ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026: Apply Online for Masters & Doctoral
📅 Posted: 08/05/2026 📝 Updated: 19/05/2026
Total VacancyN/A
SalaryPG Scholarship: ₹12,640/Month | JRF: ₹37,000/Month | SRF: ₹42,000/Month (Merit-based)
LocationAll India
Last Date07/06/2026
Short Information: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and National Testing Agency (NTA) have released notifications for two simultaneous entrance examinations for the academic session 2026-27. The AIEEA (PG)-2026 offers admission to Master's Degree programmes in Agriculture and Allied Sciences across leading Agricultural Universities, with meritorious candidates receiving the ICAR-PG Scholarship of ₹12,640 per month plus a contingent grant of ₹6,000 per year. The AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.)-2026 offers admission to Doctoral programmes along with the prestigious ICAR-JRF fellowship of ₹37,000 per month (Years 1-2) and SRF of ₹42,000 per month (Year 3), plus a contingent grant of ₹10,000 per year. Both exams are conducted on 04 July 2026 with a common application window from 08 May 2026 to 07 June 2026. Eligible candidates can apply for both exams by submitting separate applications and separate fees for each. These exams cover 72+ specialized subjects spanning Crop Sciences, Horticulture, Veterinary Sciences, Fisheries, Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Science, Community Science, and more — conducted at 122 cities across India.
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ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026 2026Important Dates
| Notification Released | 08/05/2026 |
| Application Begin (Both Exams) | 08/05/2026 (Up to 05:00 PM) |
| Last Date to Apply (Both Exams) | 07/06/2026 (Up to 05:00 PM) |
| Pay Exam Fee Last Date | 07/06/2026 (Up to 11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | 09/06/2026 to 10/06/2026 |
| Admit Card Download | To be announced on NTA website |
| Date of Examination (Both Exams) | 04/07/2026 (Saturday) |
| Display of Provisional Answer Key | To be announced on NTA website |
| Declaration of Result | To be announced on NTA website |
| Online Counselling | To be announced by ICAR on icar.org.in after result |
ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026 2026Application Fee
| AIEEA PG 2026 — General / Unreserved | ₹1,300 |
| AIEEA PG 2026 — OBC (NCL) / EWS | ₹1,255 |
| AIEEA PG 2026 — SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹675 |
| AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 — General / Unreserved | ₹2,000 |
| AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 — OBC (NCL) / EWS | ₹1,955 |
| AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 — SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹1,075 |
Payment: Online (Credit Card / Debit Card / Net Banking / UPI) — Processing charges + GST extra. Separate fee payment required for each exam.
ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026: Apply Online for Masters & DoctoralVacancy Details & Age Limit
Age Limit: PG Exam: Min. 19 Years | PhD Exam: Min. 20 Years (as on 31/08/2026). No upper age limit for either exam.
(No relaxation in minimum age limit for any category in either exam., SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD: Standard reservation in seats and scholarships/fellowships as per GoI norms., PwBD: 5% horizontal reservation across all categories in both programmes.)
| Parameter | AIEEA PG 2026 (Masters) | AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 (Doctoral) |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Master's Degree (M.Sc./M.Tech.) | Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) |
| Minimum Qualification | 4-year B.Sc. (Hons.) / B.Tech. in Agri or Allied Sciences | Master's Degree with 60% marks (Gen/OBC/EWS) or 50% (SC/ST/PwBD) |
| Minimum Age | 19 years as on 31/08/2026 | 20 years as on 31/08/2026 |
| Fee (General) | ₹1,300 | ₹2,000 |
| Fee (SC/ST/PwBD) | ₹675 | ₹1,075 |
| Exam Mode | CBT (Computer Based Test) | LAN-based CBT at designated centers |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs (Single Paper) | 120 MCQs (Section A: 20 + B: 50 + C: 50) |
| Total Marks | 480 Marks | 480 Marks (80 + 200 + 200) |
| Negative Marking | -1 per wrong answer | -1 per wrong answer |
| Duration | 120 Minutes | 120 Minutes |
