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Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) is a state government agricultural university established in 1971 at Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala. It is the principal agricultural research and education institution in Kerala, accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
As per NIRF Agriculture and Allied 2025, KAU is ranked 12th in India in the Agriculture and Allied category. The university also features in the NIRF Overall 2025 band of 151 to 200.
The main campus is located at Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala. KAU operates through 8 constituent colleges spread across Kerala, 14 research stations, and 14 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). The Vellanikkara campus houses the College of Agriculture, College of Horticulture, College of Forestry, and the College of Co-operation Banking and Management, along with central research farms and experimental stations.
- B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture — 4-year flagship programme at Vellayani, Padannakkad, and Ambalavayal campuses
- B.Sc (Hons.) Horticulture — 4 years at Vellanikkara
- B.Sc (Hons.) Forestry — at Vellanikkara
- B.Tech Agricultural Engineering — 4 years at Tavanur (Malappuram)
- B.Tech Biotechnology — 4 years
- B.Sc (Hons.) Co-operation and Banking, B.Sc Climate Studies and Disaster Management — at Vellanikkara
- M.Sc — over 30 specialisations across Agronomy, Plant Pathology, Genetics, Horticulture, Forestry, Home Science, and more
- M.Tech — Agricultural Engineering specialisations
- MBA Agri-Business Management — 2 years at Vellanikkara
- Ph.D. — over 30 disciplines in agriculture and allied sciences
- Diploma and PG Diploma — in Agricultural Sciences, Organic Agriculture, Bioinformatics, Nutrition and Dietetics, and more
Total B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture fees are INR 10.14 Lakhs for the full 4-year programme. B.Tech Agricultural Engineering and Biotechnology fees are INR 5.11 Lakhs each. M.Sc programme fees are INR 1.76 Lakhs for 2 years.
KAU students are eligible for ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for Ph.D. programmes, and for state and central government scholarship schemes through the National Scholarship Portal.
KAU graduates secure positions in state agriculture departments as Agricultural Officers, in ICAR research institutes, in national banks as agriculture officers (NABARD, SBI Agri), and in private agri-input companies across India.
- Kerala Agricultural University Admission Dates 2027
- Kerala Agricultural University Courses and Fees
- Kerala Agricultural University Admission Process
- Kerala Agricultural University Career Outcomes
- Kerala Agricultural University Rankings
- Kerala Agricultural University Scholarships
- Kerala Agricultural University Campus and Infrastructure
- Kerala Agricultural University vs Tamil Nadu Agricultural University vs UAS Bengaluru
- Kerala Agricultural University FAQs
Kerala Agricultural University Admission Dates 2027
KAU admissions for the 2026-27 academic session have concluded. The 2027 admission cycle is anchored by KEAM 2027 for UG programmes and ICAR AIEEA PG 2027 for postgraduate admissions. UG state quota seats (85%) are filled through KEAM, while national quota seats (15%) go through ICAR AIEEA UG.
| Event | Programme Level | Expected Date |
|---|---|---|
| KEAM 2027 (Exam) | UG (B.Sc Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, B.Tech) | April 2027 (Tentative) |
| ICAR AIEEA UG 2027 | UG National Quota (15%) | June 2027 (Tentative) |
| KAU UG Counselling | All UG Programmes | July to August 2027 (Tentative) |
| ICAR AIEEA PG 2027 | M.Sc, M.Tech (National Quota) | June to July 2027 (Tentative) |
| KAU PG Entrance and Counselling | M.Sc, M.Tech, MBA | June to August 2027 (Tentative) |
| Ph.D. Entrance Test | Ph.D. (all disciplines) | July to August 2027 (Tentative) |
All UG admissions are processed centrally through the KEAM portal and ICAR for national quota. PG admissions use the ICAR AIEEA PG score for national quota seats. Diploma and PG Diploma programmes admit students directly through KAU’s own entrance or merit-based selection.
