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CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore (CFTRI) is a premier national research institute under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Established on 21 October 1950, CFTRI is India’s dedicated national laboratory for food science and technology. Academic degrees are conferred by the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), an Institution of National Importance established by an Act of Parliament.
As per NIRF Research 2025, AcSIR — the degree-granting body under which CFTRI confers academic degrees — is ranked 9th among Research Institutions in India.
The institute is set on a 148-acre campus in Mysuru, Karnataka, and houses state-of-the-art pilot-plant facilities, high-end instrumentation services, a well-equipped library, and a cafeteria and medical centre. CFTRI is home to over 150 scientists and researchers working across food engineering, nutrition, biochemistry, biotechnology, and food safety.
- M.Sc Food Technology (2-year) — flagship taught postgraduate programme, 30 general seats per batch
- M.Sc and PhD in Nutritional Biology (5 to 6 year integrated) — for deep-research pathway students
- PhD programmes (Sciences and Engineering) — Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemical Sciences, Chemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Food Science and Technology, Microbiology, and Engineering
The total fee for M.Sc Food Technology is INR 1.24 Lakhs for the full 2-year programme. The integrated M.Sc and PhD in Nutritional Biology fee is INR 2.80 Lakhs. PhD programme fees are INR 85,000 for the duration of the programme. Most PhD scholars receive CSIR, UGC, DBT, DST, or ICMR fellowships covering stipend and contingency.
M.Sc Food Technology graduates from CFTRI are recruited by leading FMCG and food companies. Typical campus offers come from Hindustan Unilever, ITC Limited, Nestle, and similar firms, with reported median packages in the range of INR 8 to 10 LPA.
CFTRI Admission Dates 2027
CFTRI Mysore conducts admissions to its M.Sc Food Technology programme through a national-level entrance examination held each year at Mysuru. PhD admissions are processed by AcSIR through an aptitude test and interview. The 2026-28 M.Sc batch and the August 2026 PhD session have concluded. The 2027-29 M.Sc batch and the next PhD session are expected to open in early 2027.
Key dates from the concluded 2026 admission cycle are listed below.
| Programme | Event | 2026 Cycle (Concluded) |
|---|---|---|
| M.Sc Food Technology (2026-28) | Notification | April 2026 |
| M.Sc Food Technology (2026-28) | National Entrance Examination | July 2026 (at Mysuru) |
| M.Sc Food Technology (2026-28) | Selected Candidates List | July 2026 |
| PhD August 2026 Session (AcSIR) | Application Closes | 14 April 2026 |
| PhD August 2026 Session | Aptitude Test and Interview | June to July 2026 |
| PhD August 2026 Session | Session Begins | August 2026 |
Tentative dates for the next cycle (2027) are listed below, based on the previous year’s pattern.
| Programme | Event | 2027 Cycle (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| M.Sc Food Technology (2027-29) | Notification and Application | Early 2027 |
| M.Sc Food Technology (2027-29) | National Entrance Examination | June to July 2027 |
| PhD February 2027 Session (AcSIR) | Application Opens | November 2026 to January 2027 |
| PhD February 2027 Session | Interview at CFTRI | January to February 2027 |
CFTRI Courses and Fees
CFTRI Mysore offers a focused suite of postgraduate and research programmes, all conferred under AcSIR (Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research). The institute does not offer undergraduate programmes. Every programme is research-oriented with strong laboratory and pilot-plant exposure.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc Food Technology | 2 years (4 semesters) | B.Sc or B.Tech in relevant science/technology with 55% marks | INR 1.24 Lakhs |
| M.Sc and PhD in Nutritional Biology (Integrated) | 5 to 6 years | B.Sc in relevant science with 60% marks | INR 2.80 Lakhs |
| PhD — Food Technology / Food Science and Technology / Food Science and Nutrition | 3 to 5 years | Master degree in relevant discipline with 55% + fellowship (JRF/SRF) | INR 85,000 |
| PhD — Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Chemical Sciences, Chemistry | 3 to 5 years | Master degree in relevant science with 55% + fellowship (JRF/SRF) | INR 85,000 |
| PhD — Engineering (Food Process Engineering) | 3 to 5 years | M.E./M.Tech with 55% or B.Tech with 75% + fellowship | INR 85,000 |
The M.Sc Food Technology batch size is 30 general seats plus 2 seats each for Defence personnel, industry-sponsored candidates, and foreign nationals — making it a highly competitive and elite programme. Most PhD scholars receive monthly fellowships via CSIR-JRF/SRF, UGC-JRF, DBT, DST, or ICMR — effectively making the PhD financially self-sustaining from day one.
