TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDIA Selecting one of India’s Top 20 Veterinary Colleges is a decision that will impact your career. Various universities excel in different mixes of teaching, clinical experience, research, and placement. Veterinary medicine integrates animal health, public health (One Health), research, and farm management. Institutions that often show up in veterinary science-specific higher-education trackers and national rankings (NIRF/ICAR/industry lists) are included in this guide. Compare reputation, clinical resources, research strengths, and regional specialties using the brief summaries provided below.

Quick snapshot — The Top 20 Veterinary Colleges in India (names + city/state)

1. Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly — Uttar Pradesh.
2. National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal — Haryana.
3. Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana — Punjab.
4. Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai — Tamil Nadu.
5. Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Pookode/Wayanad — Kerala.
6. Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar — Haryana.
7. Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (GBPUAT/Pantnagar) — Uttarakhand.
8. West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences (WBUAFS), Kolkata — West Bengal.
9. Rajasthan University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (RUVAS), Bikaner — Rajasthan.
10. Bombay Veterinary College / Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Mumbai/Nagpur — Maharashtra.
11. Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University (NDVSU), Jabalpur — Madhya Pradesh.
12. Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna — Bihar.
13. Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST) — Jammu & Srinagar (Veterinary faculty).
14. Punjab Agricultural University / relevant veterinary college — Ludhiana (veterinary faculty).
15. College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Bikaner (under RUVAS) — Rajasthan.
16. Madras Veterinary College (part of TANUVAS), Chennai — Tamil Nadu.
17. Bombay Veterinary College, Mumbai (under Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth / MAFSU) — Maharashtra.
18. College of Veterinary Sciences, Hebbal (Bengaluru) — Karnataka (Karnataka Veterinary, Animal & Fisheries Sciences University).
19. Veterinary College & Research Institute (VCRI), Namakkal / Chennai — Tamil Nadu (VCRI is well known for clinical exposure).
20. College of Veterinary Science, Mathura (under Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya), Uttar Pradesh.

TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDIA

How the list was selected (brief methodology)

• National rankings & subject-specific trackers (NIRF, ICAR/Edurank, specialist portals) and institutional reputation were the primary signals.
• Clinical facilities & teaching hospitals, internship opportunities and diversity of postgraduate programmes were secondary signals (important for hands-on veterinary training).
• Regulatory recognition (Veterinary Council of India or relevant state regulator) and consistency across multiple sources were also checked.

TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDIA

Detailed profiles — the Top 20 (short, practical profiles aspirants can use)

1. Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly — Uttar Pradesh

IVRI is India’s premier veterinary research institute with a long legacy in livestock disease research, vaccine development and epidemiology. For students it offers strong research-led training, modern labs, national-level research projects, and a well-known teaching hospital for clinical exposure. IVRI regularly features near the top in agricultural and allied rankings and is a top choice for aspirants aiming for research or government scientific posts.

2. National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal — Haryana

NDRI is the apex institute for dairy science in India and offers integrated training on dairy animal health, nutrition and production systems. If your interest intersects dairy science, animal nutrition, or milk technology alongside clinical work, NDRI is excellent — strong industry linkages and research projects are the highlight.

3. Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana — Punjab

GADVASU is known for robust clinical training, veterinary public health programs, and skill-based centers (e.g., farriery, equine care). It has a strong placement record in Punjab and the northern states and is valued for extension services and farmer-facing programmes. Recent news highlights its expanding practical training centres.

TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDIA

4. Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai — Tamil Nadu

TANUVAS houses Madras Veterinary College and VCRI — two strong veterinary teaching units. The university stands out for comprehensive clinical teaching, poultry and livestock research, and proximity to veterinary industries and referral hospitals in Chennai. TANUVAS often features in regional and national rankings.

5. Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Pookode/Wayanad — Kerala

KVASU is listed for its emphasis on veterinary education, wildlife health, and aquaculture-linked programs. The university’s focus on One Health and integrated animal-human-environment initiatives gives students a contemporary perspective on veterinary careers.

6. Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar — Haryana

LUVAS is notable for clinical teaching and research in livestock production systems. Its proximity to large dairy and livestock populations in Haryana ensures strong field training and extension exposure.

7. Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (Pantnagar) — Uttarakhand

Pantnagar’s Faculty of Veterinary & Animal Sciences offers rigorous agricultural and veterinary integration, producing graduates who are well-prepared for rural veterinary practice, livestock extension and research roles. The university has a national footprint in agricultural education

8. West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences (WBUAFS), Kolkata — West Bengal

WBUAFS combines veterinary, fisheries and animal sciences in an integrated campus. Students benefit from a mix of clinical teaching, aquaculture training and urban veterinary practice opportunities in and around Kolkata.

9. Rajasthan University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (RUVAS), Bikaner — Rajasthan

RUVAS is a strong regional hub with multiple constituent colleges (including Bikaner) and diverse practical exposure in arid and semi-arid livestock systems—valuable for those targeting animal husbandry in north-west India.

TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDIA

10. Bombay Veterinary College / Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU) — Maharashtra

Bombay Veterinary College (one of India’s older institutions) and the state’s MAFSU network provide education spanning companion animals, livestock and fisheries—with strong urban clinical caseloads in Mumbai and agricultural exposure across Maharashtra.

11. Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University (NDVSU), Jabalpur — Madhya Pradesh

NDVSU is known for its veterinary teaching in Central India and has a sizeable clinical caseload and agricultural outreach programmes. It offers good access for students from central states.

12. Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna — Bihar

Bihar’s central veterinary institution is expanding and is an important choice for students from eastern India seeking government veterinary careers and state-level veterinary services.

13. Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST) — Jammu & Kashmir

SKUAST’s veterinary faculties in Jammu and Srinagar provide training tailored to Himalayan and cold-climate livestock, including yak and small-ruminant health — a unique regional advantage.

14. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) — Ludhiana (Veterinary faculty)

PAU’s veterinary faculty benefits from world-class agricultural research hubs, strong extension programmes and industry linkages in the region, making PAU a practical choice for those aiming at integrated livestock systems.

15. College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Bikaner (RUVAS) — Rajasthan

A constituent college of RUVAS, Bikaner has a strong clinical load and community livestock programmes that prepare students for rural veterinary work in desert ecology.

16. Madras Veterinary College (MVC), Chennai — (TANUVAS)

MVC — one of the oldest veterinary colleges — remains a leader in clinical teaching, companion-animal practice and referral services in South India. Great for students wanting heavy clinical exposure.

TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDI

17. Bombay Veterinary College, Mumbai — Maharashtra

Historically significant and located in a major metro, Bombay Veterinary College offers exposure to urban small-animal practice as well as state-level livestock research collaborations.

18. College of Veterinary Sciences, Hebbal (Bengaluru) — Karnataka

Hebbal’s college offers strong clinical rotations, teaching hospitals and opportunities in companion animal practice and animal biotech industries in Bengaluru.

19. Veterinary College & Research Institute (VCRI), Namakkal / Chennai — Tamil Nadu

VCRI (part of TANUVAS) is noted for hands-on clinical exposure and a busy teaching hospital — a good option for students who prioritise surgical and clinical training.

20. College of Veterinary Science, Mathura — Uttar Pradesh

This college (linked to PD Deen Dayal Upadhyay Pashu Chikitsa university) serves students targeting careers in state veterinary services and livestock extension in the region.

TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDIA

Admissions, fees and entrance — what aspirants must know

• Main entrance: Most veterinary B.V.Sc & A.H. admissions are now linked to NEET UG scores (for central or many state seats) or state-level counselling. Check the current year’s admission notification and state counselling rules — they vary by state.
• Seat types: Government/state quota seats (lower fees), All-India quota (if applicable), and private/management seats (higher fees). Always confirm VCI recognition before paying any fees.
• Fees range: For public colleges fees can be modest (a few thousand to a few tens of thousands INR/year); private colleges or management seats can range considerably higher (lakhs per year). Use official college websites for accurate current figures.

TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDIA

How to pick the right veterinary college (practical checklist)

1. Clinical exposure: Does the college have an active teaching hospital with a steady caseload? (Important for surgical and companion-animal skills.)
2. Research & postgraduate options: If you want to pursue M.V.Sc or PhD later, check the research labs, ongoing projects and publications.
3. Internship structure: A 12-month compulsory internship is part of BVSc&AH — check how structured it is and whether placement assistance exists.
4. Regulatory recognition: Confirm Veterinary Council of India (VCI) or state authority recognition for the particular batch.
5. Placement & extension links: Look for government job records, alumni network, and outreach programmes.
6. Location & ecology: If you want to specialize (aquaculture, equine, desert livestock), choose a college in a relevant ecological zone.

Careers after a BVSc & AH from a top college

Graduates from the Top 20 Veterinary Colleges in India typically move into: clinical practice (companion animal clinics), government livestock/veterinary services, research (ICAR/IVRI/NDRI), academia, dairy and livestock industry roles, pharmaceutical/vaccine sectors, wildlife & conservation medicine, and One Health/public health roles. Top institutions often help with internships, research placements and state recruitment pipelines.

TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDIA

Final tips & next steps (actionable)

• Verify seat matrix and cutoffs for the current year on official counselling or university portals before applying. Rankings and seat availability change year-to-year.
• Visit college websites (e.g., IVRI, TANUVAS, GADVASU, NDRI) for program details, hostels, hospital facilities and faculty lists
• Talk to current students/alumni through official college groups or veterinary student associations — clinical exposure quality and internship structure are best assessed from insiders.
• Prioritise regional fit — some colleges excel for dairy/production animals, others for companion animals or wildlife — choose based on your long-term specialty.
• TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDIA

Sources & further reading (selected)

This blog synthesised national ranking lists and specialist education trackers, including NIRF / India Rankings, IVRI official info, Edurank/education trackers, Shiksha and Outlook-ICARE reports. For the single most authoritative institutional information always check the college’s official website and the latest NIRF/ICAR/VCI notices.

TOP 20 Veterinary Colleges IN INDIA

Closing note

If you want, I can now:

• convert this guide into a downloadable PDF or a 2–3 slide summary for sharing,
• create a rank-ordered table (with fees, city, NEET cutoffs where available) for the Top 20 Veterinary Colleges in India, or
• produce tailored advice if you tell me your NEET score, preferred region, or specialization (companion animals, dairy, wildlife, research).

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