Rural Management Course: Full Form, Admission 2024, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Rural Management refers to the study of the rural economy, agribusiness, planning, organizing, and maintaining co-operatives and businesses in rural areas and related fields. Rural Management courses apprise students about the latest techniques and methodologies, which will greatly contribute to the improvement of the sector. MBA in Rural Management Admission 2024 is currently underway and students who have completed their bachelor's degree with 50 per cent aggregate marks can apply for the course. 

Candidates interested in taking up this course can appear in several national and state-level entrance exams like CAT, XAT, NMAT, MAT, SNAP, and CMAT.  The fees for MBA in Rural Management courses in India range between INR 5 to INR 10 lakh. Rural Management courses are available at undergraduate, postgraduate as well as PhD levels. At the undergraduate level, students can opt for courses like BA/BSc in Rural Management, whereas at the postgraduate level, courses include MA/MSc in Rural Management and MBA/PGDM in Rural Management. 

The top institute in India for Rural Management is the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA), which offers PGDM in Rural Management. Apart from IRMA, IIM Lucknow is well known for its PGP Agribusiness program. The graduates can work as Regional Managers, Sales Managers, Marketing Managers, and Project Managers and earn salary ranging from INR 4 to 10 lakh. 

Latest Updates:

• CAT 2024 registration extended till Sep 20, 2024.

• The MAT 2024 registration process for the December session is open for the CBT Phase 1 exam, and the last date is Nov 30, 2024. For PBT and CBT Phase 2 exams, the registration ends on Dec 7 and Dec 15, 2024, respectively. Further, MAT 2024 CBT Phase 1, PBT, and CBT Phase 2 exams will be scheduled on Dec 7, Dec 14, and Dec 22, 2024, respectively.

• The XAT registration 2025 for the MBA/PGDM courses is open and the last date is Nov 30, 2024. Candidates can visit and register themselves on the official website. Further, the XAT 2025 exam will be conducted on Jan 5, 2025.
• NMAT 2024 registration is ongoing for MBA/PGDM courses for the academic session 2025-27 – the last date to apply is Oct 10, 2024. Further, NMAT 2024 exam is scheduled from Nov 5 to Dec 20, 2024.
• SNAP Registrations are to be announced soon; check the details

MBA in Rural Management Course Details

Students can pursue an MBA in Rural Management courses to join the most important agriculture sector. MBA Rural Management Admission is dependable on the score obtained by the candidate in an entrance exam. Subjects in MBA Rural Management train students about this management stream and help them in learning the required skills.

The below table contains all the important points related to the MBA in Rural Management course:

Also Read:

NPAT Exam 2025: Dates, Eligibility, Registration, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation, Results

XAT 2025 Exam: Registration Date, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation

MBA in Rural Management is a two-year postgraduate degree that is divided into four semesters. The MBA in Rural Management course includes the study of various aspects like Cooperative Management, Social Management, Development Management, Rural Projects Management, Public Policy Management, etc. The program can also be pursued at esteemed universities like the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), where students can complete professional coursework in two years. The course in agribusiness management is designed to produce agro leaders, businesspeople, and administrators.

Why pursue an MBA in Rural Management?

• People who wish to make a major contribution to the nation's agriculture sector except farming have ample job opportunities after completing MBA in Rural Management.
• Since farming and agriculture are the primary industries in rural areas, students in rural management courses also gain an in-depth understanding of these fields.
• The advancement of technology has necessitated the application of management principles to the rural sector. For this, 

• The graduates can find employment as Project Managers, Operations Managers, Regional Manager, Sales Manager and earn salaries ranging from INR 4 to 8 lakh at the start.

Also Read:

9 must-read books for MBA students and aspirants

• Step-1 Review the program: First review the curriculum, specializations, faculty, and facilities after that check academic qualifications, entrance exam requirements, and any additional criteria.
• Step-2 Prepare Required Documents: Prepare all the documents beforehand so that no last-minute issues occur. The documents include academic mark sheets, certificates, Standardized Test Scores (CAT, XAT, etc), and letters of recommendation.
• Step-3 Fill out the Application Form and Pay the Fees: Complete the application form provided by the institution. This may be done online or on paper and pay any required application fees.
• Step-4 Entrance Exams (if applicable): If the program requires an entrance exam, such as a common MBA entrance test or a specific university's test, register and prepare for it. Take the exam then wait for the result.
• Step-5 Submit Application: Submit all required documents along with the completed application form. Always ensure that all documents have been received and verify the status of your application.
• Step-6 Interview (if applicable): Some programs require a personal or virtual interview Attend it and demonstrate your motivation, skills, and suitability for the program.
• Step-7 Await Admission Decision: Monitor the admission portal or your email for updates on the results. If accepted an official offer letter will be provided by the university.
• Step-8 Confirm Enrollment: Confirm your intention to enroll in the program and Pay the required enrollment or tuition Fees.
• Step-9 Prepare for the Start of Classes: Follow instructions for course registration and orientation. If needed, arrange for on-campus or off-campus housing and attend any orientation sessions to familiarize yourself with the campus and program.
• Step-10 Start Classes: Attend classes and start your academic journey.

Rural Management Eligibility Criteria

Students can check the table below to know the eligibility criteria for courses in Rural Management. Every program has different eligibility. Most of the institutes accept candidates on the basis of entrance exam scores like CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, SNAP, etc.

The candidates can check the table below to know the details:

Rural Management admission process includes a common entrance test for management group discussion and personal interviews. IRMA’s admission process includes a test on “Issues of Social Concern”, conducted by the institute for candidates having valid CAT or XAT scores.  

Reputable colleges rely on a merit-based admissions process and a cutoff score for the entrance exams. The availability of seats, which may vary depending on the college, is the sole factor determining admissions. The top entrance exams for MBA in Rural Management are listed below:

Quick Links:

The syllabus of the rural management program includes all aspects of Rural Economy and Business such as Microeconomics, Finance, Research, Marketing, Development, Operations, Productions, etc., and field work. We have listed below the course curriculum of IRMA’s Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management, as it is the best and most exhaustive rural management program in India.

Students can also have a look at the table below to know the elective subjects in MBA Rural Management:

Also Read: MBA Rural Management Syllabus 

There are about 140 MBA colleges in India offering Rural Management programs. Students can pursue an MBA in Rural Management from a number of colleges, including the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM). It is becoming one of the popular MBA specializations. The desirous candidates can see the table below to know the popular private and government colleges along with their fees.

Best Private Colleges for MBA in Rural Management

 Some of the popular private colleges offering MBA in Rural Management colleges in India are:

Best Government Colleges for MBA in Rural Management

The list of government colleges offering MBA in Rural Management are:

Also Read: List of Rural Management Colleges in India

A rural management degree holder is eligible for every managerial role in business domains that deal with agricultural products or rural manufacturing. The degree is also useful for those looking for jobs in rural banks, rural cooperatives as well as government and non-government organisations. While a graduate-level candidate is hired at the executive level, a PG/MBA degree holder is hired for managerial and senior posts.

Some of the job profiles are listed below:

Salary source: Naukri.com

Rural Management Top Recruiters

Agribusiness firms and banks hire rural management graduates in large numbers for their branches in rural areas. Some of the top recruiters for Rural Management degree holders are listed below.

Take a look at some of the important questions regarding Rural Management Courses.