CFTRI Admission Process
M.Sc Food Technology
Admission to the M.Sc Food Technology programme is through a CFTRI-specific National-Level Entrance Examination (objective type), conducted once a year at Mysuru in June or July.
- Eligibility: B.Sc or B.Tech in Food Technology, Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Nutrition, or allied sciences with minimum 55% aggregate (50% for SC/ST/PH)
- Selection: Written entrance examination at CFTRI Mysuru, followed by merit list preparation
- Seat matrix: 30 general seats, 2 Defence, 2 Industry-Sponsored, 2 Foreign Nationals
- Reservation: As per Government of India norms (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PH)
PhD (Sciences and Engineering)
PhD admissions at CFTRI are conducted twice a year (February and August sessions) under AcSIR.
- Eligibility for Science PhD: 2-year Master degree in Science with 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PH), OR 4-year B.Sc with 75% marks
- Eligibility for Engineering PhD: M.E./M.Tech with 55% marks, OR 4-year B.Tech with 75% marks
- Selection: National-level fellowship qualification (CSIR-NET JRF, UGC-NET JRF, DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF, DST-INSPIRE, GATE with MHRD scholarship) is mandatory for most seats; shortlisted candidates appear for an aptitude test and interview at CFTRI
- Application: via AcSIR portal at acsir.res.in
M.Sc and PhD in Nutritional Biology (Integrated)
This integrated programme selects candidates through a separate CFTRI entrance examination or direct interview. Eligibility requires B.Sc in a relevant science discipline with minimum 60% marks.
CFTRI Placements and Career Outcomes
CFTRI Mysore graduates are positioned for research, industry R and D, and food sector careers. M.Sc Food Technology graduates are recruited by leading FMCG and food multinationals during campus placements. PhD graduates typically join government research institutions, academic positions, or senior R and D roles in industry.
The table below summarises typical career pathways by programme.
| Programme | Career Pathway | Typical Entry Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| M.Sc Food Technology | R and D, Quality Assurance, Product Development at Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Nestle, Britannia, Cargill, and similar FMCG firms | INR 8 to 10 LPA (median, campus offers) |
| M.Sc and PhD (Nutritional Biology Integrated) | ICMR/NIN research positions, food policy roles, academic faculty | INR 60,000 to 80,000 per month (post-PhD government position) |
| PhD (Sciences and Engineering) | Post-doctoral fellowship (India or abroad); CSIR lab positions; university faculty; senior R and D manager in food/pharma/agri industry | INR 47,000 per month (JRF during PhD); INR 8 to 14 LPA for industry post-PhD |
CFTRI Rankings
CFTRI confers degrees through AcSIR, the national research university established under an Act of Parliament for all CSIR constituent laboratories. AcSIR as an entity participates in NIRF and is ranked in the Research Institutions category.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF (via AcSIR) | Research Institutions | 9 |
AcSIR’s rank of 9th in NIRF Research 2025 encompasses the research output and academic quality of all 37 CSIR constituent laboratories, including CFTRI Mysore. This places CFTRI-awarded degrees among India’s most research-intensive postgraduate qualifications.
CFTRI Campus and Infrastructure
CSIR-CFTRI is located in Mysuru, Karnataka, on a 148-acre campus that blends research laboratories, pilot-plant facilities, and a tranquil residential colony. The campus has a central library, modern instrumentation centre, auditorium, cafeteria, gym, and a medical centre. The institute offers on-campus research-scholar housing for eligible PhD students.
CFTRI’s pilot-plant infrastructure is among the most complete in India for food processing research. It includes facilities for milling, extrusion, fermentation, spray-drying, cold-storage simulation, and specialty food packaging. The High-End Instrumentation Facility at CFTRI provides access to equipment such as NMR, mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, and flow cytometry — all available to research scholars. The campus is a DSIR-certified in-house R and D facility, enabling industry collaborations under CSIR Open Source Drug Discovery and Technology Business Incubator models.
CFTRI vs NIFTEM vs IICPT Thanjavur
An aspirant considering a career in food science and technology would naturally compare CFTRI Mysore with NIFTEM (Kundli, Haryana) and IICPT Thanjavur as the three premier government-funded food technology institutes in India. Each caters to a different academic pathway within the food sector.
| Parameter | CFTRI Mysore | NIFTEM Kundli, Haryana | IICPT Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | CSIR National Research Laboratory | Institute of National Importance (GoI) | CSIR Constituent Laboratory |
| Established | 1950 | 2012 | 1989 |
| Focus | Food research and technology (full spectrum) | Food technology education and entrepreneurship | Crop processing and packaging |
| Flagship Programme | M.Sc Food Technology (30 seats), PhD | B.Tech Food Technology, M.Tech, MBA in Food Business | M.Tech Food Processing Technology, PhD |
| Degree Awarding Body | AcSIR (NIRF Research #9) | NIFTEM (deemed university) | AcSIR |
| Admission Basis | CFTRI Entrance Exam / JRF for PhD | JEE Main (B.Tech); GATE (M.Tech) | GATE / JRF for PhD; entrance for M.Tech |
| Industry Links | ITC, HUL, Nestle, Britannia, Cargill | National food processing industry | Tamil Nadu and southern India food industry |
CFTRI leads in research infrastructure, the depth and length of its scientific legacy since 1950, and alignment of its M.Sc programme with CSIR pilot-plant facilities unavailable elsewhere. NIFTEM is stronger for aspirants seeking B.Tech or entrepreneurship pathways in food processing. IICPT is positioned for post-harvest and crop-processing specialisation, particularly relevant for students targeting Tamil Nadu’s agri-processing sector.
CFTRI FAQs
Ques. What programmes does CFTRI Mysore offer?
Ans. CSIR-CFTRI Mysore offers M.Sc in Food Technology (2-year, 30 general seats), an integrated M.Sc and PhD in Nutritional Biology (5 to 6 years), and full-time PhD programmes in Food Technology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Microbiology, Food Science and Nutrition, and Engineering. All degrees are conferred by AcSIR (Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research), an Institution of National Importance. No undergraduate programmes are offered.
Ques. What is the eligibility for M.Sc Food Technology at CFTRI?
Ans. Candidates need a B.Sc or B.Tech degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Nutrition, or allied science disciplines with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST/PH candidates). Admission is through a CFTRI-specific national-level entrance examination conducted at Mysuru once a year, typically in June or July.
Ques. Do PhD students at CFTRI receive a fellowship?
Ans. Yes. Most PhD scholars at CFTRI receive monthly fellowships through national-level funding agencies. CSIR-JRF carries INR 37,000 per month (rising to INR 42,000 as SRF). UGC-JRF, DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF, and DST-INSPIRE fellowships are also applicable. Candidates who qualify these fellowships are eligible for PhD admission at CFTRI through AcSIR. The PhD programme fee itself is only INR 85,000 for the entire duration.
Ques. What is the NIRF ranking of CFTRI?
Ans. CFTRI confers degrees through AcSIR, which is ranked 9th in NIRF Research Institutions 2025. AcSIR ranks collectively for all 37 CSIR constituent laboratories including CFTRI Mysore. CFTRI itself does not have a separate NIRF rank but benefits from AcSIR’s top-10 Research ranking.
Ques. What are the career prospects after M.Sc Food Technology from CFTRI?
Ans. M.Sc Food Technology graduates from CFTRI are recruited by leading food and FMCG companies in R and D, quality assurance, product development, and regulatory affairs roles. Confirmed recruiters from previous years include Hindustan Unilever, ITC Limited, Nestle, and Britannia, among others. Typical median campus package is in the INR 8 to 10 LPA range. PhD graduates pursue post-doctoral positions, government research institute roles (CSIR, ICMR, NIN), or senior R and D positions in industry at INR 8 to 14 LPA.
