Overview
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), located on Ferozepur Road in Ludhiana, Punjab, is a public state agricultural university established in 1962 to serve the agrarian needs of the erstwhile state of Punjab. It was modelled on the U.S. land-grant university pattern and played a pivotal role in India's Green Revolution, developing high-yielding crop varieties and modern farming practices that transformed the region into the country's foodgrain bowl. The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board (NAEAB), and holds NAAC accreditation. The main campus is spread across roughly 1,200 acres and houses six constituent colleges: College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, College of Community Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, and PAU-College of Agriculture at Ballowal Saunkri, alongside pre-graduation institutes of agriculture at Gurdaspur and Bathinda. The university offers around 82 academic programmes spanning undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels in agriculture, allied sciences and engineering, supported by a faculty of qualified scientists and researchers. PAU is consistently among India's top agricultural institutions. It secured the 3rd rank in the NIRF rankings under the Agriculture and Allied Sectors category for consecutive years, and has also featured in the NIRF overall category. Beyond teaching, the university runs extensive research stations and extension education programmes that connect directly with the farming community across Punjab, reinforcing its mission of education, research and outreach.
Courses Offered
Courses, Fees & Rankings at a Glance
Punjab Agricultural University offers a full ladder of programmes from four-year UG degrees to PhDs, with total-programme fees ranging from around Rs 1.40 lakh to Rs 3.70 lakh depending on the course. The table below pairs PAU's flagship programmes with their indicative total fee, duration and the entrance exams accepted, so applicants can quickly compare cost and pathway. The university's headline ranking - NIRF Agriculture #3 (2025) - applies across its agriculture and allied programmes. For department-wise specialisations, seat counts and eligibility cut-offs, see the detailed Courses and Admissions tabs.
The pattern to note: PAU's agriculture-stream UG degrees (B.Sc Agriculture and B.Sc, both Rs 2,34,000 for four years) are admitted almost entirely through the in-house PAU CET, while B.Tech also accepts a valid JEE Main score for Agricultural Engineering. At PG level, fees are noticeably lower (Rs 1,40,000-1,55,000 for most M.Sc/M.Tech programmes), making PAU an affordable route to advanced research degrees. Professional programmes like MBA (Rs 3,50,000) and MCA (Rs 3,70,000) accept national tests such as CAT and MAT, broadening entry beyond pure agriculture aspirants.
| Programme | Indicative Total Fee | Duration | Key Exams Accepted |
|---|
| B.Tech (incl. Agricultural Engineering) | Rs 3,66,000 | 4 years | JEE Main, PAU CET |
| B.Sc (Agriculture) | Rs 2,34,000 | 4 years | PAU CET |
| B.Sc (Horticulture / Community Science / Nutrition & Dietetics) | Rs 2,34,000 | 4 years | PAU CET |
| M.Tech | Rs 1,55,000 | 2 years | PAU MET, GATE |
| M.Sc (Agriculture) | Rs 1,55,000 | 2 years | PAU MET |
| M.Sc | Rs 1,40,000 | 2 years | PAU MET |
| MBA | Rs 3,50,000 | 2 years | CAT, MAT |
| MCA | Rs 3,70,000 | 2 years | PAU MET |
| MJMC | Rs 1,40,000 | 2 years | PAU MET |
| PhD | As per university norms | 3 years | PAU Entrance Test + interview |
What courses are offered at Punjab Agricultural University?
Punjab Agricultural University offers 80+ programmes across UG, PG and PhD levels in six constituent colleges. Flagship options include B.Tech and B.Sc Agriculture (4 years), B.Sc in Horticulture, Community Science and Nutrition & Dietetics, plus PG programmes such as M.Tech, M.Sc, M.Sc Agriculture, MBA, MCA and MJMC (mostly 2 years), and 3-year PhD programmes. Disciplines span agriculture, agricultural engineering, horticulture, basic sciences, community science and management.
