Careers

Agriculture Courses After 12th: B.Sc Agriculture, Entrance Exams & Colleges

Cultivation, food, biotechnology and allied sciences careers after 12th.

Agricultural & Allied Sciences

Cultivation, food, biotechnology and allied sciences careers after 12th.

Entrance exams for B.Sc. Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and B.Tech. Agricultural, Food and Dairy Technology programs after 12th.

Entry pathways

Government & Public Sector government
Written exam required
Government Organization / Public Sector government
Indian Civil Services government
Written exam required
Agricultural Research Service (ICAR ARS/NET) research
Written exam required

Specializations in Agricultural & Allied Sciences

Agricultural Information Technology

Emerging
Agriculture
31 core subjects

Biotechnology

Emerging
Biotechnology
29 core subjects

Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering

Emerging
Engineering
27 core subjects

Agricultural Engineering

Core
Engineering
20 core subjects

Agriculture

Core
Agriculture
45 core subjects

Agriculture Business Management

Management
22 core subjects

Community Science

Core
Community Science
28 core subjects

Dairy Technology

Core
Dairy Technology
35 core subjects

Food Nutrition & Dietetics

Core
Nutrition
33 core subjects

Food Technology

Core
Food Technology
39 core subjects

Forestry

Core
Forestry
43 core subjects

Horticulture

Core
Horticulture
32 core subjects

Seed Technology

Agriculture
7 core subjects

Sericulture

Core
Sericulture
8 core subjects

Courses & degrees

Course Level Duration Eligibility
B.Agri. Agriculture
Bachelor of Agriculture
Bachelor Degree 10+2 any Stream
B.Agri. Forestry
Bachelor of Agriculture
Bachelor Degree 10+2 any Stream
B.Agri. Horticulture
Bachelor of Agriculture
Bachelor Degree 10+2 any Stream
B.Agri. Sericulture
Bachelor of Agriculture
Bachelor Degree 10+2 any Stream
B.E. Agriculture Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering
Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 any Stream
B.S. Agriculture Engineering
M.S.-Bachelor of Science, Master of Science
Integrated 5 years 10+2 any Stream
B.Sc. Dairy Science
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor Degree 3-4 years 10+2 any Stream
B.Sc.(Sericulture) Sericulture
Bachelor of Science in Sericulture
Bachelor Degree 3-4 years 10+2 any Stream
B.V.Sc. Dairy Science
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Bachelor Degree 10+2 any Stream
Certificate Agriculture
Certificate
Certificate 10th Pass
Certificate Agriculture Engineering
Certificate
Certificate 10th Pass
Certificate Dairy Science
Certificate
Certificate 10th Pass
Certificate Horticulture
Certificate
Certificate 10th Pass
Certificate Sericulture
Certificate
Certificate 10th Pass
Diploma Agriculture Engineering
Diploma
Diploma 10th Pass
Diploma Dairy Science
Diploma
Diploma 10th Pass
M.E. Agriculture Engineering
Master of Engineering
Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
M.S. Agriculture Engineering
Master of Science
Master Degree Bachelor in respective field
M.Sc. Agriculture
Master of Science
Master Degree 1-2 years Bachelor in respective field
M.Sc. Dairy Science
Master of Science
Master Degree 1-2 years Bachelor in respective field
M.Sc. Forestry
Master of Science
Master Degree 1-2 years Bachelor in respective field
M.Sc. Horticulture
Master of Science
Master Degree 1-2 years Bachelor in respective field
M.Sc. Sericulture
Master of Science
Master Degree 1-2 years Bachelor in respective field
M.Tech. Agriculture
Master of Technology
Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Ph.D. Agriculture
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Master in respective field
Ph.D. Agriculture Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Master in respective field
Ph.D. Dairy Science
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Master in respective field
Ph.D. Forestry
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Master in respective field
Ph.D. Horticulture
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Master in respective field
Ph.D. Sericulture
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Master in respective field
Post Graduate Diploma Agriculture
Post Graduate Diploma
PG Diploma Bachelor in respective field
Post Graduate Diploma Forestry
Post Graduate Diploma
PG Diploma Bachelor in respective field
Post Graduate Diploma Horticulture
Post Graduate Diploma
PG Diploma Bachelor in respective field
BSc in Agriculture Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/B
BSc in Sericulture Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/B
BSc in Horticulture Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/B
BSc in Forestry Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/B
BSc in Community/Home Science Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/B
BSc in Food Nutrition & Dietetics Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/B
BSc in Agriculture Business Management Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/B
BSc in Climate Change and Environmental Science Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/B
B.Tech in Agriculture Engineering Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/PCMB
B.Tech in Food Technology Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/PCMB
B.Tech in Dairy Technology Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/PCMB
B.Tech in Biotechnology Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/PCMB
B.Tech in Horticulture Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM/PCMB
Master Of Science (M.Sc.) in Agriculture (Various Specializations) Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Master Of Science (M.Sc.) in Sericulture (Various Specializations) Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Master Of Science (M.Sc.) in Horticulture (Various Specializations) Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Master Of Science (M.Sc.) in Forestry (Various Specializations) Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Master Of Science (M.Sc.) in Community/Home Science (Various Specializations) Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Master Of Science (M.Sc.) in Food Nutrition & Dietetics (Various Specializations) Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Agriculture Engineering Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Food Technology Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Dairy Technology Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Biotechnology Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D. / D. Phil.) Doctoral 3+ years Master Degree

