What is Rural Studies: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope

The study of Rural Management and work related to rural areas and working towards the development of society is known as Rural Studies. Various aspects are covered in Rural Studies which concentrates on backward and impoverished areas which are deprived of the luxury that developed and modern societies live in. Through Rural Studies, students are taught to focus on areas such as health, education, women empowerment, dairy development, disaster management, agriculture, rural marketing, and more.

More than 50% of India’s population lives in rural areas where people do not have access to various facilities and have a hard time surviving and providing for a family. The introduction of Rural Studies is to train professionals to ensure that there is development in rural areas and that less fortunate people can have access to daily needs and requirements.

The course of Rural Studies can be completed at undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certification levels at a fees ranging between INR 1 lakh to INR 4 lakh.

All About Rural Studies Courses

Understanding the social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental elements of rural areas is the main goal of the interdisciplinary field of study known as "rural studies." It entails looking at a range of problems and situations that are particular to rural areas, including land use, infrastructure, poverty, resilience in rural areas, natural resource management, rural healthcare, and education.

To examine and address the complexities of rural life and the difficulties faced by rural communities, researchers in the field of rural studies frequently use techniques from sociology, economics, geography, anthropology, environmental science, and other disciplines.

Why Study Rural Studies Course?

Understanding the particular difficulties and opportunities that rural people confront comes from studying rural studies. Here are a few reasons why a student should study Rural Studies courses:

• Gain understanding of rural economies, societies, and cultures.
• Address pressing issues like rural poverty and healthcare disparities.
• Explore sustainable development strategies for rural areas.
• Contribute to policy-making for rural development.
• Enhance appreciation for rural lifestyles and environments.

Type of Courses in Rural Studies

There are various courses and programmes which are offered in Rural Studies which are as follows:

Course	Duration
Bachelor of Arts (BA)  in Rural Development	3-Years
Bachelor in Rural Technology and Management	3-Years
Master of Arts (MA) in	2-Years
MPhil in Rural Development	2-Years
PhD in Rural Development	2-Years
Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Management	1-Year
Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Development	1-Year
Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Finance	1-Year
Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Marketing	1-Year
Related Courses
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)	3-Years
Master of Social Work (MSW)	2-Years

Rural Studies Course Eligibility Criteria

The majority of courses in Rural Studies have prerequisites that must be met, like a high school diploma or its equivalent. Additionally, some might have grade or subject requirements, particularly if the course focuses on a particular subject like environmental science, sociology, or agriculture.

Students need to meet the set eligibility criteria which differ from University to University. The eligibility criteria for different level courses are mentioned in the below table:

Level of Courses in Rural Studies	Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor of Arts (BA)	The candidate needs to have done their Class 12 in any stream from a recognised board and should have secured a minimum of 45%.
Master of Arts (MA)	The candidate should have done their graduation in any discipline from a recognised university and should have secured a minimum of 55%.
MPhil	The candidate should have done their MA in Rural Studies or MSW from a recognised university and should have secured a minimum of 55%.
PhD	The candidate should have done their MA or MPhil or MSW from a recognised university and should have secured a minimum of 60%.

Note: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.

Rural Studies Course Entrance Exams 2024

Students need to appear in the below-mentioned entrance exams to get admission to Rural Studies courses. Candidates need to shortlist the colleges in which they want to seek admission and then check their admission formalities on college websites. They also need to check whether admissions in that particular college are provided based on merit or entrance tests. Accordingly, they can prepare for the other formalities and exams.

Entrance Exam	Registration Dates	Exam Dates
CUET	Feb-Mar 2024	CUET Exam Schedule
IGNOU	------	IGNOU Exam Schedule
PUBDET	Jan' 2024	PUBDET Exam Schedule
AAT	Jan' 2024	AAT Exam Schedule
BHU UET	Closed	BHU UET Exam Schedule
TISSNET	To be notified	TISSNET Exam Schedule

Note: This information is sourced from official website of the institute/exam.

Rural Studies Course Syllabus

Students who take a rural studies course usually hope to gain a thorough understanding of rural areas through the study of a variety of topics, such as infrastructure, government, livelihoods, education, health, environment, and sociology.

India is still a developing country and there are various areas the country needs to focus on, starting by helping people in need who comprise of the 1.7 Billion people in the nation. The Government needs trained professionals and volunteers to run various campaigns, join various NGO’s to help the less fortunate.

Even if one has done their graduation, one can straight away get to work and start a career. However, it is advisable to complete further studies to gain more knowledge about the situation and can specialize in a certain field or subject. There are huge careers scopes not only in India, but abroad as well. The salaries are great as one gains experience, however, the sense of satisfaction of helping others in need is priceless.

Rural Studies Job Profiles and Average Salary

Job Profile	Average Salary (INR)
Rural Development Officer	INR 3.5 LPA
Rural Development Manager	INR 5.1 LPA
Agricultural Extension Officer	INR 4.6 LPA
NGO Program Coordinator	INR 6.1 LPA
Community Development Specialist	INR 4.8 LPA
Rural Health Worker	INR 3.2 LPA
Rural Education Coordinator	INR 4.7 LPA
Rural Infrastructure Engineer	INR 6.7 LPA
Rural Livelihoods Specialist	INR 5.6 LPA
Rural Planner	INR 5.4 LPA

Note: This information is sourced from multiple sources on the web. Hence, is subject to vary. 

Top Recruiters for Rural Studies

Experts in rural studies may be able to find work with a variety of institutions and organisations that are engaged in international development, social work, government agencies, NGOs, research, and rural development. The following is a list of possible employers for someone having a background in rural studies:

Top Recruiters for Rural Studies
NGO	Political Campaign
Rallies	Government Offices
Agriculture	Horticulture
Banks	Marketing
Management	Human Resource
Finance	Digital Marketing

Following are the most popular Rural Studies Colleges in India. Learn more about these Rural Studies colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the most popular Rural Studies courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Rural Studies.

Following are the most popular Rural Studies UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Rural Studies PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Rural Studies Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Following are the top exams for Rural Studies. Students interested in pursuing a career on Rural Studies, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.