Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J) is a public agricultural university established in 1999 following the bifurcation of the former SKUAST by the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature. It functions as a State University under the SKUAST Act, 1982, as amended, and is affiliated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The university holds NAAC Grade A accreditation.

In NIRF 2025, SKUAST-J secured 23rd position in Agriculture and Allied Sectors and the 151-200 band in the Overall category. Its teaching and research cover agriculture, horticulture, veterinary sciences, agricultural engineering, dairy technology, fisheries and agri-business.

The university’s landholding totals 1,223 acres, encompassing the 578-acre Chatha campus in Jammu, the 84-acre R.S. Pura campus, research stations, experimental farms and Krishi Vigyan Kendras across Jammu division.

SKUAST-J Major Courses and Fees

SKUAST-J offers undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and doctoral study. B.Sc Hons Agriculture is its flagship undergraduate programme and has the university’s largest intake. The stated fees cover the full programme duration and vary across state-domicile and open or management quotas, as well as categories.

Course Duration Eligibility and Entry Route Total Fee
B.Sc Hons Agriculture 4 years 10+2 with PCB/PCM/Agriculture and SKUAST-J CET or ICAR AIEEA UG INR 38,149 to INR 1,31,550
B.Sc Hons Horticulture 4 years 10+2 with PCB/PCM/Agriculture and SKUAST-J CET or ICAR AIEEA UG INR 38,149 to INR 1,31,550
B.Tech Agricultural Engineering 4 years 10+2 with PCM and SKUAST-J CET or ICAR AIEEA UG INR 38,149 to INR 1,36,550
B.Tech Dairy Technology 4 years 10+2 with PCM/PCB and SKUAST-J CET or ICAR AIEEA UG INR 38,149 to INR 1,36,550
B.Tech Biotechnology 4 years 10+2 with PCB and SKUAST-J CET INR 93,149 to INR 1,27,113
B.V.Sc and A.H. 5 years 10+2 with PCB and NEET UG INR 91,623 to INR 6,57,056
M.Sc, MVSc, M.Tech and MFSc 2 years Relevant undergraduate degree and ICAR AIEEA PG or SKUAST-J CET PG INR 41,801 to INR 1,25,449
MBA Agri-Business 2 years Relevant undergraduate degree and SKUAST-J CET PG INR 42,288 to INR 1,25,449
Diploma in Agriculture or Horticulture 1 year 10+2 with relevant subjects INR 4,500 to INR 13,200

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

Other undergraduate offerings mentioned include B.Sc Hons Life Science, Forestry, Fisheries and Home Science. Postgraduate study spans more than 20 specialisations, while doctoral research covers more than 25 agricultural and veterinary science disciplines.

Postgraduate subjects include agronomy, genetics and plant breeding, plant pathology, soil science, floriculture, fruit science, vegetable science, post-harvest technology, sericulture, silviculture, agro-forestry, animal nutrition and veterinary microbiology, alongside more than 15 other specialisations. The supplied account describes this as one of the broadest postgraduate portfolios among state agricultural universities in north India.

SKUAST-J Admission Procedure

The supplied admission framework describes centralised counselling for state-domicile and All India Quota applicants. It assigns 85% of seats to the state route through SKUAST-J Combined Entrance Test and 15% to the ICAR All India Quota route. Veterinary admission is separately described through NEET UG and VCI-approved counselling.

Undergraduate Agriculture and Allied Programmes

Applicants need 10+2 with Agriculture, Biology or the relevant science combination. Jammu and Kashmir domicile applicants follow SKUAST-J CET, while non-domicile applicants compete through the stated ICAR All India Quota route.

  1. Meet the subject requirements for the chosen programme.
  2. Obtain the applicable SKUAST-J CET or ICAR entrance rank.
  3. Complete document verification at the university or a designated help centre.
  4. Enter choices through online counselling and check seat allotment.
  5. Report to the campus to confirm enrolment.

B.V.Sc and A.H.

The 5-year veterinary programme requires a valid NEET UG score and participation in VCI-approved counselling. The stated Veterinary Council of India eligibility includes at least 50% aggregate in 10+2 Physics, Chemistry and Biology, reduced to 45% for reserved categories.

