Best Agriculture Colleges and Universities in Himachal Pradesh
Compare leading agriculture, horticulture and forestry institutions in Himachal Pradesh, with official NIRF 2025 ranks, courses, campuses and admission resources.
Himachal Pradesh offers specialist higher education in hill agriculture, horticulture, forestry and natural resource management. Two state agricultural universities appear in the official NIRF 2025 Agriculture and Allied Sectors top 40: Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry at Solan and CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya at Palampur.
Top agriculture and allied universities in Himachal Pradesh – NIRF 2025
Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan
YSPUHF is a specialist state university focused on horticulture and forestry education, research and extension. Its constituent colleges are located at Nauni (Solan), Neri (Hamirpur) and Thunag (Mandi). Undergraduate study areas listed in the university’s programme information include horticulture, forestry, natural farming, food technology and biotechnology, depending on campus.
Official links: University website and admission notices · Constituent colleges and UG programmes
CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSK HPKV), Palampur, Kangra
CSK HPKV is the state’s principal agricultural university, with a mandate covering agricultural education, research and extension for hill and mountain farming systems. It is a relevant choice for students interested in crop science, agronomy, plant protection, soil science and other agricultural disciplines. Consult the university prospectus for the current college-wise degree list and eligibility.
Official link: CSK HPKV website
Source: Ministry of Education – NIRF India Rankings 2025, Agriculture and Allied Sectors.
Important colleges and campuses to explore
College of Horticulture
Offers specialist education in horticultural sciences. The university’s published undergraduate programme information lists B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture and other programmes at the Nauni campus. Explore fruit science, vegetable science, floriculture, plant protection, seed science and food technology areas.
College of Forestry
A specialist forestry education option. The university lists B.Sc. (Hons.) Forestry at Nauni, with postgraduate and research opportunities in forestry and allied areas subject to the current prospectus.
College of Horticulture and Forestry
The Neri campus is one of YSPUHF’s constituent colleges. Published programme information includes horticulture and forestry degrees, as well as selected technology programmes. Verify the latest seat matrix and programme availability before applying.
College of Horticulture and Forestry
The Thunag campus extends specialist horticulture and forestry education into the Mandi region. Refer to the current admission notice for courses, intake and eligibility in the relevant academic session.
Quick comparison
| Institution | Location | Key study areas | NIRF 2025 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry | Nauni, Solan | Horticulture, Forestry, Natural Farming | 20 | 55.53 |
| CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya | Palampur, Kangra | Agriculture and allied sciences | 29 | 50.18 |
Private agriculture universities and colleges in Himachal Pradesh
Students considering private institutions have several options to investigate. The most relevant institutions identified from their own published programme pages are Eternal University, Abhilashi University and Shoolini University. Their programme portfolios differ, so compare the exact degree, campus, eligibility, facilities and current recognition rather than treating every private university as an agriculture university.
1. Eternal University – Dr. Khem Singh Gill Akal College of Agriculture, Baru Sahib, Sirmaur
Eternal University publishes a dedicated agriculture college with undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. Its published portfolio includes B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture and B.Tech. Food Technology at undergraduate level; M.Sc. Agriculture specialisations in Agronomy, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Soil Science, Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Economics; M.Sc. Horticulture in Vegetable Science, Fruit Science and Floriculture & Landscape Architecture; plus selected Food Science, Biotechnology and Ph.D. programmes.
The university’s B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture page states 60 seats and 10+2 eligibility in Agriculture/PCB/PCM/PCMB with a minimum aggregate of 50% (45% for specified reserved categories). Confirm the current prospectus and admission rules before applying.
Accreditation: The university’s course page claims ICAR-NAEAB accreditation for its B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture programme and describes it as the only private college in Himachal Pradesh with that accreditation. Treat this as the institution’s published claim and independently verify the current certificate, validity dates and programme name in the latest ICAR list.
Official links: Eternal University · B.Sc. Agriculture details · Agriculture college programme list
2. Abhilashi University – School of Agriculture, Chail Chowk, Mandi
Abhilashi University publishes a School of Agriculture offering undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral study. Its B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture is described as a four-year, eight-semester programme with an advertised intake of 120 seats. The university lists subjects such as Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Animal Science, Extension Education, Agricultural Economics and Biotechnology. It also describes village attachment, farm-family interaction, field exposure and industry attachment.
Published admission information: The university describes 10+2 Science eligibility and admission through its AUCET or specified state agricultural university entrance routes. Marks thresholds and entrance conditions vary by route/category on the university page. Consult the current admission notification for the relevant year.
