Agri Explainers
Top Agriculture Universities in India (NIRF 2025) + Admission Guide 2026
Updated: 31 December 2025 • Category: Agriculture Education
If you’re planning B.Sc. (Agriculture) or allied programs in 2026, a strong shortlist starts with trusted rankings. This guide uses the NIRF 2025 Agriculture & Allied Sectors ranking list (Government of India framework) and then converts it into a student-friendly admission checklist for 2026.
Top 10 Agriculture Universities in India (NIRF 2025)
Below are the Top 10 institutions from the NIRF 2025 list under Agriculture & Allied Sectors. Use this as a shortlist, then compare programs, faculty strength, labs, and campus fit.
| Rank | Institute | City | State/UT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) | New Delhi | Delhi |
| 2 | ICAR – National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) | Karnal | Haryana |
| 3 | Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) | Ludhiana | Punjab |
| 4 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh |
| 5 | Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar | Bareilly (Izatnagar) | Uttar Pradesh |
| 6 | Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu |
| 7 | SKUAST Kashmir | Srinagar | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 8 | Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) | Mumbai | Maharashtra |
| 9 | G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (Pantnagar) | Pantnagar | Uttarakhand |
| 10 | Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU) | Hisar | Haryana |
Tip: If you want “ICAR Deemed University” options specifically, key names include IARI, NDRI, IVRI, and CIFE (all ICAR Deemed Universities).
How to choose the right agriculture university (beyond rank)
Ranking is a starting point — but your best option depends on your goals. Use this quick checklist to shortlist smartly:
- Program match: B.Sc. Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Dairy Tech, Food Science, Agribusiness, etc.
- Specialization strength: crop science, animal sciences, fisheries, irrigation, agri-biotech, soil & water, plant pathology.
- Field exposure: KVK linkages, farm units, industry tie-ups, live projects, internships.
- Campus ecosystem: labs, research culture, language comfort, student support, hostel & safety.
- Location + cost: travel, climate, living cost, scholarship availability.
Admission Guide 2026 (simple & practical)
Admission routes depend on the course and the seat type (All India quota vs state quota). Here’s a clean breakdown you can follow for 2026 admissions.
1) For B.Sc. Agriculture & Allied Sciences (ICAR All India Quota seats)
For many agricultural universities, the All India quota seats are filled through CUET (ICAR-UG) conducted by NTA for ICAR admissions. After CUET, candidates register for ICAR counselling / rank generation and fill choices.
- Exam name: CUET (UG) with ICAR-UG mapping (as applicable)
- Next step: ICAR counselling portal registration + choice filling
- Important note: This route is for Agriculture & Allied Sciences (often excluding Veterinary Sciences)
2) For State quota seats (Agriculture Universities)
Most seats are also filled via state-level entrance / merit (rules differ by state). You should always check the university’s official admissions page for:
- Eligibility subjects (PCB/PCM/Agri stream rules)
- Reservation & domicile rules
- Merit formula (board marks vs CET score)
- Counselling schedule & fee payment process
3) Veterinary (B.V.Sc. & A.H.) route (important)
If you are targeting Veterinary, admissions are typically based on NEET-UG and handled via counselling systems (including VCI counselling for specific quota seats). Always verify seat matrix, recognition status, and counselling notifications.
Eligibility + documents (2026 checklist)
Requirements vary by university and program, but most agriculture UG programs generally expect:
- Class 12 (10+2) with Science subjects (exact subject combinations vary)
- Minimum percentage as per category/university rules
- Entrance score (CUET / state CET / NEET for Vet, where applicable)
Common documents you’ll need
- 10th & 12th marksheets, passing certificates
- Identity proof (Aadhaar/Passport), passport photo
- Category / EWS / PwD certificates (if applicable)
- Domicile certificate (for state quota, if applicable)
- Migration / TC / character certificate (at reporting stage)
Typical timeline (rough idea)
Many national entrance exams and counselling cycles happen between May to September for the academic year intake. Keep your documents ready early, and track official notices weekly during the admission season.
FAQs
Is NIRF ranking enough to choose a college?
It’s a strong filter — but not the final decision. After ranking, compare program fit, campus facilities, field exposure, internships, and location.
Which are the top options for research-oriented agriculture education?
Research-heavy environments are commonly found in top national institutes and strong state agricultural universities. If you aim for M.Sc./Ph.D., prioritize institutions with active labs, publications, and mentorship culture.
What is the fastest way to avoid admission mistakes?
Follow this 3-step rule: (1) confirm eligibility subjects, (2) confirm quota & counselling route, (3) confirm deadlines and upload formats.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. Rankings and admission rules can change. Always verify details from official university/ICAR/VCI portals before applying.