Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) began as a public state university on 20 November 2010 under the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies Act, 2010. It is India’s first university devoted entirely to fisheries and ocean studies. The Government of Kerala funds and administers the institution, which is accredited by NAAC.

KUFOS holds the 31st position in the Agriculture and Allied Sectors category of NIRF 2025, with a score of 49.45. Its waterfront main campus covers 62 acres at Panangad in Kochi, Kerala. Research centres and constituent colleges also operate in other parts of the state. The university is known for education and research in fisheries, marine science, ocean technology, coastal engineering and marine management.

  • The BFSc is the university’s main four-year undergraduate course in fisheries science.
  • The four-year B.Tech in Food Technology focuses on food processing and related technology.
  • The MFSc has nine specialisations, including Aquaculture, Fish Genetics, Fish Processing, Fisheries Engineering and Fisheries Resources Management.
  • M.Sc choices include Marine Biology, Oceanography, Marine Chemistry, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, Coastal and Disaster Management, Remote Sensing and GIS, Atmospheric Science and other subjects.
  • M.Tech programmes cover Coastal and Harbour Engineering, Ocean and Coastal Safety Engineering, Food Safety and Quality Management and Geoinformatics.
  • The MBA is offered with Finance, Marketing and Human Resource Management specialisations.
  • The LLM in Maritime Law is a specialised postgraduate law programme.
  • Ph.D. research is available in fisheries, marine, ocean and management disciplines.
  • Diploma and certificate programmes include Aquaculture, Export Management, Industrial Management and other fields.

The total BFSc fee is INR 1,26,840 for four years, while the two-year MFSc costs INR 1,09,470. Depending on the specialisation, listed M.Sc fees range from INR 1,26,020 to INR 1,62,020. Students may seek Kerala government schemes and national scholarships offered through the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Placement records report a highest package of INR 4.8 LPA and an average package of INR 3.0 LPA. Graduates work with fisheries departments, aquaculture businesses, fisheries companies, marine product exporters and ocean science research organisations.

Admission Update: Online applications for the 2027-28 admission cycle are expected to begin in April 2027, followed by the entrance examination during May to June 2027.

KUFOS Admission Dates 2027

The 2027-28 admission schedule is tentative. Applications are expected to open online in April 2027, and the entrance examination is likely to take place between May and June 2027.

EventDate
UG admission notification for the 2027-28 session, tentativeApril 2027
Last date to submit the 2027-28 online application, tentativeMay 2027
KUFOS entrance examination for the 2027-28 session, tentativeMay to June 2027
Beginning of classes for the 2027-28 session, tentativeJuly 2027

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

MFSc, M.Sc, M.Tech and MBA admissions have a separate schedule. Depending on the course, KUFOS considers ICAR AIEEA (PG), GATE, CAT, CMAT, KMAT Kerala or its Common Entrance Examination.

CourseEntrance ExamAdmission Route
BFScKEAM, NEET UG or KUFOS EntranceMerit-based counselling
B.Tech (Food Technology)KEAM or KUFOS EntranceMerit-based counselling
MFScICAR AIEEA (PG) or KUFOS EntranceMerit-based
M.ScGATE or KUFOS CEEMerit-based counselling
M.TechGATE or KUFOS CEEMerit-based counselling
MBACAT, CMAT or KMAT KeralaMerit-based counselling
LLM (Maritime Law)KUFOS EntranceMerit-based
Ph.D.KUFOS Entrance TestResearch admission

KUFOS Courses and Fees

More than 50 programmes are available at undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate and Ph.D. levels. Teaching mainly covers fisheries science, ocean science and technology, fisheries engineering and marine management. The following fee figures are based on 2026 data.

