🌾 BSc Agriculture Subjects & Curriculum — 8-Semester Syllabus (ICAR 2026)
Complete BSc Agriculture subjects list — all 8 semesters, 21 disciplines, year-wise breakdown as per ICAR 6th Deans' Committee Syllabus 2026. Covers agronomy, genetics, horticulture, soil science, entomology, and 16 more subjects with lesson links.
This lesson explains key concepts in a structured way and connects them to practical agricultural applications and exam-oriented understanding.
BSc Agriculture Subjects — Complete Curriculum
BSc Agriculture follows the ICAR 6th Deans' Committee Syllabus 2024 — a standardized curriculum covering 21 subjects across 8 semesters. The degree spans 4 years with 177 credits including theory, practicals, and field training.
Subject Overview — All 21 Disciplines
| Subject | Courses | Semesters | Study Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agronomy | 14 | I–VIII | View lessons → |
| Horticulture | 6 | II–VI | View lessons → |
| Genetics & Plant Breeding | 7 | III–VI | View lessons → |
| Plant Pathology | 6 | III–VII | View lessons → |
| Soil Science & Agri Chemistry | 4 | I–V | View lessons → |
| Agricultural Entomology | 3 | III–VI | View lessons → |
| Agricultural Economics | 5 | IV–VII | View lessons → |
| Agricultural Extension | 5 | V–VIII | View lessons → |
| Agricultural Engineering | 4 | II–V | View lessons → |
| Plant Physiology | 1 | II | View lessons → |
| Biochemistry | 1 | I | View lessons → |
| Agricultural Microbiology | 1 | III | View lessons → |
| Forestry / Agroforestry | 1 | V | View lessons → |
| Livestock Production & Management | 1 | IV | View lessons → |
| Food Science & Technology | 1 | VI | View lessons → |
| Environmental Science | 1 | IV | View lessons → |
| Statistics & Computer Applications | 4 | I–IV | View lessons → |
| Agricultural Microbiology | 1 | III | View lessons → |
| Communication English | 1 | I | View lessons → |
| Agri Resource Management | 1 | VII | View lessons → |
| Elective Courses | 12 | VII–VIII | View lessons → |
Year-Wise & Semester-Wise Breakdown
Year 1 (Semesters I & II) — Foundation
Semester I — Core foundations
| Course Code | Subject | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRO 111 | Fundamentals of Agronomy | 3(2+1) |
| SOSC 111 | Fundamentals of Soil Science | 3(2+1) |
| HORT 111 | Fundamentals of Horticulture | 2(1+1) |
| BCHE 111 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3(2+1) |
| STAT 111 | Elementary Statistics | 2(1+1) |
| ENGL 111 | Communication & Agriculture English | 2(1+1) |
| REMA 111 | Remedial Biology | 2(0+2) |
| REMA 112 | Remedial Mathematics | 2(0+2) |
Focus: Build foundational knowledge of soil, crops, and basic sciences. Communication skills introduced.
Semester II — Applied foundations
| Course Code | Subject | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRO 121 | Crop Production Technology I (Kharif) | 3(2+1) |
| SOSC 121 | Soil Fertility, Nutrient Management & Fertilizer Use | 3(2+1) |
| PHYS 121 | Plant Physiology | 3(2+1) |
| AGEG 121 | Farm Machinery & Power | 3(2+1) |
| STAT 121 | Statistical Methods | 3(2+1) |
| HORT 121 | Production Technology — Fruit Crops | 3(2+1) |
Focus: Crop production cycles (Kharif = monsoon crops), machinery, plant processes.
Year 2 (Semesters III & IV) — Core science
Semester III — Pest and pathogen sciences
| Course Code | Subject | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRO 231 | Crop Production Technology II (Rabi) | 3(2+1) |
| ENMT 231 | Fundamentals of Entomology | 3(2+1) |
| PATHO 231 | Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | 3(2+1) |
| AGMI 231 | Fundamentals of Agricultural Microbiology | 3(2+1) |
| GPBR 231 | Principles of Genetics | 3(2+1) |
| STAT 231 | Design of Experiments | 3(2+1) |
Focus: Learn to identify and manage crop pests, diseases, and microbial interactions. Genetics fundamentals (Mendel's laws, chromosomes, mutations).
