Agriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy—employing over 50% of the workforce and contributing nearly 20% to the nation’s GDP. With rising food security needs, technological advancements, and government initiatives like Digital Agriculture Mission, the demand for skilled agricultural professionals has surged. To secure admission into B.Sc., M.Sc., or Ph.D. programs in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries, and allied sciences, students must qualify in agricultural entrance exams in India. These competitive exams ensure merit-based admissions into top agricultural universities, including ICAR-AUs, CAUs, and state agricultural institutions.
Latest Updates on Agricultural Entrance Exams (2025)
Stay tuned! Key updates for ICAR AIEEA UG/PG 2026, AGRICET 2025, HORTICET 2025, and CG PAT 2025 will be published here as soon as announced by conducting authorities like NTA, ANGRAU, and CG Vyapam.
Complete List of Agricultural Entrance Exams in India (2025)
Admission to agriculture courses in India is primarily based on performance in entrance exams conducted at three levels: National, State, and University. Below is a detailed, up-to-date list with direct links to official exam guides on IndCareer.
National-Level Agricultural Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full Form | Conducting Body | Programs Offered |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICAR AIEEA UG | Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Exam for UG | NTA | B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Fisheries, Food Tech, etc. |
| ICAR AIEEA PG | Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Exam for PG | NTA | M.Sc. in Agriculture, Animal Sciences, Dairy Tech, Community Science, etc. |
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF | ICAR All India Competitive Exam for Junior/Senior Research Fellowship | ICAR | Ph.D. admissions & research fellowships |
State-Level Agricultural Entrance Exams
Many states conduct their own Common Entrance Tests (CETs) for admission to B.Sc. and M.Sc. agriculture programs in state agricultural universities. Here’s a state-wise breakdown:
| State | Entrance Exam | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | AP EAPCET AGRICET HORTICET AGRI POLYCET | For B.Sc., lateral entry, and diploma admissions |
| Assam | AAU Entrance | Assam Agricultural University |
| Bihar | BCECE BAU PG Entrance | Undergraduate & postgraduate courses |
| Chhattisgarh | CG PAT IGKV CET | B.Sc. Agriculture, Horticulture under IGKV Raipur |
| Gujarat | GSAUCA | Gujarat State Agricultural University |
| Haryana | CCS HAU Entrance Exam | Chaudhary Charan Singh HAU |
| Jammu & Kashmir | SKUAST J CET | Sher-e-Kashmir University |
| Jharkhand | JCECE | Includes agriculture stream |
| Karnataka | KCET | For B.Sc. Agriculture in state colleges |
| Kerala | KEAM | Agriculture stream under KEAM |
| Madhya Pradesh | MP PAT | Pre-Agriculture Test by VYAPAM |
| Maharashtra | MAH Agri CET MCAER PG CET | For B.Sc. & M.Sc. Agriculture |
| Odisha | OUAT Entrance SAAT | Odisha University of Agriculture & Tech |
| Punjab | PAU Entrance Exam | Punjab Agricultural University |
| Rajasthan | Rajasthan JET | Joint Entrance Test for Agriculture |
| Telangana | TS EAMCET TS AGRICET | Includes B.Sc. Agriculture & Agri Engineering |
| Uttar Pradesh | UPCATET UPCET | Uttar Pradesh Combined Agriculture Test |
| Uttarakhand | GBPUAT Entrance | G.B. Pant University |
University-Level Agricultural Entrance Exams
| University | Exam | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry (UUHF) | UUHF Entrance Exam | B.Sc. Horticulture, Forestry |
| Dr. YSR Horticultural University (Andhra Pradesh) | HORTICET | B.Sc. (Hons) Horticulture |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | BHU UET | B.Sc. Ag, M.Sc. Ag |
| Sam Higginbottom University (Allahabad) | SHUATS Entrance | Agriculture & allied programs |
How to Prepare for Agricultural Entrance Exams
Most agricultural entrance exams test knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Agriculture. Key preparation tips:
- Master NCERT Class 11–12 syllabus (especially Biology & Chemistry)
- Study core agriculture topics: Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Horticulture
- Practice previous years’ question papers (available on IndCareer)
- Take mock tests for time management
- Stay updated on current affairs in Indian agriculture (e.g., PM-KISAN, FCI policies)
Career Opportunities After Agriculture Courses
A degree in agriculture opens doors to diverse, high-impact careers:
- Agricultural Scientist – ICAR, KVKs, private R&D labs
- Agronomist – Crop consulting, seed companies (Syngenta, Bayer)
- Agribusiness Manager – ITC, Nestlé, Amul, BigBasket
- Soil & Water Conservation Officer – State agriculture departments
- Agricultural Engineer – Farm machinery (Mahindra, John Deere)
- Food Technologist – FSSAI, food processing units
- Agricultural Economist – NABARD, RBI, World Bank projects
- Entrepreneur – Organic farming, hydroponics, agri-startups
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
ICAR AIEEA is the most prestigious national-level exam for agriculture, accepted by over 75 agricultural universities across India.
Yes! Many students apply for multiple exams to increase admission chances. Just ensure exam dates don’t clash.
No. NEET is only for medical courses. Agriculture admissions are through ICAR AIEEA, state CETs, or university exams.
10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics, with 50% marks (40% for SC/ST).
Yes! With agri-tech, food processing, and sustainable farming booming, skilled agri-professionals are in high demand in both public and private sectors.