M.Sc in Genetics and Plant Breeding Top Colleges, Syllabus, Scope and Salary 2023

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MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding is a 2-year postgraduate program in the field of Agriculture. It can be pursued by those who have completed their bachelors in Agriculture, Biotechnology, or any other relevant field.

The admission into the course is usually based on entrance exams. There are few institutes that conduct admission based on merit. The admission into the state and central agriculture universities is conducted through ICAR AIEEA PG. The other private colleges conduct their own entrance exams. Some of these exams are LPUNEST, SAAT, OUAT, SOETAP, etc

Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, IARI New Delhi, TNAU Coimbatore, and Banaras Hindu University are the top government colleges that offer this course. The average annual course fee ranges from INR 6,000 to INR 2,40,000 per annum.

After completion of the course, the graduates can work as Plant Breeder, Plant Geneticist, Farm Manager, Agronomist, Assistant Professor, Associate Researcher, etc. The average salary after completion of this course is around INR 3 lakh to INR 5 lakh per anum.

The candidates can pursue doctorate courses after this course. Some of the options are PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding, PhD in Agronomy, PhD in Horticulture, etc.

Table of Contents

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Quick facts
Why Study MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Admission Process

3.1 Eligibility

3.2 Merit-Based Admissions

3.3 Entrance-Based Admissions

3.3.1 Entrance Exam Dates

3.3.1 Entrance Exam Preparation Tips

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Syllabus

4.1 Important Subjects

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Colleges

5.1 Government Colleges

5.2 Private Colleges

After MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding

6.1 PhD After MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Jobs & Placements

7.1 Top Job Profiles

7.2 Top Recruiters

7.3 Salary

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding FAQs

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding: Quick facts

The basic details about the course have been mentioned in brief in the table below:

Full-Form	MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding
Course Level	Postgraduate
Duration	2-years
Eligibility	Bachelors of Science (BSc)
Admission Process	Entrance Exam or Merit Based
Entrance Exams	ICAR AIEEA PG, LPUNEST, SAAT, OUAT, SOETAP, etc
Average Course Fee	INR 6,000 - INR 2,40,000 per annum
Job Options	Plant Breeder, Plant Geneticist, Farm Manager, Agronomist, Assistant Professor, Associate Researcher, etc.
Average Salary	INR 3 lakh to INR 5 lakh per anum
Top Recruiting Area	Nurseries, Plant breeding centers, Agriculture ministries, Research laboratories, Crop research directories, Academic institutes, etc.

Why Study MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding?

Since plants are the primary source of human food, therefore it is important to conduct research and find ways to produce commercially in huge amounts. It is an important field of study that focuses on feeding a huge population.
There are various reasons due to which the crop dies. Therefore the plant breeders can develop plants that are resistant to diseases and insects and can tolerate certain temperature and soil conditions.
The breeders can make it possible for the plant to grow in the area where they are not likely to grow. They can extend the areas of production of the crop species.
They can increase the yield of the crops and could be grown commercially even with the help of fewer resources.
This is an area that is in huge demand and the job opportunities are huge since it is an important tool in promoting global food security.

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Admission Process

Admission into this course is usually based on the student’s performance in a relevant entrance test. It includes the national and state-level entrance tests. Though the private institutes conduct their entrance test or choose candidates based on their previous academic scores.

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Eligibility

To apply for this course, the candidates should fulfill the following requirements:

They should have completed their bachelors in BSc Agriculture, BSc Agriculture (Hons), BSc Biotechnology, or any other related field.
They should have a minimum aggregate of 60% in their bachelor’s from a recognized university.

Merit-Based Admissions

Various institutes refer to the bachelor’s level scores to select the students for this course. The candidates have to go through the following for this kind of admission:

They will have to go to the official website of the institute they want to apply to.
They can now register themselves and fill the online application form for admission, followed by paying the application fees.
The students will be evaluated based on their academic scores and a merit list of selected students will be released.
The shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling to finalize the course of their choice and for document verification.
Once the candidates pay the admission fees, they will be enrolled in the course.

Entrance-Based Admissions

Admission into this course is usually conducted through exams like ICAR or state-level exams. The candidates may have to follow the following processes:

The candidates will have to register themselves for the exams like ICAR or any of the state-level exams by filling the application form and paying the application fees.
They will have the download the admit card and appear for the exam.
The candidates will have to clear the minimum cut-off of the exam to get shortlisted. The merit list will be released with the names of candidates that are shortlisted.
The shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling, where they will be finalizing their preferred course and college.
They will be enrolled after document verification and submission of the admission fees.

