Queries that are not responded adequately on official page

• What to write in "references"?

It could have a teacher, friend, superior at workplace or relative's name and details. Main factor is to include somebody who has analysed your academic and/or work abilities closely in the past. I recommend college professor for freshers and manager for working people. Please avoid your parents or your relatives with whom you have not worked.

• what is the salary/allowances during the fellowship and field placements?

The Fellows shall be entitled to a consolidated stipend package of Rs.50,000 per month during the orientation period (3 month training) and  Rs.75,000 per month during the first year, and a 10% increment during the second year and third year of Fellowship, subject to the Fellow’s satisfactory performance as determined by NRLPS  in consultation with Programme Mentor (i.e. TISS etc.). 

• What about accommodation, food, etc.?

"This package shall be deemed to cover the Fellow’s honorarium, boarding and lodging expenses during the orientation period, accommodation/house rent during the rest of the Fellowship period, health insurance, life and  disability insurance cover and any other contingency expenses." It means that they will not provide any housing or even local travel facility. Although travel to other cities etc. would be reimbursed.

• what after the 3 years of commitment ? Is there any further assistance for getting job?

"PMRD Fellowships are intended to provide young professionals interested in a career related to rural development in general and tribal areas in  particular, a rich experience to improve their value in employment market.  Fellowships are not linked to jobs. It is expected that Fellows will be sought after by Rural Development agencies at State level and Tribal Development organisations for their knowledge and expertise. Corporate bodies engaged in CSR work in rural areas, NGOs and other Consultancy organisations  are also expected to recruit Fellows  for their experience. The NRLPS will facilitate this process by providing a campus recruitment mechanism."

It means that there would be placement assistance but certainly no guarantee is being provided.

• Do we have to sign a bond/ agreement?

Yes, there is a clause for maintaining fixed duration of course. See the actual agreement from last year here. Apart from this their site mentions refund of entire stipend amounts paid till date of leaving too, but it can be waived under some circumstances (although does not specifically mention such circumstances).

• What is the AICAT pattern, duration, timing etc.?

See our previous article here.

Note: All the information given is duly been obtained through the official website and through current fellows in a few instances.

Agreement or bond that you must sign before accepting the offer

Agreement
(On Indian Non-Judicial Stamp Paper of Rs. 100/-)
I_____________________,son/daughter of _____________,  resident
of_______________________________________________, and engaged as a Prime
Minister's Rural Development Fellow (PMRDF) on a contract with the  National Rural
Livelihood Mission Society, (thereafter referred as  NRLPS), registered as a society
under the aegis of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, having
its registered office at  _________________________________, do hereby  bind
myself, my heirs, executors and administrators and agree to the following in
consideration of NRLPS having agreed to give this capacity building opportunity to me
for an hands-on exposure in the backward districts under the District Collectors for a
three years period, inclusive of an orientation programme for three months, but non-extendable, at considerable expenditure to NRLPS:
I do hereby agree with and fulfill the terms and conditions as stated herein below, in
addition to the provisions of the  guidelines  of the PMRD Fellowship as contained in
the Appendix to this Agreement.
1.  That I shall adhere to the Fellowship schedule and requirements throughout its
duration including the orientation period and deployment in the district and I
shall assist the District Collector of any of the backward districts where deployed.
2.  That I shall not take up any type of employment with any other person, firm or
any other agency during the tenure of my Fellowship contract, and that if I seek
pre-mature termination of the Fellowship before the completion of its tenure, I
shall be liable to give two months’ notice for pre-mature termination of my
deployment under the Fellowship or will refund two months’ stipend in lieu of
notice. If I have been enrolled in any educational course as part of my Fellowship
for which expenses have been borne by the Authorities, my participation in the
educational course will also stand terminated and I shall be required to refund a
commensurate amount to the NRLPS before NRLPS issues a release letter to me.
3.That I also undertake to report for training to the District Collector of the
district where I am assigned for training by SRLM Society after completion of orientation
programme. In case I fail to report for training after orientation programme within the stipulated period,
my Fellowship may be terminated and I shall refund to NRLPS the amount spent on my orientation programme as a PMRD Fellow
4.  That, if for any reason, I,_______________________ am, unable to pay the
aforesaid  sum, then my guarantor,  Mr./  Ms____________________________,
son/  daughter of____________________, r/o___________________________,
will undertake to pay this sum immediately. The guarantor agrees to pay this
sum by appending his/her signature to this agreement.
5.  That in the event of any breach of  this agreement by me in whatsoever manner,
NRLPS shall be entitled to recover the said sum as Government dues.
6.  That I will not be entitled to any claim for continuation or appointment to any
job/post in the Government or its agencies on the basis of this engagement.
The agreement is executed on:
Accepted all terms as mentioned above
Name of the PMRD Fellow:    Signature:
Full address: _______________
Phone/Mobile Number: ________________
E-mail:_______________
I,______________,  son/daughter of__________________________,
R/o________________________________________, guarantor for
Mr./Ms.____________________________, (the person mentioned above), bind
myself to the terms of this agreement executed by the said person, particularly with
reference to the obligation of refund of amount to  NRLPS  in terms of clause 2 and 3
and 4 of this agreement.
Accepted all terms mentioned above
Name of Guarantor:
Signature:
Full address: _____________________________________________
Phone/Mobile Number:_____________  E-mail:_________________