Postgraduate and Doctoral Admission

M.Sc, MVSc, M.Tech, MFSc and MBA applicants require a relevant undergraduate degree with at least 60% aggregate. The supplied general postgraduate description assigns 15% of seats to ICAR AIEEA PG and 85% to SKUAST-J CET PG. Its programme-specific table identifies SKUAST-J CET PG as the MBA Agri-Business route.

Ph.D selection uses the SKUAST-J entrance examination. ICAR-JRF/SRF holders and GATE-qualified applicants may receive exemption according to university rules.

Programme Group Stated Entrance Route Quota
B.Sc Hons Agriculture, Horticulture, Life Science, Forestry, Fisheries and Home Science SKUAST-J CET 85% and ICAR AIEEA UG 15% State domicile and AIQ
B.Tech Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Technology and Biotechnology SKUAST-J CET 85% and ICAR AIEEA UG 15%, as listed in the supplied route table State domicile and AIQ
B.V.Sc and A.H. NEET UG VCI counselling
M.Sc, MVSc, M.Tech and MFSc SKUAST-J CET PG 85% and ICAR AIEEA PG 15% State domicile and AIQ
MBA Agri-Business SKUAST-J CET PG State/Open
Ph.D SKUAST-J entrance test University quota

SKUAST-J Career Outcomes

The supplied account states that SKUAST-J does not operate a conventional campus placement drive. Graduates commonly enter employment through government examinations, ICAR-ASRB recruitment, state agricultural services and private agri-input or food-processing employers. It also identifies campus and off-campus opportunities in selected industries.

Career Path Entry Route Details
Agricultural Extension Officer or Field Officer JKSSB or State Public Service Commission A principal route for B.Sc Agriculture graduates
KVK Scientist or Programme Coordinator ICAR-ASRB ARS/SRF examination Postgraduate qualification required for scientist grade
ICAR Research Associate or JRF ICAR AIEEA PG or ASRB JRF NET Reported fellowship of INR 31,000 to INR 35,000 monthly
State Government Veterinary Officer J&K Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department or PSC For BVSc graduates, with starting pay under the 7th Pay Commission
Agri-input and seed industry Campus and off-campus recruitment Mahindra Agri, Bayer, Syngenta, Coromandel and PI Industries
Dairy and food processing B.Tech Dairy Technology campus recruitment J&K Milk Federation, NDDB, NDDB-affiliated units and private dairies

Private-sector options include seed companies, agrochemicals and farm equipment businesses. Graduates can also pursue M.Sc or Ph.D study for research and teaching careers.

The university’s proximity to regional ICAR institutes, NAAC Grade A status and record in ICAR-ASRB examinations are described as supporting its role in supplying professionals to central agricultural research services across north India.

SKUAST-J Rankings and Recognition

SKUAST-J participates in the NIRF Agriculture and Allied Sectors and Overall categories. Its stated latest results are shown below.

Ranking Body Category 2025 Position
NIRF Agriculture and Allied Sectors 23
NIRF Overall 151-200 band

The university holds NAAC Grade A accreditation and UGC recognition. Its ICAR affiliation includes periodic academic and research performance assessment applicable to state agricultural universities.

SKUAST-J Campus Life and Infrastructure

The main Chatha campus in Jammu occupies 578 acres, while the R.S. Pura satellite campus adds 84 acres. Research stations, experimental farms and KVKs across Jammu division bring the total landholding to 1,223 acres.

Facilities include a central library and laboratories supporting agronomy, plant breeding, soil science, veterinary sciences, dairy technology and biotechnology. Experimental farms form part of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. The KVK network connects technology demonstrations with farming communities in the region.

Male and female hostels are available at Chatha, providing a self-contained residential setting with access to library and laboratory facilities.

SKUAST-J Scholarships and Fellowships

Students may access state and central government scholarships and ICAR-funded research fellowships, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.

