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MSc Agriculture Course, Admission, Eligibility, Syllabus, Fees, Career Scope

authorImageDr. Kumar16 Sept, 2025
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M.Sc. Agriculture

M.Sc Agriculture can help students earn a postgraduate degree and build a career in the agricultural and allied sciences sector. This degree provides candidates with advanced knowledge of crop production, soil sciences, plant breeding, horticulture, and modern agricultural practices. Postgraduates in agriculture can contribute to boosting farm productivity. In addition, it helps in finding a career in sustainable farming, agribusiness, and food security.

From here, interested candidates can explore eligibility, syllabus, admission process, and other related aspects.

M.Sc Agriculture Overview

The full form is Master of Science in Agriculture. It is a two-year postgraduate degree divided into four semesters. The program focuses on specialised areas of agriculture such as agronomy, horticulture, plant breeding, genetics, and more.

The curriculum consists of theoretical learning, practical training, research projects, and fieldwork. Under this course, students gain an understanding of modern farming techniques, seed technology, irrigation methods, and advanced biotechnology applications.

Before applying for admission to a postgraduate programme in agriculture, candidates can go through the summarised details in the following table;

M.Sc Agriculture Overview
Particulars Details
Course Name Master of Science in Agriculture
Duration 2 Years
Course Level Postgraduate
Eligibility B.Sc. Agriculture, B.Sc. Horticulture, B.Sc. Forestry or Allied Sciences
Average Fees ₹20,000 to ₹1,50,000 per year
Top Entrance Exams ICAR AIEEA PG, CUET PG, and other entrance tests
Average Starting Salary ₹3 to ₹7 LPA
Career Roles Agricultural Scientist, Agronomist, Soil Analyst, Plant Breeder, Agri-Business Manager

Note: The program structure and fees may slightly differ across universities, so candidates should verify details from the official prospectus of their chosen institution.

M.Sc Agriculture Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, candidates must carefully review the eligibility requirements prescribed by universities and agricultural institutions. The eligibility criteria generally assess the academic background, percentage scored at the undergraduate level, and sometimes specific subject combinations.

The following table gives a simplified view of the eligibility requirements most institutions follow for admitting students into M.Sc Agriculture programs:

M.Sc Agriculture Eligibility
Criteria Requirements
Educational Qualification Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, or Allied Sciences
Minimum Marks 50 to 60% in UG 
Age Limit No upper age limit in most universities
Entrance Exam Requirement Some universities require ICAR AIEEA PG, CUET PG, or state-level tests

Note: Universities may set their own eligibility criteria. Candidates should always check the admission brochure for exact requirements.

M.Sc Agriculture Admission Process

Admissions to M.Sc in Agriculture courses are generally conducted on a merit basis.  Also, some top universities enrol students on the basis of entrance test results. The process may also include counselling rounds, group discussions, or personal interviews. 

The table below provides a clear comparison of the admission modes, steps involved, and final selection procedures across various universities.:

M.Sc Agriculture Admission Processes
Mode Details
Merit Based Admission based on marks obtained in the undergraduate degree
Entrance Based ICAR AIEEA PG, CUET PG, PAU CET
Counselling Shortlisted candidates attend counselling or interviews
Final Selection Based on the merit list or the entrance exam rank

Note: While some universities follow merit-based admissions, most top agricultural institutes prefer entrance exam scores for final selection.

M.Sc Agriculture Entrance Exams 2025

Entrance exams are crucial for securing admission into top M.Sc Agriculture colleges. These tests usually assess knowledge in agronomy, genetics, plant physiology, soil science, general agriculture, and reasoning ability.

Here is a list of some of the most important entrance exams for admission into postgraduate agriculture courses: 

M.Sc Agriculture Entrance Exam Details
Exam Name Mode Subjects Covered
ICAR AIEEA PG Online  Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry
CUET PG Online Agriculture and Allied Subjects
PAU CET Offline Agriculture Core Subjects
TNAU PG Merit and Entrance Undergraduate level Agriculture
BHU PET Online or Offline Agriculture, Horticulture, Botany

M.Sc Agriculture Syllabus

The syllabus is designed to provide a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of agriculture. Here, candidates can refer to the common syllabus followed by the agricultural universities in India:

M.Sc Agriculture syllabus
Semester Subjects Covered
Semester 1 Plant Biochemistry, Statistical Methods
Semester 2 Plant Breeding, Entomology, Plant Pathology
Semester 3 Agricultural Economics and Electives
Semester 4 Advanced Crop Improvement, Research Project, Dissertation

Note: Candidates are advised to be aware of the latest syllabus related to the PG course in agricultural science.

M.Sc Agriculture Specialisations

Each specialisation under the M.Sc degree in Agriculture course is designed to help students gain in-depth knowledge in a particular branch of agriculture.

Here are some of the common specialisations offered in the M.Sc Agriculture programme:

M.Sc Agriculture Specialisation Courses
Specialisation Scope
Agronomy Crop Management, Sustainable Farming Techniques
Soil Science Soil Fertility, Conservation, And Reclamation
Plant Breeding and Genetics Hybrid Seed Development, Crop Improvement
Agricultural Economics Farm Management, Agri Marketing, Policy Analysis
Horticulture Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, And Floriculture
Agricultural Biotechnology Genetic Engineering, Molecular Biology In Crops

Note: Availability of specialisations in the master’s course of Agriculture varies across universities. Interested students should confirm such details with the institute before applying for admission.

