Top 10 Food Technology Colleges in India: Rankings, Fees & Admission 2026
Choosing the right food technology college in India is a pivotal step for aspiring professionals in the rapidly evolving food sector. Leading institutions like Jadavpur University, Anna University, and Amity University consistently rank among the best, offering robust B.Tech and M.Tech programs designed to meet industry demands. This comprehensive guide details the top food technology colleges for 2026, covering their rankings, fees, eligibility, admission processes, and placement trends to help you make an informed decision.
Top 15 Food Technology Colleges in India 2026: Colleges, Rankings, Fees, Entrance Exams, Admission Dates 2026
Food Technology is one of India’s fastest-growing technical disciplines, driven by the country’s expanding food processing industry, projected to reach $535 billion by 2025-26. With over 227 BTech / BE Food Technology colleges across India, the landscape ranges from centrally-funded institutions like NIFTEM (Sonipat and Thanjavur) and IIT Kharagpur to ICAR-accredited agricultural universities and strong private engineering colleges. The right choice depends on entrance exam scores, budget, state preference, and career goals.
| Rank | College | Location | Type | Total Fees (4 Years) | Annual Fees (INR) | Entrance Exam Accepted | NIRF / Ranking |
| 1 | IIT Kharagpur (Agricultural and Food Engineering Dept.) | Kharagpur, West Bengal | Government (IIT) | Rs. 5,18,000 | Rs. 1,29,500 | JEE Advanced | NIRF Overall Rank: 5; QS World Rank: Top 300 |
| 2 | NIFTEM (National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management), Sonipat | Sonipat, Haryana | Government (Central / GFTI) | Rs. 5,00,000 to Rs. 6,50,000 | Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs. 1,62,500 | JEE Main / CUET / JoSAA | Ministry of Food Processing Industries; NIRF Engineering: Top 100 |
| 3 | NIFTEM-T (Thanjavur) | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu | Government (Central / GFTI) | Rs. 3,60,000 to Rs. 5,00,000 | Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,25,000 | JEE Main / JoSAA | NIRF Engineering: Top 100; JoSAA GFTI |
| 4 | TNAU (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University) | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | Government (State Agri. University) | Rs. 4,59,000 | Rs. 1,14,750 | TNAU Entrance / TANCET | NIRF Agriculture Rank: 8; ICAR Accredited |
| 5 | CFDT (College of Food and Dairy Technology, TANUVAS) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Government (State) | Rs. 72,465 | Rs. 18,116 | TANUVAS Entrance | ICAR Accredited; lowest-fee Food Technology government college |
| 6 | AMU (Aligarh Muslim University) — Dept. of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh | Central University | Rs. 3,98,000 | Rs. 99,500 | JEE Main / CUET / AMU Entrance | NIRF Overall Rank: 8; NBA Accredited |
| 7 | CSIR-CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute) | Mysore, Karnataka | Government (CSIR Research Institute) | Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs. 3,00,000 (MTech / PhD only) | Rs. 1,00,000 | GATE (MTech) / NET (PhD) | India’s premier food research institute; CSIR-funded |
| 8 | Sam Higginbottom University (SHUATS) | Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh | Private (Deemed) | Rs. 3,00,000 to Rs. 6,00,000 | Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 | JEE Main / CUET / SHUATS Entrance | NAAC A; ICAR Accredited; strong North India placements |
| 9 | IGKV (Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya) | Raipur, Chhattisgarh | Government (State Agri. University) | Rs. 1,60,000 to Rs. 2,40,000 | Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 60,000 | IGKV Entrance / JEE Main | ICAR Accredited; NAAC B++ |
| 10 | PSG College of Technology | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | Autonomous (Aided) | Rs. 2,75,000 | Rs. 68,750 | JEE Main / TANCET | NIRF Engineering: 51 to 100; NAAC A++; NBA Accredited |
| 11 | Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh | Government (State) | Rs. 3,50,000 to Rs. 4,50,000 | Rs. 87,500 to Rs. 1,12,500 | JEE Main / UPSEE / CUET | NAAC A; strong North India food industry placements |
| 12 | Kongu Engineering College | Erode, Tamil Nadu | Autonomous (Aided) | Rs. 1,22,000 | Rs. 30,500 | JEE Main / TANCET | NAAC A+; NBA Accredited; NIRF: 101 to 150 |
| 13 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Deemed (Private) | Rs. 6,00,000 to Rs. 8,00,000 | Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 | SRMJEEE / JEE Main / CUET | NIRF Overall Rank: 30; NAAC A++ |
| 14 | Lovely Professional University (LPU) | Jalandhar, Punjab | Private | Rs. 4,80,000 to Rs. 6,00,000 | Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 | LPUNEST / JEE Main / CUET | NIRF Overall Rank: 50; NAAC A++ |
| 15 | Chandigarh University | Chandigarh, Punjab | Private | Rs. 4,80,000 to Rs. 6,40,000 | Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 1,60,000 | CUCET / JEE Main / CUET | NIRF Overall Rank: 26; NAAC A++ |
Also read:Â B.Tech in Food Technology: Complete Guide (2026)
Top M.Tech Food Technology Colleges in India: Courses and Admission 2026
The MTech in Food Technology is a 2-year postgraduate programme designed for graduates in Food Technology, Food Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, or related disciplines who wish to specialise in advanced food processing, food safety, product development, or food systems engineering. India has over 111 MTech Food Technology colleges, ranging from IITs and NITs to NIFTEM, CSIR-CFTRI, Anna University, and private institutions. Admission is almost universally through GATE scores, with GATE-qualified candidates at IITs and NITs eligible for a HTRA stipend of Rs. 12,400 per month.
