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MBA In Rural Management - Eligibility, Admission, Colleges, Syllabus & Career Opportunities

#Updated on 4 March 2025 | 12:12 p.m.| #MBAinRuralMgt

The MBA in Rural Management is a postgraduate program that focuses on developing management expertise specifically designed for rural areas' distinctive challenges and opportunities. MBA in Rural Management is a 2-year program with four semesters covering core subjects, electives, and internships. Some of the finest colleges offering MBA rural management include the Xavier Institute of Social Service, the Institute of Rural Management Anand, and the Faculty of Management Studies. 

A candidate is eligible for MBA in rural management if they have secured 50% or more marks in their undergraduate program. Readmissions are done through entrance tests like CAT, MAT, GMAT, XAT, SNAP, and so on, with an average fee of INR 1.5 to 10 lakhs. The scope of MBA in Rural Management graduates for the career are Rural Development Officers, Research Officers, Managers, and more, with an average salary after MBA rural management ranging from INR 5.40 LPA to INR 9 LPA, increasing with experience.

Read the article in depth to understand about MBA in Rural Management, Scope of Rural Management, and MBA in Rural Management Syllabus.

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What Is An MBA In Rural Management?

MBA in Rural Management is a special management teaching program in which students aim to equip themselves with the skills necessary to develop, manage, and enhance rural businesses, communities, and economies. The course includes an application of management principles for rural development, agrarian business, and social entrepreneurship, allowing sustainable development for non-sectoral development.

Some of the major areas of MBA in rural management are as follows:


Why Choose An MBA In Rural Management?

India stands as a promising option for pursuing an MBA in Rural Management, given the buoyant rural economy and an increasing reclined interest towards sustainable development, agribusiness, and rural entrepreneurship. This MBA equips students with strategic viewpoints, managerial skills, and policy understanding to seek growth in the rural sectors and stay ahead with the latest trends and technologies. Here's why pursuing an MBA in Rural Management in India proves to be a sensible decision:

Scope of MBA in Rural Management

  1. Expanding Career Opportunities: These all take you to any job in agribusiness, rural development, microfinance, NGOs, government organizations, and corporate CSR.
  2. Higher Earning Potential: The rural management graduates are in high demand as inclusive growth is the motto of government and nonprofit organizations. The lucrative job accounts like rural marketing, financial inclusion, and impact assessment promise high wages along with job security and stability.
  3. Global & Government Opportunities: The transformation towards rural India, in consideration of the country's focus, attracts this MBA to the doors of multinational companies, PSUs, development banks, and even international NGOs.
  4. Diversity at Work: From agribusiness consulting and supply chain management to rural banking, social entrepreneurship, and policy-making, an MBA in Rural Management discusses a wonderful topical and versatile career choice in sectors like agriculture, finance, healthcare, and education.

Even the best Indian B-schools like IRMA, IIM Ahmedabad (PGP-FABM), XIMB, and TISS Mumbai that offer this MBA have great alumni and networking access.


MBA In Rural Management: Key Highlights

MBA in Rural Management opens up various avenues of career development while also making the student a strategic thinker. An MBA in Rural Management emphasizes and focuses on the developing personality of a student into a social entrepreneur and a leader. The course has the knowledge, exposure, and problem-solving skills taught to students relevant to the industry in order to prepare them for the rural development sector. Before selecting the course of MBA in Rural Management, there are some key highlights to look into: 

Features Of MBA In Rural Management

Feature

Description

Course Name

MBA Rural Management

Course Level

Postgraduate

Course Duration

2 years

Specialization

Rural Management 

Entrance Exams

CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, SNAP, etc.

Course Fee

INR 1.5 lakhs - INR 10 lakhs (varies)

Average Salary

           INR 3 Lakhs - INR 18 Lakhs per year

Job Profiles

High demand in various sectors like agribusiness, rural finance, social entrepreneurship, and development consulting

Best Colleges

1. Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) 

2. Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) 

3. KIIT School of Rural Management 

4. Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM)

5. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research

Mode of Study

Full-time, Part-time, Online, Distance

Note: The course fee and the average salary aforementioned are subject to change and may vary.


Key Benefits Of Pursuing MBA In Rural Management

There are many benefits to pursuing an MBA in Rural Management, which goes as follows: 


Admission Process For MBA In Rural Management

MBA Rural Management Eligibility Criteria 


Detailed Syllabus Covered In MBA Rural Management

The MBA in Rural Management has a mixture of required management courses in marketing, finance, and human resources and rural-specific topics in agriculture economics, microfinance, and rural entrepreneurship.

