#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.
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:
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:
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 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.
There are many benefits to pursuing an MBA in Rural Management, which goes as follows:
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 |
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) |
1 |
Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) |
14 LPA |
15.17 Lakhs |
2 |
IIM Ahmedabad (PGP-FABM) |
25 LPA |
24.61 Lakhs |
3 |
Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB-RM) |
10 LPA |
16.90 Lakhs |
4 |
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) |
9 LPA |
2.40 Lakhs |
5 |
KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM) |
7 LPA |
7.48 Lakhs |
6 |
National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) |
6 LPA |
2.80 Lakhs |
7 |
Amity School of Rural Management |
6 LPA |
7.80 Lakhs |
8 |
Xavier University, Bhubaneswar (XSRM) |
8 LPA |
14 Lakhs |
9 |
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.
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. |
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 |
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 |
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.