MFSc Aquaculture is a 2 year PG course that focuses on fish farming or water animal production. The course mainly focuses on how to raise fish and other aquatic animals in a way that is good for business, good for the earth and good for people. Students learn how to use new tools and smart strategies to run fish farms, control diseases, and run hatcheries.
To get into the MFSc Aquaculture course students need to have a Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) from a well-known college or university. Most colleges want you to have at least 60% in your high school diploma. Admission to this course is based on the entrance exams scores of the candidate. However, some universities offer admission based on the merit of the candidate. Some of the examinations required for admission include the ICAR AIEEA (PG), CUET PG, OUAT, and the Kerala Agricultural University entrance exam.
Graduates from this course will be able to work as Hatchery Officers, Aquaculture Technicians, Feed Experts, Marine Biologists, or R&D Scientists. The average salary you can earn after completing the MFSc in Aquaculture ranges from INR 4 LPA – 6 LPA.
Table of Contents
- Master of Fisheries Science in Aquaculture Key Highlights
- What is an MFSc in Aquaculture?
- Why Study MFSc in Aquaculture?
- Who should study MFSc in Aquaculture?
- MFSc in Aquaculture Eligibility Criteria
- MFSc in Aquaculture Entrance Exams 2026
- MFSc in Aquaculture Best Colleges in India
- MFSc in Aquaculture Admission Process 2025
- MFSc in Aquaculture Syllabus
- MFSc in Aquaculture Job Opportunities in India
- MFSc in Aquaculture FAQs
Master of Fisheries Science in Aquaculture Key Highlights
Below are the key highlights of the Master of Fisheries Science in Aquaculture course in India:
What is an MFSc in Aquaculture?
Master of Fisheries Science in Aquaculture (MFSc Aquaculture) is a two-year advanced degree for people who want to work in fish farms or with controlled marine animal care. To make fish farming more productive, eco-friendly, and scientific and to grow healthy seafood, this is the perfect book for people who love water life.
People who take the course learn how to care for fish, prawns, crabs, and other aquatic animals in ponds, tanks, and sea cages. It talks about things like running a nursery, making feed, checking the quality of water, planning a farm, and using safe drugs. Students also learn about the biology of fish, how to care for them, how to breed them, genetics, nutrition, and how farms make money.
Also, read Master of Fisheries Science
Why Study MFSc in Aquaculture?
A Master of Fisheries Science in Aquaculture is a must for students hoping to advance in the fish farming, seafood production, and safe water resource management industries. Many choose this route for the following reasons:
- Global Need for Aquaculture Experts Is Increasing: Due to the stress on the oceans, and the decline in wild fish populations, there is an increasing need for experts who can successfully produce fish.
- Many job options: graduates can work as hatchery directors, aqua-feed technologists, farm managers, fisheries officers or advisers for seafood companies around the world.
- Research and Practical Skills: Students learn through training in the field, lab work, water tests, breeding methods, keeping diseases at bay, or running a farm. They also do real study projects and jobs with private aqua-tech companies or organisations such as ICAR-CIFE, CIFRI, MPEDA and NABARD.
- Blend of Science, Nature, and New Ideas: This course is great for students who care about the ocean, like working with aquatic life and want to use science and new ideas to make aquaculture systems that are clean, efficient, and ready for the future.
Who should study MFSc in Aquaculture?
A Master of Fisheries Science (MFSc) in Aquaculture is a great degree for students who love aquatic life, want to interact with science and nature and are enthusiastic about solving global food, and environmental concerns. Students should think about this program if any of the following apply to them:
- These students wish to go deeper into the science of fish farming, aquatic animal care, and sustainable seafood production after studying fisheries, biology, zoology, aquaculture, marine science, life sciences or animal sciences.
- Anyone interested in learning more about hatchery management, water quality, aquaculture engineering, fish breeding, aquatic nutrition, or seafood business and commerce should read this.
- Those who aspire to work in India or overseas as aquaculture professionals, hatchery managers, research assistants, government fisheries officers, marine consultants or seafood processing specialists.
- Those who aspire to launch their own aquaculture businesses, such as prawn farms, fish hatcheries or RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) units and who require both business acumen and technical know-how to be successful.
- Individuals who wish to advance into senior positions, embrace new aquaculture technology or improve their abilities while currently employed in the fishing sector, seafood processing, marine conservation, or lab based aquatic research.
MFSc in Aquaculture Eligibility Criteria
To enroll in MFSc in Aquaculture in India, candidates have to meet some educational and admission requirements. Without fulfilling these criteria, it is not possible to enter the course. Mentioned below are the MFSc in Aquaculture eligibility criteria:
- Pass with 50-60% marks in BFSc in Aquaculture from a recognised University.
