With a humble beginning with only 3 teachers in 1931 the Institute of Agricultural
Research upon the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Agriculture, of which, the illustrious founder of
this university the late Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan MalaviyaJi was a member established this Institute. At the
time of its establishment, the Institute was one of the pioneers in starting postgraduate teaching and research
programmes in Agriculture in India, the only other institution being at Lyalpur (now in Pakistan). Institute of
Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University has completed its glorious journey of 89 years having significant
contributions in making hunger free India. The institute assumed different names and finally in 1981 got
elevated to the status of Institute of Agricultural Sciences aiming at integration of teaching, research,
extension and development in the field of Agriculture. In fact, this institute was the first to have established
as an Institute of Agricultural Research offering M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. The undergraduate teaching started in
the year 1945 and the Institute of Agricultural Research was renamed as College of Agriculture under the Faculty
of Engineering. In 1968, the College of Agriculture became an independent Faculty of Agriculture.
Presently Institute has two faculty viz. Faculty of
Agriculture and faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. During 2017-18 the Faculty of Agriculture,
Institute of Agricultural Sciences got accredited by National Board of Accreditation, Indian Council of
Agricultural Research New Delhi for the duration of 2017-2022.
In the academic session 2018-19, for admission to B.Sc. (Ag.)
55269 candidates appeared in the national level entrance test conducted by Banaras Hindu University. For admission to
M.Sc. (Ag.), 8594 candidates appeared in the entrance test. On an average 204 applicants appear against one seat in
B.Sc. (Ag.) entrance exam and for M.Sc. this figure is 42, which shows the tough competition in the admission. A new
campus of Banaras Hindu University has been established in lush green environment in 2600 acres of land at South Campus
Barkacha where courses related to BSc Agriculture and special M.sc Ag Courses and Faculty of Veterinary and animal
Sciences are in operational. The Institute of Agricultural science ranked #1 in Agricultural Universities Association (AUA)
ranking 2017.The Institute has well recognised facilities for cultural, scientific and athletic developments of
Students.