Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) is a prominent agricultural university headquartered in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Established in 1971, it is the first State Agricultural University (SAU) in India to be recognised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). TNAU's origins trace back to 1868 when an Agricultural School was founded in Saidapet, Madras, which was later relocated to Coimbatore. Over time, TNAU has grown to become a major centre for agricultural education, research, and extension services.

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across various disciplines such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Agricultural Engineering, Home Science, and Food Science. It has 14 undergraduate programmes offered through its 19 Government Agricultural Colleges and 28 affiliated private agricultural colleges across the state. Additionally, TNAU offers 32 postgraduate and 28 doctoral programmes in agricultural sciences, engineering, and related fields.

TNAU is recognised for its emphasis on technological advancements in agriculture, with the introduction of programmes such as B.Tech. (Agricultural Biotechnology), B.Tech. (Food Process Engineering), and B.Tech. (Agricultural Information Technology). The university also collaborates internationally, offering dual-degree programmes in partnership with universities like Cornell University and Dalhousie University.

Ranked 6th in India in the agriculture sector by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024, TNAU is a leader in agricultural research, with over 32 research stations across Tamil Nadu.

The roots of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) trace back to 1868 when an Agricultural School was established in Saidapet, Madras (now Chennai). This was the beginning of agricultural education in the state. In 1906, the school was relocated to Coimbatore, and the foundation stone of the Madras Agricultural College was laid. Two years later, in 1908, the Agricultural College and Research Institute (AC & RI) was established by Sir Arthur Lawley, marking a significant step in the development of agricultural education.

In 1920, the Agricultural College and Research Institute was affiliated with Madras University, and a new course leading to a three-year degree in Agriculture (B.Sc. Ag.) was introduced. For many years, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Coimbatore was the sole institute for agricultural education in South India. In 1945, a second Agricultural College was established at Bapatla, now in Andhra Pradesh.

By 1958, the Agricultural College and Research Institute in Coimbatore was recognised as a post-graduate centre offering master's and doctoral degrees, establishing itself as a leader in higher agricultural education. The Madurai Agricultural College was established in 1965, further strengthening the university’s academic infrastructure. In 1971, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) was officially established, bringing together the Agricultural College and Research Institutes in Coimbatore, Madurai, and Bapatla.

In 1972, a separate Faculty of Horticulture was created at TNAU, and the B.Sc. (Horticulture) degree programme was introduced. By 1979, the university had also introduced the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, leading to the launch of the B.E. (Agricultural Engineering) degree programme. The university continued to expand, with new colleges and programmes added in the following years. Notably, in 1980, the B.Sc. (Home Science) programme was introduced in Madurai, and in 1984, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Killikulam was established. The Agricultural College at Kumulur (Trichy) was founded in 1989, and it was later renamed Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute in 1992.

During the 1980s, new degree programmes such as B.Sc. (Forestry) and B.Sc. (Sericulture) were introduced, reflecting the university’s expanding academic scope. In 1998, TNAU started offering B.Tech. (Food Process Engineering) as a self-supporting programme, followed by the introduction of B.Tech. (Agricultural Biotechnology) and B.Tech. (Horticulture) in 2002. The university’s commitment to embracing technological advancements continued with the launch of B.Tech. (Energy and Environmental Engineering) in 2004 and B.Tech. (Bioinformatics) in 2006.

The university expanded its academic offerings further by introducing new self-supporting programmes like B.Tech. (Agricultural Information Technology) and B.S. (Agribusiness Management) in 2007. This shift helped TNAU to maintain its financial independence while addressing emerging fields in agricultural sciences. The 2000s also marked the beginning of international collaborations, with TNAU introducing dual-degree master’s programmes in partnership with Cornell University and Dalhousie University.

Over time, TNAU developed a diverse academic structure, offering 14 undergraduate programs, 32 postgraduate programmes, and 28 doctoral programmes. The university also integrated e-learning into its curriculum, making it compulsory for first-year students to own personal laptops, thereby aligning itself with technological advancements.

In terms of its global recognition, TNAU has been ranked 301-350 in Asia by QS World University Rankings (2023) and has held a spot in the Times Higher Education rankings, being ranked 1501+ globally in 2023. Domestically, TNAU ranked 6th in India’s agricultural and allied sector institutions by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 and held an overall ranking of 84th among all Indian universities.

