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Master Molecular Disease Diagnostics & Crop Health: M.Sc. Agriculture (Plant Pathology)

Yield losses from fungal, bacterial, and viral crop epidemics remain one of the most critical threats to farm profitability and global food security. The Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Agriculture – Plant Pathology at RIMT University is tailored to train specialized plant pathologists and crop healthcare scientists capable of early pathogen interception and sustainable disease suppression.

Plant diseases cause severe yield and quality losses across field, fruit, and commercial crops annually. RIMT’s postgraduate curriculum bridges classic mycology, bacteriology, and virology with modern molecular diagnostics, epidemiological forecasting, fungicide resistance management, and biological control. Supported by modern microbiology laboratories, climate-controlled polyhouses, and multi-acre experimental research farms, master’s scholars conduct original thesis research designed to solve pressing crop-protection challenges across Northern India’s agricultural belts.

Why Choose M.Sc. Entomology at RIMT University?

  • Dedicated Diagnostic & Culture Laboratories: Advanced facilities equipped for pure microbial culture maintenance, microscopic slide preparation, pathogen inoculation, serological assays, and fungicide bio-efficacy screening.
  • Field Research Trial Plots & Greenhouses: Controlled polyhouses and field trial plots dedicated to evaluating disease incidence, screening germplasm for resistance, and monitoring disease development across seasonal crop cycles.
  • Mentored Research Dissertation: Mandatory credit-based master’s thesis under doctoral research guides, encouraging peer-reviewed scientific publications in NAAS-rated and UGC-CARE-indexed agricultural journals.
  • ASRB-NET & Competitive Exam Orientation: Course delivery aligned with the syllabus of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB/ICAR-NET), State Agriculture Development Officer (ADO), and Plant Protection Officer exams.

Eligibility & Admission

Pass in B.Sc Agri / B.Sc Agri (Hons) / B.Sc Biotech (Hons.) 4 Years / B.Tech Biotech 4 Years / B.Sc Forestry / B.Sc Horticulture with 60% aggregate marks.

PROGRAM FEEAMOUNT
Application Fee (One Time)1,000/-INR
Registration Fee (One Time)15,000/-INR
Security (One Time – Refundable)8,000/-INR
Semester Fee65,000/-INR

Scholarship

Marks in GraduationScholarship Per SemesterApplicable Fee After Scholarship Per Semester
60% / 6CGPA and Above30%45500/- INR
Disability LevelScholarship Per SemesterApplicable Fee After Scholarship Per Semester
90% & Above 90%30%45500/- INR
75% & Below 90%20%52000/- INR
50% & Below 75%10%58500/- INR
CategoryScholarship Per SemesterApplicable Fee After Scholarship Per Semester
Wards of Param Veer Chakra30%45500/-INR
Winners of Maha Veer Chakra20%52000/-INR
Winners of Veer Chakra10%58500/-INR
Work Tenure Scholarship Per Semester Applicable Fee After Scholarship Per Semester
More than 5 years
continuous service		 30% 45500/-INR
1 Year – 5 Years
continuous Service		 20% 52000/-INR
Category Scholarship Per Semester Applicable Fee After Scholarship Per Semester
Single girl child 20% 52000/-INR
CategoryScholarship Per SemesterApplicable Fee After Scholarship Per Semester
Parentless30%45500/-INR
Either fatherless or motherless provided the annual family income is less than 2.5 lakh20%52000/-INR
Programme Education Objectives (PEOs)
  • PEO1 The subject revolves around the scientific study of agriculture. This will help to improve the quality of the yield and will also increase the production rate.
  • PEO2 The course also provides an integrated understanding of economic and social considerations in the agricultural systems.
  • PEO3 To develop a good teaching-learning environment for higher studies and help in selection of professional careers in government and private organization, agro-based industries, educational/ research/extension, institutes etc.
  • PEO4 The students will get excellent job offers in areas like Agriculture/Dairy Industries, Fertilizer Industries, and Food Processing Units.
  • PO1 To impart first and knowledge on agriculture and allied sciences
  • PO2 To impart in-depth practical knowledge in agriculture and allied sciences.
  • PO3 To disseminate different technologies through various extension activities.
  • PO4 To Understand the impact of the professional agricultural solution in societal and environmental context.
  • PO5 Team Work: Play effective roles in multidisciplinary teams.
  • PO6 Educational Leadership: Recognize and meet emerging agriculture challenges of global society in the 21st century and developing leadership and strong linkages in the agro-industrial setup.
  • PO7 Ethics : Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of the scientific practice.
  • PO8 Computational Skills : Recognize, analyze problems and plan strategies for their solutions with the help of computer skills.
  • PO9 Data Handling : Collect, analyze and interpret scientific data.
  • PO10 To make students competitive in pursuing higher studies.
  • PO11 To provide knowledge on commercial agricultural production practices.
  • PO12 This programme will also help students to enhance their employability for jobs in Different sectors.
  • PSO1 To provide knowledge on working of different farm implements.
  • PSO2 Detailed knowledge on horticulture, agronomy and plant pathology practices.

