Rural Development

Course Overview

The B.A./B.Sc. in Rural Development equips students with knowledge and skills to address rural challenges, promote sustainable development, and improve living standards. The program covers agriculture, economics, governance, and community planning for holistic rural growth.

Duration: 3 Years (6 Semesters)

Syllabus:

The B.A./B.Sc. in Rural Development focuses on rural issues, policies, planning, and sustainable development. The curriculum spans six semesters, encompassing theoretical studies and practical applications in rural settings.

Semester I:

  • Introduction to Rural Development

  • Indian Rural Society: Structure and Problems

  • Basic Economics for Rural Development

  • Fundamentals of Agriculture and Allied Sectors

  • Practical: Survey of Rural Community

Semester II:

  • Rural Development Policies and Programs

  • Agricultural Economics: Issues and Challenges

  • Rural Sociology: Social Institutions and Change

  • Rural Administration: Panchayati Raj System

  • Practical: Field Work on Rural Policies

Semester III:

  • Rural Development Planning and Management

  • Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship

  • Rural Health and Education

  • Rural Credit and Microfinance

  • Practical: Report on Rural Entrepreneurship

Semester IV:

  • Natural Resource Management in Rural Areas

  • Rural Development Organizations and NGOs

  • Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

  • Rural Infrastructure: Roads, Water, and Energy

  • Practical: Field Work on Rural Infrastructure

Semester V:

  • Gender Issues in Rural Development

  • Climate Change and Rural Development

  • Cooperative Movements in Rural India

  • Rural Marketing and Management

  • Practical: Study of Cooperative Societies

Semester VI:

  • Project Planning and Evaluation in Rural Development

  • Rural Employment Schemes and Skill Development

  • Environment and Sustainable Rural Development

  • Dissertation/Project Work in Rural Development

  • Practical: Rural Development Project Evaluation

Average Fees: ₹10,000 - ₹60,000 per annum (varies depending on the institution)

Exams:
Admission to B.A./B.Sc. in Rural Development programs usually requires passing institution-specific entrance exams or based on merit. Some of the common entrance exams include:

  • CUET (Common University Entrance Test)

  • BHU UET (Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Test)

  • DUET (Delhi University Entrance Test)

Top 10 Ranking Institutions in India for Rural Development (Combined Ranking)

  1. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai

  2. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi

  3. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

  4. University of Delhi, Delhi

  5. Gandhigram Rural Institute, Tamil Nadu

  6. Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi

  7. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi

  8. National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD), Hyderabad

  9. University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad

  10. Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi

Top 10 Institutions in Kerala for Rural Development

  1. Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi

  2. Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

  3. University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram

  4. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam

  5. Calicut University, Malappuram

  6. Farook College, Kozhikode

  7. Sacred Heart College, Kochi

  8. CMS College, Kottayam

  9. Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram

  10. St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam