Punjab Agricultural University Admission 2026 – Important Dates
For doctoral applicants, the schedule for the PhD Entrance Test (PET) for selected subjects has been officially released, alongside critical deadlines for application submission and subsequent evaluation rounds.
Important Dates for Doctorate PET Schedule (Selected Subjects)
| Entrance Test | Date of Test | Counselling / Verification |
| PET-Community Science | November 5, 2026 | November 6, 2026 |
| PET-RS&GIS | November 5, 2026 | November 6, 2026 |
| PET-CS | November 10, 2026 | November 11, 2026 |
| PET-Basic Sciences | November 10, 2026 | November 11, 2026 |
| PET-MBB | November 12, 2026 | November 13, 2026 |
| PET-AE | November 12, 2026 | November 13, 2026 |
| PET-Agromet | November 17, 2026 | November 18, 2026 |
| PET-REE | November 17, 2026 | November 18, 2026 |
| PET-Hort | November 17, 2026 | November 18, 2026 |
| PET-Agri. | November 30, 2026 | December 1-2, 2026 |
Punjab Agricultural University Admission 2026 – Modes of Admission
PAU offers admission through several distinct routes depending on the programme level, so it’s worth knowing which one applies to your target course before you start preparing. The table below breaks these down.
Modes of Punjab Agricultural University Admission
| Mode of Admission | Applicable For | How It Works |
| UG Entrance Tests | B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture, Horticulture, Community Science, Fashion Designing, Food Nutrition & Dietetics, B.Tech. (Agril. Engg./Biotechnology/Food Technology) | DAT, CET, AAT, or BSET, depending on the programme and college, followed by counselling |
| PG MET (Merit-cum-Entrance Test) | M.Sc./M.Tech./MBA/M.J.M.C. programmes across all six colleges | Subject-specific MET conducted by PAU, followed by 1st and 2nd counselling rounds |
| Ph.D. PET (Pre-Ph.D. Entrance Test) | Doctoral programmes across all disciplines | Subject-specific PET, typically held in November, followed by document verification |
| Admission Without Entrance Test | MCA, M.Tech. (RS&GIS, AI & Data Science in Agriculture, Robotics & Automation), PG Diploma in Robotics & Mechatronics, select certificate courses | Merit-based admission on qualifying-degree marks, with dates notified separately |
| GAT-B Route | M.Sc. (Agri) Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (DBT-sponsored) | Based on a valid GAT-B (Graduate Aptitude Test in Biotechnology) score |
| NRI / OCI Category | NRI/OCI candidates across eligible programmes | Separate application category with its own last date (19.06.2026 for 2026-27) |
Also Read – Rajiv Gandhi University Admission 2026
Punjab Agricultural University Admission 2026 – Courses Offered
PAU’s programmes are organised across six constituent colleges and two outstation pre-graduation institutes, giving students entry points ranging from certificate courses to PhD research. The table below summarises the flagship programmes offered by each college.
List of Courses Offered at PAU
| College | Programmes Offered |
| College of Agriculture | B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture (4-year and 2+4-year), B.Tech. (Biotechnology), B.Tech. (Food Technology), M.Sc., Ph.D. |
| College of Horticulture & Forestry | B.Sc. (Hons) Horticulture (4-year), M.Sc., Ph.D. |
| College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology | B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering), PG Diploma in Robotics & Mechatronics in Agriculture, M.Tech., M.Tech. in AI & Data Science in Agriculture, MCA, M.Tech. in Robotics & Automation, Ph.D. |
| College of Basic Sciences & Humanities | B.Sc. (Hons) Agribusiness Management (4-year), 5-year Integrated M.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc., MBA, MBA (Agri-Business Management), Master in Journalism and Mass Communication, Ph.D. |
| College of Community Science | B.Sc. (Hons) Community Science (4-year), B.Sc. (Hons) Fashion Designing (4-year), B.Sc. (Hons) Food Nutrition and Dietetics (4-year), Certificate Course in Early Childhood Care & Education, Certificate Course in Interior Design & Decoration, M.Sc., Ph.D. |
| PAU-College of Agriculture, Ballowal Saunkhri | B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture, admitted through BSET |
| Pre-Graduation Institutes (Gurdaspur & Bathinda) | First two years of the 6-year B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture programme, before transferring to the main Ludhiana campus |
Punjab Agricultural University Admission 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility at PAU depends not just on your qualifying degree but also on your residency status, since most programmes reserve seats for Punjab and Chandigarh residents. The table below summarises the broad framework; exact subject and percentage requirements vary by programme.