Entrance exams

All exams
Exam Conducting body
NEET-UG
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)
National Testing Agency (NTA) Details
JEE Mains
Joint Entrance Examination (Mains)
National Testing Agency (NTA) Details
VITEEE
Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Examination
Vellore Institute of Technology Details
COMMON UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE TEST (CUET) - UG National Testing Agency (NTA) Details
NTA CUET PG (National Testing Agency Common University Entrance Test - Postgraduate) National Testing Agency (NTA) Details
AP EAPCET
Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture & Pharmacy Common Entrance Test
JNTUK on behalf of APSCHE Details
AGRICET
Agriculture Common Entrance Test
Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur Details
CETUG-AAU
Assam Agricultural University Common Entrance Test
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat Details
BCECE
Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination
Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board Details
CG PAT
Chhattisgarh Pre Agriculture Test
Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya Details
CG PET
Chhattisgarh Pre Engineering Test
Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board (CG Vyapam) Details
GUJCET
Gujarat Common Entrance Test
Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board Details
HAU AAT
Haryana Agricultural University Agriculture Aptitude Test
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar Details
HAU ET
Haryana Agricultural University Entrance Test
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar Details
SKUAST-J CET
SKUAST Jammu Common Entrance Test
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu Details
SKUAST-K CET
SKUAST Kashmir Common Entrance Test
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Kashmir Details
JCECE
Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination
Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board Details
KEAM
Kerala Engineering, Architecture and Medical Entrance Exam
Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Kerala Details
KEA CET
Karnataka Examination Authority Common Entrance Test
Karnataka Examination Authority Details
MP PAT
Madhya Pradesh Pre Agriculture Test
MP Employee Selection Board (ESB) Details
MHT CET
Maharashtra Common Entrance Test
State CET Cell, Maharashtra Details
RJET
Rajasthan Joint Entrance Test
Agriculture Universities of Rajasthan Details
TS EAMCET (E)
Telangana State Engineering Common Entrance Test (Engineering Stream)
JNTU Hyderabad on behalf of TGCHE Details
SOETAP-UG
SHUATS Online Entrance Test for Agriculture and Pharmacy
Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj Details
UP CATET
Uttar Pradesh Combined Agriculture and Technology Entrance Test
Agriculture Universities of Uttar Pradesh Details
GBPUAT CEE
GBPUAT Common Entrance Exam
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar Details
WBJEE
West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination
West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board Details
UGET YSP
YSP University Under Graduate Entrance Test
Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan Details
OUAT
Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology Entrance Test
Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology Details
UUHF UET
VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry Entrance Test
VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry Details
BV ABOP CET
Bharati Vidyapeeth Biotechnology, Optometry & Physiotherapy Common Entrance Test
Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune Details
SSSIHL UGT
SSSIHL Under Graduate Test
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Andhra Pradesh Details
AMU ET
Aligarh Muslim University Entrance Test
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh Details
PAU CET
Punjab Agricultural University Common Entrance Test
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana Details
PU CET
Panjab University Common Entrance Test
Panjab University, Chandigarh Details
KIIT EE
KIIT Entrance Examination
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar Details
MITWPU CET
MIT World Peace University Common Entrance Test
MIT World Peace University, Pune Details
MET
Manipal Entrance Test
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Details
IPU CET
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi Details
SRMJEEE
SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Examination
SRM Institute of Science and Technology Details
SPPU OEE
Savitribai Phule Pune University Online Entrance Exam
Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune Details