CourseDurationEligibilityTotal Fees
BFSc4 years10+2 with PCB or PCM, along with KEAM, NEET UG or KUFOS EntranceINR 1,26,840
B.Tech (Food Technology)4 years10+2 with PCM, along with KEAM or KUFOS EntranceINR 3,28,040
MFSc, 9 specialisations2 yearsBFSc or an equivalent degree with 55%, along with ICAR AIEEA (PG) or KUFOS EntranceINR 1,09,470
M.Sc in Marine Biology, Oceanography, Marine Chemistry, Environmental Science, Biotechnology and other subjects2 yearsA relevant B.Sc with 55%, along with GATE or KUFOS CEEINR 1,60,020 to INR 1,62,020
M.Tech in Coastal and Harbour Engineering, Ocean Safety, Food Safety or Geoinformatics2 yearsA B.Tech in a relevant discipline, along with GATE or KUFOS CEEINR 1,52,020 to INR 1,74,020
MBA in Finance, Marketing or HRM2 yearsGraduation with 50%, along with CAT, CMAT or KMAT KeralaINR 1,50,020
LLM (Maritime Law)1 yearLLB with 55% and a KUFOS Entrance scoreINR 1,90,020
Ph.D.Minimum 3 yearsA postgraduate degree with 55% and KUFOS EntranceINR 2,73,050
Diploma in Aquaculture1 year10+2 with BiologyINR 12,000
PG Diploma in Export Management1 yearGraduationINR 85,000

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

The nine MFSc branches are Aquaculture, Fish Genetics and Breeding, Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology, Fish Processing Technology, Fisheries Engineering and Technology, Fisheries Extension, Fisheries Resources and Management, Aquatic Animal Health Management and Aquatic Environment Management.

KUFOS Admission Process

KUFOS holds the Common Entrance Examination each year for several undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes. National-level test results are also accepted for selected courses.

  1. Applicants must first check the academic requirements and accepted entrance test for their chosen programme.
  2. They must take the relevant national examination or the KUFOS entrance test.
  3. KUFOS prepares merit lists according to the scores accepted for each course.
  4. Admission is completed through merit-based counselling or the specified research admission route.

BFSc Admission

For its flagship BFSc course, KUFOS considers KEAM, NEET UG and KUFOS Entrance Examination results. Applicants need 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry, together with Biology or Mathematics. A separate merit list is drawn up for each accepted examination.

MFSc and M.Sc Admission

MFSc applicants may use ICAR AIEEA (PG), the national entrance test for postgraduate fisheries and agricultural science courses, or KUFOS CEE scores. Admission to M.Sc programmes is based on GATE or KUFOS CEE. Both routes require a relevant bachelor’s degree with at least 55% marks.

M.Tech and MBA Admission

M.Tech candidates can qualify through GATE or KUFOS CEE, with preference on merit given to GATE score holders. The MBA accepts CAT, CMAT and KMAT Kerala. Applicants for the MBA need a graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks.

Ph.D. and Research Admissions

A separate KUFOS test is used for Ph.D. selection in Fisheries Science, Ocean Science and Technology, Fisheries Engineering and Management. It contains a subject-specific paper as well as a research aptitude section.

KUFOS Placements and Career Outcomes

Career opportunities for KUFOS graduates are spread across the public and private parts of the fisheries and marine sector. The reported highest package is INR 4.8 LPA, while the average package stands at INR 3.0 LPA.

Career PathwayTypical Starting CompensationNotes
State and central government fisheries departmentsINR 3.5 to 5.0 LPAIncludes MPEDA, NFDB and ICAR institutes
Aquaculture and marine product companiesINR 3.0 to 5.5 LPAFish farms, hatcheries and seafood exporters
Ocean science research organisationsINR 3.5 to 6.0 LPANCPOR, NIO, INCOIS and state fisheries institutes
Maritime law firms for LLM graduatesINR 4.0 to 6.5 LPAAdmiralty courts, port authorities and shipping companies

Many graduates continue into teaching and research at ICAR institutes, state fisheries research centres and international marine research organisations. The BFSc and MFSc courses maintain close links with the Kerala Fisheries Department, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

KUFOS Rankings

In the NIRF 2025 Agriculture and Allied Sectors category, KUFOS received a score of 49.45 and secured rank 31.

Ranking BodyCategory2025 Rank
NIRFAgriculture and Allied Sectors31, score 49.45
NAACAccreditationAccredited

The NIRF category covers agricultural, veterinary and fisheries universities. Its 31st rank places KUFOS within India’s top 35 institutions in these fields.

KUFOS Scholarships

Financial support for eligible KUFOS students includes Kerala government schemes and central scholarships for fisheries education from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

ScholarshipEligibilityCoverage
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST students in KeralaSC/ST students studying in any KUFOS programme who meet Kerala’s income rulesFull tuition reimbursement and maintenance support
Merit Scholarship from MHRD or the central governmentUG or PG students with exceptional academic resultsMonthly stipend of INR 1,000 to INR 2,000
National Fellowship for Higher Education of SC StudentsSC students admitted to Ph.D. programmesResearch and living-expense fellowships
Ministry of Fisheries ScholarshipBFSc and MFSc students from fishing-community familiesHelp with tuition and maintenance costs

Students belonging to Kerala’s OBC fishing-community category may also apply for financial assistance through scholarship schemes of the Kerala Fishermen’s Welfare Fund Board.

