A Premier Rural Development Institute of India

National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) also Popular in Many Countries

(Prof. Shankar Chatterjee)

I had the opportunity to work as a faculty member of this premier Institute of India for more than 30 years. I retired on superannuation as Professor and Head (Centre for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation). The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), an autonomous organization under the Union Ministry of Rural Development, is a premier and prestigious national centre of excellence in rural development and Panchayati Raj. In the academic activities of rural development, the role of NIRD&PR is incredible as, for more than 65 years, the Institute has been endowed with many laurels. Recognized internationally as one of the UN-ESCAP Centres of Excellence, it builds capacities of rural development functionaries, elected representatives of PRIs, bankers, NGOs, and other stakeholders through inter-related training, research, and consultancy activities. The Institute is located in Hyderabad, in Telangana. In addition to the main campus in Hyderabad, this institute has a North-Eastern Regional Centre in Guwahati, Assam. The Institute collaborated with international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), etc., to promote sustainable rural development as India is a leading and successful country in implementation of rural development programmes whether for poverty alleviation, or rural infrastructure creation etc. Because of NIRD&PR, micro-credit plan (MCP), participatory identification of the poor (PIP), multi-dimensional poverty Index, minimum price support to the farmers for their agricultural goods through self-help groups (SHGs), etc, are popular not only across India but in many foreign countries. On many occasions, I delivered talks both in India and abroad, and while introducing myself to the participants, the person appreciated NIRD&PR, for which I was proud.  

The NIRD&PR is mandated to:

• Organise training programmes, conferences, seminars and workshops for senior level development managers, elected representatives, bankers, NGOs and other stakeholders;

• Undertake, aid, promote and coordinate research on its own and / or collaborate with State, national and international development agencies;

• Analyse and offer solutions to problems encountered in planning and implementation of the programmes for rural development, decentralised governance, panchayati raj and related programmes;

• Study the functioning of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and rural development programmes across the States;

• Analyse and propose solutions to problems in planning and implementation of the programmes for rural development; and

• Develop content and disseminate information and transfer technology through periodicals, reports, e-modules and other publications.

The Union Budget 2025–26 slashed NIRD&PR’s funding to a mere Rs one lakh, raising alarm among the Institute’s staff members and all well-wishers for future consequences. It is noteworthy to mention that the Institute has been integral to India’s rural development initiatives for over 65 years. The faculty members have conducted many rural development programmes in India and abroad. Also, many foreign participants came to NIRD&PR to undergo training. The faculty members are from different parts of the country, representing a mini-India. In addition, faculty members conducted useful research studies across India and consultancy programmes funded by international organisations. Hope, the Union Government will extend full financial support to NIRD&PR so that both the well-equipped Hyderabad campus and Guwahati campus can function with their academic glory.

(Author is a former Professor & Head (CPME), NIRD & PR, Hyderabad).