Veterinary and Animal Sciences

What you need to know

1. 1
   Vets treat farm animals, pets and wildlife, protect people from animal diseases and check food safety. Related fields: dairy, fisheries, poultry and animal research.
2. 2
   The vet degree, BVSc and AH, takes 5½ years including a 1-year internship. You need Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English.
3. 3
   15% of seats are filled by the Veterinary Council of India through NEET; the other 85% by each state, with its own rules.
4. 4
   Only a registered vet may practise. Check every college on VCI's recognised list.

Official sources

• vci.dahd.gov.inVeterinary Council of India (VCI)↗
• vci.dahd.gov.inVCI information bulletin (PDF)↗

Inside this branch

• Every year: the calendar
• What vets do2 more
• BVSc and AH4 more
• Dairy and fisheries degrees1 more
• After Class 101 more
• Registration and study abroad1 more
• Higher study1 more
• Jobs and pay2 more
• For girls1 more
• Avoid scams1 more

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   NEET-UG: usually the first Sunday of May; results around June.
2. 2
   VCI 15% quota counselling: usually between August and October, in two rounds and a stray round. State counselling runs around the same months.
3. 3
   CUET (ICAR-UG) for dairy and fisheries degrees: register usually in January; ICAR counselling usually from July.
4. 4
   Exact dates change every year: always check the official website before you apply.

Official sources

• neet.nta.nic.inNTA: NEET-UG↗
• vci.admissions.nic.inVCI counselling (15% all-India quota)↗
• icar.org.inICAR: admissions and counselling notices↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  DAHD: vet vacancies and Mobile Veterinary Units (PDF)State-wise posts and the 1962 helpline.
  Free
• Official
  Vikaspedia: Mobile Veterinary UnitsHow vets reach villages.
  Free
• Official
  ICAR Agricultural Education PortalVeterinary, dairy and fisheries universities.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Kinds of work
• Vet or doctor?

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Government vet hospitals and Mobile Veterinary Units (helpline 1962), private clinics and pet care, dairy and poultry farms, zoos and wildlife, meat and food safety, medicine companies, research and teaching.
2. 2
   Related careers: dairy technologist, fisheries scientist, poultry and feed specialists.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapAgriculture careers→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Both need NEET and Biology. BVSc is a separate course with its own counselling; many students list it alongside MBBS and BDS.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapBecome a doctor→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 7

• Official
  VCI information bulletin (PDF)Eligibility, seats, schedule, fees.
  Free
• Official
  VCI counselling portal15% all-India quota registration.
  Free
• Official
  NTA: NEET-UGThe entrance exam.
  Free
• Official
  VCI recognised colleges (PDF)Colleges and approved seats.
  Free
• Official
  TANUVAS UG prospectus (PDF)Example of a state quota using Class 12 marks.
  Free
• Official
  LUVASHaryana veterinary university.
  Free
• Official
  GADVASUPunjab veterinary university.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Eligibility
• The 15% all-India quota
• The 85% state quota
• Fees

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (or Biotechnology) and English, with practicals, and at least 50% in those subjects (47.5% for SC and ST). Age at least 17 by 31 December.
2. 2
   The VCI quota has no upper age limit, but some states set one.

Official sources

• vci.dahd.gov.inVCI information bulletin (PDF)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   VCI fills 15% of seats in recognised government and private colleges only on NEET rank, with central reservation. Register on the VCI counselling portal; a student who gets a seat and does not report is barred from later rounds.

Official sources

• vci.admissions.nic.inVCI counselling (15% all-India quota)↗
• neet.nta.nic.inNTA: NEET-UG↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Each state fills the rest with its own rules. Most use NEET ranks, but Tamil Nadu uses Class 12 marks and sets higher minimums. Read your state veterinary university's prospectus.

Official sources

• adm.tanuvas.ac.inTANUVAS UG prospectus (PDF)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Government college fees vary a lot by state, from about ₹15,000 to over ₹1 lakh a year; private colleges cost more. VCI has no role in fees.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  CUET (ICAR-UG) bulletin (PDF)Dairy and fisheries degrees, eligibility.
  Free
• Official
  NDRI KarnalB.Tech Dairy Technology through ICAR counselling.
  Free
• Official
  CIFE MumbaiFisheries master's and PhD.
  Free

Inside this branch

• The route

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   B.Tech Dairy Technology and B.F.Sc Fisheries Science (4 years) are filled through CUET (ICAR-UG): 20% of seats at agricultural universities, and all seats at ICAR institutes such as NDRI Karnal and IVRI.
2. 2
   Class 12 with 50% (40% for SC, ST and PwBD) and at least three of Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology and Agriculture. Age at least 16. There is no direct admission without the test.

