Master of Arts in Rural Development Top Colleges, Syllabus, Scope and Salaray

M.A. in Rural Development is a 2-year postgraduate course in rural development, focusing on:

• practices that can be applied to improving quality of life in rural areas.
• wise management of resources.
• adequate utilization of the current workforce to facilitate sustainable development.
• development for boosting agricultural productivity.
• agriculture as the backbone of rural society.
• enhancing the quality of health and nutrition in rural areas.
• the delicate balance between agriculture and urbanization of towns.
• social issues pertaining to the lives of people in small communities.
• strategies for building feasible solutions to rural problems.
• Rural Sociology.
• Agricultural Management.
• Human Resources.
• Economics.
• Resource Planning and Management.
• Health, Economics and Agricultural Growth.

Master of Arts in Maharashtra

Master of Arts in Uttar Pradesh

Master of Arts in Karnataka

Master of Arts in Madhya Pradesh

Popular areas of employment for such postgraduates include:

• government agencies
• nonprofit organizations
• regional planning
• project planning
• project implementation
• evaluation of development at international, national and local levels.

The average course fee in India ranges between INR 30,000 - 5 lacs for the total duration. The average annual salary offered to successful postgraduates of this field lies between INR 3-10 lacs.

M.A. in Rural Development: Course Highlights

Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course

M.A. in Rural Development: What is it About?

The course is essentially about effecting positive changes in the structure and dynamics of rural India. The program is also open for:

• development practitioners

• policymakers
• government officials
• project managers
• program coordinators
• policy makers
• consultants
• NGO staff
• private sector employees
• government ministry staff interested in learning new skills about rural development.

Students enrolled to the course are taught about:

• decentralization of government.
• importance of local governance.
• latest methodologies and approaches that are made available for the facilitation of social learning and change.
• new paths of bringing about change in the hierarchy of governance.
  mechanisms to strengthen the rural structure through latest developmental techniques.
• theoretical and practical skills through experiential learning.
• building perspectives of rural development framework and ethics.
• comprehensive understanding and critical analysis with regard to shifts of rural development.
• various governance structures of State, market, civil society, and community
• implications on the livelihoods of the poor and schemes to empower them.
• the various skills and tools for a thorough and critical analysis of governance scenarios
• internalization of rural environs, institutions, and initiatives.
• values through a set of foundational courses that familiarize the students with policy, program, and field-based issues.
• planning and project management skills.
• generation of qualitative data and implementation of scheme formulas.
• addressing micro and macro issues.

M.A. in Rural Development: Who should opt?

Skills ideally required in aspiring candidates for the course include:

• friendly personality
• ability to handle masses
• ability to handle pressure
• leadership skills
• communication skills.

Top Institutes offering M.A. in Rural Development

Listed below are some of the top institutes offering the course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by each.

Eligibility for M.A. in Rural Development

Candidates aspiring for admission to the course are required to fulfill the following minimum eligibility criteria.

• Graduation completed in any discipline from a recognized university.
• A minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates) at the level of graduation.
• Candidates appearing for their final graduation-level examination are also eligible to apply for the course on provisional basis.

M.A. in Rural Development: Admission Process

Most institutes offering the course in India admit students based on their performance in a relevant entrance test, followed by a subsequent round of counselling. The round of counselling consists of two additional rounds of group discussion and personal interview, wherein the candidate’s general aptitude for the course is examined.

Some institutes conduct their own entrance tests for offering admission. Admission process generally varies across colleges. A few institutes also provide direct admission based on the candidate’s score at the level of graduation.

Mentioned below are some of the major entrance examinations conducted in the country for admission to the course.

M.A. in Rural Development: Syllabus and Course Description

A semester-wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.

M.A. in Rural Development: Career Prospects

In the recent times, Panchayat Raj institutions have been given importance in the government system of India. This has resulted in:

• quick and efficient planning of rural areas that are abundant in number.
• the government framing various policies for the benefit of the poor, like Laadli Laxmi Yojna, Kisan Bima Yojna, and various others.
• a huge demand for professionals who understand the rural background.
• efficient planning and implementation of rural development programs and schemes. need for centrally sponsored or State government initiatives.
• need for Rural Development Officers in agribusinesses, micro finance, rural entrepreneurship and rural infrastructure support programs.

Interested postgraduates may go for pursuing higher education, namely M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Rural Development.

Some of the popular professional avenues open to such postgraduates are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.

Aspirants seeking admission to 2 year Full-time MA Program should meet the following criteria as specified by the institute.

1. Candidate should have a  Bachelor's Degree or equivalent with a minimum of 48 credits in a Major subject, 48 credits in two minor subjects, 9 credits in compulsory, 1 credit in GI & hobby with an aggregate of 106 credits for the award of the pass degree.  OR
2. Candidate should have at least 50% marks in aggregate (45% in case of SC.ST.) from a University established by law in India.