Eligibility Criteria for Punjab Agricultural University Admission 2026
| Category | Eligibility Criteria |
| Residency Requirement | Only residents of Punjab or the Union Territory of Chandigarh are eligible for admission to UG, Master’s, and Diploma programmes — except MBA, M.Tech., and self-financing/self-supporting programmes, which are open to all-India candidates |
| UG Programmes (DAT/CET/AAT/BSET) | A pass in Class 12 with the subject combination prescribed for the specific programme (e.g., Science stream for B.Sc. Agriculture/Horticulture/Engineering programmes), along with a qualifying score in the relevant entrance test |
| PG Programmes (MET) | A relevant Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, along with a qualifying score in the subject-specific MET |
| MBA / MBA (Agri-Business Management) | A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, along with a qualifying score in MET-MBA |
| Ph.D. Programmes (PET) | A relevant Master’s degree from a recognised university, along with a qualifying score in the subject-specific PET |
| Programmes Without Entrance Test | A relevant qualifying degree (e.g., Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics for MCA) with admission based on merit in the qualifying examination |
| M.Sc. (Agri) Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (GAT-B Route) | A relevant Bachelor’s/Master’s degree along with a valid GAT-B (2026) score |
| NRI / OCI Candidates | Same academic qualifications as regular candidates, applying under the separate NRI/OCI category with its own application deadline |
| Candidates Appearing in Final-Year Exams | Candidates awaiting results of their qualifying examination in the current year may also apply, subject to producing proof of passing before final admission |
Punjab Agricultural University Admission 2026 – Fee Structure
Fee Structure for Punjab Agricultural University Department-wise
College of Agriculture
| Programme | Non-Boarder (Rs.) | Boarder (Rs.) |
| B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture (4-year) | 61,255 | 71,425 |
| B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture (2+4 year) | 60,215 | 70,385 |
| B.Tech. (Biotechnology) (4-year) | 1,25,955 | 1,36,125 |
| B.Tech. (Food Technology) (4-year) | 1,25,955 | 1,36,125 |
| M.Sc. | 65,345 | 80,205 |
| Ph.D. | 69,610 | 84,470 |
College of Horticulture & Forestry
| Programme | Non-Boarder (Rs.) | Boarder (Rs.) |
| B.Sc. (Hons) Horticulture (4-year) | 61,255 | 71,425 |
| M.Sc. | 65,345 | 80,205 |
| Ph.D. | 69,610 | 84,470 |
College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology
| Programme | Non-Boarder (Rs.) | Boarder (Rs.) |
| B.Tech. (Agril. Engg.) | 68,085 | 78,255 |
| PG Diploma in Robotics & Mechatronics in Agriculture | 65,345 | 75,515 |
| M.Tech. | 65,345 | 80,205 |
| M.Tech. in AI & Data Science in Agriculture / MCA / M.Tech. in Robotics & Automation | 65,345 | 80,205 |
| Ph.D. | 69,610 | 84,470 |
College of Basic Sciences & Humanities
| Programme | Non-Boarder (Rs.) | Boarder (Rs.) |
| B.Sc. (Hons) Agribusiness Management (4-year) | 82,415 | 92,585 |
| 5-year Integrated M.Sc. (Hons) Programme | 65,575 | 75,745 |
| M.Sc. | 65,345 | 80,205 |
| MBA | 1,13,115 | 1,27,975 |
| MBA (Agri-Business Management) | 1,01,345 | 1,16,205 |
| Master in Journalism and Mass Communication | 65,345 | 80,205 |
| Ph.D. | 69,610 | 84,470 |
| Programme | Non-Boarder (Rs.) | Boarder (Rs.) |
| B.Sc. (Hons) Community Science (4-year) | 57,235 | 67,405 |
| B.Sc. (Hons) Fashion Designing (4-year) | 72,555 | 82,725 |
| B.Sc. (Hons) Food Nutrition and Dietetics (4-year) | 72,555 | 82,725 |
| Certificate Course in Early Childhood Care & Education (1-year) | 47,785 | 57,955 |
| Certificate Course in Interior Design & Decoration (1-year) | 47,785 | 57,955 |
| M.Sc. | 65,345 | 80,205 |
| Ph.D. | 69,610 | 84,470 |
Also Read – Calicut University Admission 2026
Punjab Agricultural University Admission 2026 – How to Apply?
PAU admissions are managed entirely online through its dedicated admission portals, with the process differing slightly by programme level and entrance test. Follow the steps below to complete your application.
Step-by-Step Application Process for PAU
Step 1 – Visit pau-apms.in for UG/PG programmes, or phd.pau-apms.in for PhD programmes, and download the Prospectus 2026-27 for detailed programme-wise information.
Step 2 – Register on the portal using a valid email ID and mobile number to create your applicant profile.
