Top Agriculture Colleges in India 2024
The majority of the top agriculture colleges in India offer the agriculture course for UG, PG, PhD or various certifications in full-time, part-time or distance learning online and offline mode. Agriculture is a discipline more than farming that contributes to the ecological balance, provides food, and boosts the economy. An applied science that encloses features involved in producing crops, raising livestock, or several products.
The disciplines under Diploma, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD in agriculture include agricultural economics, agricultural extension, agronomy, horticulture, soil science, pathology, fishery science, animal husbandry and many more. To start a career in the agricultural domain, check out the advantages, guidance under the best faculties, professionals, and facilities. You can look into the curated lists posted below India's top agricultural institutes, which fall under the ranking lists by the reputed courses like NIRF, The Week, India Today, and others.
Top Agriculture Colleges in India by NIRF
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) under MHRD implements methodologies via certain parameters, which computes to rank the different institutes in India and score-wise.
The standard parameters in practice to rank different colleges include:
- Teaching, Learning, and Resources (TLR) - 30%
- Research and Professional Practice (RP) - 20%
- Graduation Outcomes (GO) - 20%
- Outreach and Inclusivity (OI) - 10%
- Peer Perception (PR) - 10%
According to the NIRF ranking system, the table below consists of the top agriculture colleges in India by NIRF ranking:
| Ranking | College Name | NIRF Score |
| 1 | Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Kharagpur | 75.85 |
| 2 | Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi | 68.76 |
| 3 | Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi | 59.85 |
| 4 | Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh | 52.54 |
| 5 | Andhra University (AU), Visakhapatnam | 51.24 |
| 6 | University of Madras, Chennai | 50.76 |
| 7 | Amity University, Noida | 46.88 |
| 8 | Tezpur University (TU), Tezpur | 46.83 |
| 9 | Kashmir University, Srinagar | 44.67 |
| 10 | Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar | 43.81 |
Top Agriculture Colleges in India by The Week
Given below are the top agriculture colleges in India by The Week ranking system are as follows:
| Ranking | College Name | Composite Score |
| 1 | Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi | 392 |
| 2 | Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam | 292 |
| 3 | Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science, Chennai | 261 |
Top Agriculture Colleges in India Based on Zones
Refer to the details below to check the list of zone-wise colleges in India, as per ranking lists of NIRF, The Week, and GetMyUni reviews:
Top Agriculture Colleges in North India
The following list are some of the top colleges in North India:
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi
- Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi
- Amity University, Noida
Top Agriculture Colleges in South India
Here is the list of the top colleges in South India are:
- Andhra University (AU), Visakhapatnam
- University of Madras, Chennai
- Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kochi
Top Agriculture Colleges in East India
A few of the top colleges in East India include:
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur
- Tezpur University (TU), Tezpur
- Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM), Bhubaneswar
Top Agriculture Colleges in West India
The top colleges in West India are as follows:
- College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner
- Mewar University, Chittorgarh
- BIRSA Agricultural University, Ranchi
Specialisations-wise Top Agriculture Colleges in India
You can choose specialisation after a Bachelor degree in agriculture. There are various specialisations under M.Sc. Agriculture, like agronomy, nematology, agricultural chemistry, horticulture, forestry, plant physiology, genetics and plant breeding, agricultural economics, biotechnology. Entomology, farm management, etc. Students can choose from multiple specialisations to be expertise in the interested field, noting the career options. Based on the specialisations taken, the salary and career prospects variates.
Given below are some of the popular specialisations provided by India's top agriculture colleges that offer good career prospects and income:
Top Agronomy Colleges in India
Agronomy deals with researching methods and approaches utilised to improve the production of food and its security. You can work as agronomists, crop consultant, crop scout, agriculture chemical representatives, and others. Given below are the top agronomy colleges in India:
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Top Horticulture Colleges in India
Horticulture focuses on the production of vegetables, fruits, flowers, spices and beverages, etc. Career options include horticulturist, agriculture forest officer, assistant professor, and more. The top horticulture colleges in India include:
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Top Genetics and Plant Breeding Colleges in India
Genetics and plant breeding cover studies that utilise genetics to improve plants under different environmental conditions with better quality. Job options are plant breeders, project associate, farm manager, etc. Cited below are the top genetics and plant breeding colleges in India:
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Fee Structure for Top Agriculture Colleges in India
The agricultural fees in India depend on the college type, degree programs, infrastructure, facilities, placement opportunities, etc.
