PRADAN is one of the largest professionally

managed field-based rural development

organizations. We have been a pioneer in
professionalizing rural development by
systematically recruiting and deploying large
numbers of well-educated youth at the grass roots.

Today, there are over 500 professionals working in

almost 10,000 villages spread across nine states.
PRADAN has a highly professional ethos and a
The Development Apprenticeship programme provides an
collegial culture. opportunity to weigh realities of a development professional’s
life and work here against likely outcomes.

The Apprentice develops the threshold of competencies

PRADAN believes that educated youth with both compassion and
required to function effectively as a PRADAN Executive.
critical thinking must engage deeply with issues of poverty and
development to build a more just and equitable society. While
Apprenticeship is for 12 months from the date of joining and an
technology and resources aid progress, it is people who drive true
Apprentice is placed in a field team for this period.
change. A development professional is a catalyst for this change,
motivated by a commitment to equity and justice.
In the initial three months one needs to be in a village, to
experience village life and develop a critical understanding of
The PRADAN Apprenticeship offers aspiring professionals firsthand
Apprenticeship Village as a complex whole. Rest nine months they will be
Join PRADAN's Development exposure to societal inequalities, sparking a personal drive to make a
ram me as a Deve lopment working in some villages, within the team’s operational area, to
(DAship) Prog difference. It encourages self-reflection, helps identify root causes,
ing program learn by actually working with village community.
Apprentice. This 12-month train and uncovers solutions.
ares part icipa nts for a career in
prep This experience is further supplemented with relevant
successfully
development, and those who University education alone often falls short in preparing students for conceptual inputs during the year. A designated Field Guide is
ip will be offered a
complete the apprenticesh impactful development work, offering limited opportunities to apply with the Apprentice throughout the journey to support and
PRADAN.
position as an Executive at skills meaningfully at the grassroots level. guide.
 Eligibility Criteria:
The qualifying degree is a minimum of 16 years of education (A
four-year bachelor degree in Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences,
Engineering etc. or A Master’s degree in Sciences, Social
Number of Vacancies: All those who are found suitable. We Sciences, Humanities, Commerce, Management, Social Work
Stipend as Apprentice (2025)
make 150-200 offers of appointment for Apprentices in a year. etc.).
Stipend of INR 32,000 per month. In addition to this
medical reimbursement up to INR 6,000/year, Place of first posting: In any of the teams where PRADAN is
hospitalization insurance up to INR 1 lakh for self, working, based on the organization’s requirement and the 60% and above throughout career. The applicant is also
term life insurance up to INR 10 lakhs and accident individual preference (location may change over time). The eligible if they have scores between 50-59% in any one
insurance up to INR 30 lakhs is offered. teams are in seven states of India namely Bihar, Chhattisgarh, degree except the qualifying degree.
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and West Bengal. For humanities and social science courses*: 55% and
Salary as Executive (2026):* above in the qualifying degree.
Scope of Responsibilities: Working in villages is an The medium of instruction and examination of the last
With minimum eligibility qualification, the monthly
unconventional career for most university-educated people and qualifying degree should be English.
cost to company will be approximately INR 72,000
could entail social stress and physical and cultural hardship Academic gap of maximum three years
which includes basic pay, house rent allowance which everyone may not be able to cope with. Cleared all the back papers before joining Apprenticeship.
(HRA) and other allowances. Age is 29 years or less on October 1, 2024.
Taking these into account, we recruit students from selected
Apart from this, term life insurance up to INR 20 campuses and provide them the opportunity to make a
lakhs, hospitalization insurance up to INR 4 lakhs for conscious choice about working in villages. It takes no less than * Humanities and social sciences include courses in anthropology,
12 months of rigorous reflection and learning ‘by doing’ for an archaeology, criminology, economics, education, government, international
self and dependents and accident insurance policy relations, political science, sociology, geography, history, law, psychology,
up to INR 30 lakhs. Apprentice to graduate. It is subsequent to this training that
ancient and modern languages, literature, philosophy, religion, and visual
PRADAN makes them an offer as Executive. and performing arts such as music and theatre.
*Additional increments for extra relevant qualification.
Contact persons with email IDs: Ms. Barsha Mishra ([email protected]) | Ms. Disha Wahi ([email protected])