Master of Arts [MA] (Development Studies)
Fees
Fees at the National Institute of Technology for the Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] in Biotechnology program vary based on family income and reservation category. Tuition fees are approximately 1,25,000 to 1,65,000 INR per year, with a total four-year cost of about 8,16,000 INR for general category students. Additional fees include mess fees of 35,000 INR and medical fees of 4,000 INR per year, among others, totaling between 2,00,000 to 2,25,000 INR annually.
A full tuition waiver is available for students with a family income below 1 lakh INR, while those earning between 1 lakh and 5 lakh INR receive a two-thirds tuition waiver. For SC/ST students, tuition fees are waived, and they pay only for mess and hostel charges. OBC non-creamy layer students receive a 10% tuition fee waiver. Several scholarships and financial assistance options, such as the SBI Scholar loan and government scholarships, are available based on merit and income.
Additionally, the institute only moderately increases the fees, primarily affecting hostel and mess charges.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the MA in Development Studies at NIT Rourkela is generally built around a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, since the programme draws students from social science, humanities, economics, and even engineering backgrounds who want to study development issues formally. Admission is decided through a combination of the qualifying degree's academic record and, depending on the route a candidate applies through, a national-level entrance score followed by an interview or written test conducted by the department. The exact qualifying-marks requirement, the weight given to the entrance score versus the academic record, and any category-wise relaxation are set by the institute afresh for each admission cycle. Applicants should confirm the current year's eligibility criteria and selection process directly through NIT Rourkela's official admission notice rather than assume the previous session's terms carry over.
About Master of Arts [MA] (Development Studies)
NIT Rourkela offers an MA in Development Studies through the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, a two-year full-time programme admitted via merit selection based on qualifying examination marks. Total fees are INR 1,18,500, including mandatory hostel charges. SC/ST scholars pay INR 88,500 on full tuition waiver. The department runs over 40 sponsored research projects in public health, governance, and community studies. 📋 Admission Status: Admissions closed. Classes commenced July 2026. Key Points UNICEF-funded Centre of Excellence in Public Health Nutrition for research training 41 sponsored projects in environmental governance, community evaluation, and mental health Gandhi Fellowship, Teach for India, and NHRC internship projects as fellowship pathways NIT Rourkela MA Development Studies Fees 2026 Component Amount (INR) Tuition Fee (INR 7,500 per semester, 4 semesters) 30,000 Other Charges (Examination, Library, Electricity, 4 semesters) 12,000 Student Activity Fee (4 semesters) 8,000 Medical Fee (4 semesters) 8,000 Hostel Seat Rent (mandatory, 4 semesters) 20,000 Hall Establishment Fee (4 semesters) 20,000 One-Time Charges (Admission, Emergency Fund, Souvenir, Convocation) 10,500 Caution Deposit (refundable) 10,000 Total Fees 1,18,500 SC/ST candidates save INR 30,000 as tuition is fully waived for all 4 semesters. Caution deposit of INR 10,000 is refundable on successful programme completion. Mess advance of INR 30,000 per semester is payable separately at the hostel. NIT Rourkela MA Development Studies Admission 2026 Event Date Class Commencement July 2026 The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change. Eligibility Criteria Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university, including BA, BSc, BCom, or BTech programmes. Minimum 50% aggregate marks or 5.5 CGPA in the qualifying degree (55% or 6.0 CGPA preferred for honours degree holders). No national entrance exam is required. Admission is via NITR merit selection based on qualifying examination marks. Admission Process Access the official NIT Rourkela admissions portal and submit the MA Development Studies application with academic transcripts and certificates. Candidates are shortlisted on aggregate marks in the qualifying undergraduate degree during the merit-selection round. Shortlisted applicants report to the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences for document verification and counselling. Pay the seat-acceptance fee and complete enrolment formalities within the notified deadline to confirm the seat. Hostel allocation is done at enrolment for all admitted MA Development Studies scholars at NIT Rourkela. ✓ Opt for this if NIT brand on an MA degree matters for public sector or research careers. Research in public health, governance, or community development interests you. SC/ST candidates pay only INR 88,500 total, making this highly affordable at an NIT. Odisha location suits candidates targeting state government or central PSU postings. ✗ Skip if Targeting MA at JNU, TISS, or Hyderabad Central University for social science depth. International development NGO roles prefer alumni from dedicated social science institutions. Strong campus placement support for MA graduates is essential for your career plan. NIT Rourkela MA Development Studies Scholarships 2026 Scholarship Amount Eligibility SC/ST Tuition Fee Waiver Full tuition waiver (saves INR 30,000 over 2 years) SC/ST category MA scholars across all 4 semesters NIT Rourkela Need-Based Financial Assistance As notified by the Institute Welfare Committee Students with family income below the threshold, awarded by the Department of Academic Affairs FAQs: NIT Rourkela MA Development Studies Ques. What is the eligibility for MA Development Studies at NIT Rourkela? Ans. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university, with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or 5.5 CGPA in the qualifying degree. No CUET or any national entrance exam is required. Admission is through NITR merit selection based on qualifying examination marks. Honours degree holders with 55% or 6.0 CGPA are preferred during shortlisting at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. Ques. What is the total fee for MA Development Studies at NIT Rourkela? Ans. Total fees for General and OBC candidates are INR 1,18,500, covering tuition (INR 30,000), mandatory hostel seat rent and hall establishment fees (INR 40,000), academic charges including examination, library, activity, and medical fees (INR 28,000), one-time fees (INR 10,500), and a refundable caution deposit (INR 10,000). SC/ST scholars pay INR 88,500 as tuition is fully waived. Mess advance of INR 30,000 per semester is payable separately at the hostel. Ques. Is there a scholarship for MA Development Studies students at NIT Rourkela? Ans. SC/ST candidates receive a full tuition fee waiver worth INR 30,000 over two years, reducing total fees to INR 88,500. Need-based financial assistance is also available through the Institute Welfare Committee for students with family income below the prescribed threshold. Unlike M.Tech GATE scholars, MA students do not receive a monthly stipend, making the SC/ST waiver the primary institutional support for financially constrained candidates at NIT Rourkela. Ques. What career options are available after MA Development Studies from NIT Rourkela? Ans. Graduates work in government ministries, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral agencies, and corporate social responsibility divisions in roles such as programme officer, policy analyst, research associate, and social impact consultant. The department runs over 41 sponsored projects in public health, environmental governance, and community studies, giving students practical research exposure. Graduates also apply for PhD programmes at IITs, IIMs, or abroad in development economics, public health, and policy studies. Ques. What research facilities does the MA Development Studies department at NIT Rourkela offer? Ans. The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences runs over 41 sponsored research projects covering environmental governance, community evaluation, mental health, and public health nutrition. A UNICEF-funded Centre of Excellence in Public Health Nutrition on campus provides structured research training for enrolled students. Competitive fellowship pathways including Gandhi Fellowship, Teach for India, and NHRC internship projects are accessible to MA scholars and add significant value to a development studies career. Ques. Does NIT Rourkela’s placement cell assist MA Development Studies graduates? Ans. NIT Rourkela’s Training and Placement Cell primarily serves engineering and management students. MA Development Studies graduates are encouraged to leverage faculty research networks and the department’s project partnerships with public health bodies and governance organisations. Students who participate in the UNICEF-affiliated nutrition projects or faculty-led sponsored research build profiles that are well regarded by multilateral organisations, development-sector NGOs, and research institutes for entry-level and fellowship roles.
