The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) administers agricultural education in India. It is offered through a range of institutions, such as State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Deemed Universities, Central Agricultural Universities, and Central Universities with agriculture departments.
The courses offered under agricultural education in India provide students with specialised knowledge and skills in areas like Agricultural Technology, Food Technology, Dairy Science, Food Science, Plant Science, Horticulture, and Forestry. They open up career opportunities in fields such as research, farming, crop production, animal husbandry, agricultural economics, agribusiness, agricultural engineering, and sustainable farming practices.
Students who want to join master's programs in agricultural universities across India need to clear the ICAR AIEEA, a national-level computer-based entrance exam.
Top-Ranked Agriculture and Allied Sector Colleges in India by NIRF
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) authorised the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), which was formally introduced on September 29, 2015. The NIRF ranks institutions and universities based on several key factors, namely, teaching and learning resources, graduation results, research and professional practices, outreach and inclusivity, and overall reputation.
Given below is the list of some top-ranked agriculture and allied sector colleges by the NIRF with their previous year rankings:-
| Colleges Names | NIRF Ranking 2024 | NIRF Ranking 2023 |
| 1 | 1 | |
| ICAR - National Dairy Research Institute | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | 4 | |
| 3 | 3 | |
| 5 | 6 | |
| 6 | 5 | |
| 8 | 8 | |
| 7 | 10 | |
| Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Fisheries University | 9 | 7 |
| 11 | 11 | |
| Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology of Kashmir | 10 | 9 |
| 13 | 16 | |
| 14 | 19 | |
| Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology | 15 | 22 |
| 16 | 15 | |
| Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry | 18 | 17 |
| 17 | 12 | |
| Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya | 19 | 14 |
| Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology of Jammu | 20 | - |
| 22 | 27 | |
| 21 | 13 | |
| Anand Agricultural University | 23 | 18 |
| University of Agricultural Sciences | 24 | 28 |
| 26 | 20 | |
| Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University | 24 | 21 |
| 27 | 23 | |
| West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences | 28 | 26 |
| 30 | 25 | |
| Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University | 29 | 33 |
Also, check these colleges:-
- Top Fisheries Science Colleges in India
- Top Marine Science Colleges in India
- Top Veterinary Science Colleges in India
- Top Agricultural Science Colleges in Andhra Pradesh
- Top Agricultural and Food Engineering Colleges in India
- Top Agricultural Science Colleges in India
- Top Botany Colleges in Kerala
- Top Farm Science and Rural Development Colleges in India
- Top M.Tech Colleges in Bengaluru
- Top Mathematics Colleges in India
- Top Physics Colleges in India
- Top Biology Colleges in India
- Top Chemistry Colleges in India
- Top Horticulture Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
- Top Food Technology Colleges in India
- Top Dairy Science Colleges in India
- Top Food and Nutritional Science Colleges in India
- Top Horticulture Colleges in India
- Top Forestry Colleges in India
Examinations for Admission to Agriculture Programs
Under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the main body in charge of directing, assisting, and conducting agricultural research and education throughout India. The ICAR-AU system includes 74 agricultural universities, with 63 being State Agricultural, Veterinary, Horticultural, and Fisheries Universities (SAUs).
Over 28,000 undergraduate students and over 17,500 postgraduate and doctoral students are admitted annually to India's National Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension System (NAREES), one of the biggest in the world, in a variety of agricultural and related scientific subjects.
Apart from ICAR exams, there are other entrance tests for agriculture courses like:-
Eligibility Criteria for Admission to the Agricultural Courses
Agriculture courses are offered at different levels, like undergraduate, postgraduate, and certification, so the admission process can differ based on the course and the college. The first important step is to check the eligibility requirements of the college you want to apply to.
Given below are the eligibility criteria for admission to the agricultural courses:-
- A candidate must have completed class 12th in science stream with subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics from a recognised board.
- A candidate must have secured at least 50-60% of marks in the related subject.
- A candidate must clear the entrance examinations like ICAR- AIEEA, CUET and state-level examinations.
Also, check these articles:-
- Best Colleges for Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in India: Check Eligibility Criteria and Top Careers
- Top Career Choices after Completing Arts Stream in India: Check Leading Colleges to Study Arts
- List of Colleges Accepting NATA Scores 2025: Check Latest Updates, Seat Intake and Eligibility Criteria
- List of AIIMS Campuses offering BSc Nursing Course: Check Seats and Eligibility
- List of NIFT Campuses in India 2025: Check Fashion and Design Courses Offered
- XLRI Placements 2025 for PGDM BM, HRM Batch: Check Packages, Top Recruiters and Key Highlights
- List of Updated Participating Universities in CUET UG 2025: Check List of Central, State, Private, Deemed and Other Universities
- Want to pursue a career like Sunita Williams? Check Best Colleges and Courses to Become an Astronaut
- Admissions Open for National Forensic Sciences University 2025-26 at nfsu.ac.in Check: Eligibility Criteria and the Programs offered
- Delhi University Colleges Accepting CUET UG 2025 Scores: Check College List, Courses Offered and Eligibility Criteria
- List of Participating Universities in TANCET 2025 for Admission to MCA
- Colleges Accepting TANCET Score Between 80 to 90 Percentile: Check Top List of Colleges