Food Technology Courses After 12th: Eligibility, Scope, and How to Become a Food Technologist in India

Did you know that the Food Technology market is projected to reach a value of approximately INR 1,868.19 billion by 2025?

Government initiatives such as Make in India and Digital India have built a favourable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in the food tech sector.

Well-known brands like Zomato, Swiggy, PaperBoat, Big Basket, Milkbasket, and Chai Point are leading examples in this space.

With growing demand for clean-label products, functional foods, and eco-friendly packaging, the need for food technologists has increased significantly.

If you want to tap into this growing opportunity, now is the perfect time to build a career in food technology. But if you are clueless about where to begin, our blog will help you understand how to pursue Food Technology courses in India after the 12th:

Overview of Food Technology Courses in India

Food Technology is a branch of Food Science that focuses on producing food and beverages. It involves learning about ingredients and nutrients and how they combine to create different types of food products.

The syllabus covers ways to provide healthy, tasty, and nutritious food to meet the needs of a growing population. You will learn both in classrooms and through practical sessions like lab work and workshops.

Can you pursue courses in Food Science and Technology after 12th?

Yes. After completing 10+2 education, you can choose undergraduate courses such as Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Food Technology or Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Food Technology. These food technology and food science courses after 12th focus on food preservation, food processing, and packaging.

Are there any food technology diploma courses?

Yes. If you don’t want a full degree, you can also pursue certificate or diploma courses in Food Technology. Some popular options include Diploma in Food Analysis and Quality Assurance, Diploma in Food Science Technology, and Diploma in Food Production. These food technology diploma courses can be pursued directly after 10th grade with at least 45-50% marks from a recognised board.

How to Become a Food Technologist in India?

As a food technologist, you will be responsible for improving food quality by analysing food's physical, chemical, and biological properties. You will learn to apply scientific methods to enhance the nutrition and health of the target population. We have outlined a step-by-step guide on how to become a food technologist in India:

Step 1: Complete Your 10+2 with Science

Choose Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Math (PCB/M) in your 10+2 studies and aim for at least 45% aggregate marks. Prepare for entrance exams by practising mock tests and improving weak areas.

Step 2: Pursue a Bachelor's Degree

Enrol in a BSc or BTech in Food Technology. These 3–4 year food technology courses in India cover food chemistry, nutrition, processing, and preservation topics. These food technologist courses will help you develop comprehensive knowledge and skills for food production, food equipment manufacturing, research or product development.

Step 3: Pursue Higher Studies

To specialise in jobs such as quality assurance or production management, pursue a Master of Technology (MTech) in Food Technology or a Master of Science (MSc) in Food Technology. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is needed if you plan for a career in research or academia.

Step 4: Get Certified

Add professional designations such as Certified Food Scientist (IFT) or Certified Food Quality Manager to boost your resume potential. These qualifications depict your expertise in food safety as well as food quality control practices.

Step 5: Build Your Resume Smartly

Highlight relevant education, certifications, and skills like communication and problem-solving. Tailor your resume to match job descriptions, focusing on your achievements and strengths.

Step 6: Network with Industry Professionals

Join food technologist associations and attend events to connect with manufacturing, supply, and research professionals. Networking opens doors to job opportunities and industry insights.

Best Food Technology Courses After 12th

After a 10+2 education, you can pursue various undergraduate courses in Food Science and Technology. BTech courses are engineering-oriented with a focus on technical applications, while BSc courses emphasise scientific theory and research.

We have listed some of the best food technology courses in India after the 12th:

Entrance Exam for Food Technology Courses after 12th

For BTech in Food Technology, you must appear for national or state-level entrance tests such as the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main), Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Examination for Admission (ICAR AIEEA), Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test (MHT CET), Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET), and obtain a valid score.
Admissions to undergraduate Food Science courses after 12th grade are mostly merit-based. However, some colleges and universities may conduct their own entrance examinations. We recommend you check the institution's official website or contact the admissions office directly for better clarity.

Food Technology Scope in India

The scope of Food Technology is promising in both the public and private sectors of the country. In the public sector, you can be employed in government-run food processing units, agricultural departments, food safety and regulatory agencies, public health offices, and R&D institutions.

On the other hand, in the private sector, you can work in areas such as food manufacturing, food processing, retail, quality control, hospitality, and research & development. Some of the popular job roles after completing an undergraduate or postgraduate course are as follows:

Summing Up

Food Technology offers promising career opportunities in food production, safety, quality control, and research. The sector is growing steadily, driven by rising consumer awareness and government support.
You have multiple entry points from undergraduate courses to diplomas after 10 or 10+2 education. If you want to build a career in the food industry, this field offers the right mix of stability, innovation, and long-term potential.

FAQs

Q1. How to become a Food Inspector?

A1: To become a Food Inspector, you need a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field like Food Technology, Food Science, or Microbiology. After graduation, you must pass competitive exams conducted by government agencies like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) or the State Public Service Commissions.

Q2. Which job is best in Food Technology?

A2: Food scientists, food technologists, quality assurance managers, and food safety officers are some of the popular career choices in Food Technology. These job roles offer lucrative opportunities with high remuneration in both the public and private sectors.

Q3. Which entrance exam for Food Technology?

A3: While admissions for BSc courses are mostly merit-based, you would need to qualify for a national or state-level entrance exam, such as JEE Main, ICAR AIEEA, MHT CET, TNEA, CUET, etc, to enrol for a BTech course in India.

Q4. Is Maths compulsory for Food Technology?

A4: If you plan to pursue BTech in Food Technology or Food Engineering, then Maths is compulsory in 10+2. However, if you aim to take a BSc course in food science and technology, then maths is not mandatory.

Q5. How many years is Food Technology course?

A5: The duration of an undergraduate course is usually 3-4 years (BTech: 4 years; BSc: 3 years). Postgraduate courses last for 2 years.

Q6. How to join Food Technology after 12th?

A6: To join Food Technology after 12th, you need a science background (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics) in 10+2 with at least 45-50% marks from a recognised board. After completing 12th grade, you can pursue a BTech or BSc degree in Food Technology or Food Science.

Q7. Which job has the highest salary in Food Technology?

A7: Some of the most high-paying job roles in the food industry include Chief of Quality Assurance and Safety, Product Director, and Senior Product Manager. These positions are usually high-paying because they are senior-level roles that demand leadership and strategic management skills.