KUFOS Campus and Infrastructure

KUFOS has a 62-acre waterfront campus at Panangad in Kochi, Kerala. Its location gives students access to marine and estuarine environments for practical work and field research. Facilities include faculty academic blocks, a library, specialised fisheries and marine science laboratories and a dock for research vessels.

Aquaculture demonstration units, a fish processing technology laboratory, an oceanographic instrumentation laboratory and a marine biology wet laboratory support research at the main campus. KUFOS also manages constituent colleges and research centres at several Kerala locations, including Thiruvananthapuram.

On-campus hostels provide separate accommodation for male and female students. Students should confirm the applicable hostel charges with the KUFOS hostel administration.

KUFOS vs TNJFU vs CIFE Mumbai

Students interested in fisheries and ocean sciences commonly assess KUFOS alongside Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU) and the ICAR Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai. Each institution specialises in fisheries education.

ParameterKUFOS KochiTNJFUCIFE Mumbai
TypeState University, KeralaState University, Tamil NaduICAR Deemed University
Established201020121961
LocationKochi, KeralaNagapattinam, Tamil NaduMumbai, Maharashtra
NIRF 2025, Agriculture SectorRank 31ParticipatedRanked as an ICAR institute
BFSc FeeINR 1,26,840Government ratesGovernment rates under ICAR
Flagship Research AreaOcean science, coastal fisheries and marine technologyCoastal fisheries and maricultureFisheries management and training

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

CIFE Mumbai combines ICAR deemed-university status with national recognition and ICAR research fellowships, making it a leading option for research and ICAR careers. KUFOS has an advantage in ocean science and coastal engineering and is the only fisheries university offering dedicated programmes in maritime law and oceanography. TNJFU concentrates on the coastal fisheries sector of Tamil Nadu. KUFOS is especially relevant to students planning careers in Kerala’s fisheries system or ocean science research.

KUFOS FAQs

Ques. Where does KUFOS stand in the NIRF 2025 ranking?

Ans. KUFOS is placed 31st in the Agriculture and Allied Sectors category of NIRF 2025 and has a score of 49.45. This position puts it among India’s top 35 agriculture and fisheries universities.

Ques. How much does it cost to complete BFSc at KUFOS?

Ans. The complete four-year BFSc fee is INR 1,26,840. For comparison, the four-year B.Tech in Food Technology costs INR 3,28,040, and the two-year MFSc fee is INR 1,09,470.

Ques. Which entrance scores can be used for KUFOS BFSc admission?

Ans. KUFOS considers KEAM, NEET UG and its own Entrance Examination for BFSc selection. Applicants must complete 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry, along with either Biology or Mathematics.

Ques. Is KUFOS run by the government?

Ans. Yes. KUFOS is a publicly funded state university governed by the Government of Kerala. It was created through the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies Act, 2010 and is the first dedicated fisheries and ocean studies university in India.

Ques. What jobs can KUFOS BFSc graduates pursue?

Ans. Career options include state and central fisheries departments, ICAR fisheries institutes, aquaculture companies, seafood exporters and marine science research organisations. CMFRI, MPEDA and NFDB are among the relevant organisations. Starting salaries generally fall between INR 3.0 and INR 5.0 LPA, depending on the job and sector.

Ques. Is an MBA available at KUFOS?

Ans. Yes. The university runs a two-year MBA in Finance, Marketing and Human Resource Management. Its total fee is INR 1,50,020. Admission is based on CAT, CMAT or KMAT Kerala, and applicants need a graduation degree with at least 50% marks.

Ques. What is the location and size of the KUFOS campus?

Ans. The main KUFOS campus is at Panangad in Kochi, Kerala, and covers 62 acres beside the waterfront. Constituent colleges and research centres are also present elsewhere in Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram.

Ques. Can students study Maritime Law at KUFOS?

Ans. Yes. KUFOS offers a one-year LLM in Maritime Law, the only course of its kind at an Indian fisheries university. The total fee is INR 1,90,020. Applicants need an LLB with 55% marks and a valid KUFOS Entrance score.