Top colleges

Showing 1–10 of 352 ranked colleges
# Institution Type State Ranking
1 COLLEGE OF FOOD AND DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, KODUVALLI
Rural
Constituent / University College Tamil Nadu #1
Top B.Tech Dairy Technology Colleges
1 COLLEGE OF SERICULTURE, CHINTHAMANI
Rural
Constituent / University College Karnataka #1
Top B.Sc Sericulture Colleges
1 COMMUNITY SCIENCE COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, MADURAI
Rural
Constituent / University College Tamil Nadu #1
Top B.Sc Food, Nutrition & Dietetics Colleges
1 G.B. PANT UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE & TECHNOLOGY State Public University Uttarakhand #1
Top 56 Agriculture & Allied Colleges
1 INDIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE NEW DELHI
Urban
Deemed University-Government Delhi #1
NIRF Agriculture and Allied Sectors
1 TAMIL NADU AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, COIMBATORE State Public University Tamil Nadu #1
Top B.Sc Food, Nutrition & Dietetics Colleges
1 TAMIL NADU VETERINARY & ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI State Public University Tamil Nadu #1
Top B.Tech Dairy Technology Colleges
1 UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, BANGALORE
Urban
State Public University Karnataka #1
Top B.Sc Sericulture Colleges
2 ADHIPARASAKTHI HORTICULTURAL COLLEGE, VELLORE
Rural
Affiliated College Tamil Nadu #2
Top B.Sc Horticulture Colleges
2 CHAUDHARY CHARAN SINGH HARYANA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, HISAR
Urban
State Public University Haryana #2
Top B.Sc Agriculture Colleges

Career roles after Agricultural & Allied Sciences

Technical Careers 23

Agricultural Economist
Examines data to find patterns and trends in economic activity and advises clients and agricultural…
private government
Agricultural Equipment Manufacturing Specialist
Manufactures farm machinery and tools for soil preparation, planting, harvesting, spraying and proce…
private
Agriculturalist
Professional in the science, practice and management of agriculture and agribusiness.
private government self employed
Agriculture Engineer
Designs equipment, machines, buildings, water lines and waste management to keep the food supply saf…
private government
Agriculture Officer
Handles pesticides, fertilizers, agrochemical and seed industries and manages farms and greenhouse c…
private government
Agrobiologist
Studies plant nutrition and growth in relation to soil conditions to increase crop yields.
private academic
Apiculturist
Beekeeper who raises and maintains bee colonies for honey production and pollination.
private self employed
Arborist
Specialist in the cultivation, management and study of trees, shrubs and other woody plants.
private government
Biotechnologist
Develops products from living systems using microbiology, molecular biology and cell biology.
private academic
Community Science Professional
Works as CDPO, quality control, nutrition educator, counsellor or extension officer in public and pr…
private government
Dairy Scientist
Researches efficient production and processing of milk, covering nutrition, reproduction and genetic…
private academic
Environmental Scientist/Engineer
Uses natural sciences to protect the environment and human health and advises on reducing waste.
private government
Food Process Engineer
Responsible for processing, packaging and improving food products with focus on safety and quality.
private
Forest and Conservation Technician
Ensures quality improvement of forests through measurement, thinning and plantation of seedlings.
government
Forester
Manages, plants and conserves forests, balancing deforestation and afforestation.
government
Irrigation Engineer
Analyses, plans, designs and implements agricultural irrigation systems from crops to canals and dam…
private government
Phytopathologist
Scientifically studies plant diseases and their causes, processes and effects.
government academic
Plant Breeder
Researches and improves seed characteristics to develop the best quality plants.
private academic
Seed Technologist/Agronomist
Expert in crop production, soil control and management who works to maximise crop yields and plant n…
private academic
Sericulturist
Manages plant cultivation for rearing silkworms and studies the silkworm lifecycle.
private self employed
Silviculturist
Expert who looks after forest trees, controlling regeneration, composition, growth and quality.
government
Soil Scientist
Analyses the chemical and physical condition of soil and maps and manages soils for agriculture.
government academic
Viticulturist
Researches and implements methods to improve grape yields and quality for wine and produce.
private self employed

Other Technical Professions 2

Crop Insurance Manager
Helps producers obtain crop insurance to protect against losses from disasters and price declines.
private
Dairy Product Manager
Supervises dairy production activities including feed, milking equipment, pastures and herd manageme…
private

Non-Core Careers 2

Commodity Trader
Individual or business investing in agricultural products, buying and selling based on market trends…
private self employed
Dietician
Health professional who assesses, diagnoses and treats diet and nutrition related problems.
private government

Frequently asked questions

Fees vary by college, location and course type. Government colleges average around Rs. 50,000 per year, private colleges around Rs. 1 lakh, and self-financed colleges around Rs. 1.5 lakh. For example, first-year fees at GBPUAT are about Rs. 42,000. Scholarships and financial assistance are available at some colleges.

