Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellows Scheme

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.

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.
• <br>

Benefits
• The Fellow shall be entitled to a consolidated stipend package of ₹50,000/- (Rupees Fifty thousand only) per month during the orientation period.
• The Fellow shall be entitled to ₹75,000/- (Rupees Seventy Five Thousand only) per month during the first year of the Fellowship (post-orientation).
• The Fellow shall receive a 10% increment during the second year, subject to satisfactory performance.
• This package is deemed to cover the Fellow’s honorarium, boarding and lodging expenses during orientation, accommodation/house rent during the rest of the Fellowship period, health insurance, life and disability insurance cover, and any other contingency expenses.
• Travel reimbursement will be based on actual costs and restricted to AC-II tier train fare by the shortest route or equivalent, plus local transport cost. Women Fellows with children below five years are allowed the travel cost of a care-giver if the care-giver accompanies the Fellow with her child.
• Participation in a post graduate degree programme through distance learning and contact sessions leading to a post graduate degree in Development Practice.
• Award of a Fellowship Certificate and an appropriate post graduate degree in Development Practice upon satisfactory completion of engagement and course requirements.
• Office facilities made available by the District Collector, including suitable space, a computer/laptop, and internet connectivity free of charge.
• Provision of suitable modes of transport by District administration while travelling within the district for regular work.
• During the orientation programme, the stipend shall be paid by the National Rural Livelihood Promotion Society through the Programme Mentor.
• Post-placement, the National Rural Livelihood Promotion Society shall pay the monthly stipend to the Fellows by providing budgetary support to the State Rural Livelihood Mission society.
• The State Rural Livelihood Mission society shall make direct deposits into the bank account of each Fellow immediately upon confirming the attendance of the Fellow from the District Collector at the end of the month.
• The second-year increment is subject to the Fellow’s satisfactory performance as determined by the National Rural Livelihood Promotion Society in consultation with the Programme Mentor.
• *It is mandatory for the Fellows to purchase suitable health insurance and life and disability insurance coverage for the entire duration of the Fellowship, including the orientation period.
• *The Fellow shall not take up any type of employment with any other person, firm, or agency during the tenure of the Fellowship.
• *On successful completion of Fellowship, the Fellow is required to spend at least one year in public service as a paid full-time employee of the State Rural Livelihood Mission in the State she/he is assigned to.
• *Failure to join or complete the required one year of public service mandates the Fellow to return to the National Rural Livelihood Promotion Society the entire amount spent on academic programmes during the Fellowship (including orientation), plus an amount equivalent to the stipend of the last three months of the Fellowship period as compensation.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant should be a citizen of India.
2. - The applicant&#39;s age must be between 22 years and 27 years at the time of application.
3. - The applicant must hold at least a graduate degree from a recognized University with a four-year degree course.
4. - The applicant must hold a post-graduate degree from a recognized University in case the graduate degree course duration was less than four years.
5. - The applicant&#39;s one-year post graduate course will also be considered valid for eligibility if it is regular, full time, and if the degree/equivalent diploma is recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education/Medical Council of India/University Grants Commission.
6. - The applicant must have achieved at least 50% marks in the aggregate or equivalent grade at the graduate or Post-graduate level, whichever is qualifying.
7. - The applicant must possess physical fitness, certified by Government Medical Hospital, for the arduous nature of the work.
8. - The maximum age limit will be 32 years for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe category.
9. > ***Other Conditions***
10. _*Fifteen percent (15%) of seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes._
11. _*Fifteen percent (15%) of seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes._
12. <br>

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: Public Advertisement and Accessing Application Format
Offline
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: Step 2: Submission of Application and Shortlisting
Offline
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: Step 3: Assessment and Selection Testing
Offline
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.

Required Documents
• 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)

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If my undergraduate degree course was shorter than four years, what alternative or additional educational qualification must I possess to fulfill the requirements?
A: If the graduate degree course duration was less than four years, the applicant must possess a post-graduate degree from a recognized University.
<br>

Q: Is there any specific age relaxation provided for candidates who belong to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe categories when applying for the program?
A: Yes, candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe category are allowed a maximum age limit of 32 years.
<br>

Q: Will performance or recognized accomplishments in extra-curricular activities, such as arts, sports, or culture, be factored into the overall candidate assessment?
A: Excellence in extra-curricular activities like art, culture, sports, etc., at the High School or College level is listed as a desirable criterion.
<br>

Q: What are the minimum academic qualifications required for applicants whose undergraduate degree program spanned a four-year duration at a recognized university?
A: 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.
<br>

Q: Will successful candidates be required to provide official documentation confirming their physical capacity to undertake the demanding and arduous nature of the field work?
A: Physical fitness must be certified by a Government Medical Hospital to confirm suitability for the arduous nature of the work.
<br>

Q: What percentage of the available seats within the program are officially set aside or reserved specifically for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes category?
A: Fifteen percent (15%) of the total available seats are officially reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes.
<br>

Q: 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?
A: Fifteen percent (15%) of the total available seats are officially reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.
<br>

Q: Are there any specific cultural or linguistic proficiencies that applicants should ideally possess to enhance their suitability for this engagement in rural development?
A: Knowledge of the local language and customs of the deployment area is considered a desirable criterion for applicants.
<br>

Q: What is the minimum percentage of aggregate marks or equivalent grade an applicant needs to secure in their qualifying graduate or post-graduate degree?
A: 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.
<br>

Q: Do potential candidates need to hold specific citizenship status in order to be considered eligible for applying to this developmental opportunity?
A: Yes, all applicants seeking consideration for this professional opportunity must be a citizen of India.
<br>

Q: Is prior professional experience in relevant sectors of development or public service considered an important asset during the assessment and selection process?
A: Work experience in related fields is desirable but not mandatory for selection.
<br>

Q: Can a one-year post-graduate course be accepted as a valid educational qualification for meeting the stipulated eligibility requirements of this program?
A: 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).
<br>

Q: 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?
A: 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.
<br>

Q: 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?
A: Possessing a demonstrated leadership role in high school, college, or a workplace environment is listed as a desirable criterion.
<br>