About Us

 The establishment of a separate Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University in Karnataka was envisioned by the pro-active Hon’ble RDPR Minister Sri. H. K. Patil. Accordingly, the proposal of establishment of the University has been approved by both the houses of Legislature in the Chief Minister’s Budget speech 2013-14.The State Government Constituted an Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri S.V. Ranganath, Former Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka to study the issues involved in the implementation of this decision of Government.

The Committee deliberated on several subjects and issues towards which the Rural Development University should contribute decisively for improving the lives of people living in rural Karnataka.Most of the problems faced by rural areas such as hunger, malnutrition, entrenched poverty and unemployment, class and gender inequalities, loss of land and livelihood continue unabated in rural area. Despite ample opportunities in the industrial and service sector in the urban areas, unemployment continues to be a major problem for rural youth as they lack the necessary skills and training required for the new jobs and services arising out of new economic developments. The proposed school for Skill Development training will address this issue.

The Committee members visited several Institutions for Study, such as Institute of Rural Management (IRMA) Anand, National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad, Gandhi gram, Madurai, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmadabad, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai etc. The Committee felt it is necessary to create through the proposed RDPR University a committed, dedicated professional manpower and a human resource to address various issues involved in Rural Development.

A Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University Act, 2016 was enacted for establishment of a unitary University for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj in the State of Karnataka for teaching, training, research on Sustainable Development and Panchayat Raj Institutions. This Act was enacted with an intention to strengthen the local self governance system and to give impetus for the study and research for a comprehensive Rural Development in the state of Karnataka. Establishment of this University has been one of the ambitious programme of the Government of Karnataka, headed by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri.Siddaramaiah. The University is established under the able guidance of a far-sighted Hon’ble RDPR Minister and with the support of Dr. N. Nagambhika Devi, Principal Secretary to Govt. RDPR Department at Gadag and at present it is housed in a historic RaithaBhavan Building,Gadag and has a Regional Office at Bangalore.The new campus will be developed in a total area of about 400acers of Land allotted to the University. The University is all set to launch its academic programmes from the academic year 2017.