A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Rural Development is an undergraduate program that focuses on addressing the unique challenges faced by rural areas and communities. This interdisciplinary course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of rural development principles, policies, and practices.
The curriculum typically covers a wide range of subjects, including economics, sociology, agriculture, environmental studies, and governance. Students learn about the socio-economic, cultural, and environmental aspects of rural life, and they are equipped with the skills necessary to design and implement development projects that improve the quality of life in rural communities.
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) Course Highlights
| Feature |
Description |
| Duration |
3 years |
| Eligibility |
10+2 passed from a recognized board |
| Admission Process |
Merit-based or entrance exam-based, depending on the institution |
| Course Structure |
The course typically covers a wide range of topics, including: |
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) programs in India can vary depending on the institution. However, most institutions require candidates to have the following:
- Passed 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum percentage score of 50% (or 45% for reserved categories).
- Some institutions may also require candidates to have a specific subject combination in their qualifying exam, such as Mathematics, Economics, and Political Science.
| Institution |
Eligibility Criteria |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) |
10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (or 45% for reserved categories). |
| University of Delhi (DU) |
10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (or 45% for reserved categories). |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) |
10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (or 45% for reserved categories). |
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) |
10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate. |
| Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) |
10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate. |
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) Admission Process
The admission process for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Rural Development typically varies from one educational institution to another. However, here's a general overview of the steps involved in the admission process for such a program. Please note that specific requirements and procedures may change, so it's crucial to check with the respective university for precise details.
| Step |
Description |
| Step 1: Research and Choose |
Research universities and colleges offering BA in Rural Development programs. Consider factors like location, reputation, and course structure. |
| Step 2: Check Eligibility |
Review the specific eligibility criteria set by the chosen institution. Typically, students with a 10+2 (or equivalent) qualification are eligible. |
| Step 3: Application Form |
Fill out the application form provided by the institution. This can often be done online through the official website. |
| Step 4: Submission |
Submit the completed application form along with the required documents and application fee. These documents may include: |
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) Entrance Exams
| College/University |
Location |
Entrance Exam (if applicable) |
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) |
Mumbai, Maharashtra |
TISSBAT (TISS Bachelor's Admission Test) |
| Nalanda Open University |
Patna, Bihar |
No specific entrance exam (Merit-based admissions) |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) |
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
UET (Undergraduate Entrance Test) |
| Uttarakhand Open University |
Haldwani, Uttarakhand |
No specific entrance exam (Merit-based admissions) |
| IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) |
New Delhi, Delhi |
No specific entrance exam (Merit-based admissions) |
| Lovely Professional University |
Phagwara, Punjab |
LPUNEST (Lovely Professional University National Eligibility and Scholarship Test) |
| Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) |
Delhi, Delhi |
AUD Entrance Exam (For specific courses) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) |
New Delhi, Delhi |
JMI Entrance Test (For specific courses) |
| Mahatma Gandhi University |
Kottayam, Kerala |
MGU CAT (Mahatma Gandhi University Common Admission Test) |
| Sampurnanand Sanskrit University |
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
Entrance Exam (For Sanskrit studies) |
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) Syllabus
| Syllabus Name |
Syllabus Content |
| Introduction to Rural Development |
An overview of rural development concepts, challenges, and goals. |
| Rural Sociology |
Study of rural society, its structure, and social issues in rural areas. |
| Agricultural Economics |
Analysis of agricultural markets, pricing, and rural economic development. |
| Rural Marketing |
Understanding the marketing of rural products and strategies. |
| Rural Governance |
Examining the role of local governments and governance in rural areas. |
| Environmental Studies |
Awareness of environmental issues and sustainable practices. |
| Rural Development Programs |
Analysis of government schemes and initiatives for rural development. |
| Research Methodology |
Introduction to research methods and data collection techniques. |
| Project Work |
Hands-on experience in planning and executing rural development projects. |
| Elective Courses |