Ques. How do I apply for PhD at CFTRI Mysore?
Ans. PhD admissions at CFTRI are processed through AcSIR’s portal (acsir.res.in). CSIR-CFTRI announces PhD vacancies for February and August sessions. Candidates must qualify a national-level JRF examination (CSIR-NET, UGC-NET, DBT, ICMR, DST-INSPIRE) and appear for an aptitude test and interview at CFTRI. Shortlisted candidates are selected based on research aptitude and project alignment with ongoing work at CFTRI.
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The application process of CFTRI Courses is done in offline and online mode depending on the courses. Interested Candidates may follow these steps to apply for CFTRI Admission 2024:
Online Application:
Offline Application:
Candidates can visit the official website, download the Application form of the Program and then submit the fully filled Application form along with Application fee at CFTRI campus Admission office.
CFTRI offers courses at the PG and Doctorate level. There are 12 courses offered at CFTRI. The courses are offered in the discipline of Science. CFTRI courses include M.Sc. and PhD. The most popular course among these two is the M.Sc. in Food Technology. The duration of the course is 2 to 4 depending on the specializations.
Selection to M.Sc at CFTRI is made based on merit secured in the CFTRI Entrance Test. Candidates must have passed a Bachelor's Degree in Science/ Agriculture/ Engineering/ Technology with a minimum of 55% marks for General/ OBC candidates/ Defence Personnel and 50% for SC/ ST/ PWD students from a recognized University for getting admission into M.Sc at CFTRI.
You need to appear for CFTRI conducted entrance examination for taking admission to Master of Science Food Science. The per year fees of CFTRI Mysore master of Food Science is 56000.
If interested to know more on the application-update, contact the college CFTRI Mysore at: 0821 251 7760.
CFTRI does not offer B.Sc. Food and Nutrition course to the students.
you can get the syllabus of the entrance examination by searching on web browser- ‘CFTRI Entrance Syllabus for M.Sc. Food Nutrition’
The contact number of CFTRI Mysore is 0821 251 7760.
CFTRI has already concluded the admission process for session 2023. The entrance exam was held in July, 2023.
The admission date for CFTRI Mysore has already been over as of now by July 2023 for the session of 2023. However, you can check out the fee structure for the same at the page CFTRI Mysore Courses & fees.
Candidates applying for M.Sc at CFTRI are required to have a Bachelor’s degree in Science, with min. 55% marks for General. While, selection is done on the basis of CFTRI Entrance Exam Scores.
Central Food Technologies Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore offers M.Sc., Integrated M.Sc., Flour Milling, and Ph.D. courses in the disciplines of Food Science and Technology. The admission process at CFTRI usually begins in the month of May and continues till August. Admissions to the MSc program are based on the score of the Entrance exam conducted by the University. Admission to Integrated M.Sc.-PhD and Ph.D. program is based on scores of the Entrance exam followed by an Interview conducted by the University.
Admissions to MSc program is based on the score of the Entrance exam conducted by the University. Admission to Integrated M.Sc.-PhD and Ph.D. program is based on scores of the Entrance exam followed by an Interview conducted by the University. You can apply online from the official website of the Institute.
You can apply for the academic year 2024-25. The admission process at CFTRI usually begins in the month of May and continues till August. Admissions to the MSc program is based on the score of the Entrance exam conducted by the University
CFTRI Mysore conducts its own entrance exam and interview round which you need to clear for taking admission to PhD Food Science and Technology.
The results of the University's Entrance Exam will determine admission to the program. The CFTRI MSc. (Food Technology) Entrance Exam will be held on July 23, 2023. The last day for applications to the CFTRI MSc. (Food Technology) program is June 22, 2023.
Admission criteria are both merit and entrance based. Criteria depend on the course you want to opt for at CFTRI Mysore. Check out the website for more information.
The date for the CFTRI Aptitude/ Entrance Test is not mentioned on the website of the CFTRI Mysore. keep on checking the website for more information.
You can get the Broucher from the website of the CFTRI Mysore after filling in the required details. Check out the website for more information.
The first year fee of CFTRI Mysore M.Sc. Food Technology is INR 56 thousand. The second year fee is also the same INR 56 thousand.