About 

The College of Dairy Science and Technology (CDST), Mannuthy, now associated with the Verghese Kurien Institute of Dairy and Food Technology (VKIDFT), is located in Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala. Established in 1993, it began as a B.Tech programme under the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences of Kerala Agricultural University and was upgraded to the status of a college in 1998. Following the establishment of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) in 2010, the institution became part of KVASU’s academic structure. The college was established with the objective of developing skilled professionals for the dairy and allied food industries and promoting education, research, technology development and industry interaction in dairy science and technology.

The college is situated at Mannuthy P.O., Thrissur – 680651, Kerala, with convenient access from the Thrissur city area and the National Highway corridor. It functions within the Mannuthy campus of KVASU and has its own academic infrastructure in the Verghese Kurien Institute of Dairy and Food Technology. The campus provides an environment connecting academic learning with dairy production, processing, research and extension activities. Its location within the university ecosystem also enables students to interact with livestock farms, dairy facilities and other academic units.

The College of Dairy Science and Technology is a constituent institution of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, a State Public University in Kerala. The institution has received recognition and accreditation from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); KVASU reported the restoration of ICAR accreditation for CDST, Mannuthy in 2017. The B.Tech admission process is also included in the Kerala Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) system, where the Verghese Kurien Institute of Dairy & Food Technology, Mannuthy is listed as an approved institution. The college is known for its specialised focus on dairy processing education and research and has developed a strong academic reputation in the dairy and food-processing sector.

The academic structure includes the specialised departments and facilities associated with dairy science and food technology. The college has seven major departments covering Dairy Technology, Dairy Engineering, Dairy Microbiology, Dairy Chemistry, Dairy Business Management, Dairy Husbandry and Dairy Extension. These departments collectively support teaching, practical training, research, entrepreneurship and extension activities related to milk production, processing, quality control, dairy management and marketing. The institute’s academic environment is closely connected with the university’s dairy and livestock facilities, allowing students to gain exposure to different stages of the dairy value chain.

The college primarily offers professional and postgraduate education in dairy and food technology. The B.Tech Dairy Technology programme is a four-year undergraduate programme, while postgraduate and doctoral-level studies have been offered in specialised areas including Dairy Technology, Dairy Chemistry and Dairy Microbiology. Current institutional information also lists B.Tech Food Technology, B.Tech Dairy Technology, M.Tech Food Technology and Ph.D. in Dairy Technology under the Verghese Kurien Institute of Dairy and Food Technology structure. Admission to the B.Tech programme is through the Common Engineering Entrance Examination conducted by the Government of Kerala, with eligibility based on the prescribed Higher Secondary or equivalent qualification and required marks in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

The college provides specialised infrastructure designed for dairy education and practical training, including modern classrooms, computer and internet facilities, dairy microbiology laboratories, dairy chemistry laboratories, dairy technology laboratories, engineering laboratories, food technology facilities and quality-control laboratories. Students receive practical exposure through the experimental dairy plant, where they learn milk processing, pasteurisation, hygienic packaging and the manufacture of dairy products. Facilities also include sensory evaluation, refrigeration and air-conditioning, process engineering, instrumentation, product characterisation and dairy and food engineering equipment. Livestock farms and fodder cultivation facilities further support practical learning in milk production and dairy farm management.

The college has a strong focus on preparing students for employment in the dairy, food-processing and allied industries. Campus recruitment programmes are conducted for graduating students, with reputed organisations from the dairy sector participating in recruitment. Graduates have found opportunities with organisations such as Milma, Hatsun Agro Products, Schreiber Dynamix Dairies and Almarai, while others have pursued careers in government dairy-development departments, research institutions, dairy plants, quality assurance, production, management and entrepreneurship. The institution has contributed trained dairy professionals to the industry, research and academic sectors in India and abroad.

Overall, the College of Dairy Science and Technology, Mannuthy is a specialised higher-education institution focused on dairy and food technology education, practical training, research and industry-oriented learning. Its long-standing academic history since 1993, association with Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, specialised laboratories, experimental dairy plant, industry interaction and professional career opportunities make it a notable choice for students interested in dairy technology, food processing, quality control, dairy engineering, research and allied sectors.

