Duration
Eligibility
Fees
Admission Open 2025 | Ph.D. in Agriculture
About the Ph.D. Computer Science Programme:
Advanced agricultural research is the main focus of a Ph.D. in Agriculture degree, which is a doctoral-level program. Those who want to gain in-depth knowledge of agricultural sciences, such as crop production, soil management, animal husbandry, agricultural technology, environmental sustainability, food security, and allied fields, are the target audience for this program. Scholars must carry out original research and add new information to the topic because it is a research-intensive course.
Programme Overview
The objective of a Ph.D. in Agriculture is to provide advance knowledge and understanding in the field of agricultural science while developing innovative solutions to address challenges related to food security, sustainability, resource management, and rural development. Key objectives typically include:
- Conduct original research to deepen understanding of agricultural systems, processes, and technologies.
- Explore innovative practices to improve crop yields, animal production, soil health, and pest management.
- Develop sustainable farming techniques such as precision farming tools, bioengineered crops, and renewable energy applicationsthat minimize environmental impact.
- Investigate the role of agriculture in combating poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.
- Foster entrepreneurship and innovation to make agriculture more efficient and profitable.
By achieving these objectives, a Ph.D. in Agriculture equips scholars with the expertise to contribute significantly to academic research, industry practices, and societal well-being.
- M.Sc. in Agriculture/Agricultural Biotechnology / Biotechnology / Molecular Biology/Microbiology/ Biochemistry/ Agricultural Microbiology with a minimum of 60% marks or 6.5 CGPA on a 10-pointscale. (55% for reserved categories).
- Preference will be given to candidates who have cleared CSIR/UGC-NET(including JRF) or GATE or equivalent examinations.
- Minimum Duration: 3 years, including coursework.
- Maximum Duration: 6 years, with extensions provided as per UGC regulations.
The core of the Ph.D is independent, original research, culminating in a Ph.D thesis. Preferred research areas
- Seed Science and technology
- Plant breeding and genetics
- Entomology
- Plant pathology
- Agronomy
- Soil Science and chemistry
- Agriculture microbiology
- Agriculture biotechnology
The Ph.D. in Agriculture opens doors to numerous career opportunities:
- Academia: Positions such as professor, lecturer, or researcher.
- Research and Development in Industry: Agriculture PhDs are in high demand in agribusiness companies, focusing on crop production, livestock management, and farm technologies, Biotechnology and Seed Companies to develop genetically modified crops, biofertilizers, and biopesticides, food processing and supply chains.
- Government and Policy: Advising governments on agricultural policies, rural development programs, and food security strategies or as a member of regulatory bodies to regulate agricultural practices, food safety, and environmental sustainability.
- Interdisciplinary Research: Interdisciplinary research in agriculture combines with all the allied sectors of life science, general science and technology and pharmaceutical science.
The coursework is structured to align with UGC guidelines, ensuring comprehensive research training.
Coursework Components
- Research Methodology
- Covers research techniques, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and academic writing.
- Develops critical thinking and analytical skills essential for high-quality research.
- One Core Paper Related to the Discipline of Research
- Topics include core area of specialization on agriculture.
- Course aim to solidify foundational knowledge and explore specialized field.
- Research and Publication Ethics (RPE)
- Provides a thorough understanding of ethical research practices and publication norms.
- Topics include plagiarism prevention, intellectual property rights, and research integrity.
- Research Training (Review Paper)
The Selection procedure is based on Entrance exam and Interview.
- The Entrance Examination is MCQ based. There are two sections. First section consists of 50 MCQ based on General Awareness and Research Methodology. Second section consists of 50 MCQ questions based on subject domain knowledge. Candidates with an overall score of 50% or higher in the General category and 45% or higher in the SC/ST/OBC category will be eligible for an interview.
- Admission process will be followed by Personal Interview (PI).Every eligible candidate interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Agriculture will be required to appear in an interview conducted by the University’s Committee.
Ph.D. in Agriculture Admission Process
A candidate (Indian or foreign) will be considered for admission only after passing the University’s Entrance Examination.
Entrance Exam:
The Entrance Examination is MCQ based. There are two sections. First section consists of 50 MCQ based on General Awareness and Research Methodology. Second section consists of 50 MCQ questions based on subject domain knowledge. Candidates with an overall score of 50% or higher in the General category and 45% or higher in the SC/ST/OBC category will be eligible for an interview.
NOTE: Candidates having an M. Phil degree or who have passed the JEST (Joint Entrance Screening Test) of DAE, UGC-NET, or GATE-IIT will be exempted from the Entrance Examination but must register with the university and be interviewed by a committee formed by the university for the purpose, as per UGC Guidelines.
Interview:
Every eligible candidate interested in pursuing a Ph.D. n Computer Science degree will be required to appear in an interview conducted by the University’s Committee. All of these candidates will apply to the university and be scheduled for an interview. The interview will be worth 50 marks, and the final merit list will be decided by the linear sum of the entrance exam and interview scores.
Successful candidates will have the option to pursue research either full-time or part-time. Normally, candidates who are awarded a fellowship by a university or other organization are required to work full-time on their research projects. Part-time students may be able to register if they are employed by an educational or research institution. Furthermore, they would work and be present on the University Campus in Ranchi as needed for their research.