Diploma Programmes in Agriculture & Horticulture

Assam Agricultural University offers professional three-year Diploma Programmes in Agriculture and Horticulture under the Regulations on Academic Matters of Assam Agricultural University, 2025 for Diploma Programmes.

These regulations come into force from the Academic Session 2025–26 and systematically govern student admission, registration, curriculum delivery, academic progression, attendance, examinations, grading, and the final award of diplomas under the semester-based credit system.

The academic year ordinarily extends from August to July and comprises two semesters. A semester consists of a minimum of 110 working days, including 95 instructional days and 15 examination days.

• Credit Definition: One credit represents a minimum of 50 minutes of theory instruction or two hours (120 minutes) of laboratory / field practical work per week during a semester.
• Semester Workload Ceiling: The maximum permissible academic load for a diploma student is 24 credits per semester.
• Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): The University integrates an Academic Bank of Credits in full compliance with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 guidelines, enabling seamless credit portability.

Admission notifications are officially published by the Registrar on the AAU portal. Candidates apply online, and admission is conducted on the basis of merit and/or entrance examination as notified in the annual Information Bulletin:

• Educational Qualification: Must have passed Class 10 / HSLC / SSC / Matriculation or an equivalent recognized examination.
• Minimum Percentage Marks:
  • 50% aggregate marks for General, OBC, and UPS categories.
  • 40% aggregate marks for SC, ST, and Person with Disabilities (PH) categories.
• Age Requirement: Candidate must have attained a minimum age of 15 years at the time of admission.
• Medical Fitness: Admission is subject to being certified as medically fit by the University Medical Officer or the designated Medical Board.
• Formal Registration: Every admitted student must be formally registered with the University; degrees and diplomas cannot be awarded without valid registration.

A structured Student Counselling System operates across all diploma centres for continuous academic and non-academic guidance:

• Faculty Counsellor Allotment: Each counsellor is assigned a small group of 5–10 students for the entire three-year duration of the diploma programme.
• Mentorship Dossier: Counsellors maintain cumulative records of students' academic progress, learning deficiencies, hostel stay, and co-curricular achievements.
• Diploma Students' Counselling Committee: Reviews the functioning of the mentorship mechanism and addresses student grievances at least once every semester.

Students must maintain a minimum of 75% attendance separately in theory and practical components of every course:

• The 'P' Grade Consequence: Students falling below 75% attendance are disqualified from appearing in the End-term examination and awarded a 'P' grade, requiring them to repeat the course when next offered.
• Condonation Grounds: In genuine exceptional situations, the Programme Director may condone shortage of attendance by up to 15 percentage points (down to a floor of 60%) for authorized University representation in sports/cultural events, serious medical illness, or specified family bereavement.

The semester evaluation system consists of continuous internal assessment and formal semester-end examinations:

• Mid-Term Examination: Carries 30 marks and assesses conceptual progress mid-way through the term.
• End-Term Theory Examination: Carries 70 marks and covers the entire course syllabus.
• Practical Examination: Carries 50 or 100 marks depending on course practical credits.
• Separate Passing Criterion: A student must pass theory and practical components separately with at least 50% marks (Grade Point 5.000) in each. Grace marks are strictly not awarded.

A student receiving an 'F' grade in any course, or whose cumulative grade falls below the critical benchmark of CGPA 5.50 at the end of an academic year, is placed on Academic Probation:

• Semester Progression Barriers: A student securing 'F' grades in more than 3 courses in the 1st semester, or more than 2 courses in subsequent semesters, is not permitted to progress to the next semester until deficiencies are cleared.
• Re-examination: Students may improve academic standing through Repeat and Grade Improvement examinations.

Diploma students actively participate in National Service Scheme (NSS) activities as part of holistic character development. Semester breaks are systematically utilized for educational study tours, NSS village camps, sports, agricultural exhibitions, and hands-on skill workshops.

Students must observe highest standards of discipline across campuses, research stations, and hostels. The Regulations prescribe zero tolerance for indiscipline, examination malpractices, or ragging.