Soil Science is the study of soil, which is the loose surface material that covers most land. Soil Scientists study, analyze, and recommend appropriate land use to increase productivity of the soil. This is of great significance because soil health affects plant or crop growth, which in turn is linked to food security.
Personal Competencies
You have an interest in Science
You like working outdoors
You like to do experiments
You have a keen sense of observation
Entry Pathway
1. Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
2. Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) in Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry or any related field
OR
Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree in the same or allied field
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
Where will you study?
This course is offered by the Department of Agriculture. This list of institutes is indicative only
Government Institutes 1. Presidency College, Chennai 2. St Xavier's College, Ahmedabad 3. Hindu College, Delhi 4. Government Arts College, Coimbatore 5. Farook College, Kozhikode 6. St Stephens College, Delhi 7. Hansraj College, Delhi 8. Maharaja's College, Ernakulam
Private Institutes (Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying) 1. Loyola College, Chennai 2. Fergusson College, Pune 3. Mount Carmel College, Bangalore 4. PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore 5. St Xavier's College, Kolkata 6. RUIA College - Ramnarain Ruia College 7. Mar Ivanios College, Nalanchira 8. SP College Pune - Sir Parashurambhau College
*NPTEL- National Programme in Technology Enhanced Learning. It is by the Government of India and offers a variety of courses in an audio - video form
Fees
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 7,000 - 4,00,000*
*(The above-mentioned figures are approximate numbers. This will vary from institute to institute)
Scholarships & Loans
Scholarships
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes* • Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI* • Scholarships are also available in the institutes based on merit* *(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
Loans
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA) • Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc. • All banks give education loans
Where will you work?
Places of Work: Agriculture Co-operative Organizations, NGOs, Public and Private Organisations, Environment Consultancies, Research Establishments, Commercial and Industrial Enterprises and Institutes of Higher Education among others
Work Environment: It is not a desk job and you are likely to work outdoors. You are likely to head a team. You will be working for 8 to 9 hours every day 5 to 6 days a week.
Opportunities for work exist for the differently abled in this field
Expected Growth Path
Soil Scientist → Senior Soil Scientist → Head of Research Operations
Expected Income
The approx. salary of a Soil Scientist ranges between INR 68,300 - 1,18,564* per month.
Ashok Patra is the director of Indian Institute of Soil Science. He did his Bachelor’s in Agriculture from Banaras Hindu University and his Master’s in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry from Indian Agricultural Research Institute. In December, 2022, he received the Glinka World Soil Prize 2022 for his 33-year dedicated career in soil science.*
Soil Scientist
NCS Code: 2132.0300 | SC0071. Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
2. Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) in Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry or any related field
OR
Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree in the same or allied field
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
This course is offered by the Department of Agriculture.
This list of institutes is indicative only
Government Institutes
1. Presidency College, Chennai
2. St Xavier's College, Ahmedabad
3. Hindu College, Delhi
4. Government Arts College, Coimbatore
5. Farook College, Kozhikode
6. St Stephens College, Delhi
7. Hansraj College, Delhi
8. Maharaja's College, Ernakulam
Private Institutes
(Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying)
1. Loyola College, Chennai
2. Fergusson College, Pune
3. Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
4. PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore
5. St Xavier's College, Kolkata
6. RUIA College - Ramnarain Ruia College
7. Mar Ivanios College, Nalanchira
8. SP College Pune - Sir Parashurambhau College
Information on the institute rankings can be found at - https://www.nirfindia.org/2022/Ranking.html
Online Courses
• Udemy- https://www.udemy.com/courses/search/?src=ukw&q=soil
• NPTEL* Swayam- https://swayam.gov.in/explorer?searchText=soil+
*NPTEL- National Programme in Technology Enhanced Learning. It is by the Government of India and offers a variety of courses in an audio - video form
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 7,000 - 4,00,000*
*(The above-mentioned figures are approximate numbers. This will vary from institute to institute)
Scholarships
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes*
• Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI*
• Scholarships are also available in the institutes based on merit*
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
Loans
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA)
• Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc.
• All banks give education loans
Places of Work: Agriculture Co-operative Organizations, NGOs, Public and Private Organisations, Environment Consultancies, Research Establishments, Commercial and Industrial Enterprises and Institutes of Higher Education among others
Work Environment: It is not a desk job and you are likely to work outdoors. You are likely to head a team. You will be working for 8 to 9 hours every day 5 to 6 days a week.
Opportunities for work exist for the differently abled in this field
Soil Scientist → Senior Soil Scientist → Head of Research Operations
The approx. salary of a Soil Scientist ranges between INR 68,300 - 1,18,564* per month.
Source: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/soil-scientist/india
*These figures are indicative and subject to change
Experts from the field
Ashok Patra is the director of Indian Institute of Soil Science. He did his Bachelor’s in Agriculture from Banaras Hindu University and his Master’s in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry from Indian Agricultural Research Institute. In December, 2022, he received the Glinka World Soil Prize 2022 for his 33-year dedicated career in soil science.*
Source: https://icar.org.in/content/dr-ashok-kumar-patra-awarded-glinka-world-soil-prize-2022
*The above information is for training purposes only and will not be used for any commercial gains
soil scientist, soil science