PAU Courses & Fees 2026
10+2 with PCM; Agricultural Engineering requires valid JEE Main score
B.Tech/B.E. in relevant branch, valid entrance/GATE score
Bachelor's degree with 60% aggregate, valid CAT/MAT/ICAR AIEEA score
10+2 in relevant stream, valid PAU CET score (Horticulture, Community Science, Nutrition & Dietetics)
Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline, valid PAU MET score
Bachelor's degree with 50% aggregate and Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level
+ 4 more courses. See all
| Course | Duration | Total Fees | Eligibility |
|---|
| B.Tech Full Time | 4 Years | ₹366,000 | 10+2 with PCM; Agricultural Engineering requires valid JEE Main score |
| M.Tech Full Time | 2 Years | ₹155,000 | B.Tech/B.E. in relevant branch, valid entrance/GATE score |
| MBA Full Time | 2 Years | ₹350,000 | Bachelor's degree with 60% aggregate, valid CAT/MAT/ICAR AIEEA score |
| B.Sc Full Time | 4 Years | ₹234,000 | 10+2 in relevant stream, valid PAU CET score (Horticulture, Community Science, Nutrition & Dietetics) |
| M.Sc Full Time | 2 Years | ₹140,000 | Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline, valid PAU MET score |
| MCA Full Time | 2 Years | ₹370,000 | Bachelor's degree with 50% aggregate and Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level |
Fees
What is the total fee at Punjab Agricultural University?
Total programme fees at Punjab Agricultural University range from about Rs 1.40 lakh to Rs 3.70 lakh depending on the course. B.Tech costs Rs 3,66,000 (4 years), B.Sc and B.Sc Agriculture cost Rs 2,34,000 each (4 years), while PG programmes are more affordable - M.Tech and M.Sc Agriculture at Rs 1,55,000 and M.Sc/MJMC at Rs 1,40,000. Professional courses are higher: MBA at Rs 3,50,000 and MCA at Rs 3,70,000.
PAU Scholarships 2026
Meritorious undergraduate students of PAU selected on the basis of performance in the entrance/qualifying examination. Number of scholarships is fixed by the Academic Council.
Merit-cum-means scholarship for meritorious students from rural areas of Punjab enrolled in B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture and B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering) at PAU.
Undergraduate students admitted to PAU through the ICAR All India Entrance Examination, awarded for the duration of the degree programme.
Outstanding undergraduate students from rural areas of Punjab (who studied up to class 10 in rural schools) in PAU's constituent colleges.
Meritorious undergraduate students of PAU, awarded from an endowment fund based on academic performance.
| Scholarship | Type | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|
| PAU University Merit Scholarship | Merit | Rs 500 per month | Meritorious undergraduate students of PAU selected on the basis of performance in the entrance/qualifying examination. Number of scholarships is fixed by the Academic Council. |
| Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board Scholarship | Merit | Rs 750 per month | Merit-cum-means scholarship for meritorious students from rural areas of Punjab enrolled in B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture and B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering) at PAU. |
| ICAR National Talent Scholarship (UG) | Merit | Rs 5,000 per month | Undergraduate students admitted to PAU through the ICAR All India Entrance Examination, awarded for the duration of the degree programme. |
| Dr G.S. Khush Foundation Merit Scholarship | Private | Rs 1,200 per month + Rs 14,400 per annum | Outstanding undergraduate students from rural areas of Punjab (who studied up to class 10 in rural schools) in PAU's constituent colleges. |
| Dr Gurdial Singh Gill Scholarship | Private | Rs 1,000 per month | Meritorious undergraduate students of PAU, awarded from an endowment fund based on academic performance. |
Admission Process
Placement & Admission Snapshot
In the 2024 placement cycle, Punjab Agricultural University recorded an average package of Rs 7.20 lakh per annum and a highest package of Rs 18.00 lakh per annum. For the 2025 cycle, PAU reported an average package of Rs 3.71 lakh and a highest package of Rs 9.00 lakh, reflecting the year-on-year variation typical of agriculture-sector recruitment. The table below compares the two most recent placement years so applicants can read the trend at a glance.
The headline read: PAU's 2024 average of Rs 7.20 lakh was notably stronger than 2025's Rs 3.71 lakh, and applicants should view packages as cycle-dependent rather than fixed - sector demand, the programme mix and the number of companies visiting each year all move the figures. Recruiters span agribusiness and FMCG (Nestle, Amul, ITC), machinery (John Deere, New Holland, TAFE) and banking (Federal Bank, IFFCO Tokio). On admissions, the headline route is entrance-exam based: PAU CET for most UG programmes, PAU MET for PG programmes, JEE Main for B.Tech Agricultural Engineering, and CAT/MAT for the MBA.
| Placement Year | Average Package | Highest Package |
|---|
| 2024 | Rs 7,20,000 | Rs 18,00,000 |
| 2025 | Rs 3,71,000 | Rs 9,00,000 |
Is admission to Punjab Agricultural University merit or entrance based?
