Kerala Agricultural University

Flagship programmes across the agri-value chain

KAU runs marquee programmes including B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture, B.Tech Agricultural Engineering, B.Sc (Hons) Forestry, Climate Change & Environmental Science, Co-operation & Banking, plus M.Tech, M.Sc Agriculture, MBA Agribusiness Management and PhD, covering the full spectrum from field science to management.

Courses, Fees & Rankings at a Glance

This section answers what KAU teaches, what it costs and how each flagship programme is positioned. The table below summarises KAU's headline programmes with duration, the indicative fee where verified, and KAU's top relevant rank so you can compare entry points side by side. Where the institution publishes the fee as not available, we mark it 'Refer to official source' rather than inventing a figure; treat these as application-stage confirmations. Use the detailed Courses and Fees tabs for seat-wise and category-wise specifics.

The clear pattern is that almost every KAU UG agriculture and engineering programme routes through the KEAM rank (with NEET also required for B.Sc Agriculture), while PG science admission leans on ICAR AIEEA (PG) or GATE, and the MBA Agribusiness is the only programme with a confirmed published fee of ₹2,18,000 for its 40 seats. For aspirants this means your target exam is decided by the level you are entering: school leavers focus on KEAM/NEET, while graduates target ICAR AIEEA PG, GATE or management exams. Always confirm the exact per-year fee on KAU's official prospectus, as several programme fees are not publicly fixed.

What courses are offered at Kerala Agricultural University?

Kerala Agricultural University offers around 85 programmes across UG, PG and PhD levels. Undergraduate options include B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture, B.Tech Agricultural Engineering and B.Sc (Hons) Forestry, Climate Change & Environmental Science and Co-operation & Banking, all 4 years. Postgraduate options include M.Tech (2 years), M.Sc Agriculture (2 years) and MBA Agribusiness Management (2 years, 40 seats), plus a 3-year PhD. Admission depends on KEAM, NEET, ICAR AIEEA PG, GATE or management exams by programme.

KAU Courses & Fees 2026

10+2 with at least 50% in Science (PCM/PCB); admission through KEAM rank

B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering or relevant branch; admission through ICAR AIEEA (PG)/GATE rank

Bachelor's degree from a recognised university; admission based on CAT/CMAT/KMAT/MAT score (MBA Agribusiness Management)

10+2 in Science stream; admission through KEAM rank (e.g. B.Sc Hons Forestry, Climate Change & Environmental Science, Co-operation & Banking)

10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology; minimum 50% in Biology and 50% aggregate in PCB; must qualify NEET/KEAM

Bachelor's degree in relevant agriculture/allied discipline; selection via ICAR AIEEA (PG) or KAU entrance

+ 1 more courses. See all

What are the total fees at Kerala Agricultural University?

The only publicly confirmed programme fee is the MBA in Agribusiness Management at ₹2,18,000 for its full 2-year course (40 seats). For B.Tech, B.Sc Agriculture, M.Sc, M.Tech and PhD programmes, KAU does not publish a fixed consolidated fee, so aspirants should refer to the official KAU prospectus for the current per-year amount. As a government university, KAU's fees are generally moderate compared with private agricultural colleges.

KAU Scholarships 2026

Instituted by KAU for academically deserving but financially disadvantaged students who do not avail fee concessions. Based on merit and family financial status.

SC/ST students of Kerala studying degree/PG courses; no income limit applies for SC/ST and OEC categories.

Students from OBC / KPCR communities in Kerala with annual family income below Rs 1 lakh studying degree or PG courses.

Students from Other Eligible Communities (OEC) in Kerala; no income limit for fee concession in this category.

UG agriculture students admitted on merit to an agricultural university located outside their state of domicile; must maintain merit and study full-time.

Placement & Admission Snapshot

KAU's most recent reported placement average is ₹6.50 LPA in 2024, with a highest package of ₹12.00 LPA, while 2023 placements recorded a median package of ₹3.50 LPA, a highest of ₹12.00 LPA and 194 offers. Admission is primarily entrance-based: undergraduate seats are filled through the KEAM rank (with NEET additionally required for B.Sc Agriculture), making merit in these state and national exams the decisive admission route.

The table below compares KAU's verified placement figures across years so you can read the trend before factoring placements into your decision. It answers what students realistically earn and how the highest package has held up. Read each row as a placement year with its average, median and highest values as reported.