| Course Family | Exam Accepted | Quota Split |
|---|---|---|
| B.Sc Agriculture / Horticulture / Forestry | KEAM / ICAR AIEEA UG | State 85% / National 15% |
| B.Tech Agricultural Engineering / Biotechnology | KEAM / ICAR AIEEA UG | State 85% / National 15% |
| B.Sc Co-operation and Banking / Climate Studies | KEAM / Merit | State quota only |
| M.Sc (all disciplines) | ICAR AIEEA PG / KAU Entrance | National and state quota |
| M.Tech (Agricultural Engineering) | ICAR AIEEA PG / GATE | National and state quota |
| MBA Agri-Business | KAU Entrance / Merit | State quota |
| Ph.D. | KAU Ph.D. Entrance Test / ICAR NET | State and national |
| Diploma Programmes | Merit-based / KAU entrance | Open to all |
Kerala Agricultural University Courses and Fees
KAU offers over 90 programmes across UG, PG, Ph.D., and Diploma levels through its 8 constituent colleges. The flagship B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture is a 4-year programme with total fees of INR 10.14 Lakhs. The university covers agriculture, horticulture, forestry, agricultural engineering, biotechnology, agri-business, and allied sciences.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture | 4 years | 10+2 PCB or PCM, KEAM | INR 10.14 Lakhs |
| B.Sc (Hons.) Horticulture | 4 years | 10+2 PCB or PCM, KEAM | INR 8.11 Lakhs |
| B.Tech Agricultural Engineering | 4 years | 10+2 PCM, KEAM | INR 5.11 Lakhs |
| B.Tech Biotechnology | 4 years | 10+2 PCB or PCM, KEAM | INR 5.11 Lakhs |
| B.Sc (Hons.) Forestry / Co-operation and Banking / Climate Studies | 4 years | 10+2 PCB or PCM, KEAM | INR 1.63 Lakhs |
| BS + MS Biology | 5 years (integrated) | 10+2 PCB, merit | INR 4.72 Lakhs |
| B.Sc + M.Sc Microbiology | 5 years (integrated) | 10+2 PCB, merit | INR 10.14 Lakhs |
| M.Sc (all disciplines) | 2 years | B.Sc relevant, 60% | INR 1.76 Lakhs |
| M.Tech Agricultural Engineering | 2 years | B.Tech relevant, GATE | INR 1.76 Lakhs |
| MBA Agri-Business Management | 2 years | Graduation 60%, KAU Entrance | INR 1.71 Lakhs |
| Ph.D. (all disciplines) | 3 years | M.Sc relevant, KAU NET / ICAR NET | INR 2.79 to 3.24 Lakhs |
| PG Diploma (various) | 1 year | Graduation relevant | INR 67,900 |
| Diploma in Agricultural Sciences | 1 year | Class 12 PCB | INR 1.15 Lakhs |
KAU’s M.Sc programmes span over 30 specialisations including Agronomy, Plant Pathology, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Olericulture, Fruit Science, Spices and Plantation Crops, Forest Resource Management, Home Science, and Wildlife Sciences. The MBA Agri-Business is specifically designed for careers in agri-finance, cooperatives, and agri-input industries.
Kerala Agricultural University Admission Process
KAU follows a centralised admission process aligned with ICAR guidelines for national quota seats. UG admissions are managed through KEAM (state quota) and ICAR AIEEA UG (national quota). PG and Ph.D. admissions are governed by ICAR AIEEA PG and KAU’s own entrance tests.
UG Programme Admission
B.Sc Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, and B.Tech programmes admit students through KEAM for the state quota and ICAR AIEEA UG for the national quota.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects, plus Mathematics or Biology. Minimum 60% aggregate (55% for SC/ST/OBC).
- State quota (85%): Based on KEAM rank, Kerala domicile required.
- National quota (15%): Based on ICAR AIEEA UG rank, open to all India.
- Selection: Merit-based counselling in KEAM and ICAR AIEEA portals. No separate institute-level selection.
KEAM cutoffs for B.Sc Agriculture (General category) at KAU’s Vellayani and Vellanikkara colleges have historically been competitive, reflecting high demand from students across Kerala.
PG Programme Admission (M.Sc and M.Tech)
- Eligibility: B.Sc (Hons.) in the relevant discipline with minimum 60% marks.
