The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has officially released the NIRF India Rankings 2025, providing a comprehensive list of the best higher education institutions across the country. Among the various categories, the ranking of Agricultural and Allied Universities holds special importance, as India is an agrarian economy where agricultural education, research, and innovation play a crucial role in food security, sustainability, and rural development.

Agricultural and allied universities have been ranked based on teaching quality, research output, graduation outcomes, outreach, inclusivity, and perception among peers and industry. These institutions not only focus on crop science and animal husbandry but also cover areas like biotechnology, agri-business, food technology, forestry, fisheries, horticulture, and sustainable environmental practices.

Importance of NIRF Rankings for Agricultural Universities:

The NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) was introduced to create transparency and help students, parents, and researchers make informed choices while selecting institutions. For agricultural education, NIRF rankings highlight:

  • Research excellence in crop improvement, genetic studies, and agri-biotech.
  • Contribution to national food security through innovative farming practices.
  • Support to allied sectors like dairy, poultry, fisheries, forestry, and agri-business.
  • Impact on the rural economy by training professionals to work with farmers, cooperatives, and industries.
  • Global collaborations that place Indian agricultural research on the world map.

Top Agricultural and Allied Universities in India (2025)

The 2025 NIRF rankings reaffirm the position of premier agricultural universities that have consistently contributed to research and innovation. Among them:

  • Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi – Known as the "Pusa Institute," it is India’s top institution for agricultural research, seed technology, and crop genetics.
  • Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana – A pioneer in the Green Revolution, contributing to high-yield crop varieties and sustainable practices.
  • Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore – Leading in agri-biotech, horticulture, and precision farming techniques.
  • GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) – India’s first agricultural university, a model for integrated education, research, and extension.
  • Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh – Known for innovation in irrigation management, soil health, and horticultural research.
  • National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal – A leader in dairy technology, animal husbandry, and nutrition.
  • Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai – Specialized in fisheries, aquaculture, and marine sciences.
  • Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly – Focused on animal health, breeding, and livestock management.

These universities are not only academic centers but also innovation hubs that directly impact farmers, industries, and government policy.

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Complete list of Top Agricultural and Allied Universities in PDF:

Rank Institute Location State Score
1 Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) New Delhi Delhi 89.23
2 ICAR – National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana 75.87
3 Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana Punjab 75.83
4 Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Varanasi Uttar Pradesh 68.95
5 Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) Bareilly Uttar Pradesh 67.66
6 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) Coimbatore Tamil Nadu 67.06
7 Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir Srinagar Jammu & Kashmir 65.81
8 Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) Mumbai Maharashtra 63.92
9 G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology Pantnagar Uttarakhand 61.56
10 Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University Hisar Haryana 61.47
11 University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore Bengaluru Karnataka 60.35
12 Kerala Agricultural University Thrissur Kerala 60
13 NIFTEM – National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management (Thanjavur) Thanjavur Tamil Nadu 58.76
14 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University Samastipur Bihar 58.25
15 Amity University Gautam Budh Nagar Uttar Pradesh 58.14
16 Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Nadia West Bengal 57.64
17 Lovely Professional University (LPU) Phagwara Punjab 57.61
18 Assam Agricultural University Jorhat Assam 57.2
19 Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology Khordha Odisha 56.61
20 Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry Solan Himachal Pradesh 55.53
21 Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Lucknow Uttar Pradesh 55.46
22 NIFTEM – National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management (Sonipat) Sonipat Haryana 54.61
23 Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Jammu Jammu Jammu & Kashmir 54.28
24 Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) Hyderabad Telangana 52.97
24 Central Agricultural University Imphal West Manipur 52.97
26 Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University Chennai Tamil Nadu 52.91
27 Anand Agricultural University Anand Gujarat 51.67
28 Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Raipur Chhattisgarh 50.6
29 Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya Kangra Himachal Pradesh 50.18
30 Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University Ludhiana Punjab 50.02
31 Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University Guntur Andhra Pradesh 49.45
31 Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies Kochi Kerala 49.45
33 SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chennai Tamil Nadu 49.38
34 Navsari Agricultural University Navsari Gujarat 49.13
35 University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad Dharwad Karnataka 48.79
36 Bihar Agricultural University Bhagalpur Bihar 48.05
37 Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Hisar Haryana 48.03
38 Annamalai University Annamalainagar Tamil Nadu 47.3
39 West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences Kolkata West Bengal 46.97
40 Dr. Y.S.R. Horticulture University West Godavari Andhra Pradesh 46.87

Source: https://www.nirfindia.org/Rankings/2025/AgricultureRanking.html

Future of Agricultural Education in India:

Agricultural and allied sciences are evolving rapidly with the integration of technology, AI, data science, and climate-smart practices. Students graduating from these universities have opportunities in:

  • Research & Development in crop improvement, soil management, and biotechnology.
  • Agri-business & Startups, supported by government schemes like Agri-Infra Fund.
  • International collaborations with research institutions and global universities.
  • Sustainable farming initiatives, addressing challenges like climate change and food security.
  • Government and private sector jobs in ICAR, NABARD, FSSAI, agri-tech companies, and NGOs.

Key highlights of NIRF 2025 for Agricultural Researcher:

  • Research-driven institutions dominate the rankings, with IARI, TNAU, and PAU retaining strong positions.
  • Allied sectors like dairy and fisheries have gained recognition, showing the importance of diversified agricultural education.
  • Regional balance is improving, as institutions from Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh secure top positions.
  • The rankings encourage healthy competition among universities, pushing them to enhance teaching, infrastructure, and global linkages.

The NIRF India Rankings 2025 for Agricultural and Allied Universities highlight the pivotal role of these institutions in ensuring food and nutritional security for the country. For students, this ranking acts as a roadmap to select the best universities that align with their career aspirations.

With growing demand for sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, and agri-business, these universities will continue to be the backbone of India’s progress in the agriculture sector. Choosing the right agricultural university today means contributing to the future of farming, food systems, and rural development in India.