Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Kangra Campus Life

About Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya - [CSK HPKV] Palampur

Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSK HPKV), established in 1978, is a state government agricultural university located in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. It operates under the aegis of the Himachal Pradesh government and is affiliated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

CSK HPKV holds an A grade accreditation from NAAC and is ranked 29th in India for Agriculture and Allied Sectors by NIRF 2025, placing it among the top agricultural universities nationally. The university offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in agriculture, veterinary sciences, and allied fields, with a strong focus on research and practical training. It has a student intake of over 200 annually and a robust faculty team supporting academic excellence and industry collaboration.

Key Highlights

Admission Dates 2026

Admission Process

Admissions at Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSK HPKV), Palampur, are primarily through entrance exams like CUET-UG for undergraduate courses and NEET-UG for veterinary programs, along with merit-based selection for some courses. Candidates must register online, appear for the relevant entrance exams, participate in counseling, and complete document verification and fee payment to confirm admission.

B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Register online on the official CSK HPKV admission portal with valid email and phone number.
2. Fill out the application form with personal and academic details.
3. Upload scanned copies of required documents as per instructions.
4. Pay the application fee online through the specified gateway.
5. Appear for the CUET-UG (ICAR) entrance exam with eligible subject combinations.
6. Check merit list and cutoff ranks published by the university.
7. Participate in the counseling process and select preferred courses.
8. Complete seat acceptance by paying the seat confirmation fee (₹10,000 tentative).
9. Report to the university on the specified date with original documents for verification.
10. Pay the remaining course fee to finalize admission.

Eligibility Criteria & Fees

Documents Required

• Class 10th mark sheet and certificate
• Class 12th mark sheet and certificate
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/DA) if applicable
• Domicile certificate for Himachal Pradesh residents
• Character certificate from last attended institution
• Migration certificate (if applicable)
• Passport-sized photographs
• Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.)
• Entrance exam scorecard (CUET/NEET/CSK HPKV test)

Cutoff 2025

The cutoff trends for Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSK HPKV) in 2025 show that admissions to B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture through CUET require a minimum score of 29 for General and SC categories, while ST and EWS categories have higher cutoffs at 80 and 73 respectively. For B.V.Sc admissions through NEET, the closing ranks vary significantly by category, with General category cutoff around 42,754 and ST category cutoff extending up to 272,346 in 2024, indicating a wide range of competition levels across categories.

Placements 2025

Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSK HPKV) Palampur had strong placement outcomes in 2025, with median salaries reaching ₹13 LPA for UG and ₹19.5 LPA for PG students. The overall placement rate for UG programs was around 51%, with 118 UG and 99 PG students placed. The university's placement cell actively engages with agribusiness firms, government bodies, and research organizations to facilitate recruitment.

Placement Statistics

Top Recruiters

IT: Limited presence; focus mainly on agritech startups and government IT projects

Consulting: NABARD, agricultural consultancy firms

Core: Agrochemical companies, seed technology firms, dairy cooperatives, veterinary hospitals, renewable energy firms, government agricultural departments

Branch-wise Placement

Rankings & Accreditations

Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSK HPKV), Palampur, is ranked 29th nationally in the Agriculture and Allied Sectors category by NIRF 2025. It holds a position within the 51-100 band among State Public Universities and ranks between 151-200 in the overall University category. The university is recognized as the second-best agricultural university in Himachal Pradesh.

NIRF 2025

Other Rankings

Accreditations

• NAAC: A+ Grade
• ICAR: Accredited Agricultural University
• ISO Certification: ISO 9001:2015

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSK HPKV), Palampur offers a variety of scholarships including merit-based awards, category-specific scholarships for SC/ST and girls from Below Poverty Line families, and national talent scholarships for ICAR nominees. Financial aid also includes stipends, fee waivers, and government-sponsored schemes accessible via the National Scholarship Portal.

Institute Scholarships

Government Scholarships

External Scholarships

• Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child: Financial aid for single girl child pursuing undergraduate studies at CSK HPKV.
• ICAR Scholarships: Scholarships and fellowships for students admitted through ICAR competitive exams, including stipends and fellowships for postgraduate and doctoral studies.
• Inspire Fellowship (Department of Science & Technology): ₹25,000/month for Ph.D. students with low family income on merit basis.

Comparison

Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSK HPKV) Palampur is compared with Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, and National Institute of Technology (NIT), Hamirpur, as all are prominent government universities in Himachal Pradesh with strong regional influence and recognized NIRF rankings in agriculture, forestry, and engineering sectors respectively, attracting similar student demographics and academic interests.

Key Strengths

• CSK HPKV Palampur: Strong focus on agriculture and allied sectors with consistent NIRF ranking in top 30 nationally, extensive research in hill agriculture.
• Dr. YS Parmar University, Solan: Leading horticulture and forestry university with top 15 NIRF rank in agriculture-related fields and A+ NAAC accreditation.
• NIT Hamirpur: Premier engineering institute in Himachal Pradesh with improving NIRF rank, strong industry connections.

