Diploma in Food Production: Admission 2025, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Distance Education, Salary, Scope

• Updated on  Jun 04, 2025, by Akangsha Das

Diploma in Food Production is an 18-month or 1.5-year diploma program that includes a Training or Internship program as well. The National Council for Hotel Management offers courses that last for 12 months, inclusive of industrial training, while most IHMs, including IHM Bangalore, offer a Diploma in Food Production that lasts for 18 months. The Diploma in Food Production program is designed to develop culinary skills among students and to prepare them for the catering and hospitality industry.

 

Eligibility criteria are met if they have passed class 10 or 12 in any stream with a minimum 50% aggregate marks from any recognized board. Admissions to the Diploma in Food Production program are entrance or merit-based, as students applying directly after the 10th standard are not eligible to write entrance exams and hence are selected on a merit basis. Majorly the government colleges prefer the NCHMCT entrance exam.

 

Colleges across India that offer a Diploma in Food Production are IHM Bangalore, IHM Bhubaneswar, IHM Goa, Food Craft Institute, Visakhapatnam, etc. Average program fee ranges from lNR 25,000-50,000 per year. Subjects such as cookery, hygiene & nutrition, commodities, costing, and basics of computers are taught in the Diploma in Food Production. The average salary for freshers after completing a Diploma in Food Production is around INR 3 LPA. They work as chefs in restaurants, hotels, cruise lines, airlines, catering establishments, entrepreneurs, etc.

 

Table of Contents
  1. Diploma in Food Production Course Highlights
  2. Why Pursue a Diploma in Food Production?
  3. Diploma in Food Production Eligibility Criteria
  4. Diploma in Food Production Admission Process
  5. Diploma in Food Production Syllabus
  6. Diploma in Food Production Colleges in India
  7. Diploma in Food Production V/s Craftsmanship Certificate Course in Food Production Course Comparison
  8. Diploma in Food Production Job Profiles
  9. Diploma in Food Production Future Scope
  10. Diploma in Food Production FAQs

 

 

Diploma in Food Production Course Highlights

Provided below are some of the basic highlights for the Diploma in Food Production course:

Features

Details

Duration

12-18 Months

Eligibility

10th pass with a minimum 50% aggregate marks

Course Fee

INR 25,000- 50,000 p.a.

Average Salary

INR 2 - 4 lacs p.a.

Job Positions

Chefs in restaurants, hotels and cruise lines, airlines, catering establishments, and entrepreneurs.

Top Recruiters

Welcome Group of Hotels, Novotel, The Oberoi, Radisson, Hyatt Regency, Trident, Le Meridian, Taj

 

Why Pursue a Diploma in Food Production?

The following are the benefits of pursuing a Diploma in Food Production:

  • Students pursuing a Diploma in Food Production can gain hands-on experience in kitchen management, cooking techniques, safety and hygiene.
  • Most programs include industrial training to provide real-world experience in commercial kitchens.
  • A Diploma in Food Production is a cost-effective alternative to a degree while still offering excellent career opportunities.
  • The food industry offers international job opportunities in hotels, cruise ships, and catering services.
  • A Diploma in Food Production enhances creativity, encouraging the development of new dishes, fusion cuisine, and food presentation skills.

 

Diploma in Food Production Eligibility Criteria

The minimum eligibility is 10th or 12th pass, and anyone with a higher qualification can apply for a Diploma in Food Technology. The following are some other criteria:

  • The eligibility criterion for the course is that students have to clear the 10th or 12th standard with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised board and institute.
  • 5% moderation for the reserved category students.
  • Students must have taken English as a subject in the 12th standard.

 

 

Diploma in Food Production Admission Process

Admissions to the Diploma in Food Production are done through both merit and entrance exams. Students applying directly after the 10th are given admission based on merit. However, in most cases, students enrol in a Diploma in Food Technology after 10+2, which requires them to appear in entrance exams.

  • Students who want to take Admission through the Entrance must appear in NCHMCT JEE, however, only students who have cleared 10+2 are eligible for this exam.
  • Many colleges such as FCI Aligarh, FCI Dehradun, Culinary Academy of India, etc, offer direct admission to Diploma in Food Production based on 10th standard marks.

 

Direct Admission

Given below are the steps for direct admission:

  • Every college and university releases an online form for different courses.
  • The online form has to be filed on time with the fees if any.
  • The cut-off list will be out by colleges and universities.
  • Colleges and universities will announce a proper date for the documentation.
  • The main role during admission is document verification. It consists of your mark sheet, passport size photographs, and provisional certificate, etc.

 

 

Entrance Exam-Based Admission

Given below are the steps for entrance-based admission:

  • Every college and university conducts entrance exams, and the online form has to be filed on time with the fees, if any.
  • Colleges and universities released their admit cards.
  • The exam date is announced, and then the exams are conducted.
  • The results are declared after that.
  • Documents are verified on a particular date and the date will be given by colleges and universities along with payment of fees.

Given below is a list of national and state-level entrance exams for Diploma in Food Production; eligibility criteria for all of these are met by students who have cleared 10+2 or equivalent exams.