TNAU provides a wide range of undergraduate programmes designed to cover various aspects of agriculture, horticulture, engineering, and related fields. The university offers 14 undergraduate programmes, split into government-aided and self-financed categories. The government-aided courses include B.Sc. (Honours) Agriculture, B.Sc. Agriculture (Tamil Medium), B.Sc. (Honours) Horticulture, B.Sc. Horticulture (Tamil Medium), B.Sc. (Honours) Sericulture, B.Sc. (Honours) Forestry, B.Sc. (Honours) Food Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly Home Science), and B.Sc. (Honours) Agri Business Management. These courses are offered by TNAU’s constituent campuses across Tamil Nadu.

Additionally, TNAU offers self-financed programmes, which include B.Tech. Agricultural Engineering, B.Tech. Energy and Environmental Engineering, B.Tech. Biotechnology, B.Tech. Bioinformatics, B.Tech. Agricultural Information Technology, and B.Tech. Food Technology. These courses are aimed at providing students with a broad understanding of both traditional agricultural practices and cutting-edge technological advancements in various related fields.

The undergraduate programmes at TNAU are structured to provide students with a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing them for careers in agricultural production, research, technology development, and management.

The university also offers a broad spectrum of postgraduate programmes, designed to provide students with deeper knowledge in specific areas of agricultural sciences, horticulture, forestry, and related subjects. In the agriculture stream, TNAU offers M.Sc. (Agriculture) in various specialisations such as Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension Education, Agri Business Management, Agronomy, Plant Physiology, Agricultural Meteorology, Soil Science, Microbiology, Nanoscience and Technology, Environmental Science, Remote Sensing and GIS, and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

For students interested in horticulture, TNAU offers M.Sc. (Horticulture) in Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, Floriculture and Landscaping, and Plantation, Spices, Medicinal, and Aromatic Crops. The university also provides M.Sc. (Forestry) programmes in Forest Biology and Tree Improvement, Silviculture and Agroforestry, and Forest Products and Utilisation. In the sericulture stream, TNAU offers an M.Sc. in Sericulture, while the food science stream includes an M.Sc. (Community Science) in Food and Nutrition.

In the engineering stream, TNAU offers M.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) in specialisations such as Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Processing and Food Engineering, and Soil Conservation and Engineering. These postgraduate courses are aimed at equipping students with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary for addressing current challenges in agriculture, environmental sustainability, and food security.

TNAU also offers a comprehensive range of doctoral programmes (Ph.D.) in several fields. These include Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Soil Science, Microbiology, Nanoscience and Technology, Environmental Science, Plant Pathology, Forestry, and Agricultural Engineering, among others. The doctoral programmes are intended for students who wish to pursue careers in research and academia, allowing them to engage in high-level studies and contribute to the advancement of agricultural sciences.

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) is highly regarded for its contributions to agricultural education, research, and extension services. 

In the 2023 QS World University Rankings for Asia, TNAU was ranked in the range of 301-350, demonstrating its strong presence among top universities in the region. The university was also ranked 1501+ in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2023. Additionally, in the Times Higher Education Asia Rankings (2022), TNAU was placed within the 501+ category, which highlights its standing among leading educational institutions in Asia.

Within India, TNAU is ranked 6th in the agricultural and allied sectors by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for 2024. This ranking underscores the university's significance in the field of agricultural education and research in the country. Furthermore, TNAU holds an overall ranking of 84th among all universities in India, as per the NIRF 2024 rankings.

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has not yet released the 2024 placement report or brochure. However, according to the NIRF 2024 report, the university recorded notable placement statistics for the academic year 2023. During the 2023 placement session, 312 UG (4-year) students and 81 PG (2-year) students were successfully placed.

The median package for UG (4-year) students was INR 3.70 LPA, while the PG (2-year) students received a median package of INR 5.50 LPA. These placements saw participation from leading companies such as Shrishti BioScience, Mahindra and Mahindra, and IDFC Bank, among others.

There was a slight improvement in the median packages compared to the previous year. Specifically, the PG (2-year) median package saw a 3% increase, while the UG (4-year) median package rose by approximately 2% in 2023 compared to 2022.

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