Top M.Sc Agriculture Colleges in India

Many of the top Agriculture colleges in India have advanced research labs, strong faculty, and excellent placement records.

Here are some leading colleges, their location, and the entrance exams: 

M.Sc Agriculture Colleges
Institution Location Exam Accepted
Indian Agricultural Research Institute  New Delhi ICAR AIEEA PG
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University  Coimbatore TNAU Entrance
Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana PAU CET
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Uttarakhand ICAR or University Test
Banaras Hindu University Varanasi BHU PET or CUET PG
Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University Andhra Pradesh ICAR or State Entrance
University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore ICAR AIEEA PG

M.Sc Agriculture Fees in India

The cost of pursuing an M.Sc Agriculture varies across central, state, and private institutions. While government universities are usually more affordable, private colleges may charge higher fees due to modern infrastructure and facilities.

Here is the general fee structure followed by various kinds of institutions:

M.Sc Agriculture Fee 
Type of Institution Average Fees per year
Central or State Universities ₹20,000 to ₹70,000
Deemed or Private Universities ₹80,000  to ₹1,50,000
ICAR Institutes ₹30,000 to ₹90,000

Note: Fees mentioned for the PG course in Agriculture above are for indicative purposes. Students should verify the latest fee structure from the respective institution.

M.Sc Agriculture Books

Reference books play an essential role in understanding agricultural concepts and preparing for both exams and research projects. The right set of books can help students develop deeper knowledge and stay updated with modern agricultural practices.

Here is a list of some highly recommended books:

M.Sc Agriculture Books
Subject Book Name Author
Agronomy Principles of Agronomy S.R. Reddy
Plant Breeding Principles of Plant Breeding R.W. Allard
Soil Science Soil Fertility and Fertilisers Havlin
Entomology A Textbook of Applied Entomology K.P. Srivastava
Agricultural Economics Agricultural Economics Reddy and Ram
Biotechnology Plant Biotechnology B.D. Singh

Note: Recommended books may differ slightly as per the syllabus followed by individual universities. Candidates can check this with their chosen university or college.

Jobs & Career Scope After M.Sc Agriculture

Postgraduates in agriculture enjoy a wide range of career opportunities in government departments, research institutions, universities, etc. Career roles range from scientists and lecturers to agronomists and consultants.

The table below presents the most common job roles after an M.Sc degree in Agriculture, along with the average salary ranges in India:

M.Sc Agriculture Job Roles
Career Role Expected Average Salary per year
Agricultural Scientist ₹5 to ₹8 LPA
Agronomist ₹4 to ₹7 LPA
Soil Scientist ₹4 to ₹6 LPA
Plant Breeder and Geneticist ₹5 to ₹9 LPA
Agri-Business Manager ₹6 to ₹10 LPA
Lecturer/Professor ₹5 to ₹8 LPA

Note: Salary packages depend on job role, sector, and years of professional experience.

Future Scope of M.Sc Agriculture

The demand for M.Sc in Agriculture is continuously growing as the agriculture sector adopts modern technologies. Graduates can pursue higher education, research careers, or work in agriculture-based industries. Here are the major pathways for students after completing their master’s degree in agriculture:

Higher Studies: Pursue a PhD in Agriculture, Horticulture, or Biotechnology.

Research Careers: Join ICAR, IARI, State Agricultural Universities, or international research labs.

Government Jobs: Opportunities in State Agriculture Departments, NABARD, FCI, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

Private Sector: Seed companies, agrochemical firms, food processing industries, agri-tech startups.

International Opportunities: Research and consultancy roles in UN agencies, FAO, and global NGOs.

Note: The future scope after pursuing the M.Sc in Agriculture course largely depends on the student’s chosen specialisation, research interests, and professional networking.

M.Sc Subjects
M.Sc Chemistry M.Sc Physics
M.Sc Mathematics M.Sc Biotechnology
M.Sc Economics M.Sc Geology
M.Sc Mathematical Statistics M.Sc Biochemistry
M.Sc Zoology M.Sc Botany
M.Sc Microbiology M.Sc Agriculture
M.Sc Forensic Science M.Sc Computer Science 

M.Sc. Agriculture FAQs

What is the full form of MSc Agriculture?

The full form of MSc Agriculture is Master of Science in Agriculture.

Who is eligible for admission to the MSc in Agriculture?

Candidates with a BSc in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, or allied sciences with at least 50% to 60% marks can apply for admission in the PG course.

Which entrance exams are required for admission to the MSc degree in Agriculture?

Popular entrance tests for admission to master’s programmes in Agriculture include CUET PG, PAU CET, BHU PET, and more.

What are the career options after completing an MSc programme in Agriculture?

Graduates can work as agricultural scientists, plant breeders, agronomists, soil scientists, lecturers, and agri-business managers after completion of the Agriculture master’s course.

What is the average salary after an MSc course in Agriculture?

Freshers with an MSc degree in Agriculture usually earn between ₹3 and ₹7 LPA, while experienced professionals can earn higher packages.
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