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding: Entrance Exam Dates

Some of the entrance exams that are available for admission into MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding are:

Entrance Exams	Exam Dates
CUET PG	Check Here
BITSAT	Check Here
NEST	Check Here
IIT JAM	Check Here
DUET	Check Here
TISS NET	Check Here

Entrance Exam Preparation Tips

To prepare for any of the agricultural entrance exams, the candidates should keep the following points in mind:

They should be aware of the updated syllabus of the exam.
They should refer to the previous question papers to understand the pattern followed in the exam and the difficulty level.
They should prepare a timetable to cover all the topics of the syllabus in the time frame they have.
They should practice regularly and take mock tests to check the level of their preparation.
They should clear the basics of all the topics included in the syllabus.

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Syllabus

The MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding is a 2-year program, that includes 4 semesters. All these semesters have 3 to 4 subjects with at least 1 elective subject. The syllabus for institutes may differ but the subjects and the topics covered are usually the same,

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Subjects

The syllabus of Kerala Agriculture University has been mentioned below for reference. The other institutes will most probably have similar subjects.

Semester 1	Semester 2
Mendelian Genetics	Molecular Genetics
Techniques in Cell Biology	Cytogenetics
Cytology	Plant Breeding
--	Plant Biochemistry
Semester 3	Semester 4
Genetic Engineering	Population Genetics
Plant Biotechnology	Developmental Genetics
Environmental Genetics	Biosystematics
Modern Methods in Crop Breeding
Elective Papers
Biophysics	Applied Palynology
Plant Tissue Culture	Transgenic Plants
Biotechnology	Phytochemicals
Plant Cell Culture Technology	--

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Colleges

Various agricultural colleges offer this course. It is offered by both public and private colleges. Some of the top colleges are mentioned below:

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Government Colleges

Some of the top government colleges that offer MSc genetic and plant breeding courses are mentioned in the table below. The institutes mentioned have been ranked by ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research).

ICAR Ranking 2021	Top Institutes	Average Annual Fees
2	Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana	INR 77,290
3	Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi	INR 43,150
8	Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore	INR 44,825
10	Banaras Hindu University	INR 6,262
13	Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur	INR 29,830
17	Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut	INR 72,000
19	Kerela Agriculture University, Thrissur	INR 30,700
23	Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur	INR 19,160
24	Anand Agriculture University, Anand	INR 22,500
48	Bihar Agriculture University	INR 11,620
49	Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat	INR 19,590
55	Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Cooch	INR 6,000

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Private Colleges

Some private colleges and universities that offer MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding are mentioned in the table below. These institutes are ranked by NIRF 2020:

NIR Ranking 2020	Top Institutes	Average Annual Fees
38	Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University, Orissa	INR 1,25,000
56	Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Science, Allahabad	INR 1,17,000
99	Lovely Professional University	INR 2,40,000
151	Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal	INR 55,000
151	Shoolini University, Solan	INR 1,32,310
-	Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Coimbatore	INR 70,750
-	Jagannath University, Jaipur	INR 70,000
-	Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Jaipur	INR 82,500
-	Madhav University, Sirohi	INR 75,000
-	J.S. University, Shikohabad	INR 33,500

After MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Course

After completion of the master’s program in genetic and Plant breeding, the candidates can find jobs in research centers, farms, government organizations, and academic institutes. The candidates who want to pursue higher studies in this field can go for a doctorate course i.e, a PhD

Also Check: PhD Admission 2023

PhD After MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding

The candidates can go for a PhD after MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding. They can do a PhD in the same field or can choose any other similar areas of agriculture. For admission into the PhD course, they will have to clear an entrance exam, followed by a personal interview.

Some of the PhD courses that the candidates can go for are mentioned below:

PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding - It is a 3-year doctorate program that deals with the agricultural sciences specializing in genetics and breeding of plants. It will provide students in-depth knowledge and will have to prepare a thesis in this area.
PhD Agriculture - It is a 3-year doctorate program, where students get in-depth knowledge on how to produce food, fiber, and fuel. It also covers topics like plant genetics, plant physiology, soil science, crop management, etc.
PhD Agronomy - It is a doctorate program that deals with the physical & biological characteristics of soil, soil & tissue analysis, resource conservation, irrigation, water quality, drainage, fertilizers, and other nutrient sources.
PhD Horticulture - It is a doctorate program that deals with the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, crops, plants, etc.

