The Certificate in Rural Development (CRD) is a 6-month Open Distance Learning (ODL) programme offered by the School of Continuing Education at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi. The programme carries 18 credits and is available in both English and Hindi medium. With a total programme fee of Rs. 2,100 plus applicable registration and development fees, it is one of the most accessible rural development programmes in India. The CRD programme provides a comprehensive understanding of socio-economic factors affecting the transformation of rural society, covering rural development in the Indian context, rural development programmes, and rural development planning and management. It is primarily designed for graduates who, due to limitations of time and resources, are unable to take up the Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development (PGDRD) but still want a comprehensive orientation in rural development. Importantly, students who complete CRD and wish to pursue further studies in rural development (MARD or PGDRD) are entitled to credit transfer. The programme is available at one of the widest networks of study centres in India, including government colleges, ITIs, and Jan Shikshan Sansthans across all states.
Admissions to the CRD programme are conducted twice a year - in the January session and the July session. For the January 2026 session, the last date for fresh admission has been extended to 30th March 2026. The July 2026 session admissions are expected to open in May 2026 with a tentative last date in August 2026. The programme is currently open for the January 2026 session.
Since this programme is offered in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, students study through self-learning print materials. The programme is available at an extremely wide network of study centres across all states and union territories of India, including government degree colleges, ITIs, Jan Shikshan Sansthans, and IGNOU regional centres in Hyderabad, Shimla, Jammu, Bangalore, Cochin, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl, Bhubaneswar, Khanna, Jaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi, Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur, Nagpur, Jorhat, Noida, Guwahati, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Madurai, Koraput, Siliguri, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mumbai, Patna, and many more. Students should visit the official IGNOU Admission Portal to check the complete list of study centres offering CRD in their region.
Key Points
- The CRD programme offers credit transfer to PGDRD (Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development) and MARD (Master of Arts in Rural Development), making it a stepping stone for higher qualifications in rural development.
- The curriculum covers 3 core courses: Rural Development in Indian Context (MRD-101), Rural Development Programmes (MRD-102), and Rural Development Planning and Management (MRD-103).
- The programme is available in both English and Hindi medium, making it accessible to students from diverse linguistic backgrounds across India.
- The programme has a minimum duration of 6 months and a maximum duration of 2 years, offering flexibility to working professionals.
- The programme is available at one of the largest networks of study centres among all IGNOU programmes, including government ITIs and Jan Shikshan Sansthans, making it accessible even in remote rural areas.
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