CUET Agriculture Syllabus 2026: Topics, Exam Pattern & Preparation Guide

Introduction

The CUET Agriculture syllabus 2026 is designed to assess a student’s understanding of agricultural practices, crop production, soil science, plant protection, and basic agricultural economics. Agriculture is an important domain subject for students seeking admission into undergraduate programmes such as B.Sc. Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Agricultural Biotechnology, Agronomy, and allied agricultural sciences through CUET UG.

The syllabus focuses on practical knowledge, scientific understanding, and application of agricultural concepts, aligned with the senior secondary level.

CUET Syllabus for Agriculture 2026

Unit-1: Agrometeorology, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Biochemistry and Microbiology

1. Agrometeorology

Elements of Weather — rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind velocity, Sunshine weather forecasting, climate change in relation to crop production, climate classification; Monsoon in India.

2. Genetics & Plant Breeding

(a) Cell and its structure, cell division-mitosis and meiosis and their significance.
(b) Organization of the genetic materials in chromosomes, DNA, and RNA.
(c) Mendel’s laws of inheritance. Reasons for the success of Mendel in his experiments, Absence of linkage in Mendel’s experiments.
(d) Quantitative inheritance, continuous and discontinuous variation in plants.
(e) Monogenic and polygenic inheritance.
(f) Role of Genetics in Plant breeding, self and cross-pollinated crops, methods of breeding in field crops-introduction, selection, hybridization, mutation and polyploidy, tissue and cell culture.
(g) History and importance of plant breeding, objective and role of plant breeding, Breeding methods in self and cross-pollinated crops.
(h) Plant Biotechnology-definition and scope in crop production, Biotechnology of plant breeding.

3. Biochemistry

pH and buffers, Classification and nomenclature of carbohydrates; proteins; lipids; vitamins, and enzymes; Nucleic acids

4. Microbiology

Microbial cell structure, Micro-organisms- Algae, Bacteria, Fungi, Actinomycetes, Protozoa and Viruses. Role of micro-organisms in respiration, fermentation, and organic matter decomposition; Soil flora and fauna

5. Seed Science

Seed structure of monocots and dicots, mode of reproduction, pollination, fertilization, Seed dormancy, types of seeds.

Unit-2: Livestock Production

1. Scope and importance

(a) Importance of livestock in agriculture and industry, White revolution in India.
(b) Important breeds Indian and exotic, distribution of cows, buffaloes, goats, sheeps and poultry in India.

2. Care and management

(a) Systems of cattle and poultry housing.
(b) Principles of feeding, and feeding practices.
(c) Balanced ration definition and ingredients.
(d) Management of calves, bullocks, pregnant and milch animals as well as chicks’ cockerels and layers, and poultry.
(e) Signs of sick animals, symptoms of common diseases in cattle and poultry, Rinderpest, black quarter, foot and mouth, mastitis and haemorrhagic septicaemia coccidiosis, Fowl pox and Ranikhet disease, their prevention, and control.

3. Artificial Insemination

Reproductive organs, collection, dilution, and preservation of semen and artificial insemination, role of artificial insemination in cattle improvement.

4. Livestock Products

Processing and marketing of milk and Milk products.

5. Fisheries

Definition of fish, fisheries, aquaculture; General characteristics of fish, types of fishes.

Unit-3: Crop Production

1. Introduction

(a) Targets and achievements in foodgrain production in India since independence and its future projections, sustainable crop production, commercialization of agriculture and its scope in India.
(b) Classification of field crops based on their utility-cereals, pulses, oils seeds, fibre, sugar, and forage crops.

2. Soil, Soil fertility, Fertilizers, and Manures

(a) Soil, soil pH, Soil texture, soil structure, soil organisms, soil tilth, soil fertility, and soil health.
(b) Essential plant nutrients, their functions, and deficiency symptoms.
(c) Soil types of India and their characteristics.
(d) Organic manure, common fertilizers including straight, complex, fertilizer mixtures and biofertilizers, integrated nutrient management system.
(e) Problem soils, soil erosion, soil pollution.
(f) Soil analysis for nutrient availability.

3. Irrigation and Drainage

(a) Sources of irrigation (rain, canals, tanks, rivers, wells, tubewells).
(b) Schedulingof irrigation based on critical stages of growth, time interval, soil moisture content, and weather parameters.
(c) Water requirement of crops.
(d) Methods of irrigation and drainage.
(e) Watershed management.
(f) Irrigation water quality.