| Rank | College | Location | Type | Total Fees (2 Years) | Annual Fees (INR) | Entrance Exam | NIRF Ranking | Key Specialisations |
| 1 | IIT Kharagpur (Agricultural and Food Engineering) | Kharagpur, West Bengal | Government (IIT) | Rs. 4,64,000 | Rs. 2,32,000 | GATE (AG / BT / CH) | NIRF Overall Rank: 5 | Food Process Engineering, Food Safety, Post-Harvest Technology |
| 2 | CSIR-CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute) | Mysore, Karnataka | Government (CSIR) | Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 60,000 | Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000 | GATE (BT / FT / CH) | India’s No.1 Food Research Institute; CSIR Funded | Food Science, Food Microbiology, Flavour Technology, Packaging |
| 3 | NIFTEM Sonipat | Sonipat, Haryana | Government (Central / GFTI) | Rs. 1,90,000 to Rs. 2,50,000 | Rs. 95,000 to Rs. 1,25,000 | GATE | NIRF Engineering: Top 100 | Food Product Development, Food Safety and Quality, Food Business Management |
| 4 | NIFTEM-T Thanjavur | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu | Government (Central / GFTI) | Rs. 36,000 to Rs. 80,000 | Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 40,000 | GATE | NIRF Engineering: Top 100 | Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Food Entrepreneurship |
| 5 | NIT Rourkela (Chemical Engineering / Food) | Rourkela, Odisha | Government (NIT) | Rs. 1,18,000 | Rs. 59,000 | GATE (CH / BT / FT) | NIRF Overall Rank: 19 | Food Process Design, Food Biochemistry |
| 6 | Anna University | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Government (State) | Rs. 1,20,000 | Rs. 60,000 | GATE / TANCET | NIRF Overall Rank: 8 | Food Engineering, Food Quality Management |
| 7 | Jadavpur University | Kolkata, West Bengal | Government (State) | Rs. 34,500 | Rs. 17,250 | GATE / JECA | NIRF Overall Rank: 14 | Food Processing Technology, Post-Harvest Engineering |
| 8 | TNAU (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University) | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | Government (State Agri. University) | Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs. 2,50,000 | Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 1,25,000 | GATE / TNAU PG Entrance | NIRF Agriculture Rank: 8; ICAR Accredited | Food Science, Food Quality, Agri-Processing |
| 9 | HBTU (Harcourt Butler Technical University) | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh | Government (State) | Rs. 1,80,000 to Rs. 2,40,000 | Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,20,000 | GATE / UPSEE PG | NAAC A | Food Process Engineering, Industrial Food Production |
| 10 | University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), GKVK | Bangalore, Karnataka | Government (State Agri.) | Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 | Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 | GATE / ICAR NET | NIRF Agriculture Rank: 13; ICAR A++ | Post-Harvest Technology, Food Safety, Agri-Processing |
| 11 | Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV) | Parbhani, Maharashtra | Government (State Agri.) | Rs. 92,500 | Rs. 46,250 | GATE / ICAR NET | ICAR Accredited | Food Processing, Agricultural Engineering |
| 12 | Sam Higginbottom University (SHUATS) | Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh | Private (Deemed) | Rs. 3,00,000 to Rs. 4,00,000 | Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 | GATE / CUET PG | NAAC A; ICAR Accredited | Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Post-Harvest Management |
| 13 | Sharda University | Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh | Private | Rs. 2,24,500 | Rs. 1,12,250 | GATE / CUET PG / Merit | NAAC A+ | Food Technology, Food Safety, Food Quality Management |
| 14 | LPU (Lovely Professional University) | Jalandhar, Punjab | Private | Rs. 2,40,000 to Rs. 3,60,000 | Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 1,80,000 | GATE / LPUNEST / CUET PG | NIRF Overall Rank: 50; NAAC A++ | Food Engineering, Food Processing, Packaging Technology |
| 15 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Private (Deemed) | Rs. 3,39,354 | Rs. 1,69,677 | GATE / SRMJEEE PG / CUET PG | NIRF Overall Rank: 30; NAAC A++ | Food Technology, Bioprocess Engineering, Food Safety |
Best B.Tech Food Technology Colleges in India: Fees and Eligibility 2026
There are 110 B.Tech Food Technology / Processing colleges in India, offering diverse programs for aspiring students. This section provides key highlights, eligibility criteria, and fee structures for these food technology colleges in India, helping you make an informed decision for your academic journey.
