Hyderabad, Feb 2 : The future of the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) has been cast into uncertainty as the Union Budget 2025-26 fails to allocate any funds to the institute. The NIRDPR is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. For decades, the Ministry of Rural Development has provided financial support to sustain this premier capacity-building and training institute, headquartered in Hyderabad, with regional centers in Guwahati, Vaishali, and New Delhi.

For over 65 years, NIRDPR has played a pivotal role in shaping rural development policies, strengthening democratic decentralization through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), and offering cascading training in partnership with 29 State Institutes of Rural Development (SIRDs) and 90 Extension Centers across India. Regarded as the think tank of the Ministry, NIRDPR’s contributions have been instrumental in advancing rural governance, yet the abrupt withdrawal of funding has put its operations, workforce, and mission in jeopardy.

The decision has shocked and disheartened the 222 employees and their families, who now face an uncertain future. More than 300 families of pensioners are also worried about their future. What makes this situation more distressing is that the disengagement decision was made without consulting the employees, including 54 from SC, 7 from ST, and 56 from OBC categories. Adding to their anxiety, the Ministry has distanced itself from taking responsibility for their salaries, allowances, and medical benefits expressing the pressure from the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

The sprawling 170-acre campus, once a hub of learning and collaboration for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) functionaries, bankers, NGOs, and journalists, now faces neglect as its logistical maintenance cost of over ₹70 crore is left unaddressed. The academic staff, a crucial stakeholder in this crisis, are actively urging the Ministry to reconsider its decision and restore funding to ensure the continued contribution of NIRDPR to rural development.

This unexpected move raises critical concerns about the government’s commitment to rural development and decentralization. As uncertainty looms over NIRDPR, employees, stakeholders, and rural communities across India await a response from the Ministry.