BSc Agriculture: Subjects, Semester Wise Syllabus and Exam Pattern

• Updated on  Jun 27, 2025, by Akangsha Das

BSc Agriculture is a 4-year undergraduate programme of 8 semesters to provide scientific and practical knowledge concerning agriculture and allied sciences. The course includes an extensive range of subjects such as Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Economics, Horticulture, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Entomology, Animal Husbandry, etc. The course is standardized to the extent of guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to ensure uniformity in the majority of the agricultural universities of India.

 

In addition to theoretical education in classrooms, the curriculum also emphasizes practical fieldwork, lab training, and Rural Agriculture Work Experience (RAWE). In the eight semesters, students get experiential training in crop cultivation, pest control, irrigation techniques, and agricultural marketing. There are courses like meteorology, biotechnology, and farm machinery to impart skills required in addressing contemporary agricultural issues. The program is aimed at competency development for Farming, Agribusiness, Research, and Government Service Careers.

 

Table of Contents

  1. BSc Agriculture Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025
  2. BSc Agriculture Elective Subjects
  3. BSc Agriculture Sem-wise Exam Pattern
  4. Frequently Asked Questions

 

BSc Agriculture Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025

The BSc Agriculture syllabus for 2025, as followed by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, is structured across 8 semesters to provide both theoretical and practical knowledge in agricultural sciences. It includes core subjects like Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, and Entomology, along with supporting areas such as Agri-Economics, Meteorology, and Agricultural Engineering. Each semester progressively builds technical skills through field training, lab work, and the Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) program, preparing students for careers in modern agriculture, research, and agribusiness.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Fundamentals of Agronomy

Fundamentals of Soil Science

Fundamentals of Horticulture

Agricultural Microbiology

Agricultural Meteorology

Fundamentals of Plant Pathology

Fundamentals of Soil Science

Fundamentals of Genetics

Rural Sociology & Educational Psychology

Introductory Entomology

Principles of Agricultural Economics

Fundamentals of Agricultural Extension

Introductory Biology / Basic Agriculture

Fundamentals of Crop Physiology

Communication Skills

Livestock Production and Management

NSS/NCC/Physical Education

NSS/NCC/Physical Education

Semester 3

Semester 4

Crop Production Technology – I (Kharif Crops)

Crop Production Technology – II (Rabi Crops)

Fundamentals of Plant Breeding

Production Technology for Vegetables and Spices

Principles of Plant Pathology

Diseases of Field and Horticultural Crops & Management

Agricultural Finance and Cooperation

Entrepreneurship Development and Business Management

Weed Management

Production Technology for Ornamental Crops, MAP & Landscaping

Principles of Entomology

Pests of Crops and Stored Grains & Management

Introductory Statistics

Agricultural Marketing, Trade and Prices

Environmental Science

Farm Machinery and Power

Agri-Informatics

Renewable Energy and Green Technology

Semester 5

Semester 6

Principles of Seed Technology

Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition of Fruits & Vegetables

Farming System & Sustainable Agriculture

Protected Cultivation and Secondary Agriculture

Agricultural Drainage and Irrigation Engineering

Rainfed Agriculture and Watershed Management

Manures, Fertilizers and Soil Fertility Management

Soil and Water Conservation Engineering

Breeding of Field/Horticultural Crops

Farm Management, Production & Resource Economics

Problematic Soils and Their Management

Principles of Food Science and Nutrition

Insect Ecology and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Sericulture/Apiculture/Lac Culture

Agricultural Biotechnology

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Agriculture

Practical – Crop Production, IPM, Fertilizer Use, etc.

Practical – Protected Farming, Economics, Extension, etc.

Semester 7

Semester 8

Rural Agricultural Work Experience

Experiential Learning Program

Elective

Elective

 

BSc Agriculture Elective Subjects

BSc Agriculture elective subjects allow students to gain in-depth knowledge and practical expertise in specialized areas beyond the core agricultural curriculum. These electives cover diverse fields such as Mushroom Cultivation, Apiculture (beekeeping), Sericulture (silk farming), Organic farming, Protected Cultivation, and Agricultural Business Management. By choosing electives, students can tailor their learning to their interests and career goals, gaining skills that are highly valued in modern agriculture and agribusiness.