Vision

The vision of the College of Dairy Science and Technology, Mannuthy is to become a centre of excellence in dairy and food technology education, research and extension by developing competent professionals, promoting innovation and supporting the sustainable growth of the dairy and food-processing sectors.

Mission

The mission of the college is to provide quality education and practical training in dairy and food technology, develop skilled and industry-ready professionals, promote research and technological innovation, strengthen collaboration with dairy and food industries, and contribute to the development of safe, nutritious and value-added dairy and food products. The institution also aims to support farmers, entrepreneurs and society through knowledge transfer, extension activities and sustainable technologies.

Admission to the College of Dairy Science and Technology, Mannuthy is generally conducted through the admission procedures prescribed by Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) and the Government of Kerala. For undergraduate programmes such as B.Tech Dairy Technology and B.Tech Food Technology, eligible students are required to participate in the Kerala Engineering, Architecture and Medical (KEAM) admission process conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, wherever applicable. Candidates must satisfy the prescribed academic eligibility requirements, including completion of Higher Secondary/Plus Two or an equivalent examination with the required subjects and minimum marks. After the entrance examination and publication of the rank list, candidates participate in the centralised allotment process and select the College of Dairy Science and Technology, Mannuthy according to their rank, eligibility and availability of seats. Selected candidates must complete document verification, pay the prescribed admission fee and report to the college within the specified period. Admission to postgraduate and research programmes is carried out according to the respective KVASU notification, entrance examination and/or merit-based selection criteria applicable to each programme. Applicants are advised to check the latest KVASU and CEE Kerala notifications for current eligibility requirements, entrance procedures, seat availability and important admission dates.

Admission Criteria 

Admission Process

Eligibility 

M.Tech 

Admission Process

• Check Eligibility: Candidates must have passed the Higher Secondary Examination (Kerala) or an equivalent examination with the required subjects and minimum marks prescribed for B.Tech admission.

• Appear for KEAM: Admission to the B.Tech Dairy Technology programme is primarily regulated by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, through the KEAM engineering entrance examination.

• Register for KEAM Counselling: Candidates who qualify and are included in the KEAM engineering rank list must participate in the CEE Kerala Centralized Allotment Process (CAP) and register their preferred course and college options.

• Seat Allotment: Candidates who receive an allotment to the College of Dairy Science and Technology, Mannuthy must follow the instructions in the allotment memo, pay the prescribed fee within the deadline, and confirm the allotted seat. The college's B.Tech programme has an intake of 60 seats.

• Complete College Admission: After allotment, candidates must report to the college with the required original certificates for verification and complete the admission formalities and fee payment. ICAR-AIEEA/UG is also an applicable admission route for the programme under the designated ICAR quota.

Eligibility

The College of Dairy Science and Technology, Mannuthy provides students with career-oriented education and practical exposure to prepare them for employment in the dairy, food-processing and allied sectors. Students can pursue career opportunities in dairy plants, milk-processing companies, food industries, quality-control laboratories, research organisations, government departments and related private-sector organisations. The specialised curriculum, laboratory training, experimental dairy plant experience and industry exposure help students develop skills in production, processing, quality assurance, product development, dairy engineering and management. Graduates may also explore opportunities in organisations such as dairy cooperatives, private dairy companies, food-processing firms and research institutions. In addition to employment, the programme provides a foundation for higher studies, research and entrepreneurship in dairy and food technology.

The College of Dairy Science and Technology, Mannuthy is situated at Mannuthy in Thrissur, Kerala, and enjoys convenient road connectivity with Thrissur city and nearby areas. Students can reach the campus using regular public and private bus services operating through Mannuthy, while autorickshaws and taxis are also available for local travel. The college's location near major road routes makes daily commuting relatively convenient for students from Thrissur and neighbouring towns. University and campus transport facilities, where available, may also be used for academic activities, field visits, practical training and educational tours. Students are advised to check with KVASU for the current availability and routes of institutional transport services.