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Jobs & Placements

Some of the job options available after completion of MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding are mentioned below along with the average salary.

Top Job Profiles

Job Profile	Description	Average Course Fee
Plant Breeders	They work with a wide range of plants to identify and develop a variety of plants and crops. They conduct experiments to explore various new breeding combinations. They try to find effective ways to produce huge amounts of crops with few resources.	INR 7,26,257
Geneticist	They analyze genetic information, conduct DNA testing and other genetic trials. Their responsibilities include analyzing statistical genetic information, databases, and other computer files.	INR 3,80,000
Farm Manager	They oversee the operations of a farm, which usually includes planning & managing production and handling business administrations. They carry out routine maintenance of the equipment and farm building. They also hire, train and supervise the workers and their activities.	INR 4,84,790
Agronomist	Their work is to manage the nutrient distribution of the crops being grown. They track the manure inventory, conduct quality control, and supervise employees. They also conduct testing and evaluations.	INR 5,73,091
Research Associate	They conduct experiments for research firms or academic institutes in a specific area. They collect, prepare, analyze, and evaluate specimens. They also give lectures to the bachelor and master students.	INR 3,64,608
Assistant Professor	They are usually employed by colleges and universities. They teach and supervise the graduates. They also conduct their own research and assist the professors in their research,	INR 3,59,000

Top Recruiters

The MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding graduates are hired by the seed industry, plant breeding centers, nurseries, research laboratories, crop plantation facilities, crop research directories, agriculture ministries, genetic engineering firms, biotechnology companies, etc.
They can be hired as farm managers to oversee the activities on a farm and to supervise other employees.
They can find teaching and research positions available in SAUs and agriculture universities.
They can clear exams for seed testing and certification officer in government organizations.

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Salary

The most common job that the graduates will look for after completion of their master’s program is of a plant breeder. The average salary they can earn in this position is around INR 7,26,257 per annum.

The salary differs for the plant breeders based on the experience they hold. The salary difference based on their experience is mentioned below:

Experience	Average Annual Salary
0 - 1 years	INR 3,55,000
1 - 4 years	INR 6,14,000
5 - 9 years	INR 6,95,000
10 - 19 years	INR 10,00,000
20 + years	INR 30,00,000

MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding FAQs

Ques. What is Plant Breeding?

Ans. Plant Breeding is a technique where they change the traits of the plants in order to produce desired characteristics like improving the nutrition quality and producing a variety of crops.

Ques. What are the requirements to get admission into the MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding?

Ans. To get admission into this course, the candidates should have successfully completed their bachelor’s degree in areas like agriculture, biotechnology, or any other related field.

Ques. What is the scope of Plant Breeding and Genetics?

Ans. This field of study can open up various job opportunities. The graduates can find jobs as plant breeder, cord breeder, agronomist, cotton agronomist, research associate, etc.

Ques. What will the candidates learn from MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding course?

Ans. The learning that the candidates will gain from this course has been mentioned below:

They will get both theoretical and practical knowledge of advanced and conventional breeding techniques for the improvement of crops.
They will learn to generate methods for expanding the genetic base of crop germplasm.
They will be able to use their knowledge to improve the nutritional and processing quality of crops.
They will be able to use innovative techniques for improving input use efficiency.

Ques. What are the areas where the graduates can find jobs after MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding course?

Ans. The graduates can find jobs in Educational Institutes, Plant Breeding Centers, Nurseries, Crop Plantation Facilities, Crop Research Directories, Genetic Engineering Firms, Biotechnology Companies, Research Laboratories, etc.

Ques. How are admissions conducted in the government agriculture universities for admission into MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding?

Ans. Admission into any of the PG courses in the state and central government agriculture universities are based on ICAR AIEEA PG. The performance of the candidates in this particular exam will decide whether they are eligible for admission or not.

Ques. What are the best-deemed universities/ autonomous colleges that offer MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding?

Ans. Some of the best-deemed universities/ autonomous colleges that offer MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding are:

Banaras HIndu University
Lovely Professional University
Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Science, Allahabad
Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University, Orissa

Ques. Is there any difference in the fees of public and private agriculture institutes for MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding?

Ans. Yes, there is a huge difference in the fees of the public and private agriculture universities. The average annual course fee in government institutes ranges from INR 6,000 to INR 70,000. Whereas in private colleges it ranges from INR 30,000 to INR 2,40,000 per annum.