PhD Rural Development is a 3-year long doctorate course that focuses on the study of rural development and management. It is a full-time, research-based course.
Through this course study, students can learn about the skills and innovative techniques used for the development of rural areas. The course mainly covers the subjects like Rural Development, Rural Economy, Societal Structure etc.
In order to be eligible for PhD Rural Development course study, the candidates need to complete their Master’s degree or M.Phil in any stream along with a minimum 50% (relaxation available for reserved category candidates) aggregate marks from a recognized university.
Admission to this course study is done either on the basis of candidates’ performance in the entrance exam followed by the personal interview round or on the basis of marks obtained by the candidates at their PG level.
Some of the top-most colleges or universities in India that offer PhD in Rural Development courses are listed below:
| College Name | Admission Process | Average Annual Fee | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arul Anandar College, Madurai | Merit Based | INR 1,000 | INR 2,80,00 |
| Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar | LPU NEST + PI | INR 79,000 | INR 7,00,000 |
| Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur | SKURCET | INR 31,465 | INR 5,00,000 |
| Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra | Entrance Based | INR 15,200 | INR 5,00,000 |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Srikakulam | UGC NET/ CSIR NET | INR 20,667 | INR 3,60,000 |
The average tuition fee charged by the top PhD Rural Development colleges in India typically ranges from INR 15,000 to 3,10,000. This course fee is widely dependent on the colleges where the candidates want to get admitted.
After successful completion of this course study, the PhD degree holders can get potential job employment like District Development Officer, Social Activist, Rural Territory Manager, Business Development Officer, Banking Correspondent, Researcher, Education Officer etc.
They are hired in the major recruiting areas, such as Rural Banking, NGOs, Agricultural Development, Infrastructure Development in Rural Areas, Policy Framing, Educational Institutes etc.
Such professionals can easily expect an average annual salary of INR 2,00,000 to 7,00,000 per annum depending on their skills and expertise in the field.
See more: Top PhD Rural Development Colleges in India
Table of Content
2.1 Why Study?
3.1 How to apply?
3.3 Entrance Exams
3.4 How to Get Admission in a Good PhD Rural Development College?
5.1 Important Books
7.1 Future Scope
PhD Rural Development: Course Highlights
Major highlights of PhD Rural Development course are listed in the following:
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Duration | 3-5 years |
| Eligibility | Post-Graduation Research/ M.Phil or equivalent from a recognized university with minimum 50% aggregate score |
| Admission Process | Merit Based/ Entrance Exam Based |
| Course Fee | INR 15,000-3,10,000 |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 18,000-20,000 per month |
| Job Positions | District Development Officer, Social Activist, Rural Territory Manager, Business Development Officer, Banking Correspondent, Researcher, Education Officer etc. |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Rural Banking, NGOs, Agricultural Development, Infrastructure Development in Rural Areas, Policy Framing, Educational Institutes etc. |
PhD Rural Development: What is it About?
The PhD Rural Development course basically focused on the studies related to the development and management of rural context. According to the theoretical approaches, the course also involves field work and extensive research programs.
- The course is perfect for those students who have interest in working with gross root level development.
- The course helps the students to learn about the skills and innovative techniques used for the development of rural areas and helps them to figure out the effective solutions to manage several difficulties.
- The aim of this course is to prepare the students with the best insight knowledge of the course so that they can become expertise for real world applications.
- This course is specially designed to teach the students about the issues related to rural domains and helps them to bring out the perfect compatible solutions needed for rural setup.
Why Study PhD Rural Development?
With PhD Rural Development course study, the students are being able to develop advanced techniques and methodology related to rural development and progress.
- The course is worth it for the students who possess interest in working with the rural community and enhance their ability to manage the rural related masses, farming process etc.
- After completing this course, the students get a wide variety of prospective career opportunities. They can get employed in major fields, like Rural Banking, NGOs, Agricultural Development, Infrastructure Development in Rural Areas, Policy Framing etc.
- They are usually hired as District Development Officer, Social Activist, Rural Territory Manager, Business Development Officer, Banking Correspondent, Researcher, Education Officer etc.
- Besides these, they can also work as Professor or Lecturer in the top-most educational institutions. They also perform research activities related to the rural development principles.
