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.
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 | |
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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.
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 | |
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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.
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 | |
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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.
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 | ||
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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 |
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 | |
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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.
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 | |
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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.
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 | ||
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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 |
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 | |
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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.
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 | ||
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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.
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 | |
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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.
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.