Semester

Elective Subjects

Semester 7

Mushroom Cultivation, Apiculture, Sericulture, Lac Culture, Agricultural Business Management

Semester 8

Protected Cultivation, Secondary Agriculture, Commercial Beekeeping, Soil/Plant/Water Testing

 

BSc Agriculture Sem-wise Exam Pattern

The BSc Agriculture semester-wise exam pattern typically includes a combination of theory papers, practical exams, and internal assessments conducted at the end of each semester. Theory exams test students’ understanding of core and elective subjects, while practical exams assess their hands-on skills in labs and fields. Internal assessments may include assignments, quizzes, presentations, and project work, contributing to the overall semester grade.

Feature

Details

Exam Types

Theory exams, practical exams, internal assessments

Theory Exams

Conducted at semester end, covering core and elective subjects

Practical Exams

Hands-on tests in labs, fields, and workshops

Internal Assessments

Assignments, quizzes, presentations, project work during semester

Weightage

Varies by university; typically 70% theory + 30% practical/internal

Evaluation Method

Written papers, viva-voce, practical demonstrations, report submission

Frequency

End of every semester

Purpose

To assess theoretical understanding and practical agricultural skills

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the BSc Agriculture curriculum divided between theory and practice?

BSc Agriculture curriculum is divided to obtain a good balance between practice and theory. From the initial semester, students are exposed to engineering fundamentals and lab sessions, including machining, metrology, and workshop practices. With the progress of the student, practical exposure also increases with CAD/CAM labs, CNC programming, and robotics workshops. Apart from this, project work and industrial internships during later semesters are included in the course curriculum to accustom students to real-world surroundings. This constant injection of theory with practice assists students in achieving critical thinking and technical skills required for addressing complex manufacturing problems in an efficient way.

Has the BSc Agriculture syllabus incorporated newer technologies such as Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing?

Yes. Advanced BSc Agriculture programs touch on the use of emerging industrial advances like Industry 4.0, intelligent manufacturing, and automation. Topics like Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), Industrial Automation, and Advanced Manufacturing Technology are introduced to get students conversant with the likes of IoT-based machines, cyber-physical systems, and data-driven decision-making. With the acquisition of these new technologies, the students will be well equipped not just to catch up with current industry practice but also to innovate and respond to a changing manufacturing environment. It is a pioneering initiative designed to improve employability and equip the graduates to lead smart factories and digital manufacturing projects globally.

What flexibility has the BSc Agriculture syllabus introduced for specialization through electives?

The curriculum is also highly flexible with a range of elective courses that accommodate the various interests and constantly changing industry requirements of the students. Electives in Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), Robotics, Lean Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, and Sustainable Manufacturing enable the students to specialize and gain more knowledge in a field of their interest. Elective-based system allows students to mold studies into career paths that best complement their aptitude and aspirations. Moreover, the practice of studying different electives fosters multidisciplinary study, and students are getting more liberal with increased freedom while carrying out different industrial functions.

How is sustainability and concern for the environment incorporated in the BSc Agriculture syllabus of manufacturing?

Sustainability has now become a part of modern-day manufacturing, and the courses are also changing their curriculum with special courses and modules for sustainable manufacturing processes. Energy-efficient production processes, reduction of wastes, recycling processes, and environmental legislations that include the production process are some of the subjects students are instructed to learn. Green production and lifecycle assessment are some of the areas where students are trained to design processes that minimize environmental footprints without compromising productivity. This is green awareness in piecing together the curriculum to produce engineers accountable for sustainable manufacturing programs that meet international sustainability objectives and corporate social responsibility.

How significant is software training in the BSc Agriculture curriculum?

Software training is a significant component of BSc Agriculture curriculum with a view to acknowledging the leadership roles adopted by software tools in modern manufacturing. Practical training is given to students on software like CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), CNC programming, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Students are taught how to use these packages effectively in designing, simulating, and optimizing the manufacturing components and processes. Students are taught manufacturing resource planning (MRP) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, hence they are able to plan production and inventory control in industry. Round-the-clock computer training ensures that graduates are ready for technical requirements of highly computerized new generation manufacturing industries.

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