M.A. in Rural Development is a two-year master's degree programme. M.A. Rural Development combines geography, sociology, political science, economics, business administration, and psychology. 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.
This course also provides ideas for actions that may be performed to improve the rural economy and pull people out of poverty and hardship. The initiative addresses challenges that have long hampered growth and advancement in the communities. Rural Development postgraduates can get jobs in numerous sectors such as NGOs, government organizations, academic institutions, welfare organizations, rural industries, welfare ministry, and the teaching field.
M.A Rural Development Highlights
Course Level |
Post Graduate |
Full-Form |
Master of Arts in Rural Development |
Duration |
2 years |
Examination type |
Semester wise |
Eligibility |
Bachelor’s degree in any subject from a recognized college or university |
Admission Process |
Merit-based / Entrance Exams |
Average Annual Salary |
INR 237,600 - 600,000 |
Top Recruiting Companies |
NGOs, Rural Cooperative Sectors, Agri-businesses, Agro Products, Agricultural Management, Colleges, Universities, UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, UNDP, NABARD, NIRD, Nandi Foundation, CARE, SEWA, PRADHAN, Rural Banks, etc. |
Job Positions |
Panchayat Officer, Village Development Officer, Rural Manager, Rural Development Officer, Gram Sevak, Panchayat Secretary, Block Development Officer, Welfare Officer, Project Coordinator, Lecturer, Professor, etc. |
Eligibility criteria for M.A Rural Development
1. Successful completion of graduation in any course stream like B. A, B.Sc. etc. from a recognized university/college.
2. The candidate must have also scored an aggregate score of 50% at the level of graduation
3. A reduction has been in place for the SC/ST students up to 45% which can be availed if the students have the required documentation to prove their claim.
Admission Process
1. Colleges publish notice of admission on their website from June when most Indian universities would have finished degree exams.
2. Candidate to apply for each college, as each college considers each mark the cut-off mark.
3. Some private colleges and deemed universities perform their counselling process by conducting their university-level entrance exams.
4. Some colleges require a minimum of 50% aggregate in the qualifying examination.
5. Candidates who qualify for the test are called for an interview before the final seat allotment.
Career after M.A Rural Development
After completing their M.A. in Rural Development, students can pursue MBA courses, which will give them a deeper grasp of the global organizational structure. Rural Development course trains the students in a manner that they become able to identify rural issues and resolve them.
This course informs students on the different development initiatives being undertaken to improve the rural economy and the socioeconomic conditions of the rural masses and the steps that may be implemented to solve issues surrounding rural development.
M.A. Rural Development programme might find employment with a variety of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that operate in the subject of rural development. Some of the job profiles are Panchayat Officer, Village Development Officer, Rural Manager, Rural Development Officer, Lecturer, Professor, etc.
M.A Rural Development Syllabus
Semester I |
Semester II |
Rural Development Theories |
Significant Issues in Agriculture |
Rural Development: Policy, Planning, Program and Administration |
Rural Industrialization |
Introduction to Rural Sociology |
Rural Finance & Self Help Groups in Rural India |
Introduction to Social Work |
Management of Voluntary Sector Organizations in Rural Areas |
Semester III |
Semester IV |
Research Methodology For Rural Development |
Research project with dissertation |
Development of Fishery |
Development of Communication Skill |
Horticulture and Rural Development |
Disaster Management |
Rural Resource Management |
Leadership Development Skills |
Strategies for Sustainable Development of Rural India |
Human Rights and Vulnerable Groups |