IGNOU
- Fees: ₹ 13600
What is Rural Studies
Rural studies refer to the in-depth study and management of rural areas and their related matters as a whole. It focuses on aspects such as rural development accompanied by the problems faced and encountered by individuals residing in the area.
The various aspects of Rural Studies are covered in this course with more time given to the core parts of backward and impoverished areas which are deprived of the modern mindset, technologies and application of science which are essential for development.
This course can be pursued at all levels, from bachelors, masters, MPhil and PhD degree courses in rural management, rural development or rural studies course subjects. It provides a lot of scope in the field of governmental and intergovernmental organisations.
IGNOU, MIT World Peace University and Shivaji University, Kolhapur are considered to be the top universities offering rural studies courses in India.
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Rural Studies
Various institutions and universities require certain eligibility criteria for the admission process in the institutions. Let’s take a look at some of the eligibility criteria for an undergraduate and postgraduate degree course in rural studies.
For undergraduate degree
1. The candidate must have scored at least 50% during their class 12.
2. An individual with any subject in class 12 can apply for BA in rural studies.
3. For SC/ST and persons with disabilities, the minimum score in class 12th is reduced to 45% from any subject related field.
4. The requirement might be clearing an entrance exam or clearing the cutoff for merit-based admission as per the requirement of the institution or university applied to.
For postgraduate degree
1. Candidates must score at least 55%, and must have a BA in rural development, or rural studies which are preferred can apply for a postgraduate degree.
2. For SC/ST and persons with disabilities, the minimum score during their graduation is reduced to 50%.
3. The requirement might be clearing an entrance exam or clearing the cutoff for merit-based admission as per the requirement of the institution or university applied to.
Entrance Exams for Rural studies
Most universities grant admissions based on the results from the previous degree courses, whereas some universities provide entrance exams for admissions to rural management, rural development and rural studies.
1. CAT
Common Entrance Test (CAT) is an entrance exam conducted by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis, which is ideal for rural management courses in the institutions as well as other MBA courses. It is conducted once every year by the institutions online.
2. MAT
Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is an entrance exam conducted for management studies, including rural studies course management. It is conducted every year by the All India Management Association (AIMA) to grant admissions to the different management courses in certain institutions. It is conducted both offline and online.
3. BHU BA
Banaras Hindu University Bachelor of Arts (BHU BA) is an entrance test conducted by the institution to grant admissions to all of its courses. It is conducted once every year, and the exam is conducted online.
Scope of Rural Studies in India and Abroad
The study of rural development or management consists of all concepts that can be applied in real-life aspects. The scope of rural studies is vast in India and abroad as well in the governmental and international governmental organisation and even various institutions of private organisations.
With this course, one can work in NGOs or even at prestigious organisations like the United Nations. India being an agriculturist country, has a wide number of rural areas, thereby concentrates on the development and management of rural areas and more importance is given today in the upliftment of rural life.
There is wide scope and demand for students from rural studies, rural management or rural development degree courses to have an in-depth study and understanding of the rural areas. Due to the increasing demand from various sectors, recently the study of rural related aspects as a whole has become popular and the choice of many for better future scope.
Course Fees Rural Studies
| Minimum Fees | Maximum Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Government | Private | Government | |
| UG |
1.08 Lakhs
B.A. in Rural Studies at Mahatma Gandhi University, Tura
|
12.05 K
B.R.S. in Rural Studies at Visva Bharati Santiniketan
|
1.08 Lakhs
B.A. in Rural Studies at Mahatma Gandhi University, Tura
|
49.19 K
B.Sc. in Rural Studies at Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore
|
| PG |
9.00 K
M.A. in Rural Studies at Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Center for Distance Education, Anantapur
|
2.40 K
P.G.D in Rural Studies at Centre for Online Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University
|
2.70 Lakhs
M.A. in Rural Studies at University of Science and Technology, Ri Bhoi
|
94.58 K
M.R.S. in Rural Studies at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat
|
| DOCTORAL |
3.00 Lakhs
Ph.D in Rural Studies at Ramchandra Chandravansi University, Palamu
|
---
Data not available
|
14.40 Lakhs
Ph.D in Rural Studies at Mahatma Gandhi University, Tura
|
---
Data not available
|
Course Subjects
The course of rural studies offers a wide range of topics and subjects in aspects of rural related subjects. The core subjects of rural studies in India are given below.
Subjects for the undergraduate degree
1. Rural economy
2. Statistics
3. Agriculture and Economic Development
4. Rural social structure
5. Concept of development and growth
6. Issues of rural India
7. Non- Governmental Organisations (NGO)
8. Principles of cooperation
9. Rural Development Planning
10. Essentials of project implementation
Subjects for the postgraduate degree
1. Economic analysis for rural management
2. Social policy, planning and development
3. Risk management and rural insurance
4. Resource economics
5. Introduction to bionomics
6. Environment and energy management
7. Project management
8. Rural product marketing
9. Rural development intervention
10. Rural development programs and policies
Careers in Rural Studies
This course on rural studies offers a wide range of opportunities in all fields of work. Individuals can work at government sectors, banking sectors, and for private industries and institutions as well.
If an individual performs well and has in-depth skills and knowledge in the field of rural studies, he/she can apply at United Nations organisations, and other intergovernmental organisations as well.
Therefore, rural studies can open doors in various sectors due to the importance and priority given to rural areas and their development which is also an important indicator of a country’s development.
From agronomist to a researcher to a rural officer and banker, it provides various job opportunities to its students in field related work.
Upcoming trends
India is likely to continue as the country with the largest agriculture sector in the world. Therefore, new topics and various trends are introduced from time to time as per the need of the rural related aspects and issues.