- National quota: ICAR AIEEA PG rank. GATE score accepted for M.Tech admission.
- State quota: KAU PG entrance test.
- Selection: Merit list drawn from entrance scores, followed by document verification and fee payment.
MBA Agri-Business and Ph.D. Admission
MBA Agri-Business requires a graduation degree with minimum 60% marks. Selection is through a KAU-conducted written entrance test and personal interview. Ph.D. admission requires a qualifying M.Sc degree and a valid ICAR NET or KAU Ph.D. entrance test score. Ph.D. scholars with ICAR JRF receive a monthly fellowship stipend.
Kerala Agricultural University Career Outcomes
KAU graduates do not follow conventional campus placement patterns. Career outcomes span government services, agricultural research, banking, agri-input industries, and entrepreneurship. The university’s ICAR accreditation and research standing open national and state government positions to its graduates.
| Career Pathway | Key Employers / Positions | Typical Starting Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| State Agriculture Department | Agricultural Officer, Agricultural Extension Officer (AEO) | INR 30,000 to 50,000 per month (as per Kerala pay scale) |
| ICAR Research Institutes | Research Associate, Junior Research Fellow, Scientist | INR 31,000 to 54,000 per month (fellowship / salary) |
| Banking (Agriculture) | NABARD, SBI (Agriculture), Regional Rural Banks | INR 40,000 to 55,000 per month |
| Private Agri-Input Companies | Field Sales, Research and Development, Quality Assurance | INR 25,000 to 45,000 per month |
| Teaching Assistantship / Research | Teaching Assistant at KAU after M.Sc | INR 30,000 per month |
| Entrepreneurship | Agri-tech startups, organic farming, food processing | Variable |
B.Sc Agriculture graduates from KAU are eligible to appear for state public service commission exams (KPSC) for agriculture officer roles in Kerala. M.Sc graduates are eligible for ICAR positions and Ph.D. research fellowships. B.Tech Agricultural Engineering graduates also find roles in KSEB, irrigation departments, and agri-machinery firms. The MBA Agri-Business programme targets careers in agri-cooperative management, NABARD, and rural finance.
Kerala Agricultural University Rankings
KAU is ranked 12th in NIRF Agriculture and Allied 2025, making it the highest-ranked agricultural university in Kerala and among the top 15 agricultural universities in India. The university also appears in the NIRF Overall 2025 band of 151 to 200 and in the State Public Universities band of 51 to 100.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Agriculture and Allied | 12 |
| NIRF | Overall | 151 to 200 band |
| NIRF | Universities | 101 to 150 band |
| NIRF | State Public Universities | 51 to 100 band |
KAU’s NIRF Agriculture rank of 12 reflects its strength in research output, peer perception, and teaching-learning resources across its eight colleges. The university has consistently appeared in the NIRF Agriculture top 15 over multiple ranking cycles.
Kerala Agricultural University Scholarships
KAU students have access to ICAR fellowships, state government scholarships, and central government schemes. ICAR JRF and SRF are the primary fellowships for Ph.D. scholars, while UG and PG students benefit from merit and category-based government schemes.
| Scholarship / Fellowship | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Ph.D. scholars with ICAR NET / AIEEA rank | INR 31,000 per month (first 2 years) + HRA |
| ICAR Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) | Ph.D. scholars in year 3 onward | INR 35,000 per month + HRA |
| DBT JRF (Biotechnology) | B.Tech Biotechnology, M.Sc Plant Biotechnology — Ph.D. | INR 31,000 per month |
| SC/ST State Scholarship (Kerala) | SC/ST students, income threshold | Full or partial tuition waiver as per state norms |
| NSP Post-Matric Scholarship | OBC/Minority/EWS students, family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs | INR 5,000 to 20,000 per year |
M.Sc students selected for ICAR AIEEA PG merit list also receive a monthly ICAR scholarship. KAU students can additionally apply for state-level agricultural scholarships administered by the Kerala Agriculture Department and NABARD’s rural scholarship fund.