Career Prospects

Many Government, as well as private job opportunities exist for passing out professionals. In the govt. sector, state agriculture departments recruit pass outs to fill up Officer level posts. Colleges hire M.Sc. folks to work as Lecturers. Government Banks also hire them to fill up Officer level posts (that primarily deals with Agriculture related loans). In the private sector, graduates find jobs as managers at plantations, as officers at fertilizer manufacturing firms, agriculture machinery industries, agricultural products marketing firms, food processing firms etc.

Programme Curriculum

Semester I
  • Mycology
  • Principles of Plant Disease Management
  • Techniques for Detection and Diagnosis of Plant Diseases
  • Concepts of Integrated Pest Management
  • Plant Nematology
  • Basic Concepts in Laboratory Technique
Semester II
  • Plant Pathogenic Prokaryotes
  • Plant Virology
  • Principles of Plant Pathology
  • Biological Control of Insect Pests and Weeds
  • Apiculture
  • Master’s Research
Semester III
  • Techniques in Microbiology
  • Statistical Methods for Applied Sciences
  • Technical Writing and Communication Skills
  • Library and Information Service
  • Master’s Seminar
  • Master’s Research
Semester IV

Hear from our Students

In Conversation With The RIMT Community!

The supportive environment in the Agricultural Sciences department has made a significant impact on my learning journey. I feel empowered to ask questions, take risks, and persevere through challenges. I highly recommend this department to anyone seeking a supportive and enriching academic experience.
RIMT University Student
Patukuri Naga VardhiniFederal Bank Limited
Package 9.5LPA
The department also actively facilitated internship opportunities. They connected me with the perfect internship based on my interests, and the guidance from the department's career counselor helped me tailor my resume and prepare for interviews. During my internship, I was able to apply the skills I learned in class to real-world industry.
RIMT University Student
Pritpal SinghIndian Potash Limited
Package 7.8LPA
The mentorship I received in the agriculture department not only strengthened my academic foundation but also boosted my confidence and prepared me for the next chapter in my academic journey. I am incredibly grateful to the department's faculty and staff for their dedication to student success.
RIMT University Student
Pushpala Sudharshan BabuHDFC Bank Limited
Package 6.5LPA

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our agriculture programs

Candidates must have passed with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks (55% for reserved categories) in any of the following 4-year undergraduate degrees from a recognized university:

B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture / B.Sc. Agriculture

B.Sc. (Hons.) Biotechnology (4 Years) / B.Tech Biotechnology (4 Years)

B.Sc. Horticulture / B.Sc. Forestry

Admissions are primarily granted on the merit of marks obtained in the qualifying 4-year undergraduate degree, followed by a counseling/interview round. Valid scores in recognized state or national-level entrance tests (such as ICAR-AIEEA PG) are also given preference during seat allotment.

Admissions are processed both online through the official portal (rimt.ac.in) and offline at the university admissions office. Candidates are evaluated based on their qualifying examination merit and an institutional counseling/interview round.

RIMT University enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy on ragging. The campus has a dedicated Anti-Ragging Committee and mobile Anti-Ragging Squads. Contact numbers of grievance officials are displayed across academic blocks and hostel premises.

The Central Placement Cell coordinates with departmental mentors to deliver soft skills training, mock group discussions, quantitative aptitude workshops, and technical mock interviews prior to on-campus placement drives.

The program spans 4 academic years divided into 8 regular semesters. The first six semesters focus on core classroom instruction and laboratory/field practicals, while the final two semesters are dedicated entirely to hands-on field immersion (RAWE and ELP).

Each postgraduate scholar is assigned a dedicated faculty advisor to conduct independent field or laboratory research starting from the second/third semester. Scholars must formulate a research synopsis, execute seasonal field plot experiments, analyze statistical data, submit a formal thesis, and defend it in a viva-voce examination.

Students have access to multi-acre crop research trial plots, seasonal crop cafeterias, and controlled-environment polyhouses where they can conduct disease screening trials, varietal resistance evaluations, and foliar spray bio-efficacy experiments across Rabi and Kharif crops.

Yes, separate on-campus hostels for boys and girls provide Wi-Fi, 24/7 security, power backup, and dining mess facilities. RIMT also operates a fleet of buses connecting Mandi Gobindgarh with major towns across Punjab

The university campus includes outdoor grounds for cricket and football, an athletics track, a swimming pool, basketball, badminton and tennis courts, shooting range and a fully equipped gymnasium.

Hostel rooms provide basic furniture (bed, study table, chair, and wardrobe). Students are expected to bring personal bedding, two padlocks (for room and cupboard), a bucket and mug, personal toiletries, and standard daily need items.