To cater to the needs of the citizens regarding their fundamental needs and necessities, the Government of India launched a program known as Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP). Created in 1978 and implemented in 1980, the main purpose of IRDP is to provide job opportunities to impoverished sections of society and improve their current living conditions.

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Through this comprehensive blog, we’ll try to understand what IRDP is, its objectives, eligibility, and ways to apply for IRDP for the overall upliftment of the people who fall below poverty line in India and to improve their skill set.

What is Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP)?

The full form of IRDP is Integrated Rural Development Program. Launched by the Government of India in 1978 and implemented in 1980, Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP) aims to provide both employment and skill development opportunities to people living below the poverty line. It is a comprehensive strategy for rural development. Basic necessities such as clean drinking water, education, healthcare etc are covered under this program.

Central and state governments with a ratio of 50:50 invest their funds to make this scheme valuable for the targeted section. Approximately more than 50 million people are covered under the IRDP scheme and per person spending of the government stands at 13,700.

Earlier in 1999, this scheme was discontinued and merged with 5 other rural development programs in India to collectively establish one program “Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana”.

Objectives of IRDP

By offering sustainable job opportunities this scheme aims to enhance the living standard of below poverty-line population.
To uplift the scale of rural industry and improve agricultural production.
Make income-generating assets available for the beneficiaries.
Provides long-run employment opportunities to help groups cross the poverty line and establish a stable livelihood like MGNREGA scheme

Subsidies Provided Under IRDP

IRDP provides subsidies to various targeted sections and groups in society depending on the needs. Providing subsidies is amongst the most prominent methods to facilitate financial aid to the deprived sections. Following are the conditions under which subsidies are provided to groups.

No. of targeted groups

Beneficiaries

Max subsidy limit

Subsidy percentage

First target group

Small Farmers- Financial institutions such as banks provide subsidies to farmers who fall under the first group.

₹4000

25%

Second target group

Marginal farmers, agricultural laborers and artisans can avail subsidy.

₹4000

33.5%

Third target group

SCs, STs, women and differently abled people can avail subsidy under this group

₹6000

50%

Beneficiaries Under Integrated Rural Development Program

IRDP targets all rural areas within a block that are affected by poverty. However, its beneficiaries are generally categorized into the following groups.

Rural artists
Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes
Labourers
Small and marginal farmers
Low-income classes with yearly incomes of less than INR 11,000
Women and female headed households

Who is Eligible for IRDP?

For rural development in India, the central and state government made a joint initiative to accumulate funds in a 50:50 funding arrangement. The central government allocates funds to all the states depending on the rural population in their state compared to the total rural population in India.

To be eligible for the same, one must:

Be below the poverty line (BPL)
Should be pursuing studies, at least in class 9 or in any university, both being aided to government.
Adults between the ages of 18 and 65 are eligible.
Preference is given to those individuals who possess minimal landholdings or dependent on agriculture.

How to Apply for IRDP?

Following is a detailed list of step-by-step instructions on how to apply for Integrated Rural Development scheme:

Documents Required

Certificate from the Competent Authority for Belonging to IRDP/BPL Families
Passport Size Photograph
Aadhaar Card
Previous Year Result Card
Latest Bank Statement of the Student

Steps to Apply for IRDP

Identification of Beneficiaries:

The program targets economically disadvantaged households in rural areas.
Beneficiaries are identified through a participatory process involving Gram Sabhas (village councils) and local authorities.

Preparation of a Development Plan:

Once selected, the household works with local officials to create a development plan based on their specific needs.
This plan usually focuses on areas like agriculture, small-scale industries, or asset creation.

Financial Assistance:

The IRDP plan is supported by a mix of funds from cooperative and commercial banks, which provide two-thirds of the required resources.
Financial help could include loans or subsidies for income-generating assets like livestock, land, or equipment.

Approval Process:

The household’s development plan is submitted to the State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) for approval.
Once approved, a committee ensures the consistency of the plan with others across the region.

Implementation:

After approval, a three-person committee is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the plan at the block level.

Monitoring ensures that the plan is executed efficiently and that the household receives the promised support.

To apply, individuals should approach their local Gram Panchayat or District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), where they will be guided through the process.

Implementation of Integral Rural Development Programme

The Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP) is implemented through a decentralized system, involving multiple stakeholders. Key features of this process include:

Decentralized management: The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) is responsible for implementing the program at the district level.
Formation of self-help groups (SHGs): The program encourages forming SHGs to promote collective efforts and help beneficiaries access credit and support.
Beneficiary identification: Gram Sabhas and local institutions play a crucial role in identifying beneficiaries through a participatory process.
Asset creation: The program helps create income-generating assets like land, livestock, and equipment to support sustainable livelihoods.
Credit and financial aid: It provides financial assistance to rural entrepreneurs via banks, cooperatives, and microfinance institutions.
Training and skill development: The program offers training to build the skills needed for rural communities to engage in development activities.
Monitoring and evaluation: A system is in place to track progress, assess the program’s impact, and suggest improvements.

Target Areas for IRDP

The Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP) focuses on improving various sectors in rural India. Here are its main focus areas:

Agriculture
- IRDP promotes sustainable farming practices to increase production and boost the income of small and marginal farmers.
Animal husbandry
- Supports livestock farming by offering financial help to purchase cattle and related equipment.
Small-scale industries
- IRDP encourages the growth of rural small-scale industries, especially those that use local resources and skills.
Infrastructure development
- The program helps build essential infrastructure like roads, bridges, irrigation systems, and clean water supplies in rural areas.
Education and training
- It aims to provide education and training to rural communities, helping them develop skills for social and economic empowerment.