Ananda: Institute of Rural Management Ananda (IRMA), based in Ananda (Gujarat), has notified admission procedure for its 16 fellow programe in rural management (FPRM 2017). IRMA informed that FPRM is a coursework-based doctoral level programme with a minimum duration of three years, approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Research Areas: FPRM 2017 offers the following specializations for research: 1) Management of Collectives, 2) Agribusiness/ Rural Marketing, 3) Natural Resources Management, 4) Development Management Human development processes; health, education, other important services, 5) Micro-finance Management, 6) Governance and Livelihoods, 7) Rural Infrastructure and Services Management and 8) Public Policy and Non-profit Management.

Fellowship: As per the admission notification, every FPRM scholar will receive a fellowship of Rs 18,000/- per month till they clear the Comprehensive Qualifying Examination and then Rs. 20,000/- per month and a contingency grant of Rs. 20,000/- per year for a period of 4 years.

Eligibility Criteria: IRMA informed through the admission notification that the FPRM 2017 programme an applicant must satisfy one of the following conditions:

1 PGDRM from IRMA

2 PGDRDM from IRMA with one year post diploma work experience

3 Postgraduation in any discipline from a recognized University or Institution with 55% marks at PG and 50% marks at Graduation (college) level;

4 Five-year professional degree (medicine, veterinary science, architecture, etc.) with 60% marks and at least one year work experience

5 Four-year professional degree (engineering, agricultural sciences etc.) with 60% marks and

at least three years’ work experience;

Applicants having a valid score of UGC JRF in relevant disciplines (management, economics, social work, sociology, psychology, commerce, etc.). UGC JRF is mandatory, only NET is not sufficient for getting exemption from admissions test.

The admission notification mentioned that SC/ST/OBC/DAP* applicants are eligible for 5% relaxation in the marks specified above.

Key Dates: The closing date for FPRM 2017 in hard copy is extended up to January 16, 2017 and Up to January 20, 2017 for online. Application form for IRMA Admissions 2017 is available online on IRMA website and in hard copy at the IRMA office.

For more details of how to apply and other admission information, candidates should refer the official portal of IRMA.

Placement Opportunities: There are placement opportunities available to graduating fellows, who may join faculty positions in IIMs, and other reputed institutions/universities.