AIEEA was ICAR's All India Entrance Examination for 20% of university seats (100% at RLBCAU Jhansi, NDRI Karnal, IARI New Delhi and Dr. RPCAU Pusa). From 2023-24, ICAR admissions to these UG courses are conducted through CUET-UG instead, so there is no separate ICAR-AIEEA for the ICAR quota.

Candidates should have passed 10+2 with at least three subjects out of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Agriculture. Applicants can only appear in the subject combination they studied in 12th, and Indian nationals must be at least 16 years old. Some universities add conditions such as age limits or gender preference.

Yes. Students may get education loans depending on the course, the reputation of the college and other factors. Popular lenders in India include State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank. Check each lender's eligibility criteria before applying.

There is high demand and a shortage of qualified agriculture professionals. Opportunities include the Indian Forest Service via UPSC, roles in software companies serving agriculture, government-supported ventures with schemes and subsidies, and teaching or research in ICAR, state agricultural universities and state agriculture departments.

Core companies include DuPont India, Bayer Crop Science, IFFCO Kisan Sanchar and NDDB Dairy Services; banks such as SBI, Union Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank and Oriental Bank of Commerce recruit agriculture field officers; and IT/software companies also hire domain experts.

Admissions use national exams (CUET-UG, NEET-UG, JEE Main) and many state and university tests such as GBPUAT-CEE, AP-EAPCET, TS-EAMCET, MHT-CET, KEA-CET, KEAM, BCECE, GUJCET, RJET, UP-CATET, OUAT, JCECE and university tests like PAU-CET, AMU-ET, SOETAP and CETUG-AAU.

Four-year Bachelor degrees include B.Sc. in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Sericulture, Community/Home Science, Food Nutrition & Dietetics, Agriculture Business Management and B.Tech in Agriculture Engineering, Food Technology, Dairy Technology and Biotechnology. Two-year Master programmes and doctoral degrees follow.

B.Sc. programmes such as Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry focus on crop and plant sciences, soil, and production, while B.Tech programmes such as Agriculture Engineering, Food Technology, Dairy Technology and Biotechnology emphasise engineering and technology applications. Both are four-year degrees after 12th.

Specializations covered include Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Information Technology, Agriculture Business Management, Biotechnology, Community Science, Dairy Technology, Food Nutrition & Dietetics, Food Technology, Forestry, Horticulture, Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering, Seed Technology and Sericulture.

The field suits candidates with a high academic and practical orientation, an inclination towards botany and life sciences, strong memorization, good analysis and observation, an interest in agri-business, and the willingness to spend long hours in study and practical field work.

Graduates can work with organisations such as ICAR, IARI, National Seeds Corporation, National Dairy Development Board, NABARD, Food Corporation of India and state agriculture departments, and pursue the Indian Forest Service, civil services, banking (IBPS Agriculture Field Officer) and defence services.

Yes. CUET-UG is a common entrance test for UG programmes at central universities and other participating institutions, and from 2023-24 it replaced ICAR-AIEEA for the ICAR All-India quota seats. Candidates should apply online through the official CUET portal.

Bachelor degrees (B.Sc. and B.Tech) are four years, Master degrees (M.Sc. and M.Tech) are two years, Ph.D. is a minimum of three years, and post-doctoral degrees like D.Litt. and D.Sc. have no fixed duration. The M.Phil. has been discontinued under NEP 2020.

Community Science, formerly Home Science, is an interdisciplinary field to improve quality of life covering foods and nutrition, human development and family studies, apparel design and textiles, resource management and consumer sciences, and extension education and communication management.

No. The dates and patterns in the guide are tentative and based on current or previous schedules. Always confirm the latest exam dates and details on the official website of the relevant conducting body before applying.

Tags

B.Sc Agriculture Horticulture Forestry ICAR AIEEA Agri Universities
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