Official sources

• icar.org.inCUET (ICAR-UG) bulletin (PDF)↗
• ndri.res.inNDRI Karnal (dairy)↗
• cife.edu.inCIFE Mumbai (fisheries)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  MAFSU diplomaLivestock diploma after Class 10.
  Free
• Official
  Delhi High Court judgment (PDF)What diploma holders may and may not do.
  Free
• Official
  DAHD: A-HELP (PDF)Training for Pashu Sakhis.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Shorter routes

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Some state veterinary universities run 2-year livestock and veterinary diplomas, e.g. MAFSU in Maharashtra after Class 10, and LUVAS and GADVASU after Class 12 (reported).
2. 2
   Diploma holders may do only minor services (vaccination, first aid) under a registered vet; they cannot run a clinic. A diploma after Class 10 also makes you ineligible for CUET (ICAR-UG).
3. 3
   Village women in self-help groups can train as Pashu Sakhis (A-HELP, 16 days).

Official sources

• mafsu.ac.inMAFSU: livestock diploma after Class 10↗
• delhihighcourt.nic.inDelhi High Court on what para-vets may do (PDF)↗
• dahd.gov.inDAHD: A-HELP Pashu Sakhi training (PDF)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapWhich stream after Class 10?→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  VCI registrationHow to register after BVSc.
  Free
• Official
  Indian Veterinary Practitioners RegisterCheck a vet's registration.
  Free
• Official
  Foreign Veterinary Graduate Rules 2025 (PDF)Test and Indian internship for foreign degrees.
  Free

Inside this branch

• What to know

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   After BVSc you register with your State Veterinary Council and VCI. Only registered vets may hold government vet posts, practise, sign certificates or give expert evidence.
2. 2
   A foreign vet degree from an unlisted university needs a VCI test and another 12-month internship in India before you can practise.

Official sources

• vci.dahd.gov.inVCI: registration to practise↗
• vci.dahd.gov.inIndian Veterinary Practitioners Register↗
• thc.nic.inForeign Veterinary Graduate Rules 2025 (PDF)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  NTA: ICAR PG and PhD examsMVSc and PhD entrance.
  Free
• Official
  ICARCounselling and fellowship notices.
  Free
• Official
  National Scholarship PortalScholarships and ICAR fellowships.
  Free

Inside this branch

• The route

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   MVSc and PhD admissions use ICAR's PG and PhD exams (usually July) and university counselling. ICAR fellowships pay a monthly stipend to those admitted through ICAR.

Official sources

• exams.nta.nic.inNTA: ICAR PG and PhD exams↗
• icar.org.inICAR: admissions and counselling notices↗
• Vaidaani roadmapScholarships for every stage→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  DAHD: vacant vet posts (PDF)Sanctioned and vacant posts.
  Free
• Official
  ASRBICAR scientist and NET exams.
  Free
• Official
  Join Indian ArmyRemount and Veterinary Corps entry.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Government jobs
• Private work

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   States recruit Veterinary Officers through their public service commissions. About a quarter of the 40,000 sanctioned government vet posts were vacant (government figures). Entry pay is often around Level 10, about ₹56,100 basic (reported).
2. 2
   Also: Mobile Veterinary Units, ICAR scientist posts through ASRB, and the Army's Remount and Veterinary Corps (short service commission for vets, age 21–32, reported).

Official sources

• dahd.gov.inDAHD: vet vacancies and Mobile Veterinary Units (PDF)↗
• asrb.org.inASRB: ICAR scientist recruitment↗
• joinindianarmy.nic.inJoin Indian Army (Remount and Veterinary Corps)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapDefence: Army, Navy, Air Force→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Pet clinics, dairy, poultry and medicine companies hire vets; pay varies widely and reliable figures are not available. Many vets start their own practice after some years.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 1

• Official
  DAHD: A-HELP (PDF)Women's self-help group livestock workers.
  Free

Inside this branch

• What to know

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Veterinary colleges and the Army Veterinary Corps take women. Women's self-help groups can train as Pashu Sakhis under A-HELP.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapFor girls: every scheme→
• dahd.gov.inDAHD: A-HELP Pashu Sakhi training (PDF)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  VCI recognised colleges (PDF)Check before paying.
  Free
• Official
  VCI information bulletin (PDF)No seats by nomination; canvassing disqualifies.
  Free
• Official
  Cyber crime portal (helpline 1930)Report fraud.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Red flags

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   "Direct admission" or "management quota" agents: VCI says it never allots seats by nomination or manually, and canvassing disqualifies you. ICAR also has no direct admission.
2. 2
   A college not on VCI's recognised list: some are only provisionally recognised. Check before paying.
3. 3
   A "vet" who is not registered, or a para-vet running a clinic alone, is breaking the law. Lost money? Call 1930.

Official sources

• vci.dahd.gov.inVCI: recognised veterinary colleges (PDF)↗
• vci.dahd.gov.inIndian Veterinary Practitioners Register↗
• cybercrime.gov.inCyber crime portal (helpline 1930)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us