Kindly give me the details of the institutions that offer Bachelor's degree in veterinary science and animal husbandry, and the admission procedure. Is there any college in the private sector that offers this course ?

MEENU

Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. and AH) is a five-year regular undergraduate course which broadly covers topics such as animal physiology treatment and prevention of diseases among animals. It also covers scientific breeding and handling of livestock.

The B.V.Sc. and AH course is one of the suitable higher study options for Plus Two students with physics, chemistry and biology as main subjects. Students who pass B.V.Sc. and AH course are eligible to pursue Master of Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc.) course.

Study facilities

There are no study facilities in the private sector. Veterinary colleges fall under the agricultural/ veterinary universities.

The admission to B.V.Sc. and AH courses conducted at the various veterinary colleges is through the State-level entrance test. There are only a few veterinary colleges in each State. Therefore, domicile restriction is imposed for admission to these courses. However, admission to 15 per cent of the merit seats in B.V.Sc. and AH courses in each of the veterinary colleges are based on the rank obtained in the annual All India Pr-Veterinary Test.

In Kerala, the College of Veterinary and Animal Science at Mannuthy in Thrissur (80 seats) and Pookot in Wayanad (40 seats) under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University offer B.V.Sc. and AH course. The admission is based on the rank obtained in the State-level entrance test conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations.

Candidates who have secured at least 50 per cent marks in English, physics, chemistry and biology in the Plus Two examination in aggregate are eligible for admission to this B.V.Sc. and AH course.

At present the Government of Kerala has constituted a veterinary university in the State to promote higher education and research.

In Tamil Nadu, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, and Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal, offers B.V.Sc. and AH course. Both these colleges come under the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai. The mode of selection is based on the marks obtained in the higher secondary/ equivalent examination (www.tanuvas.ac.in). The admission to these colleges is restricted to students from Tamil Nadu.

Pre-veterinary test

The Veterinary Council of India (VCI) every year conducts an All India Pre-Veterinary Test (APIVT) across the country for admission to the 15 per cent seats in B.V.Sc. and AH courses offered at various veterinary colleges. Applicants should have passed Plus Two/ equivalent examination with at least 50 percent marks in physics, chemistry, biology and English in aggregate.

The entrance test will be of three-hour duration and will consists of 200 multiple-choice question from physics, chemistry and biology. For every correct answer, three marks will be awarded and for every wrong answer, one mark will be deducted. The test will cover about 80 questions from biology and 60 questions each from physics and chemistry. AIPVT notification can be expected during December/ January every year. Web site: www.vci-india.in.

There are several higher study options for graduates in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry. After completing the B.V.Sc. and AH course, one can opt for Master's programme in veterinary science. Most veterinary colleges in every State offer M.V.Sc. course.

The College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, Thrissur, under Kerala Agricultural University offers M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes. Master's degree programme is offered in anatomy, animal breeding, genetics, animal reproduction, management, microbiology, nutrition, parasitology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, poultry science, preventive medicine, surgery and veterinary public health. The Master' s programme is divided into two streams – veterinary science and animal science. After obtaining the M.V.Sc. degree, one can opt for research leading to Ph.D.. Web site: www.kau.edu.

Graduates in veterinary and animal science with an aggregate of at least 50 per cent marks are eligible for admission to M.V.Sc. programme. The selection is based on an entrance test and interview.

The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University, Chennai; College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand (Gujarat), Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Itanagar, are some of the prominent universities and colleges that offer higher study facilities.

Graduates in veterinary science can gain admission to M.V.Sc. degree course through an all India entrance examination. M.V.Sc. degree will help one to achieve advanced professional competencies in select areas of veterinary science.

Job prospects

Graduates in veterinary science and animal husbandry can join animal husbandry department as veterinary doctors/ officers after registering their names with the Kerala Veterinary Council. They can also get jobs in the poultry industry and animal farms, and research and development wings of pharmaceutical companies.

There are also opportunities for veterinary doctors in the armed forces. The Army Remount Veterinary corps directly recruits veterinary doctors.

Veterinarians are employed by zoological parks / zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. Meritorious postgraduates in veterinary science can also opt for teaching or research work. Pharmaceutical companies and dairy sector industries also employ veterinary science graduates. B.V.Sc. and AH holders also can appear for the Indian Forest Service Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, New Delhi. Gopakumar Karakonam.