The following details highlight the various fee structures of the best public and private colleges for varying agriculture programs:
Public Agriculture Colleges with UG Fees
The various government agriculture colleges and their undergraduate fees are shown in the following table:
| Public College Name | Agriculture Total UG Fee (in INR) |
| Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore | 1,65,000 |
| BIRSA Agricultural University, Ranchi | 54,000 |
| Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur | 90,120 |
| Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh | 85,570 |
| Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur | 30,850 |
Private Agriculture Colleges with UG Fees
The various undergraduate fees of the top private agriculture colleges are cited in the table below:
| Private College Name | Agriculture Total UG Fee (in INR) |
| Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi | 94,152 |
| Amity Institute of Organic Agriculture, Noida | 3,80,000 |
| Dr DY Patil College of Agriculture Business Management, Pune | 2,21,000 |
| Ramkrishna Bajaj College of Agriculture, Wardha | 40,070 |
| Mewar University, Chitoorgarh | 2,40,000 |
Public Agriculture Colleges With PG Fees
The various government agriculture colleges and their postgraduate fees are shown in the following table:
| Public College Name | Agriculture Total PG Fee (in INR) |
| Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore | 1,01,000 |
| BIRSA Agricultural University, Ranchi | 31,000 |
| Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur | 37,860 |
| Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh | 78,280 |
| Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur | 18,090 |
Private Agriculture Colleges with PG Fees
The various postgraduate fees of the top private agriculture colleges are cited in the table below:
| Private College Name | Agriculture Total PG Fee (in INR) |
| Amity Institute of Organic Agriculture, Noida | 1,72,000 |
| Sharda University, Greater Noida | 2,06,000 |
| Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM), Paralkhemundi | 3,00,000 |
| Mewar University, Chittorgarh | 76,000 |
| Doon Post Graduate College of Agriculture Science and Technology (DCAST), Dehradun | 1,50,000 |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Agriculture Colleges in India
Common entrance exams conducted by the different top colleges for agriculture course at the national/state/university level are given below:
- BCECE (Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination)
- ICAR (All India Competitive Examination-Junior Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow)
- MHT CET (Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test)
- KEAM (Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical Entrance Examination)
- OUAT (Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology Entrance Examination)
- LPUNEST (Lovely Professional University National Eligibility and Scholarship Test)
- AAU VET (Assam Agricultural University Veterinary Entrance Test)
- AGRICET (Agriculture Common Entrance Test)
- BHU UET (Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Examination)
- BBAU Entrance Exam (Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Exam)
Eligibility Criteria and Admissions for Top Agriculture Colleges in India
The eligibility criteria and admissions process for the multiple programs is different for every institution. Each candidate must satisfy the eligibility criteria of the respective course followed by clearing all the admissions process for getting the seat in the desirable college or university. Admissions are given either on the marks/rank obtained in the entrance exam or direct admission on previous results record, personal interviews, etc. There is also a category wise quota and management quota followed for seat reservation.
Below are the steps involved in the eligibility criteria and its admission process under top agriculture institutes across India:
Eligibility Criteria for Top Agriculture Colleges in India
The points cited below are the general eligibility criteria for various agriculture programs within the top colleges across India:
- UG Level: A candidate should pass 12th standard with 50% marks in minimum with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics as compulsory subjects from a recognised board in India. A candidate should be 17 years of age or above.
- PG level: Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in agriculture/forestry/horticulture/related discipline from a recognised institution with the required aggregate score (score set by the institutions of preference).
- Doctorate/PhD level: Candidates should have a Master's degree in agriculture from a recognised institution with the required percentage (percentage set by the institutions).
Admissions for Top Agriculture Colleges in India
About 400 plus agriculture colleges provide admissions for the different degree programs. Candidates who have satisfactorily passed the eligibility criteria might attempt a test conducted by the institution or direct admission based on academic performance. Based on it, candidates will be shortlisted for the final selection. In addition, candidates can research the course, register, download and submit an application form from the college's official site.
Some of the important admission criteria for top agriculture colleges in India are:
- The candidate belonging to a certain category will be eligible for reserved seats.
- Candidates should submit a valid entrance test score or rank.
- All the documents and application fee (if applicable) should be submitted on the given deadlines (online/offline) as directed by the guidelines.
Cut Offs for Top Agriculture Colleges in India
As cut off is released for the multiple programs after results declaration by considering multiple factors, these cut-offs score is important for students trying to seek admissions into an interesting course. Students should always look over the qualifying cut-off score or rank for the particular course set by the respective institution. A candidate would be called for the counselling process by the college officials after passing the cut-offs for admission.
BCECE Cut Off
Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination (BCECE) is a state-level entrance examination for undergraduate programs organised by the Undergraduate Graduate Engineering Admission Counseling (UGEAC) instead of Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB).
Check out the latest BCECE cut off category-wise from the table below:
| Type of Category | Overall Cut Off Percentage |
| General | 50% |
| General (PwD) | 45% |
| Reserved PwD | 40% |
| ST | 40% |
| SC | 40% |
| OBC | 40% |
ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PGS) Cut Off
All India Competitive Examination-Junior Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PGS) is a national entrance examination for Doctorate (PhD) course into a various program like agricultural, allied sciences, veterinary, and others, conducted by the ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research).
Every institution has various cut off trends under the ICAR exam. Get an idea from the table below of the previous year ICAR cut off and estimate a rough score for cracking the exam even better.
| Category-wise | Cut Off Score | Cut Off Rank |
| General | 450 | 400 |
| OBC | 430 | 680 |
| Scheduled Caste | 365 | 2550 |
| Scheduled Tribe | 310 | 4550 |
Scope of Agriculture in India
The agricultural field will always play a relevant part in the Indian economy. In India, more than half of the population's livelihood depends on the agriculture domain. India is among one of the largest producers of fruits, vegetables and dairy products in the world. The scope is vast within the country and internationally. Agricultural industries need professionals as the rise of hunger-related causes surges every day with the increasing population.