Kerala Agricultural University Campus and Infrastructure
KAU’s main campus at Vellanikkara, Thrissur is a green research campus housing the university’s flagship colleges. Vellanikkara hosts the College of Agriculture, College of Horticulture, College of Forestry, and College of Co-operation Banking and Management, along with the Central Library, research farms, and botanical garden. The campus is approximately 20 km from Thrissur city and accessible by road from Thrissur and Palakkad.
KAU operates constituent colleges at multiple locations across Kerala, including Vellayani (Thiruvananthapuram), Tavanur (Malappuram), Padannakkad (Kasaragod), Ambalavayal (Wayanad), and Vellanikkara. Each college campus includes discipline-specific research farms, teaching laboratories, greenhouses, and student hostels. The 14 research stations and 14 Krishi Vigyan Kendras give students access to field research across diverse agro-climatic zones of Kerala.
Hostel facilities are available at all constituent colleges. Hostel fees are INR 15,750 per year for both boys and girls. The Vellanikkara campus also houses a university library with a large collection of agricultural science journals, e-resources, and research databases.
Kerala Agricultural University vs Tamil Nadu Agricultural University vs UAS Bengaluru
Aspiring agricultural science students from Kerala often compare KAU with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore and University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Bengaluru. All three are ICAR-accredited state agricultural universities in South India drawing from a common applicant pool.
| Parameter | KAU Thrissur | TNAU Coimbatore | UAS Bengaluru |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 1971 | 1971 | 1964 |
| State | Kerala | Tamil Nadu | Karnataka |
| ICAR Accreditation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NIRF Agriculture 2025 | 12 | NIRF top 5 | NIRF top 10 |
| Constituent Colleges | 8 | Multiple (7 colleges) | Multiple campuses |
| B.Sc Agriculture Fee (Total) | INR 10.14 Lakhs | As per official website | As per official website |
| Hostel Fee (per year) | INR 15,750 | As per official website | As per official website |
KAU leads for students seeking state quota admission within Kerala, with strong ties to KPSC and Kerala’s cooperative banking sector. TNAU, ranked higher in NIRF Agriculture, is the preferred choice for Tamil Nadu students and for programmes in food technology and agriculture biotechnology. UAS Bengaluru is well-regarded for horticulture, sericulture, and plant breeding programmes. All three offer ICAR JRF-funded Ph.D. programmes.
Kerala Agricultural University FAQs
Ques. What is the NIRF rank of Kerala Agricultural University in 2025?
Ans. Kerala Agricultural University is ranked 12th in India in the NIRF Agriculture and Allied category for 2025. It also appears in the NIRF Overall band of 151 to 200 and in the State Public Universities band of 51 to 100.
Ques. Is admission to KAU through KEAM or ICAR AIEEA?
Ans. Both. For UG programmes (B.Sc Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, B.Tech), 85% of seats are filled through KEAM for Kerala domicile students, and the remaining 15% are filled through ICAR AIEEA UG for national quota. PG admissions use ICAR AIEEA PG for national quota and a KAU entrance test for state quota.
Ques. What is the total fee for B.Sc Agriculture at KAU?
Ans. The total fee for the 4-year B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture programme at KAU is INR 10.14 Lakhs. B.Tech Agricultural Engineering and Biotechnology fees are INR 5.11 Lakhs for 4 years. M.Sc programme fees are INR 1.76 Lakhs for 2 years.
Ques. What are the career options after B.Sc Agriculture from KAU?
Ans. KAU B.Sc Agriculture graduates are eligible for Agricultural Officer and AEO positions through KPSC, bank officer roles at NABARD and SBI Agriculture branches, research positions at ICAR institutes, and roles in private agri-input and agri-tech companies. Many graduates also pursue M.Sc and then Ph.D. with ICAR JRF fellowships of INR 31,000 per month.
Ques. Does KAU have hostel facilities?
Ans. Yes. KAU provides hostel facilities for boys and girls at all its constituent college campuses, including Vellanikkara, Vellayani, Tavanur, Padannakkad, and Ambalavayal. The hostel fee is INR 15,750 per year. Hostel accommodation is separate from tuition fees and allocated on merit and availability.
