MBA Rural Development: Admission 2025, Syllabus, Eligibility, Colleges, Career

• Updated on  Aug 16, 2025, by Priyanshu Mishra

MBA Rural Development is a two-year postgraduate degree that prepares candidates with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to support social and economic development in rural areas. Rural marketing, microfinance, sustainable agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, NGO administration, and public policy execution are among the many topics covered in the MBA Rural Development course, which combines basic management principles with rural development techniques.

 

The program requires the candidates to have completed their undergraduate degree in any stream with a minimum score of 50% from a recognized university. They also need to appear for some postgraduate entrance exams to enroll in a specific college or university, such as HPU MAT, CAT, CUET PG, CET, etc.

 

The course fees for the Master of Business Administration Rural Development program depend on whether the college is a private institution or a government institution. Overall course fee for this program ranges between INR 1,00,000-10,00,000. Some top colleges that offer these programs are Himachal Pradesh University, Sarvottam Institute of Technology and Management, Rajarshi School of Management & Technology, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, etc.

 

MBA Rural Development jobs that the candidates can work on are Rural Development Officer, Microfinance Manager, Agribusiness Manager, NGO Program Manager, and Corporate Social Responsibility. They can get a competitive high salary that ranges between INR 3-12 LPA or more, depending on their skill and knowledge.

 

Table of Contents
  1. MBA Rural Development Key Highlights
  2. What is an MBA Rural Development?
  3. Why study an MBA Rural Development?
  4. Who should study an MBA Rural Development?
  5. MBA Rural Development Eligibility Criteria
  6. MBA Rural Development Entrance Exams
  7. MBA Rural Development Colleges in India
  8. MBA Rural Development Admission Process 2025
  9. MBA Rural Development Syllabus
  10. MBA Rural Development Job Opportunities in India
  11. MBA Rural Development Vs MBA Agribusiness
  12. MBA Rural Development FAQs

 

MBA Rural Development Key Highlights

Following is a list of the key elements of the MBA Rural Development courses in India:

Particulars

Details

Course Name

Master of Business Administration Rural Development

Course Level

Postgraduate/Master’s

Duration

2 years (4 semesters)

Course Type

Full-Time

Admission Process

Entrance-Based (HPU MAT, CAT, CUET PG, CET, etc.) + Counselling

Eligibility Criteria

Passed class 12th in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) with 50% aggregate marks

Course Fees

INR 2,00,000-14,00,000

Subjects

Principles of Management, Managerial Economics, Financial Accounting, Organizational Behavior, Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Operations Management, Strategic Management

Top Colleges

Himachal Pradesh University, Sarvottam Institute of Technology and Management, Rajarshi School of Management & Technology, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya

Job Profiles

Rural Development Officer, Microfinance Manager, Agribusiness Manager, NGO Program Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility

Top Recruiters

NABARD, Ministry of Rural Development, NGOs, SKS Microfinance, Ujjivan, Grameen Bank, Spandana Sphoorty, ITC, Godrej Agrovet, Amul, Mahindra Agribusiness

Average Salary in India

INR 3-5 LPA (Fresher)

 

INR 6-9 LPA (Mid-Level)

 

INR 10-15 LPA (Experienced)

 

What is an MBA Rural Development?

MBA Rural Development is a two-year postgraduate program that mixes principles of management with a special focus on sustainable development, social change, and rural economies.

  • The primary goal is to prepare them with the knowledge and skills necessary to handle the particular problems that rural communities have, such as unemployment, insufficient funds, and limited access to healthcare.
  • The program's main goal is to close the gap between social responsibility and corporate management in terms of sustainable development. These programmes cover topics such as public policy, development communication, social entrepreneurship, microfinance, agricultural economics, rural marketing, and project management.
  • The primary goal of the program is to provide actual expertise in rural areas to its candidates. It involves lots of fieldwork, case studies, internships, and contacts with NGOs and government departments.
  • Students will be more capable of understanding rural conditions and creating successful rural development activities as an outcome of this practical training.

 

Why study an MBA Rural Development?

Candidates who pursue a Rural Development MBA program have the skills and knowledge necessary for handling particular opportunities and problems found in towns and villages. This specialised management course combines social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and rural economics with traditional subjects like project management, marketing, and finance. There are the primary reasons for studying this program are listed below:

  • The program provides an opportunity to fight poverty by improving access to resources and creating a secure future.
  • Graduates can help build and uphold the roads, hygienic services, and medical facilities that are essential to rural development.
  • The programme gives individuals the tools they require to increase rural areas' access to superior healthcare and education.
  • Graduates face challenging issues in rural areas by improving their analytical and problem-solving abilities.

