The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), an autonomous organisation under the Union Ministry of Rural Development, is a premier national centre of excellence in rural development and Panchayati Raj. Recognised internationally as one of the UN-ESCAP Centres of Excellence, it builds capacities of rural development functionaries, elected representatives of PRIs, bankers, NGOs, and other stakeholders through interrelated activities of training, research and consultancy.

As a “think tank” for the Ministry of Rural Development, NIRDPR, while acting as a repository of knowledge on rural development, also assists the Ministry in policy formulation and choice of options in rural development to usher in the changes. NIRDPR’s contributions are appreciated worldwide.

In addition to the main campus in Hyderabad, this institute has a Northeastern Regional Centre at Guwahati, Assam, a branch at New Delhi, and a Career Guidance Centre at Vaishali, Bihar.

NIRDPR has announced admissions for the academic year 2025–26 to its highly sought-after distance mode diploma and postgraduate diploma programmes, offered in distance mode.

These programmes are designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of development professionals, officials, and aspiring changemakers in rural and tribal governance, sustainable development, and geospatial applications.

Programmes Offered

Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Rural Development (PGDSRD) – 17th Batch

Duration: 18 months

Fee: ₹18,200 (Gen/OBC/EWS), ₹16,400 (SC/ST/PWD) to be deposited online in three equal installments at the commencement of the first, second, and third semesters.

Curriculum Highlights: Rural society, development methods, policies, project planning, and sustainable practices.

Evaluation and Examinations: The PGDSRD course will be offered in three semesters and will have 30 marks for the continuous evaluation through assignments and 70 marks for semester-end examinations (total 100 marks). The students will also have to undertake a project relating to rural development in the third semester, which will carry 200 marks.

Post Graduate Diploma in Tribal Development Management (PGDTDM) – 14th Batch

Duration: 18 months

Fee: ₹18,200 (Gen/OBC/EWS), ₹16,400 (SC/ST/PWD) to be deposited online in three equal installments at the commencement of the first, second, and third semesters.

Curriculum Highlights: Tribal culture, governance, administration, and rights-based development.

Evaluation and Examinations: The PGDTDM Course will be offered in three semesters and will have 30 marks for the continuous evaluation through assignments and 70 marks for semester-end examinations (total 100 marks). The students will also have to undertake a project relating to tribal development in the third semester, which will carry 200 marks.

Post Graduate Diploma in Geospatial Technology Applications in Rural Development (PGDGARD) – 10th Batch

Duration: 18 months

Fee: ₹21,800 (Gen/OBC/EWS), ₹18,200 (SC/ST/PWD) to be deposited online in three equal installments at the commencement of the first, second, and third semesters.

Curriculum Highlights: GIS, GPS, remote sensing, data modeling, and spatial decision support. The information brochure can be downloaded from NIRDPR’s website at www.nirdpr.org.in/pgdgard.aspx.

Evaluation and Examinations: The PGDGARD course will be offered in three semesters and will have 30 marks for the continuous evaluation through assignments and 70 marks for semester-end examinations (total 100 marks). The students will also have to undertake a project relating to rural development in the third semester, which will carry 200 marks.

Diploma in Panchayati Raj Governance and Rural Development (DP-PRGRD) – 7th Batch

Duration: 12 months

Fee: ₹13,200 (Gen/OBC/EWS), ₹10,000 (SC/ST/PWD) to be deposited online in two equal installments at the commencement of the first and second semesters.

Curriculum Highlights: Decentralisation, panchayat management, and inclusive governance.

Evaluation and Examinations: The DP-PRGRD course will be offered in two semesters and will have 30 marks for the continuous evaluation through assignments, 10 marks for contact classes (mandatory), and 60 marks for semester-end examinations (total 100 marks). The students will also have to undertake a project relating to Panchayati Raj & Development in the second semester, which will carry 100 marks.

Common Features

  • All programmes are delivered in distance mode with softcopy learning materials.
  • The medium of instruction is English.
  • Reservation will be provided as per Government of India norms.

Application Process

Candidates holding a bachelor's degree from a UGC-recognized university are eligible to apply. The application process is entirely online, and the last date for submission is 31st July 2025. Application fees are ₹500 for General/OBC/EWS and ₹300 for SC/ST/PWD candidates.

Selection Criteria

Selection of candidates will be done by a selection committee duly constituted for the purpose.

Contact

For further details, applicants may contact the Centre for PG Studies and Distance Education (CPGS&DE), NIRDPR at 040-24008442 or 7416860345, or email dec.nird@gov.in. More information, including programme brochures and online application links, is available on the official website: www.nirdpr.org.in.