The Centre for Contemporary Studies (CCS) was set up as an advanced studies unit of NMML in 1990. It was established for the promotion of research on modern Indian and contemporary history. It offers three levels of research fellowships -Junior Fellow, Fellow and Senior Fellow to scholars engaged in advanced research. The three research areas in which fellowships are granted are 'India: Recent Historical Trends and Developments', 'India in Transition: Issues and Challenges’ and 'India and the Wider World'. The CCS also offers fellowships like Atal Bihari Vajpayee Fellowship, Academic Research Translation and Book Writing Fellowship and NMML Visiting Fellowship.

The Centre regularly conducts academic activities such as lectures, conferences, book discussions, panel discussions, workshops, etc. The Centre also provides research affiliation to scholars who have been awarded fellowships by other organizations like the University Grants Commission (UGC), Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and other similar organizations. The Centre has collaboration with the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) whereby it provides research affiliation to scholars from various universities of the United States of America.