Agriculture and food science careers
Agriculture and food science are professional degrees that ICAR lists and admits students to through CUET (ICAR-UG). The range runs from agriculture and horticulture to fisheries, forestry, food technology, dairy technology and nutrition.
Agriculture and food routes at a glance
All of these degrees appear on ICAR's list of bachelor's programmes.
| Career | Main exam | Subjects that matter | Example roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and horticulture | CUET (ICAR-UG) | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics | Agronomist, Agricultural officer, Seed scientist |
| Fisheries and forestry | CUET (ICAR-UG) | Biology, Chemistry | Fisheries officer, Forest officer, Aquaculture scientist |
| Food, dairy and agricultural engineering | CUET (ICAR-UG) | Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology | Food technologist, Dairy technologist, Agricultural engineer |
| Nutrition and community science | CUET (ICAR-UG) | Biology, Chemistry | Nutritionist, Dietitian, Extension officer |
Agriculture and horticulture
ICAR lists BSc (Hons) Agriculture and BSc (Hons) Horticulture among its bachelor's degrees in agriculture and allied sciences.source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
What you study
- ICAR has declared all undergraduate degrees in the agricultural sciences to be professional degrees.source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
- For 2025-26, CUET (ICAR-UG) covered 6,002 seats across 13 programmes. The list also includes Sericulture, Natural Farming and Agribusiness Management.source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
How you get in
- CUET (ICAR-UG) fills 20% of the seats at agricultural universities, and all the seats at a few central institutions such as ICAR-NDRI, Karnal.source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
- You need at least three of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Agriculture in Class 12, with 50% aggregate marks (40% for reserved categories).source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
| Exam | Conducted by | Leads to | Official site | Prepare on XamBaaz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUET (ICAR-UG) | Indian Council of Agricultural Research | Agriculture and allied degrees at agricultural universities | CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR | Chapter practice below |
Class 11 and 12 subjects that matter most
Fisheries and forestry
ICAR's list includes the Bachelor of Fisheries Sciences (B.F.Sc.) and BSc (Hons) Forestry.source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
How you get in
- Both are admitted through CUET (ICAR-UG) at agricultural universities.source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
| Exam | Conducted by | Leads to | Official site | Prepare on XamBaaz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUET (ICAR-UG) | Indian Council of Agricultural Research | Agriculture and allied degrees at agricultural universities | CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR | Chapter practice below |
Class 11 and 12 subjects that matter most
Food, dairy and agricultural engineering
ICAR's list includes B.Tech degrees in Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Technology, Food Technology and Biotechnology.source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
How you get in
- AICTE allows Biology in place of Mathematics for B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering.source: AICTE Approval Process Handbook 2024-27
| Exam | Conducted by | Leads to | Official site | Prepare on XamBaaz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUET (ICAR-UG) | Indian Council of Agricultural Research | Agriculture and allied degrees at agricultural universities | CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR | Chapter practice below |
Class 11 and 12 subjects that matter most
Nutrition and community science
ICAR's list also includes BSc (Hons) Food Nutrition and Dietetics and BSc (Hons) Community Science.source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
How you get in
- These are admitted through CUET (ICAR-UG) as well.source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
| Exam | Conducted by | Leads to | Official site | Prepare on XamBaaz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUET (ICAR-UG) | Indian Council of Agricultural Research | Agriculture and allied degrees at agricultural universities | CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR | Chapter practice below |
Class 11 and 12 subjects that matter most
Which subjects keep agriculture open
CUET (ICAR-UG) accepts several subject combinations, not just one.
- CUET (ICAR-UG) asks for at least three of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Agriculture in Class 12.source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
- A diploma or vocational course taken after Class 10 makes a candidate ineligible for CUET (ICAR-UG).source: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR
Choosing your stream now? See which stream to take after Class 10 →
Practise Biology and Chemistry chapter by chapter
Biology and Chemistry run through every degree on this page. Each chapter below opens with free Key Concepts notes and practice questions.
Class 11 Biology19 chapters
- The Living World
- Biological Classification
- Plant Kingdom
- Animal Kingdom
- Morphology of Flowering Plants
- Anatomy of Flowering Plants
- Structural Organisation in Animals
- Cell: The Unit of Life
- Biomolecules
- Cell Cycle and Cell Division
- Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
- Respiration in Plants
- Plant Growth and Development
- Breathing and Exchange of Gases
- Body Fluids and Circulation
- Excretory Products and Their Elimination
- Locomotion and Movement
- Neural Control and Coordination
- Chemical Coordination and Integration
Class 11 Chemistry17 chapters
- Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
- Structure of Atom
- Classification of Elements and Periodicity
- Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
- Thermodynamics
- Equilibrium
- Redox Reactions
- Organic Chemistry — Basic Principles and Techniques
- Hydrocarbons
- Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
- Basic Analytical Techniques
- Elements of Group 1 and 2
- Elements of Group 13, 14 and 15
- States of Matter
- Adsorption and Colloids
- Nuclear Chemistry and Radioactivity
- Chemistry in Everyday Life
Class 12 Biology13 chapters
- Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
- Human Reproduction
- Reproductive Health
- Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Molecular Basis of Inheritance
- Evolution
- Human Health and Disease
- Microbes in Human Welfare
- Biotechnology: Principles and Processes
- Biotechnology and its Applications
- Organisms and Populations
- Ecosystem
- Biodiversity and Conservation
Agriculture and food — frequently asked questions
How do I get into an agricultural university?
CUET (ICAR-UG) fills 20% of the seats at agricultural universities, and all the seats at a few central institutions such as ICAR-NDRI, Karnal.
Can a PCM student study agriculture?
Yes. CUET (ICAR-UG) asks for any three of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Agriculture, so Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics qualify.
Does CUET (ICAR-UG) cover veterinary science?
No. It covers agriculture and allied degrees other than veterinary sciences. Veterinary colleges fill their 15% VCI quota through NEET.
Are agriculture degrees professional degrees?
Yes. ICAR has declared all undergraduate degrees in the agricultural sciences to be professional degrees.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these official pages. Rules change each year, so confirm on the official site before you apply.
- CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, ICAR · icar.org.in
- AICTE Approval Process Handbook 2024-27 · aicte.gov.in
- NEET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, NTA · cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in
Read next
Other science career routes, each checked against official sources.
Prepare for the exam that leads there
Chapter-wise practice for Class 8 to 12, with free Key Concepts notes and full-length mock tests. It runs in any browser.