- Depending upon the expertise and the job positions, the students can easily earn an average salary of INR 2,00,000 to 7,00,000 per annum.
What is the PhD Rural Development Admission Process?
The admission process for PhD Rural Development course is done either on the basis of entrance exam performance or percentage secured by the candidates at the PG level.
- Most of the PhD Rural Development colleges allow admission to this course based on merit. The application can be done through both online and offline mode.
- You can get the application form on your own from the college premises. Fill up the application form carefully along with all details and required documents.
- After evaluating all application forms, a merit list is being prepared by the respective colleges.
- If the candidates have ranked in the merit lists, then they are eligible for admission.
How to apply for PhD Rural Development?
Following are the steps of PhD Rural Development course entrance exam-based admission procedure:
- Candidates can start registering for the entrance exam online, browsing through the official website of the respective colleges with some basic personal details, like email id, phone number, password etc.
- Fill up the application form carefully and mention accurate details. Submit all required documents and pay the application fee online.
- After closing the application submission period, the entrance exam dates are released by the university.
- In order to get admission, the candidates have to score well in the entrance exam. Based on this score, a cut-off list will be released.
- Candidates who have cleared the entrance exam need to go through a personal interview session.
- The candidates who have cleared all previous stages of the admission process will be allowed to take admission to their preferred colleges.
What is the PhD Rural Development Eligibility Criteria?
Being eligible for PhD Rural Development course study, the candidates who wish to pursue this course need to fulfill the following minimum eligibility criteria:
- The aspirants must have PG research or M.Phil or any other equivalent degree from a recognized university.
- They must obtain a minimum aggregate score of 50% at the PG level. Relaxation of marks is available for the reserved category candidates. To avail this benefit, the candidates have to submit their reservation certificates issued by the competent authorities during the admission time.
- The candidates should not have any backlog/ compartment in any of the subjects at PG/M.Phil degree. If any, then it should be cleared at the time of taking admission.
- Some colleges or universities consider students’ scores in the Common Entrance Test or CET and some conduct their own entrance exams to select the most eligible candidates for this course study.
- Certain colleges or universities have their own additional criteria (like research or internship) which need to be satisfied by the aspirants.
| M.PHIL/PH.D IN ARTS IN DELHI-NCR | M.PHIL/PH.D IN ARTS IN MAHARASHTRA | M.PHIL/PH.D IN ARTS IN CHENNAI | M.PHIL/PH.D IN ARTS IN UTTAR PRADESH | M.PHIL/PH.D IN ARTS IN TELANGANA |
Which are the Top PhD Rural Development Entrance Exams?
Admission to PhD Rural Development course is mostly done on the basis of marks obtained in the entrance exam. Some of the most popular and common entrance exams are mentioned in the following:
- UGC NET: It is a common national-level entrance exam conducted by UGC for PhD course admission.
- CSIR NET: It is a national-level entrance exam conducted for Junior Research Fellowship program twice in a year.
- LPU NEST: It is a university-level entrance exam conducted by the Lovely Professional University twice in a year for admission into various UG, PG, PhD courses.
Important details related to the most common PhD Rural Development entrance exams are mentioned in the given below table:
| Entrance Exam | Application Period | Exam Date | Exam Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC NET | April 30 – May 30, 2022 | July 9 – July 12, 2022, and August 12 – August 14, 2022 | Online |
| CSIR NET | July 11 – August 10, 2022 |
September 2022 |
Online |
| LPU NEST | 1st week of November 2022 – January 20, 2023 |
February 1- February 10, 2023 |
Online |
How to Prepare for PhD Rural Development Entrance Exams?
While preparing for the entrance exam to get admitted to the top-most PhD Rural Development colleges in India, the aspirants need to maintain a proper strategy. Must keep the following tips in mind:
- First you have to get a detailed knowledge of the latest exam syllabus. Actually, the entrance exams syllabus may change every year. Download the syllabus from the website of the respective colleges or universities.
- Most of the PhD entrance exam question paper consists of subjective as well as objective portions. So, you must have to be cleared about the exam format.
- PhD Rural Development entrance exams consist of MCQ type questions, and even have negative marking in most cases. So, try to avoid guess work. Mark an answer when you are 100% sure about it.