Postgraduate options published by its School of Agriculture include M.Sc. Agriculture in Genetics and Plant Breeding, Entomology and Horticulture-related disciplines. Confirm current department-wise intake and doctoral offerings directly.
Important: The university says its curriculum is based on ICAR recommendations. This wording is not the same as ICAR accreditation. Check the exact programme and validity in the current ICAR accreditation list.
Official links: Abhilashi University · Faculty of Agriculture · B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture
3. Shoolini University – M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Solan
Shoolini University’s School of Agriculture publishes undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. Its listed agriculture degrees include B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture, M.Sc. Agriculture in Agronomy, M.Sc. Agriculture in Genetics and Plant Breeding, and Ph.D. Agriculture. The school highlights crop management, soil science, sustainable farming, agribusiness and practical skill development.
Check the latest programme page and prospectus for duration, eligibility, seat intake, fees and admission process. A statement that programmes are aligned with ICAR guidelines should not be interpreted as a current ICAR accreditation certificate; verify programme status separately.
Official links: Shoolini University · M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture
Other private universities in Himachal Pradesh
The Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission (HP-PERC) lists private universities including Chitkara University, Baddi University, Bahra University, Arni University, Career Point University, Maharaja Agrasen University, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Sri Sai University, IEC University, Indus International University and APG Shimla University, among others. This is a regulatory directory of private universities, not a list of agriculture colleges. Their inclusion here does not establish that they currently offer B.Sc. Agriculture or an ICAR-accredited agriculture programme. We have not listed them as agriculture-degree providers unless a current official agriculture programme page could be verified.
Check the HP-PERC private university directory and current approved courses/fee information, alongside each institution’s own prospectus. The NIRF participating-institutions list is a participation list, not a ranked list.
Private agriculture universities: comparison at a glance
| Institution | Location | Published agriculture programmes | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eternal University – Dr. Khem Singh Gill Akal College of Agriculture | Baru Sahib, Sirmaur | B.Sc. Agriculture; M.Sc. Agriculture/Horticulture; selected Ph.D.; Food Technology | Current ICAR-NAEAB certificate and validity; seats and fees |
| Abhilashi University – School of Agriculture | Chail Chowk, Mandi | B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture; M.Sc. Agriculture specialisations | Programme approval, entrance route, intake and ICAR status |
| Shoolini University – M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture | Solan | B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture; M.Sc. Agriculture; Ph.D. Agriculture | Current approvals, programme-level ICAR status, intake and fees |
How to choose an agriculture college in Himachal Pradesh
- Choose the right discipline: Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, natural farming, food technology and biotechnology are distinct degree pathways.
- Check programme-level accreditation: Use the latest ICAR accreditation lists and confirm the exact college, programme, campus and validity period.
- Review hill-farming exposure: Compare orchards, experimental farms, forestry field sites, laboratories, regional research stations and practical training.
- Read the latest prospectus: Confirm eligibility, entrance requirements, reservation rules, seats, tuition and hostel charges for the admission year.
- Check career pathways: Consider research, horticulture production, forestry, extension, food processing, government services and agribusiness.
Explore agriculture colleges in other Indian states
Explore our detailed guide to agriculture colleges and universities in West Bengal, including government and private institutions.
Explore our detailed guide to agriculture colleges and universities in Uttarakhand, including government and private institutions.
Continue your state-wise search with our detailed guide to agriculture colleges and universities in Uttar Pradesh, covering government and private institutions.
Explore our detailed guide to agriculture colleges and universities in Tamil Nadu, including government and private institutions.
Continue your state-wise search with our guide to agriculture colleges and universities in Rajasthan, covering government and private options.
Continue with our guide to agriculture colleges and universities in Punjab, including government and private options.
Also read our detailed guide to agriculture colleges and universities in Madhya Pradesh, covering government and private options.
Also explore our detailed guide to agriculture colleges and universities in Jharkhand, including government and private options.
Planning to study outside Himachal Pradesh? Explore our state-wise guide to private agricultural universities in India and our guide to the best agriculture colleges and universities in Haryana.
Plan your agriculture education journey
Compare the course, campus facilities, fees and programme accreditation before choosing a college.
Official sources
- NIRF 2025 – Agriculture and Allied Sectors.
- NIRF 2025 – Participating institutions.
- Dr YS Parmar University – official website and admissions.
- YSPUHF constituent colleges and undergraduate programmes.
- CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya.
- Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission.
- ICAR updated accreditation lists.
Editorial note: NIRF scores and ranks are for 2025. Programme availability, admission criteria, fees and accreditation may change. Confirm details from official sources for the current academic session. This guide is informational and does not constitute an endorsement or an independent ranking.
