Agricultural Universities in India: Career options, Importance & Offered Courses

A career in agriculture offers various opportunities in areas like research, management, sales, and farming. It includes the role as a farm manager, agronomist, horticulturist and many more job roles. Here in this Shiksha Article we'll discuss the agricultural colleges in India and the courses offered by them.

Agriculture is a diverse and impactful career path for students who want to pursue it as their career. This career ensures the country's driving economic development and global food security. The Indian economy holds the sixth position among the world’s top economies. As an agrarian country, the nation must enhance its educational facilities in the agricultural domain, R&D, and job prospects, among others, so that India can accelerate its growth in the agricultural sector.

Students can opt for the UG (Undergraduate) and PG (Post Graduate) courses in the field of agriculture, from which they can get job roles in private as well as in the government sector.

Also Read:

• Top Research Institute in India: NIRF Ranking & Admission Process 
• BSc in Agriculture: Course, Career Scope and Salary Prospects

Students can go through detailed information about some universities that they can opt for: 

ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute

Establishment Year: 1905
Location: New Delhi

Popularly known as Pusa institute, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) attained the status of a deemed university in 1958. The institute’s campus is a self-contained sylvan complex which is spread over an area of about 1,250 acres. Currently, the institute has about 20 divisions, five multi-disciplinary centres, eight regional stations, two off-season nurseries, three all-India coordinated research projects, and 10 national centres functioning under coordinated research projects. The university offers PG and PhD courses majorly in disciplines such as:

*Offered at College of Agriculture, Mandya 

The university currently offers four UG courses, PG courses, and PhD courses to students in 12 different branches. The university performs integrated functions of teaching, research, and extension in the fields of:

Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University

[ICAR Rank 8]

Establishment Year: 1965

Location: Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad

Aspirants can pursue UG, PG, PhD and Diploma courses offered at Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University. Candidates can secure admission in different courses offered at Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Home Science, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology as well as Polytechnic. The list of courses offered this agriculture university is as mentioned in the table below.ICAR Admissions 2024: UG & PG Programmes

In order to get admission to the agricultural sciences and its allied domains offered at undergraduate and post-graduate programmes, candidates must appear for the entrance exam mentioned below:

UG Courses: ICAR offers admission to 12 UG programmes in Agriculture and Allied Sciences (other than Veterinary Sciences) at various Agricultural Universities on 20% of the University Seats (100% seats in RLBCAU, Jhansi; Dr. RPCAU Pusa, Bihar; ICAR-NDRI, Karnal; ICAR-IARI, New Delhi and its Hubs), through CUET UG Exam.

Check the CUET UG 2026 tentative schedule from below:

PG Courses: Students who wish to aim in one out of the 30 per cent seats in Master's degree programmes in agriculture universities like the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), and National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), must appear for ICAR AIEEA PG Exam.

Eligibility: Candidates who want to appear in the ICAR AIEEA PG 2024 exam, must ensure that he/she fulfils the eligibility requirements for the exam. Failing to the eligibility criteria or document required during the counselling process will lead to the rejection of the candidature of the applicant. 

Candidate should note that for admission to Master’s degree programmes through the entrance exam conducted by NTA, only the candidates who have passed graduation with four/six (12+4/10+6 B.Sc. Ag./B.Tech.) / five years (B.V.Sc. & AH) / 5½ years (B.V.Sc. & AH) degree programme will be eligible. 

Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree with a 3-year duration will not be considered for admission through ICAR AIEEA PG in AUs under the ICAR-AU system except in a few courses at two ICAR-Deemed Universities (DUs), viz. IARI and NDRI for which the eligibility criteria of the concerned ICAR-DU, including admission of graduates having passed with 3 years’ degree, would prevail for admission. 

With the global shift towards sustainable practices and food security, the BSc agriculture scope is rapidly expanding. BSc Agriculture future scope offers various career opportunities with new technology being integrated into traditional farming methods. 

If you choose a degree in agriculture, it will be a great opportunity for students who want to become part of future future-focused & innovation-driven sector. BSc in agriculture is more than just traditional farming; it offers deep insights into scientific methods, innovation, and industry practices. 

Future Scope of Agriculture in India

The BSc agriculture future scope is evolving with the digital transformation & global trends in farming:

1. Precision Agriculture: By using the GOS, sensors, and data analytics for optimized irrigation, fertilisation, and pest control, significantly boosted.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI-driven crop monitoring, automated weed control, predictive analytics and smart sensors for real time farm management.

3. Drones: For precise spraying like pesticides/fertilisers and crop health monitoring, which reduces chemical overuse and environmental impact.

4. Biotechnology: Development of genetically modified crops for pest resistance, enhanced nutrition and longer shelf life.

5. Mechanisation & Automation: Smart tractors and robotics are tackling labor shortages, common in countries like Japan.

Read More:

• Colleges accepting ICAR AIEEA UG scores/ranks for admission
• ICAR AIEEA PG: List of colleges accepting scores & course-wise seats available for admission