A good number of qualified batches are recruited each year for maintaining food security, food process, improving crop production, etc., in the agricultural sector. Candidates can secure jobs in central/ government or public sectors after B.Sc Agriculture, M.Sc Agriculture, PhD or take examinations like ARS (Agriculture Research Service), University Grant Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET). The greater the qualification, the higher the salary package. Moreover, income varies on the company type and job designations.
Graduates can check the diverse job profiles and its employability areas, as pointed below:
Areas of Employment
- Planning Commission
- Agri-Tech Companies
- District/State Agriculture Department
- Educational Firms
- Research and Development
- Fertiliser companies
- Commercial Farming
- Banking
- Insurance
- Marketing and Sales, etc
Job Profiles
- Agriculturist
- Agriculture Development Officer
- Agricultural Technician
- Agricultural Research Scientist
- Agricultural Officer
- Plant Breeder
- Food Quality Manager
- Plantation Manager
- Production Manager
- Farm Manager, etc.
Agriculture Placements in India
Placement options for agriculture courses are indeed lucrative. Many students, after completion of agricultural studies, get placed into various industries. The agriculture field is vast and competitive. Therefore, the college aims to develop students with analytical skills, commercial ideas, interaction skills, marketing, ready for any job take-up or further studies after graduation through placement options and internships.
Refer to the details below of the selected lists of few recruiters from the top agriculture colleges across India:
Top Agriculture Recruiters
As per the college's official website, some of the popular recruiters from India's top agriculture colleges are highlighted in the following table:
| Name of College | Top Recruiters |
| Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur | TAFE, Agrevolution, Aditya Birla Group, Kribhco, Dr Reddys Foundation, YARA, Agrovet Brighter Farming, Dhanuka, TechnoServe, Rasi Seeds, PAN, NCML, DCM Shriram, Virbac, Crystal, Syngenta, C.P.S India, Jain Irrigation Inc, Monsanto, Excel Crop Care Limited, Basix, Axis Bank, Khistiz Agro Tech Pvt Ltd., Aga Khan Foundation, etc. |
| Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh | Altret Biotech Ltd, Sura, Biostadt, Ahmedabad, Dept. of Horticulture, Gandhinagar, Dena Bank, KRIBHCO - New Delhi, RML Information Service Private Limited - Pune, Gujarat Agroseeds LTd. Ahmedabad, Gujarat State Seed Corporation, Gandhinagar, HDFC Bank, Pest Control India Ltd. Mumbai, Vaishnavi Biotech Ltd., Siho, etc. |
| Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Allahabad | Amdocs, Aditya Retail, Era group, Hindustan Construction Company, HCL, IFFCO, Indian Army, ITC, Infosys, John Deere, Jain Irrigation, Lupin Limited, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, Netafim, NETA firm, Parle, Reliance, ThoughtWorks, Tech-Mahindra, United Phosphorus Ltd, Union Bank of India, etc. |
| Lovely Professional University (LPU), Jalandhar | Acadecraft, Crimson Interactive, Cactus Communications, DCM Group Of Schools, Darrick International School, Education Culture Pvt Ltd, Freyr Solutions, IDS Infotech Limited, IVY World School, Kashmir Herbal Remedies, Shree Krishna Pranami Public School, Siwani Keva Industries, Toppr, YS Group, etc. |
| National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad | Ballarpur Industries Limited [BILT], Canara Bank, Cargill India Ltd, Dow Chemical, Dabur India Ltd, Hindustan Unilever Limited, KRIBHCO, Olam International, UPL Limited, etc. |
Average Salary Offered in Top Agriculture Colleges in India
Under the PayScale report, the average yearly salary for B.Sc Agriculture is 6 LPA, M.Sc Agriculture is 11 LPA, and PhD in Agriculture is 22.5 LPA in India.
According to the college's official website, the average salary offered under the top agriculture colleges in India is shown in the following table:
| Name of College | Average Annual Salary |
| Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar | 3 LPA |
| Sharda University, Greater Noida | 3.5 - 5 LPA |
| Jaipur National University (JNU), Jaipur | 6.5 LPA |
| LPU, Jalandhar | 7 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur | 15 - 19 LPA |
FAQs
Q.What is the total average fee for M.Sc.Ag in India?
A.The average fee for M.Sc Agriculture (Master of Science in Agriculture) comes around INR 50,000 to 2 LPA across India.
Q.What is the duration of the PhD in Agriculture course?
A.PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Agriculture is a 3-4 years duration course.
Q.What are the popular subjects in agriculture?
A.The popular subjects in agriculture in India are listed below:
- Agronomy
- Plant Breeding
- Plant Molecular Biotechnology
- Pomology
- Entomology
- Plant Pathology
- Soil Science, etc.
