Best Agriculture Courses after 12th in India for 2026

Agriculture based courses may sound pretty new, but they have been the foundation of many botany-based courses in India. Agriculture courses were first introduced in 1905 as short-term diploma courses, and now the courses are offered in various streams of study and under several specializations.

The growing modernistic approach and a considerable decline in agriculture have forced agriculture studies to be introduced at the grassroots level, which resulted in plenty of agriculture courses after 12th. Let us get more ideas about some of the top agricultural courses after the 12th and some insights on scopes, admissions, and eligibility.

Undergraduate Agriculture Course

An undergraduate degree in agriculture is offered in both sciences and engineering streams of study. The general duration of agriculture courses after 12th is from 3 to 5 years of study and depends on the stream opted. Some of the top undergraduate courses are discussed below: 

• B.Sc Agriculture
• B.Sc. Horticulture
• B.Sc Forestry
• B.Tech in Agriculture Engineering
• Bachelor of Fisheries Science
• B.Sc Plant Pathology
• B.Sc Dairy Science
• B.Sc Food Science
• B.Sc Plant Science
• B.Sc Agricultural Biotechnology
• B.Tech Dairy Technology

B.Sc Agriculture

After the completion of 12th in the science stream those who have an interest in agriculture can pursue B.Sc Agriculture. Considering that 70% of India's occupation is Agriculture and the field of study is informative, many career opportunities and qualified professionals are valued in this sector. Bachelor of Science in Agriculture is an undergraduate course offered by several colleges.

A B.Sc course offers a theoretical study of in-depth agro-science concepts and topics underuse of modern scientific equipment and various techniques in agriculture, soil science, water management, poultry management, etc. After completing the agriculture courses after 12th, you can pursue your M.Sc or careers in the public and public sectors.

Check out the table shared below for the B.Sc Agriculture Course Insights:

B.Sc. Horticulture

B.Sc. Horticulture is an agriculture program that deals with the cultivation of plants, studying cultivation, preservation, and the genetics of plants. You should apply your knowledge in this field of study, increasing productivity and yield. Horticulture science provides a basic understanding of the cultivation of crops and techniques to enhance plant growth and gardening.

The applied concepts of Biochemistry, Biology and Genetic Engineering are used in B.Sc. Horticulture to study more on botanical science and seeds. Upon completing the agriculture courses after 12th, graduates can opt for M.Sc in Horticulture or Agricultural Sciences based on their interests.

Check out the table shared below for the B.Sc Horticulture Course Insights:

B.Sc Forestry

B.Sc Forestry is a Bachelor's degree program that offers the study of plantation and wildlife management. The main of the course is to provide knowledge on the conservation and management of forest resources, develop forest and forest resources, and be updated on the latest technologies used in the field of forestry.

A B.Sc in Forestry course offers knowledge on both botanical aspects of forest and zoological aspects of forestry. Graduates of these agriculture courses after 12th have plenty of job streams and higher studies scopes, as they can opt for any botanical or zoological studies.

Check out the table shared below for the B.Sc Forestry Course Insights:

B.Tech in Agriculture Engineering

The branch of engineering deals with the study of agricultural practices in food processing and food production, considering Agriculture as the backbone of our country's economy. The scope for B.Tech Agriculture Engineering is always in demand due to developments in agro machinery and processing techniques that enhance yield rates by a considerable margin.

B.Tech in Agriculture Engineering offers plenty of job opportunities for graduates in food processing, machinery manufacturing, and crop research industries. Graduates can opt for higher education agriculture courses after 12th like M.Sc in any agricultural specialization subject. 

Check out the table shared below for the B.Tech Agriculture Engineering Course Insights:

Bachelor of Fisheries Science

Agriculture is a vast field of study, and fisheries are also an integral part of agriculture in delta regions. Aspirants can take up the B.F.Sc course after 12th that offers a study of fundamental fish farming and essential knowledge on fish breeds. The course involves the study of the management of fisheries.

Also, it draws sub-disciplines of aquaculture, including fish breeding, genetics, biotechnology, aquatic resources, treatment of aquatic animals, fish processing, and many more. The graduates taking these agriculture courses after 12th are employed by government organizations and private fish farming organizations. Graduates of this course can opt for M.F.Sc upon completion. 

Check out the table shared below for the B.F.Sc Course Insights:

B.Sc Plant Pathology

B.Sc in plant pathology is a specialization course in Agriculture Science and Technology for undergraduates. Plant pathology involves agricultural science studying the fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and other microorganisms that cause plant diseases. It is one of the best agriculture courses after 12th.

Check out the table shared below for the Bachelor of Science Plant Pathology Course Insights:

B.Sc Dairy Science

Dairy Technology, also known as Bachelor of Science in Dairy Technology, is another agriculture courses after 12th. It is an Agriculture Science and Technology course offered at the undergraduate level. Dairy technology is a branch of science that deals with preparing milk and milk products.

