Ph.D. Admission Program 2025-26
Kerala Agricultural University
Vellanikkara, KAU P.O., Thrissur, Kerala – 680656
Application & Admission Schedule
- Online Application Submission: August 23, 2025 to September 21, 2025.
- KAU Entrance Exam: A separate entrance exam will be conducted for PhD in Community Science and Rural Marketing Management. The date will be announced later.
- Publication of Rank List: Dates for the rank list and admission schedule will be announced on the official KAU website.
Important: Candidates are advised to regularly check the official KAU website for all updates regarding the admission schedule, rank list, and counseling.
Application Process
The prospectus for admission is available on the KAU website, www.admissions.kau.in. Candidates must submit their application online after registering on the website.
Application Fee:
- General category: Rs. 1500/-.
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (Native of Kerala only)/PwD: Rs. 750/-.
Important: The application fee must be paid online via the “SB COLLECT” facility of the State Bank of India or directly at any SBI branch with the generated challan. The fee is non-refundable, and applications without a valid payment receipt will be rejected.
Eligibility Criteria
Only Indian nationals are eligible to apply. Candidates must have a degree from a university or institution accredited by ICAR (3-tier accreditation) and recognized by KAU.
Minimum Requirements for Ph.D. Programmes:
| Course | General (OGPA) | SC/ST and PwD (OGPA) | General (Percentage) | SC/ST and PwD (Percentage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG (Grade point system) | 7.00/10.00 | 6.50/10.00 | 60 | 55 |
Discipline-Specific Eligibility:
- Ph.D. in Agriculture/Horticulture/Forestry/Agricultural Engineering: Master’s degree in the respective or related discipline from the faculty concerned. A 4-year undergraduate degree and a 2-year postgraduate degree from an ICAR-accredited institution are required.
- Ph.D. in Agricultural Statistics: M.Sc. in Agricultural Statistics with a 2-year PG from an ICAR-accredited institution.
- Ph.D. in Community Science (Food and Nutrition): M.Sc. in Community Science (Food and Nutrition) or an equivalent qualification recognized by KAU.
- Ph.D. in Rural Marketing Management: Master’s degree in the respective or related discipline from the faculty concerned. A 4-year undergraduate degree and a 2-year Master’s degree from an SAU recognized by KAU are required.
Selection Process
Selection for Ph.D. admissions is based on either the ICAR Entrance Examination (AICE-JRF/SRF) or a separate entrance exam conducted by KAU. The final ranking is based on the following criteria:
| Particulars | Marks (Weightage) |
|---|---|
| Marks obtained in ICAR/KAU Entrance Examination | 75 |
| Academic Performance (Marks/Grade in PG Degree) | 15 |
| Publication | 10 |
KAU will conduct a separate entrance exam for PhD in Community Science and Rural Marketing Management. The minimum qualifying mark for the entrance examination is 50%.
Doctoral Programmes and Seats Offered (2025-26)
KERA Ph.D. Fellowship Programme
The Kerala Agricultural University offers six Ph.D. fellowships under the World Bank–supported KERA Program on Low-Emission Rice Systems. This program is a collaboration between KAU and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and includes partnerships with institutions like Cornell University and Wageningen University.
- Fellowships: Six fellowships are available.
- Monthly Fellowship: ₹30,000 for three years.
- Key Features: International training, joint supervision, a six-month research stay abroad, and a Summer Institute at a reputed institution.
- Disciplines and Seats:
- College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara: One fellowship each in Agronomy, Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural Extension, and Agricultural Meteorology (4 total).
- College of Agriculture, Vellayani: One fellowship in Agricultural Economics (1 total).
Regular Ph.D. Admissions
Ph.D. Agriculture / Horticulture / Community Science and Agricultural Statistics
| Discipline | Total KAU Seats | Total ICAR Seats | Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agronomy | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| Entomology | 8 | 3 | 11 |
| Agricultural Extension Education | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| Genetics and Plant Breeding | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| Plant Pathology | 8 | 5 | 13 |
| Soil Science | 10 | 5 | 15 |
| Plant Physiology | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| Food and Nutrition | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| Molecular Biology & Biotechnology | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Microbiology | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Agricultural Economics | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| Fruit Science | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Plantation, Spices, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Vegetable Science | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Postharvest Management | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Floriculture and Landscaping | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Agricultural Meteorology | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Nematology | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Agricultural Statistics | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 92 | 44 | 136 |
Ph.D. Forestry, CoF, Vellanikkara
| Discipline | KAU Seats | ICAR Seats | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silviculture and Agroforestry | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Forest Biology and Tree Improvement | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Forest Resource Management | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Forest Products and Utilization | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Wildlife Science | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 6 | 4 | 10 |
Ph.D. Co-operation & Banking (C&B) at CCBM, Vellanikkara
| Discipline | KAU Seats | ICAR Seats | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Marketing Management | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Ph.D. Agricultural Engineering, KCAEFT, Tavanur
| Discipline | KAU Seats | ICAR Seats | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farm Machinery and Power Engineering | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Soil and Water Conservation Engineering | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Processing and Food Engineering | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 4 | 4 | 8 |
