Summer Placement Scheme - 2008-09

To provide an access and opportunity to students to study the core competencies of NABARD in rural development, especially multi-disciplinary projects, rural banking and institutional development etc., a  Scheme on Summer Placement has been introduced in NABARD.

The objective of the Scheme is to assign tasks/projects, useful and relevant to NABARD, to talented students with good academic background. The scheme would also provide feedback with a fresh perspective through studies/projects undertaken by the students on themes of interest to NABARD.  Further, these studies are intended to help evolving novel ideas for new activities, products and services  which could be considered for being taken up by NABARD. 

Selection of the Institute

The selection of the sponsoring institutes would be as under:

• Sponsoring institutions would be Agricultural Universities or Management Institutes connected with academic, research and development activities in areas of agriculture, agribusiness, rural development and allied activities.
• Institutes /universities of repute offering courses in Economics at post graduate level can also be considered under the scheme. Institutes offering Law and post graduate courses in Economics may also be considered for HO candidates.
• The selection of the students could be made either through campus visits by a selection committee in consultation with the institutions being visited or by  short listing / interviews on the basis of applications received at the Regional Office.

1. Final year postgraduate students pursuing courses in Agril. Science, Economics and Management with good academic background are eligible to be considered under the Scheme.
2. Students pursuing Post Graduation in Economics and  Law may also take up projects in HO Depts.
3. Based on the bio data, eligible students would be short listed for interview. The Selection Committee should look into aptitude and interest of the students to take up selected themes,  in addition to consistently good  academic background.

1. Emerging challenges  and role of PACS for ensuring financial inclusion.
2. Optimal farming systems and alternative income generation activities in dryland and moisture distress areas
3. Impact assessment of micro water harvesting structures i.e., percolation tanks, farm ponds, check dams etc., including those irrigation projects assisted under RIDF projects.
4. Linking of farmers with commodity future markets- present status and future strategies.
5. Alternatives for relief mechanisms and risk mitigation measures in agriculture.
6. Financing and development of marketing infrastructure and market information system.
7. Impact evaluation of rural godowns and cold storage schemes set up with GoI subsidy administered through NABARD.

Stipend and other allowances

The financial benefits approved for implementation of the scheme are as under:

1. The selected students will be paid a consolidated stipend of Rs.8,000/- per month during the entire period of the assignment.
2. Field visit allowance of Rs.500/- per day inclusive of all expenses towards lodging, boarding, local conveyance etc. during the actual period of field visit subject to a maximum of 30 days.
3. The travel expenses by AC III tier/Bus fare  for joining at Regional office and for the field visit and return is to be reimbursed to the student on actual basis. Wherever AC III tier is not available, AC II tier may be permitted.
4. The monetary benefits such as stipend, field allowance could be released to the students on satisfactory completion of the projects. However , OIC of RO can take a prudent view on the need to release advance at his discretion.