🛠️ Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC) in BSc Agriculture — ICAR 6th Deans' Committee 2026

This lesson explains key concepts in a structured way and connects them to practical agricultural applications and exam-oriented understanding.

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Skill Enhancement Courses (SECs) in BSc Agriculture

As per the ICAR 6th Deans' Committee Report 2024, all BSc Agriculture students must complete 6 Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC I–VI) during Years 1 and 2 (Semesters I–IV). Each SEC carries 2(0+2) credits — meaning zero theory and 2 practical credits. SECs are entirely hands-on, skill-based courses with no written examination.

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Overview of SEC Structure

SEC	Semester	Credits	Theory	Practical
SEC – I	I	2(0+2)	0	2
SEC – II	I	2(0+2)	0	2
SEC – III	II	2(0+2)	0	2
SEC – IV	II	2(0+2)	0	2
SEC – V	III	2(0+2)	0	2
SEC – VI	IV	2(0+2)	0	2
Total	I–IV	12 credits	0	12

All 12 SEC credits are purely practical — there is no theory component in any SEC.

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What Are SECs?

SECs are skill-based practical courses introduced in line with NEP 2020 principles to make BSc Agriculture graduates more job-ready and employable.

Key features:

• No theory exam — 100% practical assessment
• Topics are decided by each institution based on local needs, faculty expertise, and industry demand — not centrally mandated
• Focus on hands-on, job-ready, marketable skills relevant to the region and industry
• Evaluated entirely through practical performance, skill demonstration, and portfolio/record submission
• Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory for each SEC

Because topics are institution-defined, two colleges may offer entirely different SECs — both are valid as long as they fall within ICAR-suggested module groups.

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Recommended SEC Modules (ICAR 6th DC Suggested List)

The following modules are suggested by ICAR as suitable SEC topics. Institutions choose from these or design equivalent skill modules:

Group A — Crop & Farm Skills

• Agricultural tool and implement identification and use
• Crop identification and field characterization
• Nursery management and seedling production
• Seed testing and quality assessment
• Composting and vermicomposting (preparation and quality)
• Soil sampling, testing, and fertilizer recommendation
• IPM field scouting and pest/disease identification
• Irrigation system installation and management (drip/sprinkler)

Group B — Technology Skills

• Drone operation and agricultural surveillance (basics)
• GPS-based farm mapping and area calculation
• Mobile apps for agriculture (mKisan, Kisan Suvidha, e-NAM)
• Computer applications for farm data management
• Digital photography and documentation of crop conditions

Group C — Entrepreneurship & Business Skills

• Farm record keeping and financial accounting
• Agri-enterprise planning and budget preparation
• Market linkage and mandi operations
• Food product processing (pickling, jam, dehydration)
• Packaging, labelling, and product marketing
• FPO/SHG formation and governance basics

Group D — Communication & Extension Skills

• Preparation of extension teaching aids (poster, leaflet, flip chart)
• Farm broadcast script writing (radio / video)
• Interview and group discussion skills for agri-careers
• Agricultural report writing and documentation
• Social media content creation for agriculture

Group E — Health & Life Skills

• First aid and emergency response
• Yoga and mental wellness practices
• Stress management techniques

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How SECs Are Evaluated

Since SECs carry zero theory credits, the entire assessment is practical:

Component	Description
Continuous evaluation	Ongoing assessment by course teacher throughout the semester
Final skill demonstration	End-of-semester practical test — demonstrate a skill live
Record / portfolio submission	Documented evidence of all practical work done
Attendance	Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory

There is no written exam. Grades are awarded based on skill demonstration and record quality.

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How to Make the Most of SECs

SECs are often underutilised by students who treat them as "easy credits." In reality, they are one of the most career-relevant parts of the BSc Agriculture programme.

1. Choose SECs aligned with your career goal — if you are targeting the seed industry, choose seed testing; if you want to start an agri-enterprise, choose entrepreneurship modules
2. Build a practical portfolio — document every SEC activity with photographs, records, and reports; this portfolio is valuable in job interviews
3. Document all SEC work — photos of composting pits, drone operation certificates, soil test reports — all of these make your CV stand out
4. SECs support competitive exam practical rounds — IBPS AFO and NABARD interviews often test practical agricultural knowledge; SEC experience gives you real examples to cite
5. Entrepreneurship SECs can become the foundation for your agri-startup — the farm plan, FPO governance, and market linkage SECs directly prepare you for agri-business

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Source: ICAR Sixth Deans' Committee Report, 2024 | Programme: B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture

Summary Cheat Sheet

Topic	Key takeaway
Main focus	Complete guide to the 6 Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC I–VI) in BSc Agriculture as per ICAR 6th Deans' Committee 2024. What SECs cover, institution-wise options, evaluation pattern, and how to make the most of SECs.
Section context	Revise this lesson with the rest of this course for stronger conceptual continuity.