her distinguished work on the elimination of Child Labour. The other members of the Committee include eminent academicians and social scientists and representatives of our main sponsors ICSSR and the Government of Telangana. Prof. Sujit Kumar Mishra is currently the head of the institute as Regional Director (In-charge).
During the Sixth Five Year Plan period, the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, sanctioned a recurring annual grant to the Southern Regional Office (SRO) (since 1977-78). Further, encouragement came from the Reserve Bank of India, and since 1985, RBI has been funding the Institute especially the RBI Chair Professor which is in vogue in several other institutes of the country. The Government of Telangana have been supporting the Council to carry out the research activities.