 

Who should study an MBA Rural Development?

Rural Development MBA is suitable for those candidates who are interested in contributing to long-term change in rural communities and want to apply management expertise with social impact. It is ideal for graduates who want to get involved in community development, policymaking, or rural entrepreneurship and come from fields like agriculture, social sciences, economics, or environmental studies.

  • Those who want to work with international development organisations, NGOs, or government agencies. There are several points that those who want to study this program should consider:
  • Candidates who hold a bachelor's degree in any field, especially BA Development Studies or business administration, can use their qualifications in rural areas.
  • Candidates who are interested in social impact and wish to support the growth and welfare of rural areas.
  • The program prepares candidates for jobs in a variety of fields, such as government, non-governmental organisations, and private enterprises that focus on rural development.
  • The candidates who want to enroll in higher studies as PhD Rural Development.

 

MBA Rural Development Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who want to get admission in the Rural Development MBA program should fulfill some basic criteria. There are several requirements mentioned below:

  • Candidates need a bachelor’s degree in any stream, either BA Hons, BA Rural Development, or BCom from a recognized university.
  • Candidates must obtain at least a minimum score of 50% in their graduation from a recognized university.
  • Candidates also need to appear for some entrance examinations to enroll in a specific college or university. Some exams are HPU MAT, CAT, CUET PG, CET, etc.

 

MBA Rural Development Entrance Exams

Candidates who want to pursue an MBA Rural Development course need to appear for some entrance examinations to obtain admission in the specific colleges or universities. Hence, there are some entrance examinations with their complete details, such as deadline, exam date, and application fee, which are mentioned below

Exam Name

Application Date

Exam Date

Cut-off

Application Fee

HPU MAT

April-May 2026

 

(Tentative)

June 2026

 

(Tentative)

General: 26.75 marks

 

OBC: 22.75 marks

 

SC: 20.25 marks

 

ST: 20 marks

INR 1,000

CAT

August-September 2025

November 2025

98 to 99 percentile

INR 2,500 (GEN, EWS, OBC)

 

INR 1,250 (SC/ST)

CUET PG

Dec-Jan 2026

 

(Tentative)

March 2026

 

(Tentative)

50-70 percentile

INR 1,400 (GEN)

 

INR 1,200 (OBC)

 

INR 1,100 (SC/ST)

CET

Nov-Dec 2026

 

(Tentative)

April 2026

 

(Tentative)

60 to 70 percentile

INR 1,200 (GEN)

 

INR 1,000 (OBC, EWS, SC/ST)

 

MBA Rural Development Colleges in India

Candidates who want to enroll in the course, every Indian college has different admission exam requirements. The following lists the NIRF Ranking, the total course fees, and the intake examinations needed to obtain admission to some of the best Institutions in India are listed below:

College Name

Location

Total Course Fees

Intake Exams

Himachal Pradesh University

Himachal Pradesh

INR 21,050

HPU MAT

Sarvottam Institute of Technology and Management

Uttar Pradesh

INR 2,66,000

CAT

Rajarshi School of Management & Technology

Uttar Pradesh

INR 1,50,000

CUET PG

Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya

Madhya Pradesh

INR 60,422

CET

 

MBA Rural Development Admission Process 2025

Students who want to get admission in the MBA in Rural Development program are requested to complete the admission process in a specific college or university where they wish to enroll in the respective course of study. They required some necessary information regarding the admission process. Hence, provided the admission process at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya for your reference:

 

Step 1: First of all, candidates should visit the official website of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya.

 

Step 2: Fill in all the necessary information and upload your documents.

 

Step 3: Appear for the CET exam to enroll in the respective university.

 

Step 4: Go and appear for the exam on the scheduled date.

 

Step 5: Results are published on the official website of the DAVV CET portal.

 

Step 6: Selected candidates appear for the counseling.

 

Step 7: Select MBA (Rural Development) during the choice filling stage.

 

Step 8: If selected, pay the admission fees and download the admission letter, and confirm your seat.