MBA in Rural Management Syllabus

Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Semester IV

Micro Economic Analysis

Macro Economic Analysis

Policy and Programme Interventions for Rural Development

Human Resource Development

Accounting for Managers

Finance for Managers

Development Theory and Practice

ICTs for Development

Rural Production and Livelihoods

Marketing Research

Rural Finance and Commercial Banking

Sustainable Development

Quantitative Techniques

Organizational Behavior

Management of Co-operatives & FPOs

Strategic Management

Rural Society and Polity

Management Information Systems

Project Management

Legal Environment and Business Ethics

 

Strategic Marketing

Agri-Business Management

Innovation in Rural Development and Enterprises

 

Natural Resource Management and Climate Change

   

MBA In Rural Management: Top B-Schools, Salary Packages & Fee Structure

Regarding the prospects offered after the program, which is also an important consideration when selecting a good B school for rural management specialization, some of the leading B schools in India have been compared on the average, median, and highest CTC along with their respective fee structure in the table below. MBA In Rural Management fee structure varies directly for institutes, but even among such diversities, ROI proves to be another important consideration. This comparison renders various insights to aspiring marketers with respect to their placement scenarios and costs of their programs as overleaf:

Top B-schools Offering MBA in Rural Management

S.No.

B-Schools

Avg CTC

(in LPA)

Fees

(in LPA)

Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA)

14 LPA

15.17 Lakhs

IIM Ahmedabad (PGP-FABM)

25 LPA

24.61 Lakhs 

Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB-RM)

10 LPA

16.90 Lakhs

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)

9 LPA

2.40 Lakhs

KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM)

7 LPA

7.48 Lakhs

National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR)

6 LPA

2.80 Lakhs 

Amity School of Rural Management

6 LPA

7.80 Lakhs

Xavier University, Bhubaneswar (XSRM)

8 LPA

14 Lakhs

VAMNICOM, Pune

6 LPA

6.50 Lakhs

10 

MIT School of Rural Management (MIT-SOG)

5 LPA

4.50 Lakhs

Note: Please note that the aforementioned fee structure and average package are subject to change and may vary. Please visit the official website for more information.


Career Opportunities After MBA In Rural Management

An MBA in Rural Management provides access to a diverse array of stimulating and profitable career opportunities in various sectors of the rural management industry.  Here are some of the most sought-after options, which go as follows:

Career Opportunities After MBA in Rural Management

Role

Description

Rural Development Officer

It plays an important role in implementing government development programs, managing rural projects, and carrying out community development. 

Project Manager

Leads and manages rural projects, ensuring proper allocation of resources for timely execution and eventual successful completion. 

Microfinance Specialist

Designs and implements microfinance programs to facilitate financial services to rural communities with much emphasis on credit access empowerment of rural communities. 

Agri-Entrepreneur

Establish and run an agribusiness with innovative solutions to rural agriculture problems. 

Farm Manager

To manage agricultural farms' efficiency through modern techniques as well as sustainable practices to maximize productivity and profitability. 

Rural Management Consultant

Advises and assists government agencies, NGOs, and private companies in rural development initiatives. 

National Sales Development Manager

Prepares rural studies, refers to analyses, and provides solutions based on evidence for enlightened policymaking and programming implementation

Research Analyst

Branch operations in rural areas will also promote financial inclusion bank services and, ultimately, serve the community with banking services in the rural context. 

Policy Analyst

Analyzes rural development policies and policy recommendations and contributes toward some effective rural community intervention design.


Top B-Schools Offering MBA In Rural Management

These are a few of the top Indian MBA B-schools that hold an MBA in Rural Management from both the private and government sectors, covering the said area of specialization under Rural Management, and a list of the top B-schools that must be considered while thinking of an MBA in Rural Management:

Top Colleges Offering MBA In Rural Management

Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS)

National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) Hyderabad

Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA)

Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi (FMS DU) Delhi

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)

Indian Institute of Rural Management (IIMRM) Jamuvihilipuram

Symbiosis School of Rural Management

Institute of Rural Management, Jaipur (FMS-IRM)

Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research

Xavier Institute of Rural Management (XIRM) Odisha


MBA In Rural Management: Top Recruiters

Here is a list of top companies that recruit MBA graduates in rural management, offering diverse career opportunities tailored to the unique challenges of rural areas and providing growth potential for professionals in this field, including:

Top Recruiters in Rural Management

Vedanta CSR

Amul

MuthootFincorp

LIC

IDFC Bank Ltd 

IndusInd Bank

Godrej Agrovet

Mahindra & Mahindra

NABARD 

ITC

Mother Dairy

Tata Group

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, an MBA in Rural Management is worthwhile as it empowers individuals with skills to address unique challenges in rural development, offering fulfilling career opportunities and societal impact.

Rural Management provides vast opportunities in sectors like agribusiness, rural finance, and sustainable development. Graduates can contribute to community upliftment, making a meaningful impact in rural areas.

Salaries for MBA Rural Management graduates in India vary based on experience and role. On average, starting salaries range from INR 5 LPA to INR 9 LPA, with growth potential.

Rural Management programs cover subjects like micro and macroeconomics, finance, marketing, sustainable development, and policy interventions. Emphasis is placed on skills relevant to rural development and management.

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