Ques. Is KAU an ICAR-accredited university?
Ans. Yes. Kerala Agricultural University is accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and recognised by UGC. The ICAR accreditation enables KAU students to access ICAR JRF and SRF fellowships and to appear for ICAR AIEEA PG and NET examinations.
Ques. How many colleges does KAU have?
Ans. KAU operates through 8 constituent colleges spread across Kerala: College of Agriculture (Vellayani and Padannakkad), College of Horticulture (Vellanikkara), College of Forestry (Vellanikkara), College of Co-operation Banking and Management (Vellanikkara), College of Agricultural Engineering (Tavanur), College of Climate Change and Environmental Sciences (Vellanikkara), and College of Agriculture (Ambalavayal). It also has 14 research stations and 14 Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
Ques. Does KAU offer MBA programmes?
Ans. Yes. KAU offers a 2-year MBA in Agri-Business Management at the Vellanikkara campus. Total fees are INR 1.71 Lakhs for the programme. Admission is through a KAU-conducted entrance test. The programme focuses on agri-cooperatives, rural finance, agri-marketing, and farm enterprise management.
Comments
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Yes, there is a possibility you could get into Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) with a rank of 16,028 in the SC category, depending on which course and campus you apply for. For example, the SC cutoff for B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture at the Vellanikkara college was 19,131 in 2025. Since 16,028 is better (lower) than 19,131, you stand a decent chance. However, for other colleges (like Padannakkad), the SC cutoff was 20,139.
To check your admission status at Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Thrissur, visit the official KAU Online Admission Portal (admissions.kau.in). Look under the "Rank Lists" or "Announcements" tabs to see if your name appears on the provisional rank or seat allotment lists. You can also log in using your registered credentials to check your individual selection dashboard.
The entrance exam for KAU Thrissur will begin by May 2024 and the classes for the same will begin by July last week 2024.
Kerala Agricultural University does not offer the online course. The courses at the Kerala Agricultural University are offline, regular, and on campus.
Yes, the academic programs are offered by Kerala Agricultural University and are accredited by ICAR and approved by AICTE.
You need to drop your query here, we shall get back to you as soon as possible. Or, you can also contact the college KAU Thrissur at: 0487 243 8011.
The selection of candidates will be based on the Entrance Test conducted by the University. Bachelor’s degree in the respective subject/ equivalent degree recognized by KAU. For graduates of KAU, under UG regulations 2007, the minimum OGPA is 6.0/10 for the general category and 5.5/10 for the SC/ST category. For graduates of KAU under UG regulations up to 2006, the minimum OGPA is 7.3/10 for the general category and 7.0/10 for SC/ST. B.Sc. (Ag.) and B.Sc. (Hort.) will be treated as equal for admission purposes.
You must meet the eligibility criteria of the subject you have chosen. Kerala Agricultural University offers various courses. The admission is done based on both merit lists and the score of the entrance examination.
You must either score good marks in your previous examination or qualify the entrance examination to get admission in Kerala Agricultural University.
Yes, Bsc Honors and B.Tech courses offered by Kerala Agricuture University conducts entrance examination as a part of the admission process.
Admissions to the course are done on the basis of rank scored in CEE conducted by KEAM (Kerala Engineering Architecture and Medical courses
If you want to take admissions at Kerala Agricultural University You can apply online from the official website of the collage. Admission criteria would be dependent on the course you want to opt for. Check out the official website for more information.
No, candidate who want to study Organic Agriculture must have passed in 10+2 holding equivalent with the subject combination of Physics, Chemistry & Biology and secures a minimum of 50% marks in each subject. to be eligible for the course.
You will be intimated to your registered mail and phone number with the result of admission. However, you can also contact KAU Thrissur at: 0487 243 8011 for the same.
Some of the top Master of Science (M.Sc) in Nutrition and Dietetics colleges in India that you can apply to are Welcome Group Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, JSS University, etc.
The closing score in KMAT for admission to MBA Agribusiness Management in KAU Thrissur is 60.