Scheme Eligibility Stated Support
ICAR Junior Research Fellowship ICAR AIEEA PG rank through AIQ seats INR 31,000 monthly for 2 years of M.Sc; INR 35,000 monthly for 5 years of Ph.D
National Scholarship Portal schemes Eligible SC, ST, OBC, minority and EWS students meeting merit and income conditions Up to INR 82,000 annually
J&K Post-Matric Scholarship SC, ST and OBC students domiciled in Jammu and Kashmir Partial to full fee assistance
ICAR-ASRB SRF Ph.D scholars qualifying ASRB NET INR 35,000 monthly

The supplied information also states that GATE-qualified M.Tech students are eligible for ICAR-ASRB fellowships. Eligible B.Sc Agriculture students may reduce their financial burden through NSP and Jammu and Kashmir government scholarship schemes.

SKUAST-J, SKUAST-K and CSKHPKV Compared

Applicants from Jammu and Kashmir and the wider north Indian hill region often compare SKUAST-J with its sister institution SKUAST-K in Srinagar and CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur. These are state agricultural universities serving different parts of the Himalayan region.

Feature SKUAST-J, Jammu SKUAST-K, Srinagar CSKHPKV, Palampur
Established 1999, following SKUAST bifurcation 1982, original SKUAST 1978
NIRF Agriculture 2025 23 20 Ranked
NAAC grade A A+ A
Landholding 1,223 acres Extensive multi-campus estate Multi-campus estate
Flagship undergraduate programme B.Sc Hons Agriculture B.Sc Hons Agriculture B.Sc Hons Agriculture
Distinctive strengths Dairy Technology, Sericulture and KVK network Temperate horticulture and saffron research Hill agriculture, forestry and apiculture
Main region served Jammu division Kashmir valley Himachal Pradesh

SKUAST-K has the higher stated NIRF Agriculture position and NAAC grade. SKUAST-J combines dairy technology, sericulture and agri-business with the agricultural ecosystem of Jammu division. CSKHPKV focuses on Himachal Pradesh’s hill agriculture, forestry and apiculture needs. For state-domicile seats, SKUAST-J is described as the more accessible option for Jammu division applicants, while Kashmir valley applicants generally prefer SKUAST-K.

SKUAST-J Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Where is SKUAST-J placed in the stated national rankings?

Ans. NIRF 2025 places SKUAST-J at 23rd in Agriculture and Allied Sectors and in the 151-200 band Overall. The university also holds NAAC Grade A accreditation.

Ques. Which selection routes are described for domicile and All India B.Sc Agriculture applicants?

Ans. The supplied framework assigns 85% of seats to Jammu and Kashmir domicile candidates through SKUAST-J CET and 15% to ICAR AIEEA UG All India Quota selection. Applicants need 10+2 with Agriculture, Biology or relevant science subjects.

Ques. How much does the complete Agriculture degree cost, and what can reduce that expense?

Ans. The 4-year B.Sc Hons Agriculture fee ranges from INR 38,149 to INR 1,31,550, depending on quota and category. State-domicile government-quota students pay toward the lower end. Eligible SC, ST, OBC and EWS applicants may receive NSP or Jammu and Kashmir government scholarship support.

Ques. What fellowship amounts are stated for eligible postgraduate and doctoral scholars?

Ans. Eligible postgraduate students admitted through ICAR AIEEA PG All India Quota seats can receive ICAR JRF support of INR 31,000 monthly for M.Sc. The stated Ph.D support is INR 35,000 monthly, and ASRB SRF-qualified scholars also receive INR 35,000 monthly.

Ques. What residential facilities are available at the main campus?

Ans. Male and female hostels are available on the 578-acre Chatha campus. The campus offers a self-contained residential environment with library and laboratory access.

Ques. Which employment and further-study routes can Agriculture graduates consider?

Ans. Options include agricultural extension posts through JKSSB or state PSC examinations, ICAR-ASRB scientist or JRF positions, and employment in seed, agrochemical and farm-equipment companies. M.Sc and Ph.D study can support research and teaching careers. Dairy Technology graduates may enter dairy processing organisations, including J&K Milk Federation and NDDB-affiliated units.