Campus & Infrastructure

Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSK HPKV) is located in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, nestled in the scenic hills offering a calm and research-friendly environment. The campus spans a large area with well-established academic buildings, hostels, sports grounds, and a central library equipped with extensive resources.

Campus Details

Academic Facilities

• Library: Seating capacity of 200 readers, 1.6 lakh publications capacity, subscriptions to CeRA and CAB Abstract, KOHA software with RFID system
• Labs: Multiple well-equipped science and research labs with modern instruments
• Classrooms: Air-conditioned and digitalized classrooms, smart classrooms under development

Other Facilities

• Sports ground for Football, Volleyball, Cricket, and other games
• Health center with qualified doctor providing free medical services
• Wi-Fi available in hostels and library
• Mess facilities with nutritious meals and a bakery on campus
• Auditorium and examination halls

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility criteria for undergraduate admission at CSK HPKV Palampur?

Candidates must have completed 10+2 or equivalent with at least 50% aggregate marks (47.5% for SC/ST/DA) in relevant subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology for Life Sciences or Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for Physical Sciences. Minimum age is 17 years as of December 31, 2025.

Is there an entrance exam for admission to B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture at CSK HPKV?

Yes, admission to B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture is based on merit in the qualifying exam or the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) conducted by NTA. Counselling follows based on the merit list.

What is the application fee for CSK HPKV admissions?

The application fee is ₹2,000 for General/OBC candidates and ₹1,500 for SC/ST candidates. This fee is payable online during the application process.

What is the fee structure for undergraduate courses at CSK HPKV?

The tentative seat acceptance fee is ₹10,000, with remaining course fees payable after admission confirmation. Hostel fees include a one-time registration fee of ₹300 per semester plus monthly mess charges.

Are scholarships available for students at CSK HPKV?

Yes, scholarships are provided based on merit and reserved category status, including reservations for SC (15%), ST (7.5%), EWS (10%), and others. Economically weaker sections get 10% reservation.

What is the placement scenario and average package at CSK HPKV?

The average package for undergraduate courses is around ₹5 lakh per annum. The university has a placement cell that facilitates internships and job placements with agriculture and allied sector companies.

Which companies recruit from CSK HPKV Palampur?

Recruiters include government agricultural departments, agro-based industries, research organizations, and food technology firms, though specific company names are not publicly listed.

How is the curriculum structured at CSK HPKV?

The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical training in agriculture, veterinary sciences, food technology, and allied fields, emphasizing research and sustainable practices.

What research opportunities are available for students at CSK HPKV?

The university offers research programs in hill agriculture, biotechnology, environmental sciences, and animal husbandry, with facilities like research labs and ICAR-accredited projects.

What are the hostel facilities and fees at CSK HPKV?

Hostels have well-maintained rooms for 2-3 occupants with beds, desks, and almirahs. Hostel registration costs ₹300 per semester, with additional monthly mess fees. Food quality is generally good with three meals and snacks provided daily.

Is the campus safe and supportive for students?

The campus is considered safe with supportive staff and student welfare offices. Anti-ragging measures are in place, and the environment is peaceful with good greenery and security.

What extracurricular activities and sports facilities are available?

The university has a sports complex with facilities for volleyball, basketball, badminton, cricket, and football. Annual sports meets and cultural fests are organized regularly.

Are there part-time job opportunities for students on or near campus?

Part-time jobs are limited on campus, but students may find opportunities in local agricultural projects or tutoring. The university encourages academic focus alongside practical exposure.

Is there a dress code or uniform requirement at CSK HPKV?

There is no strict dress code, but students in certain practical courses like veterinary sciences may be required to wear lab coats or uniforms during practical sessions.

How does CSK HPKV compare with other agricultural universities in India?

CSK HPKV is recognized for its focus on hill agriculture and ICAR accreditation. It offers strong research and practical exposure, with a good reputation in northern India’s agricultural education sector.

What is the reservation policy for Himachal Pradesh domicile students?

75% of seats are reserved for bonafide Himachal Pradesh residents, ensuring local students have priority admission opportunities.

Can students get single rooms in hostels at CSK HPKV?

Hostel rooms are generally shared by 2-3 students. Single rooms are rare and usually not available due to high demand and limited capacity.

What is the process for counselling and seat allocation at CSK HPKV?

After entrance exam results, candidates participate in online/offline counselling where seats are allocated based on merit rank and seat availability. Mop-up rounds are conducted for vacant seats.

Are laptops mandatory for students at CSK HPKV?

Laptops are not mandatory but recommended for accessing digital resources, assignments, and research work, especially for postgraduate and research students.

What is the quality of food served in the university mess?

The mess is student-run and offers three meals plus evening snacks daily. Food quality is generally good, nutritious, and varies monthly to maintain variety.