- The selection process for the programme is based on the entrance exam ICAR AIEEA (PG)
MFSc in Aquaculture Entrance Exams 2026
For pursuing a MFSc in Aquaculture in India, various national/state/university-level entrance examinations are required to be taken. Some of the top MFSc in Aquaculture entrance examinations in India are given below:
MFSc in Aquaculture Best Colleges in India
Various institutions in India are offering an MFSc in Aquaculture course; each institute has got some entrance exam criteria for admitting students. Some of the best colleges in India for MFSc in Aquaculture are given below:
MFSc in Aquaculture Admission Process 2025
The admission to this course is based on both Merit and Entrance exam scores of the candidate. There are some universities that offer direct merit-based admission. However, to pursue the course from some institutes, student need to have a valid entrance exam score. For your reference, given below is the detailed admission process at CIFE University Mumbai for your reference:
Step 1: Go to the website of the college or university that offers the MFSc in Aquaculture program. Examples include ICAR, the Central Institute of Fisheries Education, state farming universities, and more. Complete the online application form with information about yourself, your college, and how to reach you. You can pay the registration fee online and upload scanned copies of your picture and signature.
Step 2: Take the ICAR AIEEA (PG) entrance exam. This is the most popular test in India for getting into MFSc programs. You will be tested on your general information, biology, chemistry, and your understanding of fisheries. Some colleges might have their own tests for getting in.
Step 3: Log in to the ICAR or university page with your login information to see your score and All India Rank (AIR). Keep an eye on the cut-off marks, as they can be different for each group and college.
Step 4: Sign up for online therapy through ICAR or the college website. Fill in the names of the college and MFSc specialisations you want to study, such as aquaculture, fish genetics, fish disease and so on. Please upload the necessary files, such as grade reports, photo IDs, and, if necessary, race or category certificates.
Step 5: The system will assign you a college and course based on your AIR, selections, and available seats. If you were chosen, you must pay the seat acceptance fee by the due date to confirm your spot.
Step 6: Go to the college that was given to you in person with your original papers and copies of them for proof. Bring with you your scorecard from the entrance test, your degree certificates, your mark sheets, passport-sized photos, proof of who you are and any category awards you may have.
Step 7: Follow the college's instructions and pay the rest of the tuition and fees. Once your papers are checked and your payment is processed, the college will send you an official admissions statement.
Required Documents:
- 10th and 12th mark sheets
- ID proofs
- Transfer certificate
- Character certificate
- Medical certificate
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
MFSc in Aquaculture Syllabus
The syllabus for MFSc in India is more or less the same in the colleges offering the course. The syllabus may slightly differ depending on the curriculum followed by the institute. For reference, the syllabus for the MFSc in Aquaculture at Sage University is given below:
MFSc in Aquaculture Job Opportunities in India
MFSc in Aquaculture graduates can have job roles in multiple fields, including Fisheries Biologist, Fisheries Officer / Extension Officer, Aquaculture Manager / Specialist, Fishery Manager, Research Scientist / Research Assistant and others. Some of the common job roles for MFSc in Aquaculture graduates in India are given below:
MFSc in Aquaculture FAQs
What types of projects do students pursuing an MFSc in Aquaculture work on?
The MFSc Aquaculture program's students engage in practical projects pertaining to fish hatchery operations, pond management, seed production, fish feeding experiments, disease diagnostics, and water quality monitoring. Numerous students also do case studies on aquaculture farms, government programs, or coastal aquaculture systems, write papers based on lab experiments, or complete mini-theses.
Do MFSc Aquaculture students have access to field training or internships?
Yes. Indeed! Compulsory internships, hands on field trips, and training modules at government hatcheries, private aquaculture facilities, seafood processing companies and research stations are all part of MFSc Aquaculture programs. Students learning becomes more applicable and industry-ready as they handle live tanks, administer treatments, run filtration systems and help with real-time farm management.
What kinds of tools and equipment do students use in the coursework?
MFSc Aquaculture students use a range of lab and farm tools during their training, such as DO meters, salt testers, ammonia test kits, microscopes, breeding tanks, water flow controllers and hygiene tracking systems. While doing study with tools like SPSS, Excel and R Studio, they also learn how to look at data on fish growth, feed conversion and water quality.
What kinds of jobs are open to people who have earned an MFSc in aquaculture?
Yes. Aquaculture technicians, feed experts, RAS operators, and aquaculture advisors are some of the jobs that graduates can get after finishing the course. For colleges, NGOs, study centres, private aquafarms, and global seafood companies, they do their jobs. Some even start their own seafood businesses or go to graduate course to become teachers, policymakers, or innovators.