- Solve previous year question papers or sample question sheets to identify your weak points and enhance your confidence level.
- You should prepare a proper time table to manage time for studying and revision.
- Regular Revision is the key to success in every entrance exam. To acquire a good score in the exam, you need to start revision at least 2 months before appearing for the entrance exam.
- Must read the most popular reference books specially meant for PhD Rural Development entrance exams by reputed authors. You can also join online coaching classes to get a good score in the exam.
How to Get Admission in a Good PhD Rural Development College?
There are some reputed colleges in India available for pursuing PhD in Rural Development study and you must be confused about which college is best for this course study. Here we provide some important useful tips that will help you to get admitted to a good college:
- Most of the colleges grant admission to this course on the basis of marks acquired in the entrance exams. So, you have to score well in the test.
- Start preparing for the entrance exam at least 1 year before the date of examination.
- Few colleges allow direct admission based on the candidate's merit. Need to secure a good percentage at their PG level.
- Must have a clear idea about the course curriculum and subjects offered by the respective colleges. Know about the faculty members of the colleges.
- Fill up the application form carefully. Any mistake can reject your application. Always remember to submit the application form before the deadline.
- Go through the official website of the colleges and must have all latest updates regarding entrance exams, admission alerts and more.
- Even you can consult with the students currently pursuing PhD Rural Development courses from your shortlisted colleges. They can provide all required and accurate course details.
Which are the Top PhD Rural Development Colleges?
Some of the top-most PhD Rural Development Colleges available in India are listed below:
| NIRF Rank 2020 | College Name | Average Annual Fee | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | Panjab University | INR 12,000 | INR 5,00,000 |
| 62 | Karnataka University | INR 10,000 | INR 2,40,000 |
| 95 | Arul Anandar College | INR 1,000 | INR 2,80,00 |
| 99 | Lovely Professional University | INR 79,000 | INR 7,00,000 |
| 101-150 | Sri Krishnadevaraya University | INR 31,465 | INR 5,00,000 |
| 151 | Kurukshetra University | INR 15,200 | INR 5,00,000 |
| 166 | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University | INR 20,667 | INR 3,60,000 |
| - | IGNOU | INR 15,500 | INR 2,00,000 |
| - | University of Science and Technology | INR 96,870 | INR 3,30,000 |
| - | Birla Global University | INR 55,500 | INR 4,00,000 |
College Comparison: PhD Rural Development
The table mentioned below depicts the detailed comparison of the top three PhD Rural Development Colleges available in India based on the major parameters, like NIRF ranking, eligibility criteria, admission process, course fee, average placement etc.
| College Name | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University | Lovely Professional University | Kurukshetra University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Srikakulam | Jalandhar | Kurukshetra |
| NIRF Rank | 166 | 99 | 151 |
| Overview | This university was established in 2008 by the Andhra Pradesh State Government. It offers UG, PG, Doctorate courses in Science, Arts, Commerce streams. | LPU is a renowned private university in Punjab and it is recognized by UGC. The institute offers 200+ degree programs in 55 different disciplines | It is one of the oldest state universities located in Kurukshetra. It is famous for offering UG, PG, PhD courses in various disciplines. |
| Eligibility | Must complete UG & PG courses with minimum 60% aggregate score from a recognized university | Master’s degree of M.Phil with at least 55% aggregate from any recognized college | Master’s degree from a recognized university with minimum 50% aggregate score |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam Based | LPU NEST + PI | Entrance Based |
| Course Fee | INR 20,667 | INR 79,000 | INR 15,200 |
| Average Placement Package | INR 3,60,000 | INR 7,00,000 | INR 5,00,000 |
What is the PhD Rural Development Syllabus?
The PhD Rural Development course syllabus may differ from one institute to another. However, the subject of the study for the entire duration of this course is listed in the below-mentioned table:
| Subject of Study |
|---|
| Rural Development in Indian Context |
| Planning and Management |
| Research Methods in Development |
| Rural Economy of India |
| Educational Development |
| Societal Structure of Rural India |
| Case Studies |
| Research Assignment |
| Seminar |
| Thesis |
| Presentation |
| Viva-voce |
Which are PhD Rural Development Important Books?