Specialized subjects based on the university's curriculum. |
Top 10 NIRF Ranked Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) Colleges
| NIRF Ranking 2023 |
College Name |
Location |
Fees (INR) |
| 1 |
Xavier Institute of Rural Development (XIRD) |
Pune, Maharashtra |
2.5 lakhs |
| 2 |
Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) |
Anand, Gujarat |
2.2 lakhs |
| 3 |
Indian Institute of Rural Management (IIRM) |
Jaipur, Rajasthan |
2 lakhs |
| 4 |
National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) |
Hyderabad, Telangana |
1.5 lakhs |
| 5 |
Institute of Rural Management Guwahati (IRMG) |
Guwahati, Assam |
1.2 lakhs |
| 6 |
Institute of Rural Management Ludhiana (IRML) |
Ludhiana, Punjab |
1 lakh |
| 7 |
Rural Development Institute (RDI) |
Hyderabad, Telangana |
80,000 |
| 8 |
Giri Institute of Development Studies (GIDS) |
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
75,000 |
| 9 |
Institute of Rural Management Ernakulam (IRME) |
Kochi, Kerala |
70,000 |
| 10 |
Institute of Rural Management Ahmedabad (IRMA) |
Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
65,000 |
Top 10 Government Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) Colleges
| Ranking 2023 |
College Name |
Location |
Fees (INR) |
| 1 |
Mahatma Gandhi University |
Kottayam, Kerala |
10,000 |
| 2 |
University of Hyderabad |
Hyderabad, Telangana |
15,000 |
| 3 |
University of Madras |
Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
12,000 |
| 4 |
Osmania University |
Hyderabad, Telangana |
10,000 |
| 5 |
University of Kerala |
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
10,000 |
| 6 |
Punjab University |
Chandigarh |
10,000 |
| 7 |
University of Delhi |
Delhi |
15,000 |
| 8 |
Banaras Hindu University |
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
10,000 |
| 9 |
Aligarh Muslim University |
Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh |
10,000 |
| 10 |
University of Pune |
Pune, Maharashtra |
10,000 |
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) Course Placements
The placement scenario for BA (Rural Development) graduates in India is generally good. There is a growing demand for skilled professionals in this field, as the government and non-government organizations are increasingly focusing on rural development initiatives.
The top recruiters for BA (Rural Development) graduates include:
- Government organizations: Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture, National Rural Livelihood Mission, etc.
- Non-government organizations (NGOs): Oxfam, CARE India, Save the Children, etc.
- Rural banks and microfinance institutions: NABARD, SHGs, etc.
- Consulting firms: PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, KPMG, etc.
- Development agencies: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, etc.
The average CTC for BA (Rural Development) graduates in India ranges from INR 2 LPA to INR 8 LPA, depending on the employer and the candidate's experience.
| College Name |
Location |
Average CTC (INR) |
| Xavier Institute of Rural Development (XIRD) |
Pune, Maharashtra |
6 LPA |
| Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) |
Anand, Gujarat |
5.5 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Rural Management (IIRM) |
Jaipur, Rajasthan |
5 LPA |
| National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) |
Hyderabad, Telangana |
4.5 LPA |
| Institute of Rural Management Guwahati (IRMG) |
Guwahati, Assam |
4 LPA |
| Institute of Rural Management Ludhiana (IRML) |
Ludhiana, Punjab |
3.5 LPA |
| Rural Development Institute (RDI) |
Hyderabad, Telangana |
3 LPA |
| Giri Institute of Development Studies (GIDS) |
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
2.5 LPA |
| Institute of Rural Management Ernakulam (IRME) |
Kochi, Kerala |
2.25 LPA |
| Institute of Rural Management Ahmedabad (IRMA) |
Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
2 LPA |
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) Course Jobs and Salary
| Specialization |
Average Salary (INR) |
| Rural Economics |
4.5 LPA |
| Rural Sociology |
4 LPA |
| Rural Planning |
3.5 LPA |
| Rural Extension |
3 LPA |
| Rural Livelihoods |
3 LPA |
| Rural Education |
2.8 LPA |
| Rural Health |
2.6 LPA |
| Rural Infrastructure |
2.5 LPA |
| Rural Finance |
2.4 LPA |
| Rural Governance |
2.3 LPA |
| Rural Policy Analysis |
2.2 LPA |
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Rural Development) Overview 2024 FAQs
A BA in Rural Development is an undergraduate program that focuses on the socio-economic, environmental, and governance aspects of rural areas to promote sustainable development.
Eligibility criteria typically include completing 10+2 or its equivalent with a certain percentage. Requirements may vary by institution.
Subjects often include rural sociology, agricultural economics, environmental studies, governance, and project management.
Graduates can work as rural development specialists, project managers, social workers, or pursue further studies in related fields.
Entrance exams are not common for BA programs. Admission is typically based on merit.
Some universities offer BA in Rural Development as a distance education program.
Skills include community development, project planning, research, and a deep understanding of rural issues.
The program is usually completed in three years, like a typical BA degree.
![Indira Gandhi National Open University - [IGNOU], New Delhi](https://shikshalelo.com/images/logo/bd70d67d75643d881d7b34e7c5dc2ca5.jpeg?w=85&h=85&mode=stretch){kind=logo}
![Indira Gandhi National Open University - [IGNOU], New Delhi](https://shikshalelo.com/images/logo/bd70d67d75643d881d7b34e7c5dc2ca5.jpeg?w=60&h=60&mode=stretch){kind=logo}