Today, western countries have introduced the technology in rural studies to make agriculture not only easy but more effective and efficient. With most farming products being subsidised by the government.
However, in countries like India where technology is not subsidised and poor can't afford to employ those technologies in their production farms, which is why new techniques research topics are given to students in rural studies to come up with solutions and to bring about a revolution in rural areas setting for their development.
The upcoming trend in rural studies focuses on employment generation for the rural population, sustainable development and sustainable production in farms and where the government will provide support for farmers with sustainable goal farm products and following the rules and ethic of farming.
The future trend and topics are, therefore, with regards to employment, technology use in rural studies and sustainable development.
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Job Profiles
Various job profiles or roles are largely available for individuals with degrees in rural studies.
Job Profiles | Job Description |
Researcher | A Researcher is responsible for researching the field of rural development and comes up with life-changing research that will benefit the rural areas and for their overall improvements and cater to the solutions of rural issues through in-depth study and research. |
Rural officer/minister | A Rural officer/minister is responsible for the management of the rural settings and cater to their needs and requirements and work closely with ministers and panchayats to bring about development in the rural area assigned. They look closely at all the aspects of rural areas as a whole. |
Professor | A Professor is responsible for teaching students at undergraduate and postgraduate level in rural studies and mentoring them as per their needs, and make them understand the subject in detail by sharing their considerable experience to the students to successfully understand the subject by teaching enthusiastically and interestingly. |
Agronomist | An Agronomist is usually the scientist and experts in the field of agriculture and rural productions. They mentor farmers and assist them for better production and high yielding produce through different techniques and processes carried out with research results. |
Consultant | A Consultant is responsible for consulting farmers about the various crops and suggests to them what kind of crops and farming techniques will benefit them. They also suggest youths in rural areas about employment opportunities and education benefits for their future benefits. |
Rural development banker | A Rural development banker is an individual in this sector who works in rural development banks like NABARD, Gramin bank or other rural oriented banks. They provide bank loans and suggest loans which are beneficial and low in interest for the farmers use in agriculture-related aspects. |
Top Recruiters for rural studies
1. NGO
2. Rural Development Organizations
3. NABARD
4. Gramin Bank
5. ADM Agro industries
6. BAIF Development Research Foundation
7. TATA Consultant
8. Indusind Bank Ltd.
The above-mentioned job profiles and recruiters depend on the individual’s performance and interest as well as degree level, skills and experience in the field related.
Average Salary
Salary ranges differ from individual to individual as per their experience, expertise, skills and knowledge during the course study.
Job Profile | Income Per Annum (in Rs.) |
Agronomist | Rs. 5 - 8 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Rural officer | Rs. 6 - 10 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
consultant | Rs. 4 - 8 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Researcher | Rs. 5 - 9 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Professor | Rs. 6 - 12 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Banker | Rs. 6 - 11 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Required Skillset for Rural Studies
Skills are required for pursuing various courses of studies, it can be inbuilt or learned throughout the course, but they are necessary to understand and gain an insight into the subjects studied. Skills of leadership, communication, research skills are necessary to understand the Rural studies course study.
Ability to handle pressure, people, and adapt to various cultural differences are important for rural studies since they cover a range of topics related to rural areas and lives of the rural population.
Sometimes, during the pursuance of postgraduate degrees requires an individual to travel in rural areas for research and project-related assignments. Therefore, the ability to travel and communicate with different people in rural settings are required along with language efficiency of the rural local language but not mandatory.
Course Curriculum for Rural Studies
The study of rural studies is introduced to gain an insight into rural areas, their struggles, deprivation, poverty and the difference between urban and rural life settings as a whole. Especially in developing countries like India, this course subject is important for the future growth of the country as well as the development of rural areas.
Rural studies course aims at bringing about experts to make certain decisions and policies that will benefit the rural sectors and mainly on how development can be brought among the rural areas by education, subsidised agricultural sector by govt. or upliftment of women in particular.
As long as there are large rural population accompanied by rural poverty in a country, economic growth and development will take time and slow, which is why the emergence of rural studies was considered important and necessary to bring about changes and development in the rural areas with the help of students having interest and willing to contribute in this field in the future.
Popular Rural Studies Entrance Exams in India
Popular Rural Studies Colleges in India VIEW ALL
Annamalai University
- Fees: ₹ 30025
Visva Bharati University
- Fees: ₹ 12050
- Exams: CUET UG
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Which are the banks to work for with rural studies?
Answer :
With a degree in rural studies, one can get a job at banks like NABARD, Grameen banks, IndusInd private Ltd and many others.
Question: What is the study of rural studies course?
Answer :
Rural studies course offers subjects on concept, development, statistics, research and much more. It is focused on the study of rural development, infrastructure, and technology in rural areas and how it will benefit and change the rural areas as a whole.
Question: Is it expensive to study rural studies?
Answer :
The rural studies course is not expensive compared to other courses. An individual pursuing this course study usually spends around Rs. 10,000 to 40,000 in a bachelor’s degree in rural studies and approximately Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 in postgraduate degree courses in rural studies. Therefore, it is a pretty normal expense for all the degree courses in this subject.
Question: What is the scope of rural studies?
Answer :
Rural studies open a variety of future scopes in many fields such as banking, agronomist, agriculture officer, rural minister, researcher, professor and much more in both government and private sectors and even inter-governmental organisations.
Question: Are rural development and rural management the same as rural studies?
Answer :
Rural studies include various topics of rural aspects as a whole. However, rural development and rural management are different courses but related to the study of rural studies. An individual interested in the studies of rural aspects can opt either of the three-courses which covers all the rural related subjects and have similar future scope too.
