Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development (PGDRD) is a 1-year diploma program taught with the intent to acquire knowledge in the field of rural development policies, planning methods, community development, and sustainable development. The program will suit students and career specialists who would like to serve in the development sector, non-governmental organizations, government, or policy-making institutions dealing with the upliftment of rural areas.
A candidate must have qualified for a bachelor's degree in any stream from a recognized university to attain eligibility in PGDRD. Most of the institutes will admit on merit. However, there are a few institutes such as NIRDPR (National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj), TISS, and XISS whose admission process is through an entrance exam and interview. IGNOU provides the course in distance education with flexible eligibility.
The average course fees for PGDRD ranges from INR 10,000 – 75,000, which varies with the institution. In India, some famous colleges that offer PGDRD are NIRDPR Hyderabad, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), IGNOU, Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) Ranchi, and Amity University Noida. Practical chances to be in the field, work with NGOs, and encounter actual development initiatives under the Government of India are provided by these institutions.
The field of work following the completion of PGDRD can be as a rural development officer, program coordinator, NGO manager, policy analyst, CSR project manager, livelihood expert, or research associate. The beginning pay of a person with a PGDRD is between INR 2.5 and 5 LPA, whereas one who has experience in top positions can be between INR 8 and 12 LPA. A large number of graduates also take up an M.A. in Rural Development or Social Work or go in the direction of civil services or development research.
Table of Contents
- PGDRD Key Highlights
- What is PG Diploma in Rural Development?
- Why Study PG Diploma in Rural Development?
- Who Should Study PG Diploma in Rural Development?
- PG Diploma in Rural Development Eligibility Criteria
- PG Diploma in Rural Development Entrance Exams 2025–2026
- PG Diploma in Rural Development Colleges in India
- PG Diploma in Rural Development Admission Process 2025
- PG Diploma in Rural Development Syllabus
- PG Diploma in Rural Development – Job Opportunities in India
- PG Diploma in Rural Development FAQs
PGDRD Key Highlights
Given below are the basic key highlights for the Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Development
What is PG Diploma in Rural Development?
PG Diploma in Rural Development (Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Development) is a one-year postgraduate diploma in Rural Development introduced as the extension of the PG Diploma in Rural Development course and focused on graduates of any discipline wishing to work towards the development and upliftment of rural communities. The course dwells on familiarity with the socio-economic problems of the rural area, sustainability, policy analysis, and implementation of projects at the grassroots level.
The program covers topics such as rural livelihoods, agricultural development, social justice, environmental management, and participatory planning. Practical exposure is given through fieldwork, community interaction, and case studies to help students gain real-world insights into rural challenges and development strategies.
Why Study PG Diploma in Rural Development?
Sustainable national growth and social equity depend on Rural Development. A PG Diploma in Rural Development helps you acquire knowledge and skills that will assist you in filling rural gaps and playing pivotal roles in community upliftment and implementation of policies.
A PG Diploma in Rural Development should be chosen because of such reasons:
- Knowledge of Rural Socio-Economic Dynamics: You study what life in a rural community is all about, including its socio-economics, livelihood, poverty levels, and farming, coupled with the development of the community, which builds you into an effective social worker.
- Practical Field Experiences: The course also offers practical field experience, and you will have a chance to work directly in the field with the rural population, government programs, and non-government organizations.
- Vast Career Potential: Students are able to work in government schemes, NGOs, CSR departments, and international agencies that deal with the welfare of rural areas.
- Making a Positive Social Impact: This program is the choice in case you are interested in sustainable development, social justice, and providing a real change to underserved communities.
Who Should Study PG Diploma in Rural Development?
Below are the ideal candidates for the PG Diploma in Rural Development:
- People who want to serve in government offices, development agencies, or NGOs involved in alleviating poverty, community health, rural finance, or sustainability.
- Individuals who are inspired toward solving rural issues such as sanitation, education, gender equality, water management, and agricultural change.
- Individuals who want to do fieldwork and grassroots-level development, and also carry out the policies of the government that affect the livelihoods of people in the rural areas.
- Individuals requiring a career in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), rural or policy planning in the government, or the private sector.
- Graduates in the hopes of pursuing other studies such as an MA in Development Studies, an M.Phil., and a Ph.D. in Rural or Social Development.
PG Diploma in Rural Development Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirements for a Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Development are as follows. These may slightly differ across universities or development institutes:
- The candidate should have a bachelor's degree in any field (preferably arts, agriculture, sociology, social work, or economics) from any recognized university.
- A minimum aggregate of 45%–50% is generally required for eligibility. Relaxation may be provided for reserved categories.
- It has no age restriction, and fresh graduates as well as working professionals can apply.
