Herein, we report the syntheses, characterization, thermodynamic and kinetic properties and application of two Cd(II) containing metal-organic frameworks, namely [Cd (5-aip) (bpy)] (1) and [Cd (5-hip) (bpy)] (2), where 5-aip = 5-aminoisophthalate ion, 5-hip = 5-hydroxyisophthalalate ion and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine respectively. Structural analyses showed that both MOFs displayed a two-dimensional (2D) framework structure, anchored with free –NH2 and –OH groups, for 1 and 2 respectively. The dye adsorption behaviors of both MOFs were explored in detail, which showed that both MOFs efficiently and selectively adsorbed anionic dye Congo red (CR) over cationic dyes. Linear as well as nonlinear kinetics and isotherm data of CR removal by MOFs were thoroughly studied to predict the optimum models. The experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and followed pseudo second order kinetics. A spontaneous and feasible nature of CR adsorption process was elucidated from the thermodynamic parameters.