Semester IV — Applied production systems
| Course Code | Subject | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRO 241 | Weed Management | 3(2+1) |
| AGEG 241 | Soil & Water Conservation Engineering | 3(2+1) |
| LVST 241 | Livestock Production & Management | 3(2+1) |
| ENSC 241 | Environmental Science | 2(1+1) |
| AECO 241 | Agricultural Finance & Cooperation | 3(2+1) |
| HORT 241 | Production Technology — Vegetable Crops | 3(2+1) |
Focus: Water management, livestock, farm economics, and vegetable production.
Year 3 (Semesters V & VI) — Specialization
Semester V — Breeding and crop improvement
| Course Code | Subject | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRO 311 | Agronomy of Field Crops | 3(2+1) |
| GPBR 311 | Plant Breeding | 3(2+1) |
| PATHO 311 | Diseases of Field & Horticultural Crops | 3(2+1) |
| ENMT 311 | Crop Pests & Their Management | 3(2+1) |
| FORE 311 | Agroforestry | 2(1+1) |
| AECO 311 | Farm Management, Production & Resource Economics | 3(2+1) |
| AEXT 311 | Fundamentals of Agricultural Extension Education | 3(2+1) |
Semester VI — Advanced production
| Course Code | Subject | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRO 321 | Cropping Systems & Sustainable Agriculture | 3(2+1) |
| GPBR 321 | Seed Production Technology | 3(2+1) |
| HORT 321 | Production Technology — Ornamental Crops & Landscaping | 3(2+1) |
| FSCT 321 | Food Science & Technology | 3(2+1) |
| ENMT 321 | Pesticide Technology & IPM | 3(2+1) |
| AEXT 321 | Rural Sociology & Educational Psychology | 2(1+1) |
Year 4 (Semesters VII & VIII) — Advanced + RAWE
Semester VII — Policy, management, and electives
| Course Code | Subject | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRO 411 | Irrigation Agronomy | 3(2+1) |
| SOSC 411 | Soil Degradation & Remediation | 3(2+1) |
| AECO 411 | Agricultural Marketing, Trade & Prices | 3(2+1) |
| AEXT 411 | Communication & Diffusion of Innovation | 3(2+1) |
| ARM 411 | Natural Resource Management | 3(2+1) |
| ELEC 01 | Elective I — Fundamentals of Agribusiness Management | 3(2+1) |
| ELEC 02 | Elective II (choose from list) | 3(2+1) |
Semester VIII — RAWE + Final electives
| Activity | Credits |
|---|---|
| RAWE (Rural Agriculture Work Experience) | 20 credits |
| Elective III | 3(2+1) |
| Elective IV | 3(2+1) |
RAWE — Rural Agriculture Work Experience is a mandatory 8-week on-farm training program where students live and work in a village. It covers:
- Crop monitoring with farmers
- Soil testing and water analysis
- Pest and disease diagnosis in the field
- Rural survey and report writing
- Exposure to government extension schemes
Elective Courses Available (Semesters VII–VIII)
Students choose electives from the following 20 options listed in the ICAR 6th Deans' Committee 2024:
| Elective Code | Subject | [Study material] |
|---|---|---|
| ELEC 01 | Agri-Business Management | View → |
| ELEC 02 | Management of Natural Resources | View → |
| ELEC 03 | Agrochemicals | View → |
| ELEC 04 | Agricultural Journalism | View → |
| ELEC 05 | Landscaping | View → |
| ELEC 06 | Commercial Plant Breeding | View → |
| ELEC 07 | Food Safety and Standards | View → |
| ELEC 08 | Bioformulation and Nanoformulation | View → |
| ELEC 09 | Biopesticides and Biofertilizers | View → |
| ELEC 10 | System Simulation and Agroadvisory | View → |
| ELEC 11 | Hi-tech Horticulture | View → |
| ELEC 12 | Protected Cultivation | View → |
| ELEC 13 | Climate Resilient Agriculture | View → |
| ELEC 14 | Biotechnology of Crop Improvement | View → |
| ELEC 15 | Geoinformatics / Remote Sensing / Precision Farming | View → |
| ELEC 16 | Micro-propagation Technologies | View → |
| ELEC 17 | Commercial Seed Production | View → |
| ELEC 18 | Organic Farming / Conservation Agriculture | View → |
| ELEC 19 | Food Science and Nutrition | View → |
| ELEC 20 | Post Harvest Technology and Value Addition | View → |
ICAR 6th Deans' Committee Syllabus 2024 — Key Points
The 6th Deans' Committee (2024) made several important updates:
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| New topics added | Precision farming, drone agronomy, climate-smart agriculture |
| Data science integration | Basic data analysis, ICT in agriculture |
| Entrepreneurship | Mandatory exposure to agri-enterprise development |
| Sustainability | Natural resource management made compulsory |
| RAWE strengthened | 8 weeks (previously variable across SAUs) |
| Core courses | Reduced to allow more elective flexibility |
Credit Distribution
| Component | Credits |
|---|---|
| Theory (lectures) | ~90 credits |
| Practicals / Lab | ~60 credits |
| RAWE (field training) | 20 credits |
| Electives | 12–15 credits |
| Total | 177 credits |
Exam Relevance: Which Subjects Matter for Govt Exams?
