Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellows Scheme 2026: ₹75,000 Monthly Stipend, Eligibility & Details
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Quick answer
The Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellows Scheme provides young professionals with a monthly stipend of up to ₹75,000 and a post-graduate degree in Development Practice while assisting district administrations in rural areas. Candidates aged 22 to 27 years with at least 50% marks in their qualifying degrees can apply following official public advertisements. Selection includes initial shortlisting followed by assessment testing of leadership and professional competence.
At a glance
| Main benefit | Up to ₹75,000 monthly stipend |
| Ministry / department | Ministry Of Rural Development |
| Level | Central Government |
| Age | 22–27 years |
| Application mode | Offline |
About the scheme
Run by the Ministry of Rural Development, the Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellows Scheme places committed young professionals in backward districts to support local administration and bridge development deficits. Fellows act as Development Facilitators to improve scheme delivery and interface with marginalized communities. Alongside field responsibilities, fellows earn a post-graduate degree in Development Practice through distance education and contact sessions, supported by a structured monthly stipend package.
Benefits
- Stipend of ₹50,000 per month during the orientation phase.
- Stipend of ₹75,000 per month during the first year of field placement.
- A 10% increment on the stipend in the second year, subject to satisfactory performance.
- Enrolment in a post-graduate degree programme in Development Practice through distance learning and contact sessions.
- Award of a Fellowship Certificate and a post-graduate degree upon successful completion of engagement and coursework.
- Reimbursement of travel expenses up to AC-II tier train fare by the shortest route and local transport costs.
- Caregiver travel reimbursement for women fellows travelling with children under five years of age.
- Free office space, a computer or laptop, and internet connection provided by the District Collector.
- Arrangement of local transport by the district administration for regular field assignments.
Who can apply (eligibility)
- Applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- Applicant must be between 22 and 27 years of age at the time of application.
- Maximum age limit is relaxed up to 32 years for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates.
- Applicant must hold a four-year graduate degree from a recognized university, or a graduate degree of less than four years accompanied by a recognized post-graduate degree.
- A regular, full-time one-year post-graduate course recognized by AICTE, MCI, or UGC is also accepted.
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying degree.
- Applicant must obtain a medical fitness certificate from a Government Medical Hospital verifying fitness for arduous field tasks.
- 15% of seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 15% for Scheduled Tribes.
Who cannot apply
- Candidates provisionally selected for PMRDFS in an earlier batch who failed to complete their full term are not eligible to reapply.
Documents required
- Proof of Indian citizenship
- Proof of age
- Qualifying degree certificates (Graduate or Post-Graduate)
- Academic mark sheets verifying at least 50% aggregate marks
- Caste certificate (for SC and ST candidates claiming reservation and age relaxation)
- Medical fitness certificate issued by a Government Medical Hospital
- Signed agreement with the National Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (upon selection)
- Guarantor's undertaking as per Annexure-2 (upon selection)
- Proof of relevant work experience (optional)
- Certificates of extra-curricular activities or leadership roles (optional)
How to apply
- 1Check the official public advertisement issued by the Central Government to obtain the notified application format.
- 2Fill in the application form carefully according to the specified guidelines and criteria.
- 3Submit the completed application form through the offline route specified in the notification.
- 4Wait for the shortlisting announcement based on basic eligibility criteria.
- 5Participate in the scheduled assessment tests evaluating leadership skills, motivation, and pro-poor orientation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the monthly stipend under PMRDFS?+
Fellows receive ₹50,000 per month during orientation, ₹75,000 per month in the first year, and a 10% increment in the second year upon satisfactory performance.
What is the age limit to apply for PMRDFS?+
Candidates must be between 22 and 27 years of age. Candidates belonging to SC and ST categories have an upper age limit of 32 years.
Can three-year degree graduates apply for this fellowship?+
Graduates whose degree was less than four years must also have completed a recognized post-graduate degree to become eligible.
Is there a mandatory service condition after completing the fellowship?+
Yes, fellows must complete at least one year of paid full-time public service with the assigned State Rural Livelihood Mission after the fellowship.
What happens if a fellow fails to complete the mandatory public service year?+
The fellow must refund all expenses spent on their academic training and orientation, plus pay compensation equivalent to the stipend of their last three fellowship months.
Are there reservations for SC and ST candidates in PMRDFS?+
Yes, 15% of the seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 15% for Scheduled Tribes.
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