Admission to Punjab Agricultural University is primarily entrance-exam based. Most UG programmes such as B.Sc Agriculture and B.Sc admit via PAU CET, while B.Tech Agricultural Engineering also requires a valid JEE Main score. PG programmes including M.Tech, M.Sc, MCA and MJMC use PAU MET (with GATE accepted for M.Tech), the MBA accepts CAT/MAT, and PhD admission is through the PAU Entrance Test plus interview, with ICAR-qualified candidates directly eligible for the interview.
Cutoffs
PAU Cutoff 2020
Top cutoff closing ranks and scores.
| Exam | Year | Closing Rank |
|---|
| JEE Main | 2020 | 157 |
| JEE Main | 2019 | 377893 |
Rankings & Accreditation
What is the NIRF and NAAC ranking of Punjab Agricultural University?
Punjab Agricultural University is ranked #3 in NIRF Agriculture 2025 with a score of 75.83, the same #3 position it held in 2024. In NIRF 2025 it is also ranked #81 Overall, #64 in the University category and #28 among State Public Universities. On the quality front, PAU holds NAAC A++ accreditation, alongside ICAR and NAEAB accreditation and UGC approval, confirming top-tier academic standards.
PAU Rankings 2025
| Ranking Body | Category | Rank | Score | Year |
|---|
| NIRF | Agriculture | #3 | 75.8 | 2025 |
Location & Campus Details
Contact PAU
Address
Punjab Agricultural University, Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana, Punjab
Phone
+91-161-2401960
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.
Punjab Agricultural University Key Facts (2026)
The table below summarises the essential profile of Punjab Agricultural University at a glance - the founding year, ownership type, approvals, campus scale and ranking status. It is designed to answer the quick "what kind of institution is PAU?" question that most aspirants ask first. Read each row as a single verified parameter and its current value for the 2026 admission cycle.
The takeaway: PAU combines deep institutional heritage (60+ years) with top-tier current recognition - a government-funded, NAAC A++ accredited university that holds the No. 3 agriculture rank in the country. The 1,220-acre campus and 80+ programmes signal scale and breadth, while the UGC/ICAR/NAEAB approvals confirm that degrees carry full statutory and professional weight for aspirants planning careers in agriculture and allied sciences.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|
| Established | 1962 (inaugurated 8 July 1962) |
| Type | Government State Agricultural University |
| Location | Ludhiana, Punjab |
| Affiliation/Approvals | UGC approved; ICAR and NAEAB accredited |
| NAAC Status | NAAC A++ accredited |
| Campus Size | Approx. 1,220 acres |
| Constituent Colleges | 6 (plus pre-graduation institutes at Gurdaspur and Bathinda) |
| Total Programmes | 80+ UG, PG and PhD programmes |
| Student Strength | Approx. 3,000+ students |
| NIRF Agriculture Rank 2025 | #3 (score 75.83) |
| NIRF Overall Rank 2025 | #81 |
About PAU
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), located on Ferozepur Road in Ludhiana, Punjab, is a public state agricultural university established in 1962 to serve the agrarian needs of the erstwhile state of Punjab. It was modelled on the U.S. land-grant university pattern and played a pivotal role in India's Green Revolution, developing high-yielding crop varieties and modern farming practices that transformed the region into the country's foodgrain bowl. The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board (NAEAB), and holds NAAC accreditation. The main campus is spread across roughly 1,200 acres and houses six constituent colleges: College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, College of Community Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, and PAU-College of Agriculture at Ballowal Saunkri, alongside pre-graduation institutes of agriculture at Gurdaspur and Bathinda. The university offers around 82 academic programmes spanning undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels in agriculture, allied sciences and engineering, supported by a faculty of qualified scientists and researchers. PAU is consistently among India's top agricultural institutions. It secured the 3rd rank in the NIRF rankings under the Agriculture and Allied Sectors category for consecutive years, and has also featured in the NIRF overall category. Beyond teaching, the university runs extensive research stations and extension education programmes that connect directly with the farming community across Punjab, reinforcing its mission of education, research and outreach.
Sources and Verification
Information last reviewed on 25 Jun 2026.
Fees, cutoffs, admission steps, placements, and programme details can change. Always cross-check the latest institutional or authority notice before acting.