Overview

• Official Name: Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA)
• Common Short Name: CIFA, Bhubaneswar
• Type: Central Research Institute under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• Established: 1987
• Campus Location: Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
• Approvals & Affiliations: Under the administrative control of ICAR, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Not a degree awarding university; focuses on research and postgraduate studies affiliated with ICAR.
• NAAC Grade: Not applicable (research institute)
• Official Website: https://cifa.in/

Quick Facts

• Director: Dr. T. Rajesh Kumar (as per latest update)
• Student Population: Approx. 50+ (including PhD and MSc scholars)
• Research Departments/Faculties: Aquaculture, Fish Genetics & Breeding, Fish Health Management, Fish Nutrition & Biochemistry, Fish Physiology, Biotechnology, Social Sciences, etc.
• Contact: Phone: +91-674-2394229, Email: director.cifa@icar.gov.in
• Address: Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar, Odisha - 751002, India
• Rankings: Not ranked in NIRF or NAAC (focused on research and extension)

Courses & Programs

• Faculty: Aquaculture and Fisheries Science (Research and Postgraduate)
• Popular Courses:
  • ICAR-sponsored PhD programs in Aquaculture and related disciplines
  • ICAR-Junior and Senior Research Fellowships for MSc and PhD scholars
  • MSc (Fisheries) through ICAR-National Agricultural Research System (NARS) university collaborations
• Duration: MSc - 2 years (regular), PhD - 3 to 5 years (regular)
• Mode: Regular (Full-time)
• Intake: Varies by yearly ICAR/AICRPS scholar intake and project vacancies

Admissions

• Admission Mode: Through ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) entrance test and ICAR JRF/SRF selection process or via university admission to MSc aligned with ICAR institutes.
• Accepted Exams: ICAR AIEEA PG (All India Entrance Examination for Admission Post Graduate), ICAR JRF exams
• Admission Timeline: Usually July–September for PG/PhD programs annually
• Application Process:
  1. Visit ICAR official website for examination notifications.
  2. Register for ICAR AIEEA PG/JRF exams online on ICAR portal.
  3. Appear for the entrance exam and secure required ranks.
  4. Check CIFA or ICAR-NBFGR (National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources) websites for admission announcements.
  5. Submit admission forms and documents as per instructions.
• Official Admission Information: CIFA Admission Page (Currently minimal public info, consult ICAR portals regularly)

Eligibility Criteria

• For MSc (Fisheries) Admission via ICAR entrance:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science or allied disciplines
  • Minimum 50% marks (relaxation for reserved categories as per ICAR rules)
  • No age limit generally for PG courses
• PhD Admission: Master’s degree in relevant fisheries/aquaculture/biological sciences with minimum grade requirements
• Documents Required:
  • Mark sheets and certificates of qualifying degrees
  • Entrance exam score card (ICAR AIEEA PG or JRF notification)
  • Reservation certificate (if applicable)
  • Proof of identity and passport-size photographs
  • Migration certificate or transfer certificate

Fee Structure & Scholarships

• Fee Structure:
  • Tuition fees: Approx. INR 10,000 - 20,000 per year (subject to ICAR norms)
  • Hostel and mess fees: Varies, approx INR 5,000 - 15,000 annually
  • Examination and miscellaneous fees: As applicable by ICAR/university
• Scholarships & Financial Aid:
  • ICAR Junior and Senior Research Fellowships for Masters and PhD students (ICAR Fellowships)
  • Government of India scholarships for SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates
  • Institute/ICAR merit-based awards and contingency grants

Placements & Career Outcomes

• Placement Highlights:
  • Graduates commonly placed in ICAR research institutes, fisheries departments, aquaculture firms, NGOs, and international organizations
  • Placement percentage and salary data not publically available
• Top Recruiters: ICAR affiliate institutions, state fisheries departments, private aquaculture companies
• Placement Cell Contact: CIFA Contact Page
• Internship Support: Available through research projects and collaborations with industry

Campus & Facilities

• Hostels: On-campus residential facilities for students and scholars
• Mess Facility: Available for resident students
• Sports: Basic sports facilities on campus
• Laboratories: State-of-the-art aquatic animal health, breeding, nutrition and biotechnology labs
• Library: Well-stocked with fisheries and aquaculture literature and digital resources
• Healthcare: On-campus medical facilities and health checkups
• Transport: Connectivity within Bhubaneswar through public transport; limited institute vehicles
• Wi-Fi: Campus-wide internet access for research and academic purposes
• Research Centres: Facility for genetic improvement, health management, nutrition research
• Student Clubs & Festivals: Science clubs, extension programs, cultural events organized annually

Faculty & Research

• Notable Faculty: Leading ICAR scientists specialized in freshwater aquaculture research
• Research Centres: Centres of Excellence in Fish Genetics, Fish Health, Biotechnology
• Major Grants & Projects: Supported by ICAR, DST, DBT, and International agencies
• Patents / MoUs: Collaborations with national and international fisheries institutions and industry partners (Publications & collaborations)

Rankings & Reputation

• NIRF: Not ranked (research institute, no direct ranking)
• NAAC: NA (Not applicable)
• QS India / India Today / Outlook: Not applicable
• Reputation: Premier national institute for freshwater aquaculture research in India under ICAR

Results, Cut-Offs & Seat Matrix

• Results & Seat Allotments: Published via ICAR official websites for AIEEA PG / JRF exams
• Typical Cut-off: Variable based on ICAR entrance exam scores and category; usually available post-exam on ICAR NTA portal
• Seat Matrix: Limited seats for MSc and PhD scholars as per ICAR AIEEA allotment

How to Reach

• Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (approx. 20 km)
• Nearest Railway Station: Bhubaneswar Railway Station (approx. 15 km)
• City Connectivity: Well-connected by buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws within Bhubaneswar
• Local Transit: Shared autos and city buses available to Kausalyaganga area where CIFA is located

FAQs

Q1: What is the main focus of CIFA?

A: CIFA focuses on research and development in freshwater aquaculture, fish breeding, and health management under ICAR.

Q2: Does CIFA offer undergraduate degrees?

A: No, CIFA primarily offers research-based PhD programs and training for MSc-level students associated with ICAR universities.

Q3: How do I apply for courses at CIFA?

A: Applications are accepted through ICAR’s AIEEA PG entrance exams and JRF recruitment. Visit ICAR official portal for details.

Q4: What are the eligibility criteria for PhD admission?

A: A Master’s degree in fisheries or related disciplines with relevant qualifications and ICAR JRF qualification is required.

Q5: Are scholarships available to students at CIFA?

A: Yes, ICAR provides Junior and Senior Research Fellowships, plus government scholarships for reserved categories.

Q6: Does CIFA have hostel facilities?

A: Yes, on-campus hostels and mess facilities are available for full-time research scholars.

Q7: What kind of research is conducted at CIFA?

A: Research in fish genetics, breeding, nutrition, health management, and biotechnology to improve freshwater aquaculture.

Q8: Is CIFA NAAC accredited?

A: NAAC accreditation is not applicable as CIFA is a research institute under ICAR and does not confer degrees independently.

Q9: When does the admission process usually start?

A: ICAR entrance exam notifications generally release between March and May; admissions start July onwards.

Q10: How can I contact CIFA for admission queries?

A: Contact via Phone: +91-674-2394229 or Email: director.cifa@icar.gov.in