The key trend is encouraging: the highest package held steady at ₹12.00 LPA across 2023 and 2024, while the 2024 average of ₹6.50 LPA sits well above the 2023 median of ₹3.50 LPA, pointing to a healthier overall offer profile. For applicants this means KAU placements are solid for an agricultural university, with top recruiters drawn from agri-input, food technology, banking and government sectors; confirm current-year figures and recruiter lists on the official KAU placement portal before finalising.

Is admission to Kerala Agricultural University merit or entrance based?

Admission to Kerala Agricultural University is primarily entrance based. Undergraduate B.Sc (Hons) and B.Tech seats are filled through the KEAM rank, with NEET additionally required for B.Sc Agriculture. Postgraduate science admission uses ICAR AIEEA (PG), GATE or the KAU entrance, MBA Agribusiness uses CAT/CMAT/KMAT/MAT scores, and PhD admission combines academic record, entrance and interview. So qualifying the relevant entrance exam and securing a competitive rank is the decisive admission route.

Established placement and recruiter network

KAU's placement cell connects students with agri-input companies, food technology and biotechnology firms, plantation industries, banks, financial institutions and government agencies, with 194 offers recorded in 2023 placements.

KAU Placements 2024

Highest Package

₹12.00 LPA

Average Package

₹6.50 LPA

Top-tier NIRF agriculture ranking that is improving

KAU is ranked #12 in the NIRF Agriculture and Allied Sectors 2025 list with a score of 60.00, climbing from Rank #15 (score 52.15) in 2024. That three-place jump and roughly eight-point score gain in a single year signal genuine momentum among India's agricultural universities.

What is the NIRF and NAAC status of Kerala Agricultural University?

Kerala Agricultural University is ranked #12 in NIRF Agriculture and Allied Sectors 2025 (score 60.00) and #101 in the NIRF University category 2025. In 2024 it was ranked #15 in Agriculture (score 52.15), showing a clear year-on-year improvement. KAU is also accredited with NAAC 'A' grade and recognised by ICAR as a State Agricultural University, confirming strong institutional quality for prospective students considering higher studies or government careers.

KAU Rankings 2025

Contact KAU

Address

K.A.U. (P.O.), Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala

Phone

+91-487-2438011

Email

Website

This page is published for informational purposes only. Always verify final details on the official institution website before making academic or financial decisions.

Kerala Agricultural University Key Facts (2026)

The table below answers the most common first question an aspirant has: what exactly is KAU, when was it set up and how is it recognised? It consolidates the institutional essentials, established year, type, approvals, scale and ranking status, into a single snapshot so you can confirm KAU's credentials at a glance before exploring courses and fees. Read each row as Parameter on the left and the verified detail on the right.

The takeaway for 2026 applicants is that KAU is a fully ICAR-accredited, NAAC 'A' graded government university with more than five decades of standing, which matters because ICAR accreditation directly affects eligibility for ICAR scholarships and recognition of your degree nationally. Its NIRF Agriculture Rank #12 in 2025 confirms it is a top-tier choice rather than a regional option, and its wide course basket means most agriculture, forestry and agribusiness aspirants will find a relevant programme here.

ICAR-accredited, NAAC 'A' graded government degrees

As an ICAR-recognised State Agricultural University with NAAC 'A' grade, KAU offers degrees that carry national credibility for higher studies, ICAR fellowships and government recruitment, an advantage that a non-accredited institution cannot match.

Research and extension depth

Beyond classrooms, KAU operates more than 20 research and extension stations and All India Coordinated Research Projects across Kerala, giving students hands-on exposure to live agricultural research that few standalone colleges can offer.

About KAU

Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) is a state agricultural university located at Vellanikkara, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala. Established on 24 February 1971 (and beginning functioning on 1 February 1972), it serves as the principal instrumentality of the Kerala State for providing the human resources, skills and technology required for the sustainable development of agriculture in the state. The university carries out its mandate through the three pillars of education, research and extension, covering crop production, horticulture, forestry, agricultural engineering, climate change and co-operative management. The main campus at Vellanikkara hosts several constituent colleges, including the College of Agriculture (College of Horticulture), the College of Forestry, the College of Co-operation, Banking & Management, and the College of Climate Change & Environmental Science, with additional colleges and research stations spread across the state. The university is recognised as a State Agricultural University by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across agriculture, horticulture, forestry, agricultural engineering and allied sciences. KAU functions as the nodal agency for agricultural education and research in Kerala, operating numerous regional agricultural research stations, krishi vigyan kendras and extension units. It is accredited by NAAC and works closely with the state's farming community to develop and disseminate improved crop varieties, farming technologies and sustainable agricultural practices suited to Kerala's tropical climate.

KAU at a Glance