MA in Rural Development Admission 2024-25, Event, Exams, FAQs

MA in Rural Development About

MA Rural Development is a 2-year master’s degree program that provides the students with a true perspective of the rural way of life and the various socio-economic problems that affect the rural economy. Through this course, one also comes up with measures that can be undertaken to uplift the rural economy and lift people from poverty and deprivation. The program helps address issues that have been hindering development and progress in the villages for a long time. MA Rural Development program focuses on the aspects such as rural development theories, policies and planning for rural development, issues with agriculture, issues with rural industrialization, development of fisheries, horticulture, and other aspects of improving the income of rural households. Since close to two-third of the population of India lives in villages, it is all the more important to strengthen the rural economy, as it will in turn strengthen the Indian economy. Students can also opt for MBA courses after pursuing MA Rural Development as it will provide candidates a better understanding of the organizational structure globally. For applying for this postgraduate program, the candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Admission to the program is done based on entrance exams as well as on merit.

MA in Rural Development Course Highlights

MA in Rural Development Eligibility Criteria

Anyone who has a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised University is eligible to apply for the MA Rural Development programme provided he/she has obtained an aggregate of 50% at the qualifying level.

MA in Rural Development Entrance Exam

• PUBDET
• APU UG NET
• CUET

Why Should You Study MA in Rural Development?

• Undertaking this program can lead you to work in a variety of job settings in the private and public domain. You may work in fields such as teaching, the Ministry of Rural Development, NGOs, Panchayati Raj institutions, welfare organizations, etc.
  
• There are also numerous opportunities for higher learning in the field like MPhil and PhD in subjects related to rural development.
• By undertaking MA Rural Development, a student gets to learn about what ails the rural economy and how these issues can be addressed.
• By working in the field of rural development, the student gets the opportunity to play an important part in bringing positive changes to the rural scenario.
• MA Rural Development curriculum will provide the students with exposure to the rural way of life and thus develop an affinity and compassion for the people who reside in the most backward of places.

MA in Rural Development Application Process

• Fill the online application form.
• Upload the necessary documents.
• Pay the application fee (if any).
• Submit the application form.
• Check the status of the application form online.
• Wait for the institution to release the admission list.

MA in Rural Development Admission Process

Merit-based admission

• Through the merit-based admission procedure, students are offered admission by the respective college based on the marks obtained by them in graduation.
  

Entrance-Based Admission

• Students have to visit the website of the respective entrance exam and register themselves by providing their email address and mobile number.
  
• On registration, a login ID and password is created that are sent by mail or SMS. Login to the application portal with the help of the login credentials.
• Fill up the online application form with the required details without leaving anything blank.
• Upload the necessary documents, photograph and signature.
• Submit the application and pay the requisite application fee online.
• Based on the details submitted by the candidates, the admit cards are uploaded on the website.
• Candidates download the admit cards and as per the exam dates released by the conducting bodies, they are to appear for the same and qualify above a certain cut-off.
• Qualified candidates are then offered admission by the respective colleges.

MA in Rural Development Selection Process

To get admission into the top 10 universities MA Rural Development in India, students must ensure that they clear the minimum cut-off in boards and entrance exams. If they get shortlisted, the result will be published on the college's official website. The selected students will be further informed regarding the remaining admission procedures through email.

MA in Rural Development Top Colleges

• University of Mysore
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences
• Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur
• Sri Venkateshwara Tirupathi University, 
• Mumbai University
• Bangalore University
• Kalyani University
• Annamalai University
• Ranchi University
• Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi

MA in Rural Development Syllabus

Semester I

• Rural Development Theories
• Rural Development: Policy, Planning, Program and Administration
• Introduction to Rural Sociology
• Introduction to Social Work

Semester II

• Significant Issues in Agriculture
• Rural Industrialization
• Rural Finance & Self Help Groups in Rural India
• Management of Voluntary Sector Organizations in Rural Areas

Semester III

• Research Methodology For Rural Development
• Development of Fishery
• Horticulture and Rural Development
• Rural Resource Management
• Strategies for Sustainable Development of Rural India

Semester IV

• Research project with dissertation
• Development of Communication Skill
• Disaster Management
• Leadership Development Skills
• Human Rights and Vulnerable Groups

MA in Rural Development Job Scope

• Business Development Manager
• Territory In-Charge 
• Area Executive
• Research Head
• Agronomist
• Rural Manager
• Panchayat Secretary
• Rural Development Officer
• Gram Sevak
• Professor / Research Associate