Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellows Scheme
The PM Rural Development Fellows Scheme selects young graduates to work as Development Facilitators in backward districts across India, helping district administrations improve rural programme delivery. Fellows receive a generous stipend (₹75,000/month in Year 1, rising 10% in Year 2) and earn a postgraduate degree in Development Practice through a distance learning programme. Apply through public advertisements issued by the Ministry of Rural Development.
About This Scheme
The PM Rural Development Fellows Scheme selects young graduates to work as Development Facilitators in backward districts across India, helping district administrations improve rural programme delivery. Fellows receive a generous stipend (₹75,000/month in Year 1, rising 10% in Year 2) and earn a postgraduate degree in Development Practice through a distance learning programme. Apply through public advertisements issued by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Full official description
The scheme "Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellows Scheme" by the Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, aims to provide a short-term work opportunity for young women and men who possess academic or professional expertise that will serve the district administration in improving programme delivery and interface with the marginalized section of the population, thereby aiming to reduce developmental and governance deficits. The scheme provides structured learning and hands-on professional experience in rural development and poverty reduction, offering Fellows opportunities to act as Development Facilitators and assist District Administration, particularly in backward districts, while participating in a post-graduate degree programme through distance learning and contact sessions, leading to a post-graduate degree in Development Practice.
Benefits
- ₹50,000/month stipend during the orientation period
- ₹75,000/month stipend in Year 1 (post-orientation), with a 10% increment in Year 2
- Stipend covers accommodation, health and life/disability insurance, and contingency expenses
- Travel reimbursement for official travel within the district (AC-II rail fare)
- Postgraduate degree in Development Practice upon successful completion
- Office facilities (workspace, laptop, internet) provided by the District Collector
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Indian citizen aged 22–27 years (up to 32 years for SC/ST candidates)
- Must hold at least a 4-year graduate degree, OR a postgraduate degree if the undergraduate course was less than 4 years
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks at the qualifying level
- Must be physically fit, certified by a Government Medical Hospital
- Cannot take up any other employment during the fellowship
- 15% seats reserved for SC and 15% for ST candidates
- Candidates who abandoned a prior fellowship term without completing it are not eligible
Exclusions
The applicant, who has been provisionally selected in the final result sheet for Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellowship in an earlier stint, will not be allowed to avail the fellowship if he/she did not complete the full term of that prior Fellowship.
How to Apply
Step 1:**** Public Advertisement and Accessing Application Format
The Central Government seeks applications for selection of Fellows through public advertisements. Interested applicants must access and obtain the application format that is notified by the Central Government for submission.
Step 2:**** Submission of Application and Shortlisting
Applicants must submit their completed application form according to the specified format and guidelines provided in the public advertisement. Candidates who meet the initial requirements will be shortlisted for the subsequent phases of the selection process.
Step 3:**** Assessment and Selection Testing
Shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in appropriate testing methods designed to ascertain their motivation, leadership capabilities, professional skills, and pro-poor orientation. The final selection is based on this overall assessment process.
Frequently Asked Questions
If my undergraduate degree course was shorter than four years, what alternative or additional educational qualification must I possess to fulfill the requirements?
If the graduate degree course duration was less than four years, the applicant must possess a post-graduate degree from a recognized University.
Is there any specific age relaxation provided for candidates who belong to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe categories when applying for the program?
Yes, candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe category are allowed a maximum age limit of 32 years.
Will performance or recognized accomplishments in extra-curricular activities, such as arts, sports, or culture, be factored into the overall candidate assessment?
Excellence in extra-curricular activities like art, culture, sports, etc., at the High School or College level is listed as a desirable criterion.
What are the minimum academic qualifications required for applicants whose undergraduate degree program spanned a four-year duration at a recognized university?
The applicant must hold at least a graduate degree from a recognized University with a four-year degree course, including fields like Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Engineering, Law, or Medicine.
Will successful candidates be required to provide official documentation confirming their physical capacity to undertake the demanding and arduous nature of the field work?
Physical fitness must be certified by a Government Medical Hospital to confirm suitability for the arduous nature of the work.
What percentage of the available seats within the program are officially set aside or reserved specifically for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes category?
Fifteen percent (15%) of the total available seats are officially reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes.
What proportion of the total intake capacity is mandated to be reserved for eligible applicants who are identified as members of the Scheduled Tribes category?
Fifteen percent (15%) of the total available seats are officially reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.
Are there any specific cultural or linguistic proficiencies that applicants should ideally possess to enhance their suitability for this engagement in rural development?
Knowledge of the local language and customs of the deployment area is considered a desirable criterion for applicants.
What is the minimum percentage of aggregate marks or equivalent grade an applicant needs to secure in their qualifying graduate or post-graduate degree?
Applicants must have achieved at least 50% marks in the aggregate or equivalent grade at the graduate or Post-graduate level, whichever degree is used for qualification.
Do potential candidates need to hold specific citizenship status in order to be considered eligible for applying to this developmental opportunity?
Yes, all applicants seeking consideration for this professional opportunity must be a citizen of India.
Is prior professional experience in relevant sectors of development or public service considered an important asset during the assessment and selection process?
Work experience in related fields is desirable but not mandatory for selection.
Can a one-year post-graduate course be accepted as a valid educational qualification for meeting the stipulated eligibility requirements of this program?
A one-year post-graduate course is valid if it is regular, full time, and recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Medical Council of India (MCI), or University Grants Commission (UGC).
If I was previously provisionally selected for this same fellowship but did not complete the full term, am I permitted to reapply and attempt to avail the current opportunity?
No, candidates who were provisionally selected in an earlier stint but did not complete the full term of Fellowship will not be allowed to avail the fellowship again.
Are applicants who have previously demonstrated the ability to guide and manage others in academic or professional settings given any preference during the application review?
Possessing a demonstrated leadership role in high school, college, or a workplace environment is listed as a desirable criterion.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Proof of Citizenship
- Proof of Age
- Educational Qualification Certificates/Degree Certificates (Graduate/Post-Graduate degrees)
- Academic Mark Sheets/Transcripts (To substantiate minimum 50% aggregate marks)
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Form of Medical Certificate (Physical fitness certified by a Government Medical Hospital for the arduous nature of work)
- Agreement (Required to accept terms and conditions of the Fellowship contract with the National Rural Livelihood Promotion Society)
- Guarantor's Undertaking (Annexure-2)
- Optional/Supporting Documentation
- Documentary Proof of Work Experience in Related Fields (optional)
- Certificates of Excellence in Extra-Curricular Activities (optional)
- Documentation of Leadership Role (optional)