For students preparing for competitive exams after BSc Agriculture, these subjects carry the highest weightage:
| Subject | IBPS AFO | NABARD | FCI AGT | ICAR NET |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agronomy | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Genetics & Plant Breeding | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Soil Science | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Plant Pathology | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Agricultural Economics | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Entomology | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Horticulture | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Agricultural Extension | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
Start your exam prep: IBPS AFO Study Material → | NABARD Grade A Study Material → | FCI AGT Study Material →
Next in the Guide
- Scope of BSc Agriculture →
- BSc Agriculture Salary and Career Decision Tool →
- Career After BSc Agriculture →
- Competitive Exams After BSc Agriculture →
Source: ICAR Sixth Deans' Committee Report, 2024 | Programme: B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Topic | Key takeaway |
|---|---|
| Main focus | Complete BSc Agriculture subjects list — all 8 semesters, 21 disciplines, year-wise breakdown as per ICAR 6th Deans' Committee Syllabus 2024. Covers agronomy, genetics, horticulture, soil science, entomology, and 16 more subjects with lesson links. |
| Section context | Revise this lesson with the rest of BSc Agriculture Guide for stronger conceptual continuity. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many semesters are there in BSc Agriculture?
BSc Agriculture runs for 8 semesters over 4 academic years. The usual structure moves from foundation sciences and introductory agriculture subjects into discipline-specific courses, practicals, field exposure, RAWE and experiential learning.
What are the main subjects in BSc Agriculture?
The major subject blocks include agronomy, horticulture, genetics and plant breeding, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, agricultural economics, extension education, engineering basics, statistics, food science and environmental science.
Is the BSc Agriculture syllabus the same in every university?
The core structure is broadly similar because most recognized institutions align with ICAR deans' committee recommendations, but exact course names, sequencing, electives and practical weightage can differ across universities and state systems.
Does BSc Agriculture include practical and field training?
Yes. The curriculum is not only theoretical. It includes labs, crop-season practicals, field visits, production-oriented exercises, rural agricultural work experience and other applied components that make the degree more job-oriented than a plain theory course.
Which subjects in BSc Agriculture help most in competitive exams?
Agronomy, genetics and plant breeding, horticulture, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, agricultural economics and extension are especially high-value because they overlap heavily with IBPS AFO, NABARD, FCI AGT and many state agriculture exams.
Are electives available in BSc Agriculture?
Yes, many universities include elective or skill-oriented components in later semesters. The exact choice depends on the institution, but electives are meant to deepen applied learning in areas such as agribusiness, production systems, allied agriculture or emerging technologies.
What are the BSc Agriculture 1st year subjects?
The first year usually builds the foundation through subjects such as agronomy, soil science, horticulture, biochemistry, statistics, communication English, remedial biology or mathematics, plant physiology, crop production basics, and early agricultural engineering or nutrient-management topics. Exact names vary by university.
Which subject is hardest in BSc Agriculture?
There is no universal hardest subject for everyone, but students often find genetics, plant breeding, soil science, biochemistry, statistics, and some engineering-linked papers tougher because they combine concept density with practical application. The hardest paper usually depends on whether your background is stronger in biology, chemistry, maths, or field-oriented learning.
Is the BSc Agriculture syllabus semester-wise in every college?
The degree is commonly organized semester-wise, and most recognized institutions follow a broadly similar progression from foundations to specialization to RAWE or experiential components. But exact sequencing, course names, credit load, and elective design can still differ across universities.
Is there any difference between BSc Agriculture and BSc Hons Agriculture subjects?
In normal student usage, both labels usually refer to the same broad agriculture curriculum track in India, though university naming can differ. The safer question is not the label alone, but the actual curriculum structure, practical exposure, and recognition of the specific college.
Which BSc Agriculture subjects matter most for IBPS AFO and NABARD preparation?
For exam preparation, students usually get the highest overlap from agronomy, horticulture, genetics and plant breeding, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, agricultural economics, extension, and current agriculture developments. Those subjects tend to feed directly into agriculture technical sections more than peripheral papers do.
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