Centre for Post Graduate Studies and Distance Education (CPGS&DE), National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad; has invited applications for admission to its Ph.D. programme in Rural Development with degree to be awarded by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

The programme focuses on issues, challenges and solutions pertaining to rural development and aims to study issues and challenges pertaining to rural development through disciplinary, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives and devise solutions. The research topics to be chosen by the students should align with the mandate of NIRDPR, the faculties’ expertise and experience. Prospective students should visit the profiles of the faculty members at www.nirdpr.org.in  

This programme is governed by the NIRDPR-JNU Ph.D. Ordinance, UGC rules and regulations concerning Ph.D. and as amended from time to time. No. of seats is 15, including 2 part-time seats.

Programme Duration: Ph.D. Programme shall be for a minimum duration of 3 years, including a one-year mandatory residential course work, and maximum of 6 years. A maximum additional 2 years can be given through a process of re-registration. The total period for completion shall not exceed 8 years. 

Eligibility: Applicants should have cleared UGC-JRF/NET in any of the 3 categories or GATE, in one of the specified subjects/allied subjects and should possess Post-Graduate degree/equivalent degree. 

Educational Qualifications: (A) Master degree with 55% marks/equivalent grade or M.Phil degree or 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree with minimum 75% marks in aggregate/equivalent grade, in one of the subjects/allied subjects listed, for which UGC conducts JRF/NET. The relevant/Allied UGC NET Subject with number of seats for each are as follows: (i) Economics (4 seats) (ii) Public Administration (2) (iii) Management Studies (1) (iv) Rural Health (1) (v) Political Science (1) (vi) Environmental Science (1) (vii) Gender Studies (1) and (viii) Population Studies (1) 

(B) There are 2 seats for GIS. Applicant should have M.Sc/M.Tech in Geoinformatics/Remote Sensing/GIS or related area, with at least 55% marks in aggregate/equivalent grade or 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree in Geography/ Environmental Science/Geomatics Engineering/Environmental Science & Engineering/Geo-informatics/Remote Sensing/GIS or related area with minimum 75% marks in aggregate/equivalent grade. Applicants should have qualified JRF/NET in NTA-UGC examination in Geography/Environmental Science or cleared GATE in Geomatics Engineering/Environmental Science & Engineering 

(C) There is one seat for Civil Engineering. Applicant should have qualified for GATE in Civil Engineering and must possess a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks in aggregate/equivalent grade, in Civil Engineering (CE) or a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with minimum 75% marks in aggregate/equivalent grade.

A relaxation of 5% marks/equivalent grade may be allowed in the Master’s degree, for SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates.

Admission Process: Those who have qualified NTA-UGC- JRF (Category -1) will be called first for personal Interviews. Their selection will be based on performance in personal interview. For those qualified for Appointment as Assistant Professor and Admission to Ph.D. (Category -2); Admission to Ph.D. Only (Category -3) and GATE, selection will be based on combined merit of NET percentile score/GATE percentile score (70% weightage) and performance in the personal interview (30% weightage). 

Fees: One-time admission fee is Rs. 20,000/- and One-time JNU registration fee is Rs. 10,000/-. Course fee is Rs. 30,000/- per year.

Application: Application forma can be downloaded from www.nirdpr.org.in. A research proposal related to rural development in not more than 2000 words in English has to be submitted with the application. Details are given in the Notification at the website. 

Filled application form along with self-attested supporting documents as listed in the Notification should reach the e-mail, phd@nirdpr.org.in by 19th January, 2025. 

Personal Interview will be from 30th January to 4th February, 2025. Announcement of List of selected applicants will be made on 10th February 2025. Program commences on 27th February, 2025. 

Queries can be addressed to phd@nirdpr.org.in / 9700936499.