Exam Name

Conducting Authority

Application Last Date

Exam Date

AIMA UGAT (Undergraduate Aptitude Test)

All India Management Association (AIMA)

6 June, 2025

14 June, 2025

NCHMCT JEE (National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology JEE)

National Testing Agency (NTA)

15 March, 2025

27 April, 2025

IPU CET (Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test)

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU)

31 March, 2025

18 May, 2025

MAH HM CET (Maharashtra Hotel Management Common Entrance Test)

State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra

10 Feb, 2025

28 March, 2025

 

Diploma in Food Production Syllabus

The Diploma in Food Production offered by IHM Ranchi is typically structured over 1.5 years, comprising two semesters of academic instruction with subjects as mentioned below, followed by six months of industrial training. Almost all IHMs across India follow a similar curriculum.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Cookery Theory

Advanced Cookery Theory

Cookery Practical

Advanced Cookery Practical

Hygiene and Sanitation

Costing and Cost Control

Equipment Maintenance

Food and Beverage Service

Nutrition

Computer Applications

 

Diploma in Food Production Colleges in India

Colleges across India that are offering a Diploma in Food Production:

Institute Name

Location

Admission Process

 Average Annual Fees (INR)

IHM Bangalore

Bangalore, Karnataka

Merit based on 10+2 marks

60,000

Culinary Academy of India

Hyderabad, Telangana

Entrance Exam by CAI and Interview

1,10,000

IHM Mumbai

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Merit based on 10+2 marks

60,000

Amity University

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Merit based on 10+2 marks

80,000

IHM Chennai

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Merit based on 10+2 marks

60,000

Lovely Professional University (LPU)

Phagwara, Punjab

LPUNEST Entrance Exam

80,000

IHM Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Telangana

Merit based on 10+2 marks

60,000

Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Goa

Porvorim, Goa

Merit based on 10+2 marks

60,000

Chandigarh University

Chandigarh, Punjab

CUCET Entrance Exam

90,000

 

Diploma in Food Production V/s Craftsmanship Certificate Course in Food Production Course Comparison

Students must compare the factors such as duration, eligibility, admission process, fee structure, etc to make a more informed decision. Here is the comparison between the Diploma in Food Production and a Craftsmanship Certificate in Food Production:

Parameters

Diploma in Food Production

Craftsmanship Certificate Course in Food Production

Overview

A Diploma in Food Production is a 12-18-month course, depending on the curriculum of the college. Anyone who has passed the 10th standard with English as one of the subjects with 50% aggregate marks is eligible to enrol in this program.

It is a Short course, It is the specialisation trade of Food Production. Students get the basic skills required in the kitchen.

Duration

12-18 Months

18 Months

Admission Mode

Entrance exams in some colleges are merit-based in others

Direct admission

Average Fees

INR 25,000 - INR 50,000

INR 5,000 - 35,000

Average Starting Salary

INR 2 to 4 LPA

INR 1 to 3 LPA

 

Diploma in Food Production Job Profiles

Following is a list of career opportunities for a fresher who completes a Diploma in Food Production. Roles and salaries have major scope for growth based on skills, expertise and experience.

Job Title

Description

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Commis Chef

Assists senior chefs in food preparation and basic cooking tasks.

INR 1,90,000

Line Cook

Prepares dishes at a specific station in the kitchen.

INR 2,40,000

Kitchen Assistant

Supports kitchen operations by maintaining cleanliness and assisting in basic food prep.

INR 2,00,000

Pastry Assistant

Assists pastry chefs in baking and dessert preparation.

INR 2,60,000

Prep cook

Prepares ingredients for dishes, such as washing and chopping vegetables.

INR 2,00,000

Garde Manger

Handles cold dishes like salads and appetisers.

INR 2,40,000

 

Diploma in Food Production Future Scope

Given below are the further aspects of study that one can pursue after completion of a Diploma in Food Production:

  • Post Completion of a Diploma in Food Production and after gaining relevant experience, many chefs open their own restaurants, cafés, cloud kitchens, bakeries, or catering businesses, or pursue degrees such as a BSc in Food Science, followed by Masters.
  • There is a global demand for skilled chefs in countries like Canada, Australia, the UAE, the UK, and the USA, along with opportunities to work in Michelin-starred restaurants with experience and specialisation.
  • Certifications like HACCP, Wine & Beverage Management, and Molecular Gastronomy for career enhancement can also be accomplished.

 

 

Diploma in Food Production FAQs

Are there scholarships available for a Diploma in Food Production?

Yes, scholarships are available for the Diploma in Food Production. However, they vary by college and university, so it is advised to check the official website of the institution one is applying to.

Are working hours long in the food production industry after the completion of a Diploma in Food Production?

After the completion of a Diploma in Food Production, if someone joins a hotel or restaurant, working hours are typically long, ranging from 8 to 12 hours.

Is there any age limit to apply for a Diploma in Food Production?

No, there is no age limit for applying or pursuing this course as long as the basic eligibility criteria is met by the aspiring candidate.

Do students get practical training during a Diploma in Food Production?

Yes, practical training is a major component in a Diploma in Food Production, including hands-on kitchen experience and industrial training in hotels or restaurants.

Is industry training mandatory after the completion of a Diploma in Food Technology?

Yes, industry training is mandatory after the completion of a Diploma in Food Technology and is often included in most offline courses in the course duration, especially in courses that are 18 months long.

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