 

Required Documents

  • CET Scorecard
  • 10th & 12th Mark Sheets
  • Graduation Mark Sheets
  • Transfer Certificate
  • Migration Certificate
  • Passport-size photographs
  • Photo ID proof

 

MBA Rural Development Syllabus

Depending on the type of study the institute offers, the syllabus may change slightly. A Himachal Pradesh University semester-by-semester MBA Rural Development syllabus for the degree is given below for your reference:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Principles of Management

Financial Management

Economics of rural development

Development Administration & Panchayati Raj Institutions

Rural Development and Rural Society

Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation

Accounting for Management

Rural Marketing Management

Basic Communication & Presentation Skills

Human Resource Management

Basic Statistics

Agri-Business Management

Village Study Programme/ Field Work - PHASE-I (Research Methodology-I = 50 Marks + Field Work = 50 Marks)

-

Semester 3

Semester 4

Project Management

Climate Change & Disaster Management in Mountain Areas

Dynamics Development

Information & Communication Technology & Rural Development

Rural Banking and Microfinance

Organizational Behaviour

Psychological Perspectives On Development

Natural Resource Management

Rural Livelihoods

  • Rural Farm Management;
  • Management For Social Empowerment;
  • Small-Scale Industries. (Any one from the above options)

Rural Industrialization and Entrepreneurship Development

  • Global Economic Environment
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Rural Tourism and Rural Tourism Entrepreneurship (Any one from the above options)

Village Study Programme / Rural Internship Programme - PHASE-II (Research Methodology-II = 50 Marks + Internship = 50 Marks)

Project Work

 

MBA Rural Development Job Opportunities in India

Candidates who graduate have a wide range of MBA Rural Development jobs in the government sector, private sector, and public sector. The overall summary of the available positions is shown below:

Job Role

Recruiters

Experience Level

Average Salary

Rural Development Officer

NABARD, Ministry of Rural Development, NGOs

0-2 yrs

INR 3.5-5.5 LPA

Microfinance Manager

SKS Microfinance, Ujjivan, Grameen Bank, Spandana Sphoorty

1-5 yrs

INR 4-8 LPA

Agribusiness Manager

ITC, Godrej Agrovet, Amul, Mahindra Agribusiness

2-5 yrs

INR 4-9 LPA

NGO Program Manager

ActionAid, Oxfam India, World Vision India

3–6 yrs

INR 5-9 LPA

Corporate Social Responsibility

Tata Trusts, Reliance Foundation, ITC, Adani Foundation

3–7 yrs

INR 6-10 LPA

 

MBA Rural Development Vs MBA Agribusiness

MBA in Rural Development/Rural Management is more in a wider area and incorporates both social and economic and policy aspects of rural hence the objective of sustainable rural development and rural community welfare. MBA in Agribusiness is a narrower specialization that deals with the management of agricultural business, food, agrimarketing, and supply chains.

Aspect

MBA in Rural Development

MBA in Agribusiness

Course Focus

Focus on rural livelihoods, sustainable development, rural economics, and social welfare.

Concentrates on agricultural enterprises, food production, supply chain management, farm business, and agri-product marketing.

Curriculum Highlights

Rural economics, development policies, social entrepreneurship, rural finance, project management, etc.

Agricultural marketing, farm and livestock management, agribusiness operations, supply chain and logistics.

Career Prospects

Roles include project manager, rural officer, and policy analyst.

Roles like agribusiness manager, supply chain analyst.

Skills Developed

Leadership in rural projects, policy planning, community development, and social impact assessment.

Business skills applied to agriculture, marketing and sales strategies, logistics and supply chain, and financial management specific to the agri-sector.

Example Job Roles

Rural Development Officer, Project Coordinator, Microfinance Manager, NGO Consultant, Rural Marketing Specialist.

Agribusiness Manager, Farm Manager, Supply Chain Analyst, Product Manager (Agri-Products), Agricultural Finance Analyst.

Higher Studies

Can opt for the PhD in Development Studies, or related field.

Can opt for PhD in Agriculture or related.

 

MBA Rural Development FAQs

What are the challenges candidates face in the MBA Rural Development field?

There are various challenges faced by MBA Rural Development candidates, which include working in remote locations, bureaucratic delays, cultural barriers, and resource limitations.

Can I shift to a corporate job after this MBA Rural Development course?

Yes, Candidates can shift to CSR departments, sustainability roles, ESG consulting, and impact investment firms after completing the MBA in Rural Development course.

What is the MBA Rural Development scope in terms of having a long-term career?

Candidates have long-term future scope after the MBA in Rural Development programs, such as Policy Makers, CSR Heads, Development Consultants, or Directors in international agencies or NGOs.

Is an international career scope available in the MBA Rural Development field?

Yes, there are many international development organizations available in these fields, such as the World Bank, UNDP, FAO, and Oxfam, that hire professionals with rural development expertise.

Can I opt for the MBA Rural Development distance learning course?

Yes, the candidates can opt for a distance learning MBA in Rural Development that helps them to assume the position of managers and leaders to work in rural locations with regard to sustainable growth, farming, and development activities. The distance course helps the candidates learn advanced skills while working.

What is the MBA Rural Development scope?

The course has a wide scope in various sectors. The graduates are also marketable in government rural development agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), microfinance institutions, agricultural enterprises, and rural consultancy firms.

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