Agriculture Courses After 12th, Full List, Entrance Test, Eligibility, Career Scope & Salary

Agriculture is no longer confined to traditional farming. In today's India it is a modern, science-driven and technology-aided field with diverse career opportunities. With increasing importance being given to food security, sustainability, agribusiness and agri-technology, today, many students are also seriously looking for agriculture courses after 12th as a career option.

If you are a student who has completed your Class 12 and are looking for a steady, respected, and future-ready career, then this guide will help you know the full list of agriculture courses after 12th, entrance exam, eligibility, career scope, and salary.

Why Pursue Agriculture Courses After 12th? 

India is an agriculture driven country, and agriculture remains one of the biggest contributors to employment. However, today's agriculture in the modern world is very different from that of the previous decade. It now includes scientific research, technology, data analysis, management, exports and environment planning; not everyone can be an agripreneur, farmer, researcher, or 

Students opting for agriculture courses after 12th can pursue their career in government jobs, private businesses and research institutions, startups or even entrepreneurship. With more and more demand for a skilled professional, agriculture has become a stable and fruitful domain for students who have a science background.

Admission Eligibility For Agriculture Courses After 12th

Most of the processes after 12th in agriculture require students to have completed their schooling with Science stream especially subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

General eligibility criteria include:

• Passing of Class 12 from a recognised board
• Science stream with PCB or PCMB (varies with course)
• Minimum aggregate marks required by the institute
• Some universities and colleges conduct entrance exams while some provide admission on merit basis.

Complete List of Agriculture Courses after 12th (Degree, Diploma & Certificate)

Below is a detailed and updated list of popular agriculture courses after 12th which students can opt for from the field of agriculture in India.

Bachelor Degree Agriculture Course After 12th

Bachelor's degree programmes are the most preferred agriculture courses after 12th for students who are looking at long term career growth.

Bachelors of Science (BSc) Agriculture

This is most popular and widely recognised after 12th agriculture course. It focuses on crop production, soil science, plant breeding, agriculture economics and farm management.

BSc Horticulture

This course covers fruits, vegetables, flowers, plantation crops and landscaping. It is ideal for those who are interested in high-value crop production.

BSc Forestry

BSc Forestry is focused on forest management, conservation, wildlife protection and environmental sustainability.

BSc Fisheries Science

This course is related to fish farming, aquaculture, marine biology and fishery management.

BSc in Agriculture Biotechnology

This programme integrates agriculture with biotechnology and emphasizes on genetics, plant tissue culture and crop improvement.

B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) Agricultural Engineering

This course includes focus on farm machinery, irrigation systems, renewable energy and post-harvest technology.

Diploma Courses in Agriculture After 12th

Diploma programmes are short-term, skill-oriented programmes in agriculture following the 12th and are good for those students who wish for early employment.

Diploma in Agriculture

Includes information on basic agricultural practices, crop production, soil management and farm operations.

Diploma in Horticulture

Focuses on nursery management, fruit production, floriculture and vegetable production.

Diploma in Organic Farming

Teaches organic crop production, sustainable agriculture and natural farming techniques.

Diploma in Seed Technology

Includes seed production, quality control, testing and certification.

Certificate Agriculture Courses After 12Th

Certificate courses are short duration programmes on specific skills in the field of agriculture.

Certificate in Organic Agriculture

Ideal for students who are interested in sustainable farming without chemicals.

Certificate Course in Dairy Farming

Focuses on milk production, cattle management and dairy business

Certificate in Agri Business Management

Introduces students to the fundamentals of agricultural marketing, supply chain and agribusiness.

Entrance Exams for Agriculture Course After 12th

Admission to the agriculture courses after 12th may require entrance exams to be given depending on the institute.

Some of the most common routes to admission are:

• Agriculture entrance examinations at state level
• Entrance tests specific to the universities
• National level examinations for selective institutions

However, in many private colleges and diploma institutes, direct admission is given based on marks obtained in Class 12. However, students seeking faster, easy and assured admission in top universities should consider the AIACAT entrance test, also called All India Agriculture Common Aptitude Test. 

List of Agriculture Entrance Tests

Exam	Full Form	Conducting Body	Exam Date	Top Colleges
ICAR AIEEA	National Agri Test	NTA	June 2026	IARI, PAU, BHU
KCET Agri Quota	Karnataka CET	KEA	May 2026	UAS Bangalore
CUET UG Agri	Common Uni Test	NTA	May-June 2026	DU Colleges
KEAM Agri	Kerala Engg Agri	CEE Kerala	April 2026	Kerala Agri Univ
AIACAT	All India Agri Test	Edinbox.com	Online (one every month)	Private Unis

 

Career Scope After Agriculture Courses After 12th

The scope of career after pursuing agriculture courses after the 12th is wide and constantly growing. Graduates can work as:

• Agricultural Officers
• Farm Managers
• Horticulturists
• Soil Scientists
• Agricultural Consultants
• Quality Control Officers
• Agri-Sales and Marketing Managers
• Research Assistants

Students can also opt for higher education such as MSc Agriculture, MBA in Agribusiness or prepare for government exams.

Salary After agriculture courses After 12th

Salary after agriculture courses after 12th is different on the basis of qualification, role and sector:

1. Entry level salaries range generally between the Rs.20,000 to Rs.40,000 a month
2. With experience professionals can get paid between Rs 6 - 10 LPA or more
3. Government jobs offer steady pay with allowances and long term benefits.
4. Entrepreneurial ventures and agribusiness startups can provide a lot more income in the long run.

Experience	Agriculture Officer	Agri Sales Manager	Farm Manager	Research Asst
Freshers	₹35K-50K/mo	₹25K-40K/mo	₹20K-35K/mo	₹25K-40K/mo
2-5 Years	₹6-9 LPA	₹5-8 LPA	₹4-7 LPA	₹5-8 LPA
5-10 Years	₹10-15 LPA	₹9-14 LPA	₹7-12 LPA	₹8-13 LPA
Govt AO (Senior)	₹12-18 LPA + Benefits	3-7LPA	3-10lpa	3.5-7LPA

 

Government Jobs After Agriculture Course After 12th

Agriculture graduates can join the various government positions in:

• State Departments of Agriculture
• Research institutions
• Public sector undertakings
• Rural development agencies

These roles provide job security, respect, and career progression.

Is Agriculture a Good Career Choice After 12th?

Yes, agriculture is a very good option and future-oriented career choice after class 12, particularly in India. With the growing emphasis on food production, sustainability, climate-resilient farming and agri-technology, the need for trained professionals is growing year after year. Students who have interests in science, environment and the building of the nation will find agriculture courses after class 12th both meaningful and rewarding.

Choosing from the various agriculture courses after 12th may seem overwhelming, the trick is to match your interest with the right specialisation. Whether you are considering a degree, diploma or certificate course, there are a variety of careers available in agriculture and they are stable careers with long-term growth potential.

With the right education and skills, agriculture can start to be more than a mere profession and can be a great contribution to the future of India. So, take the right entrance test (perhaps AIACAT because it's 100% online) and pursue your desired career path in Agriculture Sector from the top university. 

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