College of Agriculture, Imphal

The College of Agriculture (COA), Imphal, established in 1993, is a premier constituent college of the Central Agricultural University (CAU). It serves as a vital hub for agricultural education and research in the North-Eastern Hill (NEH) region of India.

In 2026, the college continues to focus on climate-resilient agriculture and organic farming practices specific to the Manipur valley and surrounding hill districts.

The college offers a blend of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs designed to meet the growing demand for agri-professionals in the NE region.

• B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture: A four-year comprehensive program focusing on crop production, soil health, and pest management.
• M.Sc. Agriculture: Specializations include Agronomy, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agricultural Economics, and Soil Science.
• Ph.D. Programs: Advanced research opportunities in core agricultural disciplines with a focus on regional biodiversity.

The B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture remains the most sought-after course due to its high eligibility for state government jobs and banking sector roles.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session follow the centralized guidelines of the ICAR and CAU Imphal.

• UG Admission: Based on the CUET (UG) 2026 scores and subsequent ICAR counseling.
• PG/PhD Admission: Conducted through the ICAR AIEEA (PG) and AICE-JRF/SRF exams.

Important Dates (Tentative):

Note: Check exact dates on the official exam and college websites.

Note: These are approximate figures based on past trends, not official cutoffs. Check the latest official counselling cutoff before applying.

The cutoff for 2026 is determined by the difficulty of the ICAR AIEEA/CUET exams and the number of applicants from the North-Eastern states.

• General Category: Expected AIR (All India Rank) below 4,500 for B.Sc. (Hons) Ag.
• OBC Category: Expected AIR below 6,000.
• SC/ST Category: Significant relaxation as per Central University norms, usually up to 15,000 rank.

Note: A significant portion of seats is reserved for students from the 7-8 North-Eastern states under the CAU quota.

Note: Placement figures are indicative and not taken from the official placement report of the college. Please confirm with the college.

The placement cell saw active participation from both government and private sectors during the 2025 cycle.

• Average Package: INR 4.5 LPA
• Highest Package: INR 8.5 LPA (Agro-Chemical Sector)
• Top Recruiters: NABARD, IFFCO, Bayer Crop Science, Syngenta, and various State Departments of Agriculture.
• Roles Offered: Agriculture Officer, Research Associate, Quality Control Manager, and Sales Executives.

Many students also successfully cleared the ARS (Agricultural Research Service) and state civil services exams in 2025.

Financial assistance is robust, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds can pursue their studies.

• National Talent Scholarship (NTS): Provided by ICAR to students who join from other states (INR 3,000/month for UG).
• CAU Merit Scholarship: Awarded to top performers in each semester.
• Post-Matric Scholarship: Specifically for SC/ST/OBC students from the NE region.
• Ex-Servicemen Scholarships: Available for wards of defense personnel.

The following courses are highly rated for their curriculum and field-work integration:

• B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture: The foundation course covering 12 departments.
• M.Sc. in Agronomy: Focuses on sustainable crop production in hilly terrains.
• M.Sc. in Plant Pathology: Critical for managing local crop diseases like blast in rice.
• M.Sc. in Agricultural Extension: Popular for students aiming for NGO and government consultancy roles.

The fee structure at COA Imphal remains highly subsidized by the Government of India.

Note: Fees include tuition, library, and laboratory charges. Hostel and mess fees are charged separately.

The application process is primarily digital:

1. Visit the official CAU Imphal website or the ICAR/NTA portal.
2. Register for CUET-UG 2026 (for undergraduates) or ICAR AIEEA (PG).
3. Upload required documents: 10th/12th marksheets, Category certificate, and Domicile.
4. Pay the application fee online via UPI/Net Banking.
5. Appear for the entrance exam and participate in the online counseling process conducted by ICAR.

The infrastructure at Iroisemba is designed for intensive agricultural training:

• Laboratories: Advanced labs for Tissue Culture, Soil Testing, and Biotechnology.
• Instructional Farm: Large tracts of land for student crop-cafeterias and research trials.
• Library: An e-library with access to CeRA (Consortium for e-Resources in Agriculture).
• Hostels: Separate hostels for boys and girls with 24/7 security and Wi-Fi.
• KVK: Proximity to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra allows students to interact directly with local farmers.

The college is organized into several specialized departments:

• Department of Agronomy
• Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry
• Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding
• Department of Entomology
• Department of Plant Pathology
• Department of Horticulture
• Department of Agricultural Economics
• Department of Extension Education