| Feature | Details |
| Program Name | B Tech Food Technology |
| Duration | 4 years (8 semesters) |
| Level | Undergraduate (UG) |
| Mode | Full-time |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology |
| Minimum Marks | 50%–60% in qualifying examination (varies by institution) |
| Admission | Entrance exam or merit-based |
| Common Entrance Exams | JEE Main, UPCET, KCET, state-level exams |
| Average Fees | ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 per year |
| Top Recruiters | Nestle, ITC, Britannia, Amul, HUL, Dabur |
| Starting Salary | ₹3 – ₹6 LPA |
| Higher Studies | M Tech, MBA, M Sc in Food Science/Technology |
The B.Tech Food Technology program is a 4-year undergraduate course, typically requiring 10+2 with PCM/B and often admission through entrance exams like JEE Main, with average annual fees ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000.
Also Read:Â Best Courses after B.Sc Biotechnology in 2026: Full List, Eligibility, Fees, Scope & Salary
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Eligibility Criteria for Food Technology Admission 2026
| Course | Minimum Qualification | Required Subjects | Minimum Marks |
| BTech / BE Food Technology | Class 12 (10+2) | PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) or PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | 50% for General; 45% for SC / ST / OBC |
| BSc Food Technology | Class 12 (10+2) | Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics | 50% aggregate |
| MTech Food Technology | BTech / BE in Food Technology / Agriculture / Dairy / Biotechnology or related | Relevant UG degree | 55% in UG + GATE score |
| PhD Food Technology | MTech / MSc in Food Technology or related | Relevant PG degree | 55% in PG + GATE / NET score |
Entrance Exams Accepted for Food Technology Admission 2026
| Exam | Conducted By | Colleges Accepting | Exam Date 2026 | Result |
| JEE Advanced | IIT Kanpur (2026) | IIT Kharagpur (Agricultural and Food Engineering) | May 18, 2026 (Conducted) | June 2026 (Declared) |
| JEE Main | NTA | NIFTEM Sonipat, NIFTEM-T, AMU, HBTU, SRM, LPU, Chandigarh University, 200+ private colleges | January and April 2026 (Concluded) | Declared |
| JoSAA Counselling | JoSAA | NIFTEM Sonipat, NIFTEM-T (GFTI seats) | June to July 2026 | Seat Allotment: June to July 2026 |
| CUET UG | NTA | Central Universities, SHUATS, select private deemed universities | May 2026 (Concluded) | June to July 2026 |
| TNAU Entrance | TNAU | TNAU affiliated colleges — BTech Food Technology | April to May 2026 (Concluded) | May to June 2026 |
| TANUVAS Entrance | TANUVAS | CFDT Chennai and CFDT Illuppur | May 2026 (Concluded) | June 2026 |
| GATE | IITs (rotational) | All NITs, IITs, NIFTEM Sonipat, NIFTEM-T, CSIR-CFTRI for MTech / PhD | February 1, 2, 8, 9, 2026 (Conducted) | March 2026 (Declared) |
| TANCET | Anna University | Tamil Nadu state engineering colleges — Anna University-affiliated | May 2026 (Concluded) | June 2026 |
| LPUNEST | LPU | LPU Jalandhar only | Year-round rolling | Rolling |
| State CET (UPSEE, MHT CET, etc.) | Respective State CETs | UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka state colleges | April to May 2026 (Concluded) | May to June 2026 |
How to Get Admission to Top Food Technology Colleges in India 2026
Admission to top food technology colleges in India for 2026 is primarily through entrance examinations, with specific eligibility criteria varying for B.Tech, B.Sc, and M.Tech/M.Sc programs. This section details the required qualifications, key entrance exams, and important application dates.