Step 3 – Fill in your personal, academic and category details, and upload the required scanned documents, including a recent passport-size colour photograph and a scanned signature.
Step 4 – Pay the application fee online via credit/debit card or net banking, or through the challan mode, as per the instructions on the portal.
Step 5 – Download your admit card once it is uploaded (typically 7 days before the entrance test), and appear for the relevant entrance test — DAT/CET/AAT/BSET for UG, MET for PG, or PET for Ph.D.
Step 6 – Track your result on pau.edu, and attend the 1st counselling round for document verification and provisional seat allotment.
Step 7 – If not allotted a seat in the 1st round, or if you wish to improve your allotment, attend the 2nd counselling round as per the notified schedule.
Step 8 – On confirmation of your seat, pay the applicable course fee (Non-Boarder or Boarder, as relevant) to complete your admission.
Punjab Agricultural University Admission 2026 – Required Documents
Students applying to PAU are advised to keep the following documents ready for online upload and verification at the time of counselling:
List of Documents for PAU Admission 2026
1. Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and pass certificates
2. Bachelor’s/Master’s degree provisional or final certificate and consolidated mark sheets (for PG/Ph.D. applicants)
3. Transfer Certificate (TC) and Migration Certificate from the institution last attended
4. Residence/domicile certificate, to confirm Punjab or Chandigarh residency status, where applicable
5. Caste/category certificate (SC/ST/BC/EWS), where applicable, for reservation benefits
6. Recent passport-size colour photographs and a scanned signature
7. Aadhaar card or other valid government-issued photo ID
8. Entrance exam scorecard or admit card, where applicable (DAT/CET/AAT/BSET, MET, PET, or GAT-B)
9. NRI/OCI proof of status, for candidates applying under that category
10. Medical/disability certificate, for candidates applying under the PwD quota
Punjab Agricultural University Admission 2026 – Scholarships for Students
Alongside its own fellowship schemes run through the Directorate of Students’ Welfare, PAU students based in Punjab can also apply for state and central government scholarships. Here are five options offered directly by the university
List of Scholarships for PAU Students
| Scholarship/Fellowship | Eligibility / Benefit |
| Mrs Jaswant Kaur Bindra w/o Dr Onkar Singh Bindra Scholarship | ₹3,000 per month plus a contingency grant of ₹5,000 per annum is awarded to one M.Sc. student with the highest rank in the admission list from the discipline of Entomology |
| Vinay and Kumud Kaushal Scholarship for MBA | A scholarship of ₹30,000 is awarded to the outstanding student in both the 1st and 2nd years of the MBA programme |
| Sh. Jarnail Singh Basi Memorial Fellowship | ₹3,000 per month is awarded to one M.Sc. (Agri.) student on a merit basis. |
| Dr G S Grewal Memorial Fellowship | Merit-based scholarships of ₹2,000 per month are awarded to two M.Sc. Chemistry students (one each from the 1st and 2nd year). |
| Dr S S Guraya Memorial Fellowship | A merit scholarship of ₹500 per month is awarded to two M.Sc. Zoology students (one each from the 1st and 2nd year) |
Also Read – BHU Admission 2026
FAQs
Q1. What entrance tests does PAU conduct?
PAU conducts DAT, CET, AAT and BSET for undergraduate admissions; subject-specific MET (Merit-cum-Entrance Test) for postgraduate admissions; and subject-specific PET (Pre-Ph.D. Entrance Test) for doctoral admissions. A few programmes, like MCA and select M.Tech. specialisations, are admitted purely on merit without any entrance test.
Q2. How can NRI/OCI candidates apply to PAU?
NRI and OCI candidates apply under a separate category with its own application deadline each admission cycle, while meeting the same academic eligibility criteria as regular candidates for their chosen programme.
Q3. What is the fee structure at PAU?
Fees vary by college and programme, and are charged separately for Non-Boarder (day scholar) and Boarder (hostel resident) students. For example, B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture costs approximately ₹61,255 (Non-Boarder) or ₹71,425 (Boarder) per year, while professional programmes like MBA and B.Tech. (Biotechnology) are priced considerably higher.
Q4. How can I apply for Punjab Agricultural University admission?
Applications are submitted online at pau-apms.in for UG/PG programmes and phd.pau-apms.in for PhD programmes. Candidates register, fill in their details, upload documents, pay the application fee, and later appear for the relevant entrance test before attending counselling for seat allotment.
Q5. Does PAU offer any scholarships to its students?
Yes. PAU runs its own Student Fellowships and Scholarships scheme through the Directorate of Students’ Welfare, in addition to which students can apply for Punjab state scholarships and central government scholarships like the National Scholarship Portal, Central Sector Scholarship, and INSPIRE.