- Certain institutes carry out a personal interview or entrance test, and others take them on a merit basis during graduation.
- In some institutions, preference may go out to candidates who have fieldwork experience in rural development, social services, or NGOs.
PG Diploma in Rural Development Entrance Exams 2025–2026
Most admissions are merit-based, but certain institutes conduct entrance exams or interviews. Here are a few notable ones:
PG Diploma in Rural Development Colleges in India
Provided below is the list of some of the top Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development (PGDRD) colleges in India. Students must be eligible to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Development (PGDRD) from these colleges.
PG Diploma in Rural Development Admission Process 2025
The postgraduate diploma in Rural Development (PGDRD) at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in New Delhi is a multi-functional program that does not require an entrance examination for admission. This course is offered in a distance/online learning format, ensuring accessibility for learners across India.
Step 1: The applicants should access the main site of IGNOU admission (https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in) and complete the online PGDRD admission form. Personal and academic information, as well as contact information, should be correctly provided, and scanned copies of required paperwork uploaded.
Step 2: After the application is made, IGNOU checks documents that are uploaded. Once the verification has been done successfully, candidates shall make course fee online using net banking, UPI, debit/credit card, etc.
Step 3: Once the payment process in the student dashboard is completed, IGNOU sends an admission confirmation message to the student through email/SMS and displays the status of the student dashboard. They are given a student ID and credentials for the online learning platform.
Step 4: Digital learning contents (e-Gyankosh) are available to the students with an additional option of printed study materials by post. It makes orientation schedules and the academic calendar available online.
Step 5: The program normally commences after a couple of weeks of confirmation. The schedule of assignments, project work, and term-end examinations is provided on the IGNOU website and student dashboard.
Required Documents:
- Graduation mark sheets and degree certificate
- Transfer Certificate (TC)
- Character Certificate
- Proof of Identity (Aadhaar Card, Passport, etc.)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-sized photographs
PG Diploma in Rural Development Syllabus
The Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Development is typically a 1-year full-time program divided into 2 semesters. The syllabus may vary slightly between institutions, but the following structure reflects the typical curriculum followed at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi.
PG Diploma in Rural Development – Job Opportunities in India
After completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Development program, students can pursue various job profiles. Given below are some of the famous job roles you can pursue after completing the course. Along with the top recruiters and average pay.
Check out the PGDRD Career in Detail
PG Diploma in Rural Development FAQs
What are the reasons for doing a PG Diploma in Rural Development to make a career in community development and social planning?
The Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Development is aimed at preparing students on both the knowledge and skills requirements in the rural sector. Some of the challenges in India and most of the developing countries include the prevalence of poverty in rural areas, infrastructure development, illiteracy, and employment. The course discusses such important aspects as village economy, sustainable development, microcredit, agricultural policy, and regimes such as Panchayati Raj. The PGDRD course is appropriate for those who want to work in NGOs, government schemes (such as MNREGA), CSR, or global development businesses. Trained professionals are highly needed due to the increased investments in rural transformation and sustainable development.
Does PGDRD have field training or exposure to the countryside?
Absolutely. Most of the PGDRD programs involve site visits, community-based activities, and internships with rural organizations. Students get acquainted with village-level governance, health missions, rural banks, and development schemes. They also make surveys, study socio-economic situations, and implement practical community projects in the present. Such practical experience will be important in learning the realities on the ground and employing the policy in real-life contexts.
After PGDRD, what is the alternative in terms of education or specialization?
Students can access a master 's-level degree by pursuing inward to a master's in Rural Development, Development Studies, Public Policy, or Social Work (MSW) after PGDRD. The competitive examinations, such as UPSC (IAS, Rural Development Officer), State PSC, or banking positions such as NABARD, are also a career option for many graduates. Another possibility for them is to work in donor agencies such as UNDP, UNICEF, and the World Bank as a project worker or researcher. Career advancement can be promoted by certification on professional topics such as impact assessment or project management.
Is it possible to apply for this diploma for all streams of students?
Yes, PGDRD can be joined by anyone irrespective of their graduation backgrounds, like arts, commerce, science, or engineering. Although social science graduates might find it more appealing to master the theoretical framework, it is bound to offer good results to all students who are dedicated to community development and public policy.
What is the difference between a full-fledged M.A. in Rural Development and a PGDRD?
PGDRD is a one-year diploma course that centers on applied knowledge and field skills; hence, it is good to study in case one needs immediate entry into the workforce. Rural Development M.A. is a two-year academic program that does deeper research, has a larger emphasis on theory, and offers an opportunity to proceed to a doctoral degree. Even though PGDRD is more real and work-related, M.A. is more career-based in researching, making policies, or teaching at the university.
