MA Rural Development stands for Master of Arts in Rural Development is a Postgraduate program that focuses on providing a deep understanding of rural issues, development policies, and strategies that can help improve the social, economic, and environmental conditions of rural areas.
The MA Rural Development eligibility criteria are that the candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field from a recognized university. Admission to this program is based on both merit and entrance examinations. Some private universities provide direct admission based on the candidate’s merit; however, public universities like the University of Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia University, etc, admit on the basis of entrance exams such as CUET PG, JMI Entrance Test, etc.
The MA Rural Development course fees range from INR 24,000 – 2,20,000, depending on the institution type. Some of the colleges that offer this course are Ranchi University, KPB Hinduja College of Commerce, University of Mysore, Shiv Nadar University, NCTA India, Odisha State Open University, Annamalai University, etc.
After completing the MA in Rural Development course, candidates can pursue various Job Profiles such as Rural Development Officer, Project Coordinator/Project Manager, Community Development Officer, Research Associate/Field Officer, Development Consultant, and Agribusiness Consultant. The average salary a graduate of this course can earn ranges from INR 3,00,000 – 9,00,000 for a fresher.
Table of Contents
- MA in Rural Development Key Highlights
- What is MA in Rural Development?
- Why Study MA in Rural Development?
- Who Should Pursue an MA in Rural Development?
- MA in Rural Development Eligibility Criteria
- MA in Rural Development Entrance Exams
- MA in Rural Development Colleges in India
- MA in Rural Development Admission Process 2025
- MA in Rural Development Syllabus
- MA in Rural Development VS MA Economics
- MA in Rural Development Jobs & Careers
- MA in Rural Development FAQs
MA in Rural Development Key Highlights
Provided below are some of the key highlights for the Master of Arts in Rural Development:
What is MA in Rural Development?
The Master of Arts in Rural Development is a 2-year PG course, that focuses on understanding what the rural life is about. Not only that, about the challenges of rural life, and how to improve living conditions in villages.
- The course MA in Rural Development covers key areas like rural economy, development planning, local governance, agriculture, and social welfare.
- It also trains students to work on policies and programs that help the rural communities grow in a sustainable way.
- In the Master of Arts Rural Development program, students can learn how to plan and manage development projects, how they support local self-governance, promote small-scale industries, and strengthen rural livelihoods.
- The course also includes practical learning through fieldwork and research, which helps students gain real-world experience.
Why Study MA in Rural Development?
The Master of Arts in Rural Development can open various career opportunities if done right. As the large part of the country is still depending on agriculture and village based livelihoods, the course focuses on solving the real issues in rural India so the students need not to worry about the Job security in this field.
- Students can learn to design and how to implement solutions which directly impact rural lives.
- The course builds the skills needed to work in areas like education, health, water, sanitation, and income generation.
- You can gain both practical and theoretical knowledge which also makes you ready for roles in government programs such as NGOs, CSR projects, and international development agencies.
Who Should Pursue an MA in Rural Development?
The Master of Arts in Rural Development is a great course, students who are passionate about creating a real-life impact in the rural communities can pursue this course. Given below are some points on who should pursue this course:
- Students interested in rural governance, development planning, and social work will find this course highly relevant.
- Students who want to contribute to improving education, health, or livelihood in villages should pursue this program.
- Candidates who want to pursue careers in NGOs, CSR, or government development schemes can benefit from this specialised course.
- The students who have a background in social sciences, agriculture, or economics, or who want to work in the rural sector, are well suited for this course.
- Anyone who wants to understand the challenges of rural India and be part of practical solutions will gain from this course.
- It’s also a good fit for aspiring researchers or consultants focused on rural policy, planning, and sustainable development.
- If you want to bring real change at the grassroots level, this course is perfect for you.
MA in Rural Development Eligibility Criteria
Given below are the detailed MA in Rural Development eligibility criteria. Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria in order to pursue the course:
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognized university (preferably in Arts, Social Sciences, Economics, or Agriculture).
- A minimum of 45%–50% marks in the undergraduate degree is typically required (may vary by institution).
- Some universities give preference to students from rural studies, social work, sociology, or development studies backgrounds.
- Admission to this course is based on the entrance exams such as CUET PG, TISSNET, JNUEE, JMI Entrance Exam AU PGAT etc.
- Some Universities also grant admission based on the merit of the candidates.
- Candidates applying through reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) must provide valid supporting documents as per norms.
