MSc in Plant Pathology: Admission 2025, Syllabus, Eligibility, Fees, Colleges, Careers

The MSc in Plant Pathology is a 2-year postgraduate program that offers students a scientific understanding of plant condition management, diagnosis techniques, mushroom cultivation, and biological control for new businesses. It also helps students analyse current agricultural concerns and their impact on future careers. Candidates will learn to examine input-output relationships in agriculture, enabling them to make profitable and effective conclusions.

The eligibility criteria for the MSc in Plant Pathology is that the candidate must have completed their bachelor's degree in Forestry with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognised university. The admission process relies on entrance procedures like CUET PG and some university-level entrance tests like MU-OET, JIPMER, and LPUNEST.

The MSc in Plant Pathology fees ranges from INR 30,000 – 1,20,000 depending on the institute type. Some of the popular colleges offering MSc in Plant Pathology are BFIT, Maharshi Markandeshwar University, LPU, Mata Gujri College, IIS University, Jagannath University, Vivekananda Global University, Reva University, and MM Institute of Management.

Graduates can work as Consultants, Health Managers, Health Educators, Teachers, Plant Pathologists, Plant Specialists, and researchers. The top recruiting areas are Marketing officers, professors, plant breeders, logistic coordinators, pest control, field and forest officers, and managers. The salaries range between INR 2 LPA to INR 5 LPA.

MSc Plant Pathology Highlights

Given below are some of the basic key highlights for the MSc Plant Pathology:

What is an MSc Plant Pathology?

An MSc in Plant Pathology is a 2-year postgraduate degree that studies plant diseases caused by pathogens like fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes, training students to identify, diagnose, manage, and prevent these diseases for crop health and yield.

The Practical Learning involves students conducting microscopic and lab experiments, field diagnosing plant diseases, conducting research projects on disease resistance, fungicides, and disease management, and developing crop protection techniques using biological, chemical, and genetic approaches.

Students who are interested in disease research or teaching can pursue Ph.D in Plant Pathology after an MSc in Plant Pathology.

Why study an MSc Plant Pathology?

Given below are some points on why you should pursue an MSc in Plant Pathology. Let’s have a look at them:

• This course can increase global food security by addressing plant diseases that threaten food crops and ecosystems, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing losses at national and global levels.
• An MSc in Plant Pathology can lead to careers in government research bodies, agritech companies, seed and fertiliser industries, clinics, diagnostic labs, academia and Ph.D. research pathways.
• It provides hands-on learning and research experience, allowing students to identify pathogens, study plant immune responses, develop and test disease control strategies, and engage in applied research and disease surveillance.
• The course aids sustainable and eco-friendly farming by developing integrated pest and disease management methods, reducing chemical pesticide dependency, encouraging biological control agents, and promoting eco-friendly practices.
• This course is crucial for climate-resilient agriculture, as it helps predict disease outbreaks, enhance crop resilience, and guide climate-smart agricultural strategies.

Who should study an MSc Plant Pathology?

Here are some of the points on who should pursue the MSc Plant Pathology course:

• The MSc in Plant Pathology program is suitable for students with a B.Sc. in Agriculture, Botany, Horticulture, Plant Science, Microbiology, or Biotechnology, providing a solid foundation in understanding plant disease biology.
• The course is ideal for agricultural scientists and researchers interested in researching plant diseases, improving crop health, and working in ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, or biotech labs.
• Those who are passionate about plant health, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. This field offers opportunities to contribute to eco-friendly farming solutions, disease forecasting and management, and crop loss prevention.

MSc Plant Pathology Eligibility Criteria

To get enrolled in the MSc Plant Pathology program, applicants are required to meet certain eligibility criteria. Given below is the detailed eligibility criteria for the course:

• The candidate must have completed 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 graduation in Horticulture, Forestry, and Agriculture courses with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognised university.
• Candidates must pass the entrance exam and participate in group discussion and personal interview rounds for the final selection phase.
• The reserved category candidates will receive a 5% mark relaxation.

MSc Plant Pathology Entrance Exams

Given below is the MSc Plant Pathology entrance exam, along with the application date and application fees.

MSc Plant Pathology Colleges in India

Liste below are some of the best MSc in Plant Pathology colleges in India:

MSc Plant Pathology Admission Process 2025

MSc Plant Pathology admissions can be accessed through either the entrance examination mode or direct admission through a quota. For your reference, given below is the admission process for Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University:

Step 1: Visit the Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University admissions official site and choose the MSc Plant Pathology.

Step 2: Fill in the online application form with all the necessary details, upload scanned images of your photograph and signature, and pay the application fee online.

Step 3: Choose your admission mode: With a valid Manipal University Online Entrance Test (MU-OET), JIPMER, LPUNEST, CUET PG Score.

Step 4: Complete the application and print it out for your records.

Step 5: Appear for the Manipal University Online Entrance Test (MU-OET), JIPMER, LPUNEST, CUET PG scores are both valid and received.

Step 6: Wait for the release of merit lists: Each Manipal University Online Entrance Test (MU-OET), JIPMER, LPUNEST, CUET PG participant has a separate merit list prepared by Sharda University.

Step 7: If shortlisted, go to the official site to see whether you have been selected, and follow the process for admission confirmation.

Step 8: Confirm your seat by paying the admission fee.

Step 9: Complete the document verification as per the institute's requirement.

Step 10: Now, receive the details regarding the commencement of classes after completing the formalities.

Documents Required:

• 10th and 12th mark sheets.
• Graduation Marksheets
• Aadhar Card
• PAN Card
• Migration certificate
• Character certificate
• School Leaving Certificate
• Passport-size photographs
• Signature.
• Caste Certificate (If any)
• Income proof

MScc Plant Pathology Syllabus

The syllabus for the MSc in Plant Pathology is similar in all three institutes offering the course; however, a few subjects or duration may vary, but core subjects remain the same in all. For reference, please check the MA Advertising and Public Relations syllabus from Sharda University.

MSc in Plant Pathology: Job Opportunities in India

MSc in Plant Pathology graduates can work in top hospitals, private clinics, research institutions, teaching, healthcare consultancy, and government health services across India. Given below are the job opportunities in India.

MSc Plant Pathology FAQs