| Admission Component/Type | Details & Criteria | Key Dates & Remarks (2026) |
| General Eligibility for M.Tech Food Technology | Candidates need a B.E., B.Tech, or M.SC degree in Food Science, Dairy Engineering, Agriculture, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or Biology. A minimum of 55% aggregate marks is generally required in the qualifying examination, though some institutes accept 50%. | Indian Nationals are eligible. Age criteria may apply (e.g., 21 years old as of August 1, 2022, for some general M.Tech programs). |
| GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) | Mandatory for most M.Tech admissions in IITs, NITs, and other top institutions for B.E./B.Tech degree holders. GATE 2026 includes a new sectional paper under Engineering Sciences. | GATE 2026 scorecards are typically released in March and valid for a specific period. Application fee may see a hike. Exam Dates: February 7, 8, 14, and 15. |
| CUET PG (Central Universities Entrance Test – PG) | Admissions into Central Universities and other participating institutions for various PG courses, including M.SC Food Technology. | Application window: December 14, 2026 – January 14, 2026. |
| VITMEE (Vellore Institute of Technology Master’s Entrance Exam) | Required for M.Tech, M.Des, M.C.A., M.SC (AI&ML), and M.SC programs at VIT Group of Institutions. | Application status: Open for 2026. Application deadline for documents: August 14-15, 2026. |
| PERA CET (Maharashtra Private Unaided Colleges Association Common Entrance Test) | Accepted by MIT University, Pune, for M.Tech Food Technology admissions. Valid score required, followed by an interview. | MIT ADT University application deadline: July 31, 2026. Application fee: ₹1,800 (for 2026-27 batch). |
| LPUNEST (Lovely Professional University National Entrance and Scholarship Test) | Mandatory for M.SC Food Science and Technology admissions at Lovely Professional University (LPU). | Applications for LPUNEST 2026 are currently open. |
| GAT (GITAM Admission Test) | Computer-based exam conducted by GITAM (Deemed to be University) for various programs, including M.Tech. | Exam frequency: Annually. Merit scholarships based on GAT score. |
| Food Technology Entrance Examination (CSIR-CFTRI) | Specific entrance exam for M.SC. Food Technology at CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute. | Selection process: Merit-cum-Entrance Examination System for the 2026-27 batch. 1 seat reserved for the Indian army. |
| Shoolini University M.Tech Food Technology Admission | Eligibility: BSc/BTech in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Life Sciences, Food Tech, or related programs with 60% minimum. | Selection process: Multiple choice entrance examination followed by faculty interaction. |
| MIT University Pune M.Tech Food Technology Eligibility | B.Tech/B.E (Food Science/Food Technology) with 50% marks (45% for reserved category) in specific disciplines including Food Science, Food Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Industrial & Applied Microbiology, Chemistry with Food Science knowledge. | Selection process: Valid GATE or PERA CET score + interview. Online application via www.mituniversity.edu.in. |
| Management and Information Technology University Sikkim | Offers M.SC Food Technology with entrance-free admission. | Application deadline: February 18, 2026, to confirm seats for the July 2026 session. One-time registration fee: ₹1,000. |
| TG EAPCET (Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Common Entrance Test) | Relevant for B.Pharma and B.E./B.Tech courses, which can be foundational for M.Tech Food Technology. | Registration starts: February 19, 2026. Exam dates: May 4-5, 2026 (B.Pharma); May 9-11, 2026 (B.E./B.Tech). |
| MHT-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) | State-level entrance exam for various engineering and technology programs in Maharashtra, including Food Technology. | MHT-CET 2026 details are available with an official guide. |
| KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test) | State-level exam for B.Tec | None |
Jadavpur vs Anna vs Amity University: Food Technology College Comparison 2026
Comparing Jadavpur, Anna, and Amity Universities reveals key differences for aspiring students in food technology colleges in India. This section provides a detailed comparison of their NIRF rankings, fees, courses, and other essential features to help in making an informed decision for 2026 admissions.