MA in Rural Development Entrance Exams
Given below is the list of entrance exams for MA in Rural Development. Students should first check which exam is accepted by their preferred institute.
MA in Rural Development Colleges in India
Given below is the list of some of the best MA in Rural Development Colleges in India. Let’s have a look at them:
MA in Rural Development Admission Process 2025
The admission to MA in Rural Development is based on the Institute type you’re choosing. Some universities take direct admission based on the merit of the candidate. However, for some, the student needs to give National or University-level based entrance exams.For your reference, given below is the step-by-step admission process for the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya:
Step 1: Start by visiting the official website of the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya. Click on the Academics, then programs, now navigate to the course.
Step 2: The candidate needs to click on the “Apply Online” button to get the admission form. The student will need to fill out the application form with their necessary details and then submit it by paying the admission fee, which is around INR 1000.
Step 3: After submitting, the candidate will receive a copy of the acknowledgement to their registered email address. The candidates are advised to keep a hard copy of the same.
Step 4: Now that the university has received your candidature, they will thoroughly evaluate the application and on the basis of their marks secured in the qualifying exam, they’ll receive admission.
Step 5: After the evaluation of the application form, the candidate needs to pay the course fees, which are around INR 2,70,000. The student needs to pay the fees semester-wise, which is approximately INR 55,000.
Documents Required
The candidates need to submit some documents for the admission process are as follows:
- 10th & 12th Marksheet
- Graduation Marksheet
- Government-issued ID proof
- Passport-sized photographs
- Migration Certificate
- Transfer Certificate.
MA in Rural Development Syllabus
Given below is the MA Rural Development Syllabus followed at Visva Bharati University, West Bengal:
MA in Rural Development VS MA Economics
Mentioned below is the comparison between MA in Rural Development and MA in Economics:
MA in Rural Development Jobs & Careers
After completing the MA in Rural Development course, there are multiple job opportunities from which the students can choose. Let’s have a look at them:
MA in Rural Development FAQs
Can an MA in Rural Development help me get a job in international organizations like UNDP or UNICEF?
Yes, it can. Many international organizations look for candidates who understand rural issues and community development. If you have this degree and some experience through internships or NGO work, your chances of getting into agencies like UNDP, UNICEF, or World Bank become stronger.
Is the MA Rural Development course useful if I want to work in a company’s CSR department?
Yes, companies with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects often work in rural areas. With an MA in Rural Development, the students will have all the right knowledge on what to do and how to manage rural education, health, farming, and livelihood projects under the CSR initiatives.
Can MA in Rural Development help in preparing for government exams like UPSC or state PSCs?
Yes, the subjects taught in this course are perfectly aligned with the syllabus of UPSC and other government exams. Subjects like rural governance, policies, social structure, and development programs makes your base solid for GS papers and essay writing.
Do I get hands-on field experience during the MA Rural Development?
Yes, majority of universities include fieldwork as their part of the syllabus. The students can visit rural communities, can work on real-time projects, and can even do internships with NGOs or government programs. This will give then a practical exposure and will help them understand on how the rural systems actually work.
What are the main sectors offering job opportunities for Master of Arts Rural Development graduates?
MA Rural Development graduates find job opportunities in a diverse range of sectors including government rural development departments, NGOs, international development agencies, microfinance and rural banking, agricultural cooperatives, research institutions, and academia. They can work as project managers, development officers, consultants, policy analysts, and social researchers.
What is the scope of an MA in rural development?
The profile of the MA in Rural Development in India is rather wide and perspective. It imparts to students the knowledge that concerns rural development theories and policies, planning, and practical skills to fix socio-economic problems in rural settings. The career choices are employment in NGOs, government agencies (such as the Ministry of Rural Development), Panchayati Raj, cooperative banks, rural development agencies, teaching, research, and social entrepreneurship. There is also an option of a master's degree, such as MPhil or PhD.
What is the salary of a rural development in India?
The average salary received on an initial basis by MA Rural Development graduates is estimated to be around INR 2.37 lakhs to INR 6 lakhs a year. As per certain sources, skilled practitioners can be paid INR 4 to 10 lakhs annually on the basis of the job, company, and location.
Can I opt for the IGNOU MA in Rural Development?
Yes, the candidates can choose the MA in Rural Development through IGNOU. IGNOU also proposes a two-year Master's degree in Rural Development on a distance learning basis. It will demand a degree, bachelor's degree in any field. The total amount is approximately INR 14,000 (INR 7,000 annually), which is economical and affordable to working individuals and schoolchildren.