The below-mentioned table consists the name of some of the most important books for PhD Rural Development course study:
| Name of the Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Rural Development | Tahir Hussain, Mary Tahir, Riya Tahir |
| Dynamics of Indian Rural Economy: Growth Perspective | Uma Narula |
| A Textbook of Research Methodology and Elementary Econometrics | Dr. Madhumita DasGupta |
| Contours of Value Capture: India’s Neoliberal Path of industrial Development | Satyaki Roy |
Course Comparison: PhD Rural Development Vs. PhD Agriculture
The below mentioned table depicts the comparison between PhD Rural Development and PhD Agriculture courses on various major parameters:
Check out the top PhD Agriculture Colleges in India
| Parameters | PhD Rural Development | PhD Agriculture |
|---|---|---|
| Course Overview | The course imparts in-depth advanced study related to the development and management of the rural context. | This course offers advanced skills and techniques related to agriculture and crop production. |
| Duration | 3-5 years | 3-5 years |
| Eligibility | Post-Graduation Research/ M.Phil or equivalent from a recognized university with minimum 50% aggregate score | Master’s degree in Agriculture or any other equivalent degree from a recognized university with minimum 50% aggregate score. |
| Admission process | Merit Based/ Entrance Exam Based | Merit Based/ Entrance Exam + PI |
| Course Fee | INR 15,000-3,10,000 | INR 5,000-2,00,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 2,00,000-7,00,000 | INR 2,00,000-8,00,000 |
| Top Colleges | Arul Anandar College, Lovely Professional University, Panjab University, IGNOU, Birla Global University, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University etc. | Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Punjab Agricultural University, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural university etc. |
| Top Job Positions | District Development Officer, Social Activist, Rural Territory Manager, Business Development Officer, Banking Correspondent, Researcher, Education Officer etc. | Farm Manager, Agriculture Officer, Production Manager, Research Associate, Lecturer etc. |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Rural Banking, NGOs, Agricultural Development, Infrastructure Development in Rural Areas, Policy Framing, Educational Institutes etc. | Agricultural Sectors, Food Processing Industries, Fertilizer Companies, Educational Institutes, Research Labs etc. |
What is the PhD Rural Development Job Profiles?
On successful completion of PhD in Rural Development, there are a vast number of prospective job and career opportunities available in India.
After completing this course, the students can get employment opportunities in the major recruiting fields, like Rural Banking, NGOs, Agricultural Development, Infrastructure Development in Rural Areas, Policy Framing etc.
Some of the most popular and common job roles are listed below along with job description and average annual salary:
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| District Development Officer | Their main responsibility is to oversee and manage various rural development activities and programs. | INR 5,32,000-6,50,000 |
| Social Activist | They are actually involved with various activities associated with awareness and propelling development at the gross root level in an organization. | INR 2,55,000-2,98,000 |
| Banking Correspondent | Their main role is to extend various banking facilities in rural areas on behalf of the sponsoring bank or NBFC. | INR 2,44,000-3,16,000 |
| Education Officer | Their responsibility is to manage and supervise various governmental policies and institutions related to the block-level or panchayat level education. | INR 4,40,000-5,62,000 |
| Researcher | They have to analyze and study rural issues and try to find out the actual reasons for such problems. | INR 2,36,000-2,63,000 |
What is the PhD Rural Development Future Scope?
- The future of PhD degree holders in Rural Development courses is very bright. Apart from choosing jobs in government and private sectors, the students may also opt for academic career options. They can join as an Assistant Professor or lecturer in the Prestigious college or universities.
- They can also conduct further research work in the related field of study. They can work as a researcher in various research labs or may conduct personal research to find new development on solving rural issues.
PhD Rural Development: FAQs
Ques. What is the total PhD Rural Development course duration?
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for this course study?
Ques. Do I have to sit for an entrance exam for this course study?
Ques. What are the subjects covered in the PhD Rural Development Syllabus?
Ques. What is the admission procedure for PhD Rural Development course colleges?
Ques. Which are the top PhD Rural Development colleges in India?
Ques. What is the average course fee?
Ques. What are the career options available after completing PhD Rural Development course study?
Ques. What is the average salary of such professionals?
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