BA in Rural Development

BA in Rural Development is a 3-year undergraduate program, essentially involving effective implementation of substantial changes in the livelihood of people living in the rural areas by improving their quality of life and economic well-being. The course, in general, is used to denote the actions and initiatives taken to improve the standard of living in rural areas or remote villages.

Eligibility: The candidate should have completed higher secondary education (10 +2) successfully from any recognised higher secondary education board from any stream with a minimum aggregate score of 50%.

Admission Process: Most institutes and colleges offering the course admit students based on performance in a relevant entrance examination, conducted mostly at institutional level, followed by a round of personal interview. Some of the major entrance exams conducted in the country for admission to the course are:

• DU (Delhi University) BA Entrance Exam
• JMI (Jamia Millia Islamia) BA Entrance Test
• JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University) BA Entrance Exam
• BHU (Banaras Hindu University) BA Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Rural Management (IIRM) Entrance Test
• Xavier Institute of Management BA Entrance Test.

A few institutes also provide direct admission to candidates on the basis of the aggregate score at the 10+2 level.

Colleges offering BA in Rural Development: Some of the top institutes offering the course in the country are:

• Institute of Rural Management (IRM)
• Xavier Institute of Management
• Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRD)
• Xavier’s College
• Christ University
• G.B. Pant Social Science Institute
• Kalinga School of Rural Management
• Madras Christian College (MCC)
• Hindu College
• Indian Institute of Rural Management (IIRM)
• Fergusson College
• Presidency University
• Jai Hind College
• KIIT Deemed University
• Tata Institute of Social Services (TISS)

Career Prospects: In India, there is a lot of scope for job opportunities for professionals of Rural Development, as India is a developing country and there is a large number of programs initiated by the Government of India for the development of rural and backward areas, where such professionals are in great demand. Some of those programes are:

1. National Food for Work Program
2. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
3. Sampoorna Grammena Rozgar Yojna
4. Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna.

Some of the job profiles for the gradutes of this course are:

• Agronomist
• Area Executive
• Marketing & Sales Manager
• Research Head
• Sugar Analyst
• Territory In-charge

Academic Options: Graduates interested in pursuing higher studies in the discipline may go for courses such as M.A., Ph. D., M. Phil., etc. and other research related studies in the subject.