| Feature | Jadavpur University | Anna University, Chennai | Amity University, Noida |
| NIRF Ranking (from ‘Top 10 Food Technology Colleges in India’ table) | 11 | 17 | 25 |
| NIRF Ranking (from ‘Best Food Technology Colleges in India with Ranking’ table, updated Nov 10th 2025) | 17 | 14 | 32 |
| NIRF Ranking (from ‘Top 100 Food Technology Colleges in India’ table) | 14 | 12 | 5 |
| Location | Kolkata, West Bengal | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
| Courses Offered | B.Tech, M.Tech | B.Tech, M.Tech | B.Tech, M.Tech, Ph.D. |
| Total Tuition Fee (Approx.) (from ‘List of Government and Private Food Technology Colleges in India’ table) | ₹9,600 to ₹20,840 | ₹1.16 lakh to ₹2.2 lakhs | ₹2.9 lakhs to ₹17.6 lakhs |
| Average Annual Fees (INR) (from ‘Top 100 Food Technology Colleges in India’ table) | ₹30,000 – ₹80,000 | ₹60,000 – ₹1,20,000 | ₹2,00,000 – ₹3,50,000 |
| Entrance Exam | WBJEE | TNEA | Amity JEE |
| Average Salary Package | ₹5.8 lakhs to ₹9.5 lakhs per annum | ₹5 lakhs per annum | — |
| Top Hiring Companies | Microsoft, DE Shaw, Gupshup Technology, Amazon, GAIL, etc. | Adobe, Amazon, Standard Chartered, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, etc. | — |
Also read:Â Top 10 Food Technology Colleges in Maharashtra: Rankings, Fees, Admissions 2026
Food Technology Colleges in India: Placement Trends and Top Recruiters 2026
The demand for graduates from food technology colleges in India is rapidly increasing, projected to be higher in 2026 than at any point in history. This section explores the return on investment from top institutions and highlights key recruiters, offering insights into placement trends and salary expectations for food technology professionals.
| Institute Name | Total Tuition Fee | Average Salary Package |
| Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur | ₹20,000 to ₹10 lakhs | ₹11.35 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs per annum |
| Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati | ₹20,000 | ₹12.5 lakhs per annum |
| Jadavpur University | ₹9,600 to ₹20,840 | ₹5.8 lakhs to ₹9.5 lakhs per annum |
| National University of Technology (NIT), Rourkela | ₹1.4 lakh to ₹5 lakhs | ₹6.8 lakhs to ₹6.85 lakhs per annum |
| Anna University, Chennai | ₹1.16 lakh to ₹2.2 lakhs | ₹5 lakhs per annum |
The ROI data reveals that top **food technology colleges in India**, such as IIT Kharagpur and IIT Guwahati, offer significantly higher average salary packages compared to their tuition fees, indicating strong career prospects.
| Institute Name | Top Hiring Companies |
| Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur | Dr Reddy’s, ITC, Piramal, Hindustan Unilever, IOC, etc. |
| Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati | Oracle, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Morgan Stanley, etc. |
| Jadavpur University | Microsoft, DE Shaw, Gupshup Technology, Amazon, GAIL, etc. |
| National University of Technology (NIT), Rourkela | Tata Steel, TCS, Rao IIT, Adobe, Aakash Coaching, Microsoft, etc. |
| Anna University, Chennai | Adobe, Amazon, Standard Chartered, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, etc. |
Leading institutions attract a diverse range of top recruiters, from core industry players like ITC and Hindustan Unilever to tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon, showcasing varied career paths for food technology graduates.
- Average Starting Salary for Food Technology graduates: INR 3.5 – 7 LPA
- Senior Salary for Food Technology professionals: INR 12 – 30+ LPA
- Top Employers (general for Food Technology): Nestlé, ITC, Britannia, Amul, Hindustan Unilever, PepsiCo, Cargill
- Food and beverage industry annual growth: over 11%
- Demand for trained Food Technology graduates in 2026: higher than at any point in history
- Overall demand trend for Food Technology graduates: rapidly increasing
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the best colleges for Food Technology in India?
India has over 300 best Food Technology colleges, including 170+ private and 130+ government institutions. Top BTech admissions for 2025 often require JEE Main or GATE scores.
What are the eligibility requirements for food technology colleges in India?
For BTech in Food Technology, candidates typically need 50-60% marks in Class 12 board exams with a Science background. Admission is based on merit or entrance exams.
How do I apply for food technology colleges in India?
Apply by taking entrance exams like JEE Main, ICAR AIEEA, or MHT CET. Most of the 356 Food Technology colleges in India prefer valid entrance scores for admission.
What is the application timeline for food technology colleges in India?
Application timelines for Food Technology colleges in India, including for 2026 admission, vary by institution and entrance exams like JEE Main. They generally open months before the academic year.
What is the expected cutoff for food technology colleges in India?
Expected cutoffs for food technology colleges vary significantly by institution, entrance exam, and category. For KAU, check category-wise closing ranks and marks for 2026.