4. Weed Control

Weed classification and weed characteristics; Principles of weed control, methods of weed control (cultural, mechanical, chemical, biological, and Integrated weed management).

5. Crops

Seedbed preparation, seed treatment, time and method of sowing/planting, seed rate; dose, method, and time of fertilizer application, irrigation, intercultural and weed control; common pests and diseases, caused by bacteria, fungi viruses, and nematode and their control, integrated pest management, harvesting, threshing, post-harvest technology: storage, processing, and marketing of major field crops-Rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, groundnut, mustard, pigeon-pea, gram, sugarcane, cotton, and berseem. Millets and their importance.

6. Modern agriculture

Challenges in modern agriculture; conservation agriculture; precision agriculture; natural farming; organic farming; remote sensing in agriculture.

Unit-4: Horticulture

(a) Importance of fruits and vegetables in the human diet, Crop diversification & processing Industry.
(b) Orchard- location and layout, ornamental gardening, and kitchen garden.
(c) Planting system, training, pruning, intercropping, protection from frost and sunburn.
(d) Trees, shrubs, climbers, annuals, perennials-definition and examples. Propagation by seed, cutting, budding, layering, and grafting.
(e) Cultivation practices, processing, and marketing of:

  • Fruits - mango, papaya, banana, guava, citrus, grapes.
  • Vegetables - Radish, carrot, potato, onion, cauliflower, brinjal, tomato, spinach, and cabbage.
  • Flowers - Gladiolus, canna, chrysanthemums, roses and marigold.

(f) Principles and methods of fruit and vegetable preservation.
(g) Preparation of jellies, jams, ketchup, chips and their packing.

CUET Agriculture Exam Overview 2026

Below is an overview of the CUET UG Agriculture examination:

  • Exam Name: Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG)
  • Subject: Agriculture
  • Conducting Authority: National Testing Agency (NTA)
  • Exam Level: Undergraduate
  • Mode of Examination: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
  • Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
  • Medium of Paper: Multiple languages
  • Syllabus Level: Senior secondary level
  • Focus Areas: Crop production, soil science, plant protection, and agricultural practices

The paper evaluates a student’s conceptual understanding, practical awareness, and application-based knowledge.

CUET Agriculture Preparation Strategy

Use the following preparation tips to score well in Agriculture:

  • Study NCERT Thoroughly: NCERT Agriculture-related textbooks are the primary source.
  • Focus on Practical Concepts: Understand farming practices, crop cycles, and soil management.
  • Revise Terminology & Definitions: Many questions are direct and concept-based.
  • Use Diagrams & Flowcharts: Visual revision helps in remembering processes.
  • Attempt Mock Tests: Regular CUET-style MCQs improve speed and accuracy.

Best Books for CUET Agriculture 2026

Choose limited but reliable resources to avoid confusion.

Recommended Books

Book Name Author / Publisher Why It’s Useful
Fundamentals of Agriculture NCERT Builds strong foundational knowledge of core agricultural concepts
Agriculture Textbook Class 12 State Board / NCERT Syllabus-aligned content for Class 12 board and CUET preparation
CUET UG Agriculture Guide Oswaal CUET-style MCQs, exam-pattern questions, and mock tests
Agriculture Question Bank Arihant Chapter-wise practice for better concept retention
Objective Agriculture Disha Publications MCQ-based revision and quick exam-oriented practice
Tip: Focus on NCERT + practice, rather than multiple reference books.

Topics to Refer for CUET Agriculture

Students should prioritise the following important topics:

  • Crop production and management
  • Soil science and soil fertility
  • Plant nutrition and manures
  • Irrigation and water management
  • Plant breeding and genetics (basic)
  • Pest and disease management
  • Agricultural implements and machinery
  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Organic farming
  • Agricultural economics (basic concepts)

These topics are frequently tested and conceptually important.

Conclusion

The CUET Agriculture syllabus 2026 is practical, concept-driven, and application-oriented. With strong NCERT-based preparation, understanding of farming practices, and consistent MCQ practice, students can perform well in this subject.

Agriculture is a high-scoring subject for students who prepare systematically and focus on practical understanding.

FAQs CUET Agriculture 2026

Q1. Is CUET Agriculture syllabus based on Class 12 curriculum?
Q2. Is Agriculture a theory-based subject?
Q3. Are diagrams important for CUET Agriculture?
Q4. Is Agriculture a scoring subject in CUET?
Q5. How much time is required to prepare for CUET Agriculture?