Check out the table shared below for the Bachelor of Science in Dairy Science Course Insights:

B.Sc Food Science

The Bachelor of Science in Food Sciences is a food technology major that studies the nature of foods and the changes that occur in them due to handling and processing. The agriculture courses after 12th also includes research into all technical aspects of food, such as harvesting or slaughtering, cooking, and consumption.

Check out the table shared below for the Bachelor of Science in Food Science Course Insights:

B.Sc Plant Science

B.Sc in Plant science encompasses a wide range of biological disciplines, including genetics, molecular and cellular biology, and complete organisms, specializing in studies of flora. Agriculture courses after 12th focuses on understanding how plants operate at all sizes, from molecular to global perspectives.

Check out the table shared below for the Bachelor of Science in Plant Science Course Insights:

B.Sc Agricultural Biotechnology

B.Sc in Agricultural biotechnology studies to understand the manipulation of organisms' genetic makeup to increase agricultural product output. It assists in the production of numerous crops kinds and other items to enhance human life as a whole.

Check out the table shared below for the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology Course Insights:

B.Tech Dairy Technology

B.Tech Dairy Technology is a specialization course in dairy and dairy farming. It involves all areas of dairy production and transportation. As part of this curriculum, students will be trained in the manufacturing, processing, and quality control of dairy-related products. It is a popular agriculture courses after 12th.

Check out the table shared below for the Bachelor of Engineering in Dairy Technology Course Insights:

Also Read: Private Agriculture Colleges in India

Best Agricultural Colleges in India

Listed below are the top agricultural colleges in India which you can consider for agriculture courses after 12th:

• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
• Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, [ANGRAU] Hyderabad
• Jawaharlal Nehru Institute, [JNU] New Delhi
• Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, [CIAE] Bhopal
• Punjab Agricultural University, [PAU] Ludhiana
• Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi
• Indian Veterinary Research Institute, [IVRR] Bareilly
• Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
• National Dairy Research Institute, [NDRI] Karnal
• Anbil Dharmalingam Agriculture College and Research Institute, [ADAC&RI] Tiruchirappalli

Also Read: Government Agriculture Colleges in India 2026

Agriculture Course Eligibility

There are different requirements for different agricultural streams and levels. The admission process is done through the eligibility criteria set by the university under the guidance of ICAR.

The basic eligibility criteria to pursue agriculture courses after 12th is that you should've cleared class 10 with a minimum aggregate of over 50% from any board. Some of the other eligibility criteria include: 

• Diploma agriculture courses -The minimum eligibility for the diploma course is completing class 10th with a minimum aggregate score of 50% from a recognized board. Students must have completed an agriculture degree from an ICAR-accredited university for a PG diploma, with a minimum of 50% aggregate. 
• Graduate Agriculture Courses- For admissions into undergraduate courses, students must clear 10+2 exams, preferably from a science background, with an aggregate of 50%. Students must also clear any university-level or state-level ICAR examinations for admission into premier universities.
• Post-Graduation- It is required for a student to be a graduate or to have completed a course in agriculture or biology-oriented domain. Post-graduation courses are designed to give the students a better understanding of agriculture concepts, and the students must have prior knowledge of the course.
• Doctorate Level Course- It is the highest level of certificate one can achieve in this field and can be taken up by postgraduate students with a minimum of 50% aggregate score in their PG degree. This level, of course, focuses on practical application rather than theoretical study.

Also Read: Agriculture Courses After 10th

Agricultural Entrance Exams in India

All courses in India have some entrance examinations for admissions. The agriculture entrance exams are held at the university, state, and national levels. Exams are a vital part of the admission process as they help find suitable candidates for the course via merit.

A few of the entrance exams for agriculture courses after 12th are:

• AGRICET
• Indira Gandhi Agricultural University CET
• AIEEA UG (Undergraduate), AIEEA PG (Post-graduate) conducted by ICAR
• CG Pre-Agriculture Test (PAT)
• UAS, UHS, UAHS PG Common Admission
• GB Pant University Admissions (GBPUAT)
• MP Pre-Agriculture Test (PAT)
• MCAER Common Entrance Test
• Uttar Pradesh Combined Agricultural and Technology Entrance Test (UPCATET)
• Rajasthan Joint Entrance Test (JET)
• Punjab Agricultural University Entrance Exam
• The Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology

Also Read: BCECE Agriculture College List

Career in Agriculture After 12th

Agriculture is a very diverse field of study and opens up plenty of job opportunities for course graduates at any level. Around 60% of Indians work in agriculture, making it a primary sector of employment and revenue. The profession of an agriculturist is very profitable, and the opportunities available are also surplus. You can start working upon completing your agriculture courses after 12th. Apart from conventional farming, you can work in various areas of agriculture, like agro-tech, food processing, research, botany, etc.

Nowadays, research and development have gained huge demand in agriculture because of improving technology. Agriculture has demanded more technology to meet the growing food demands as the population continues to grow across the globe. Graduates have a good scope in horticulture research and agro-tech industries, even if they are not into traditional agriculture. Some of the popular job designations and employment opportunities for agriculture graduates are given below:

Also Read: Top Agriculture Colleges in Andhra Pradesh accepting AP EAMCET