Swamy Ramananda Tirtha Rural Institute (SRTRI) was established by the erstwhile Government of Andhra Pradesh in 1995 vide G.O.Ms.No.28/Edn. (UE II-I) Department, dated 06.01.1996. Subsequently, the Institute was transferred from Educational Department to Rural Development wing of Panchayat Raj & Rural Development, Govt. of A.P. vide G.O.Ms.No. 313/Gen. Admn. (AR&T.1) Dept., dated 04.08.1998 and is presently working under aegis of Panchayat Raj & Rural Development Department, Government of Telangana.

The primary objective behind setting up of this Institute is to empower rural people by providing easy access to technological, educational, training and related facilities in order to overcome their constraints and to boost their economic prosperity through capacity building. Over last two decades, the Institute had undertaken several research activities, extension works, filed studies, skill development programs, collaborative initiatives, sponsored projects, information compilations and dissemination, etc.

Keeping in view the current needs of the rural economy, the Institute at current is primarily focusing on skill development training and entrepreneurship development in latest technologies and demand-driven skill domains for promoting employability and micro enterprises among rural masses. Several short-duration courses which are aligned to National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) are being offered free of cost to rural youth and women duly ensuring placement of self-employment soon after the training. The courses offered fall under the sectors like apparel, automotive, capital goods, construction, electrical, electronics, entrepreneurship, food processing, IT&ITES, solar energy, etc.

The Institute has forged strong tie-ups with several ministries and departments such as Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Department of Youth Services, National Council of Rural Institutes, National Skill Development Council, etc. to roll out the skill trainings. Similarly to ensure promising placements, few premier industries like TVS Motor Company Ltd., Micormatic Machine Tools Pvt. Ltd., Schneider Electrical India, etc. are also collaborated with the Institute for industry-ready trainings and placements. It also works with several NGOs like DHAN Foundation, Ekalavya Foundation,  Sai Oral Health Foundation, etc. and community organizations. Strong rapport with several reputed industries and firms has been built for placing the candidates after skill training.

Across 100 acres of serene atmosphere with state of the art infrastructure, three hostels to accommodate about 300 candidates, the Institute empowers about 2000 candidates skillfully and economically every year. Further, another 4000 candidates are provided skill training at their doorsteps by way of off-campus training programs in different parts of the state and make them sustainable micro-entrepreneurs.

The Institute is governed by four authorities viz. General Council, Governing Body, Planning Board, and Finance Committee. Governing Body of the Institute is the principal executive body of the Institute. All the policy decisions are taken and approved by the Governing Body. The Chairman of the Governing Body, who is a full-time functionary, is also the academic head of the Institute. The Director of the Institute is the ex-officio secretary of the Institute and the head of administration.