SCIENCES, RESEARCH, ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE

Aquaculture Farmer / Entrepreneur

Runs a fish or shrimp farm, hatchery or feed business.

Biology needed for the usual degree Any time Self-employed

Facts checked 29/10/2026

Is this for me?

People in this work enjoy

Working outdoors near water and seeing growth over months
Solving problems with science, such as water quality, feed and disease
Running your own business and making your own decisions

It may not suit you if you dislike

Weather, disease or power cuts can wipe out a crop
The early years need savings or a loan, and patience before returns
Long hours, wet and physical work, and early starts

Class 11–12 subjects: For the usual degree, Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, usually with around 50% marks. Some universities also accept Physics, Chemistry and Maths, or agriculture-type subjects. You do not need a degree to start a small farm, but a degree helps with research and government posts.
First degree: B.F.Sc (Bachelor of Fisheries Science), 4 years. Many farmers instead take short courses and learn on a working farm.
Entrance exams: CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026, run by NTA for ICAR-affiliated fisheries universities, or a state entrance test or university merit list.
Licence or registration: There is no single national licence for a fish farm. Your state fisheries department may require registration, and some subsidies ask for a fisheries registration certificate (reported).

Subjects that keep this door openClass 11–12: Physics + Chemistry + Biology.Biology needed for the usual degree.Way back: You can add the missing subject later as an extra subject (for example through NIOS) and still apply, but check the exam's and college's rules. A longer road, but open.Check your subjects against every career

What the work is like

Preparing ponds or tanks, buying seed (fingerlings or post-larvae), feeding, checking water quality, harvesting, and selling to markets or processors. Entrepreneurs also manage loans, staff and marketing.

A day in the work
A farmer often starts before sunrise by checking oxygen, temperature and water quality in each pond. They feed the fish, watch how they eat, and look for signs of disease. Afternoons may go to buying feed, paperwork, or calls with buyers. Harvest days are long and physical, with nets, ice and transport arranged in advance.

The path, step by step

Step 1 · Class 9–10Learn the basics of fish biology, water quality and pond management. Visit a local fish farm or hatchery with a parent and ask questions.
Step 2 · Class 12Study PCB (or PCM plus agriculture, where your state allows it). Apply for CUET (ICAR-UG) or the state entrance test for fisheries courses. (reported — check with the official body)
Step 3 · 4 yearsDo B.F.Sc at an ICAR-recognised fisheries college. Expect lab work, field work and a compulsory rural fisheries work experience period. (reported — check with the official body)
Step 4 · During or after the degreeTake a short course at ICAR-CIFA, ICAR-CIFE or a KVK on freshwater farming, feed or hatchery work. These are paid courses, so check the fee and eligibility on the official calendar.
Step 5 · Start smallBegin with one tested pond or tank, on your own or leased land. Plan your water supply, seed, feed and buyers before you spend on big structures. Check registration rules with your state fisheries department.
Step 6 · Support schemesAsk your state fisheries department about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). It pays a share of approved project cost, and the share is higher for SC/ST and women. The rest usually comes from a bank loan. Scheme years and rules change, so check the current notice. (reported — check with the official body)
OptionalM.F.Sc and then a PhD for research, teaching or ICAR scientist posts.

Ways in

Degree routeB.F.Sc for 4 years, then start your own farm, hatchery or feed unit.
Skill routeShort training at ICAR institutes or Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), plus work on an existing farm, then a small pond or tank of your own.
Business routeFish feed, seed (hatchery) or cold-chain business. This needs strong technical knowledge and more capital.

Time and money

Stage	Time	Government college or body	Private college	Help available
Class 11–12 (PCB or PCM plus agriculture) and CUET (ICAR-UG) or state entrance test	2 years	Your school's fees. Exam fee: Check the notice	—	—
Degree route: B.F.Sc at ICAR-recognised fisheries college	4 years	Check the college's fee page	The Neotia University (WB): ₹31,500 per semester; total course fee ₹2,81,000. Gopal Narayan Singh University (Bihar): ₹35,000 per semester, plus ₹1,000 admission, ₹3,000 registration, ₹5,000 caution money, ₹4,000 exam fee, ₹18,500 misc.	Under PMMSY, subsidy share is higher for SC/ST and women (reported)
Skill route: short course at ICAR-CIFA, ICAR-CIFE or KVK (paid)	Check the course calendar	CIFA pearl-farming course (2025): ₹9,000 including GST. CIFE fish feed course (2025): ₹2,360 including GST	—	ICAR-CIFA gives women entrepreneurs a 20% preference in training selection. Training is paid
Start small: one tested pond or tank, plus state registration if required	6–12 months	Check the notice from your state fisheries department	—	PMMSY pays a share of approved project cost; rest usually from bank loan. Check current notice

Total timeAbout 4 years after Class 12 for the degree route; shorter for the skill route

Total costDepends mostly on the college you choose — compare fee pages.

Good to knowShort ICAR courses are paid, and government B.F.Sc fees were not found on the page, so check the college's fee page before choosing.

Fees from: ICAR-CIFA pearl farming training listing · ICAR-CIFE fish nutrition and feeding training brochure (2025) · The Neotia University – Bachelor of Fisheries Science fee structure (official) · Gopal Narayan Singh University – Bachelor of Fisheries Science (BFSc) fee details (official). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

What people earn

Earnings vary a lot. A small pond may bring little for several years, while a well-run farm, hatchery or feed unit with a steady buyer can do much better, and early losses from disease or weather are common.

Myth and fact

Myth: ~~You need a large pond, a lot of money and a degree before you can start.~~

Fact: Many farmers start small with short training and one tested pond or tank. A degree helps with science and jobs, but it is usually not a legal requirement for a small farm.

For girls and students with disabilities

Under PMMSY, the subsidy share is higher for SC/ST and women beneficiaries (reported). ICAR-CIFA gives women entrepreneurs a 20% preference in its training selection.

Try it now

Class 7–9With a parent, visit a local fish market or pond. Note which fish are kept, what they eat, and how the water is kept clean.
Class 10–12Read the official CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 information bulletin. See which fisheries universities and subject combinations it lists.Open link ↗
College or afterLook at the ICAR-CIFE training calendar to see what short courses exist. Note the dates, eligibility and fees. Do not pay for coaching.Open link ↗

Good to know

Check that the degree college is ICAR-recognised before you join.
Fish farming can need state registration and water-use permission. Confirm the rules before you build.
Disease and poor water quality are the biggest early risks. Training and good records help.

Sources: ICAR CUET (ICAR-UG) 2026 Information Bulletin (icar.org.in) · ICAR-CIFA training application process · ICAR-CIFA freshwater pearl farming training listing (2025 batch) · ICAR-CIFE training programme list · ICAR-CIFE fish nutrition and feeding training brochure (2025) · PMMSY guidelines summary, Canara Bank page (bank page, not the official scheme portal)