| Fellowship / Scholarship | ICAR-PG Scholarship ₹12,640/Month + ₹6,000/Year contingent grant | JRF ₹37,000/Month (Yr 1-2) → SRF ₹42,000/Month (Yr 3) + ₹10,000/Year contingent |
| Subjects Covered | Subject-specific (graduation level) | 72 specialized subjects (3 sections) |
| Exam Date | 04/07/2026 (Saturday) | 04/07/2026 (Saturday) |
| Detailed Post | View Full Details → | View Full Details → |
| Note: Both exams have separate applications, separate fees, and separate merit lists. A candidate can apply for both if eligible. Click individual post links below for detailed information on each exam. | ||
Recruitment Table: Major Subject Groups — Common to Both AIEEA PG & AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026
| Subject Group | Subjects (Sample) |
|---|---|
| Crop Sciences | Agronomy, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Seed Technology, Nematology |
| Horticulture | Vegetable Science, Fruit Science, Floriculture & Landscaping, Post Harvest Technology, Plantation Crops |
| Forestry | Silviculture & Agroforestry, Forest Biology, Forest Products & Utilization, Forest Resource Management |
| Animal Sciences | Animal Genetics & Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Livestock Production, Livestock Products Technology, Poultry Science |
| Veterinary Sciences | Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Surgery, Veterinary Pathology, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Veterinary Microbiology |
| Fisheries Sciences | Aquaculture, Fisheries Resource Management, Fish Processing Technology, Fisheries Extension |
| Agricultural Engineering | Farm Machinery & Power, Soil & Water Conservation, Irrigation & Drainage, Food Process Engineering |
| Dairy Science | Dairy Technology, Dairy Chemistry, Dairy Microbiology, Dairy Engineering |
| Community Science | Human Development, Food & Nutrition, Textile Science, Family Resource Management |
| Agricultural Economics & Statistics | Agricultural Economics, Agri-Business Management, Agricultural Statistics, Bioinformatics |
| Note:Final subject-wise and university-wise seats are displayed on icar.org.in at the time of online counseling. For PhD, 72 subjects are available across 19 core groups. | |
Recruitment Table: Admitting Universities — ICAR AIQ System (Indicative List)
| University Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| ICAR Deemed Universities (DUs) | IARI New Delhi, IVRI Bareilly, NDRI Karnal, CIFE Mumbai |
| Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs) | CAU Imphal (Manipur), Dr. RPCAU Pusa (Bihar), RLBCAU Jhansi |
| State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) | PAU Ludhiana, HAU Hisar, ANGRAU Guntur, UAS Bangalore, JNKVV Jabalpur, MPKV Rahuri |
| Veterinary Universities | KVAFSU Bidar, LUVAS Hisar, RAJUVAS Bikaner, TANUVAS Chennai |
| Central Universities (with Agri faculty) | BHU Varanasi, AMU Aligarh, Viswa Bharati, Nagaland University |
| Note:Final seat matrix displayed on icar.org.in at time of counseling. Fellowship available ONLY at AUs in ICAR-AU system — NOT at private universities. | |
ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026Eligibility Criteria
- AIEEA PG 2026 — Masters Admission: Must hold a 4-year B.Sc. (Hons.) / B.Tech. in Agriculture or Allied Sciences (12+4 format), or a 5/5.5-year B.V.Sc. & AH. Minimum age: 19 years as on 31/08/2026.
- AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 — Doctoral Admission: Must hold a Master's Degree with minimum 60% marks or OGPA 6.5/10 (General/OBC/EWS) or 50%/OGPA 5.50 (SC/ST/PwBD). Minimum age: 20 years as on 31/08/2026.
- Candidates with 3-year Bachelor's degree are NOT eligible for either exam at most AUs (except specific courses at IARI, IVRI, NDRI).
- Candidates with 5-year integrated M.Sc. are NOT eligible for Ph.D. admission through AICE JRF/SRF.
- No rounding-off of OGPA or percentage — 59.99% will NOT be treated as 60% for PhD eligibility.
- Both exams: Indian nationals only. Equivalence of degrees decided by the admitting university per UGC norms.
- In-service candidates must produce a Sponsorship Certificate from their employer at the time of online counseling.
- Fellowship (PG Scholarship / JRF/SRF) available ONLY for admission through ICAR counseling in recognized AUs — NOT available at private universities.
ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026Pay Scale / Salary Structure
| Post Name | Salary Level |
|---|---|
| ICAR-PG Scholarship (Masters — Merit-based) | ₹12,640/Month + Annual Contingent Grant ₹6,000/Year |
| ICAR-JRF — Junior Research Fellowship (PhD Yr 1-2 — Merit-based) | ₹37,000/Month + Annual Contingent Grant ₹10,000/Year |
| ICAR-SRF — Senior Research Fellowship (PhD Yr 3 — Merit-based) | ₹42,000/Month + Annual Contingent Grant ₹10,000/Year |
ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026Selection Process Steps
- Step 1: Online CBT Examination conducted by NTA on 04/07/2026 (same date for both exams)
- Step 2: Merit list declaration on NTA website / exams.nta.nic.in/icar/
- Step 3: Online Counseling by ICAR on icar.org.in — candidates fill subject and university preferences as per rank
- Step 4: Seat allotment based on merit rank, category, subject, and university preferences
- Step 5: Document Verification at the admitting Agricultural University at time of admission
- Note: Scholarship/Fellowship awarded only to top-merit candidates per subject — qualifying the exam does NOT guarantee fellowship
ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026Detailed Exam Pattern
Recruitment Details: AIEEA PG 2026 (Masters) — Exam Overview
- Mode: CBT (Computer Based Test) — Online.
- Duration: 120 Minutes.
- Total Questions: 120 MCQs (Single Subject Paper).
- Maximum Marks: 480.
- Negative Marking: -1 mark for each incorrect response.
- Scoring: +4 correct, -1 wrong, 0 non-attempt.
- Medium: English only.
- Paper based on graduation-level syllabus in the chosen subject.
Recruitment Details: AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 (Doctoral) — Exam Overview
- Mode: LAN-based CBT at designated centers.
- Duration: 120 Minutes.
- Total Questions: 120 MCQs in 3 Sections (20 + 50 + 50).
- Maximum Marks: 480 (80 + 200 + 200).
- Negative Marking: -1 mark for each incorrect response.
- Scoring: +4 correct, -1 wrong, 0 non-attempt.
- Medium: English only.
- Section A (20 Qs / 80 Marks): General Knowledge & Reasoning in Agriculture domain — common to all 72 subjects.
- Section B (50 Qs / 200 Marks): Core Group containing the specialized Subject opted by the candidate for Ph.D.
- Section C (50 Qs / 200 Marks): Specialized Subject opted by the candidate from Table-3 of Information Bulletin.
Recruitment Table: Fellowship / Scholarship Comparison — PG vs PhD
| Component | ICAR-PG Scholarship (Masters) | ICAR-JRF/SRF (PhD) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Amount | ₹12,640/- | ₹37,000/- (Yr 1-2) → ₹42,000/- (Yr 3) |
| Annual Contingent Grant | ₹6,000/- | ₹10,000/- |
| Duration | Duration of M.Sc. Programme | 3 Years (not extendable) |
| Bond Required | Yes — Surety Bond at university registration | Yes — Refund required if programme left early |
| Simultaneous Scholarship | No other scholarship allowed simultaneously | No other fellowship/scholarship allowed simultaneously |
| Eligibility for Award | Top-merit candidates per subject — number decided at counseling | Top-merit candidates per subject — number decided at counseling |
| Note:Fellowship and scholarship are merit-based — not guaranteed for all admitted candidates. Number of awards per subject announced only at counseling. | ||
ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026Subject-wise Syllabus Topics
Syllabus for both AIEEA PG 2026 and AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 is prescribed by ICAR and available at https://icar.org.in/node/21053. PG exam: graduation-level questions in the chosen subject. PhD exam: Section A covers general agricultural knowledge; Sections B and C cover post-graduation level core group and specialized subject concepts.
📚 AIEEA PG 2026 — Paper Structure
- Single paper in the subject/discipline of the candidate's choice
- Based on graduation-level syllabus prescribed by ICAR
- 120 questions, 480 marks, 120 minutes
- Full syllabus: https://icar.org.in/node/21053
📚 AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 — Section A: General Knowledge
- General knowledge in domain of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Allied Sciences
- Current events in agricultural policy, research, and rural development
- Matters of everyday observation and experience in agricultural domain
- 20 questions, 80 marks — common to all 72 specialized subjects
📚 AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 — Section B: Core Group
- 50 questions, 200 marks — based on Core Group (Table-1 in Information Bulletin)
- Fundamental concepts of the core group the candidate's specialization belongs to
- 19 Core Groups covering all disciplines from Crop Sciences to Dairy Science
- Candidates must select the Core Group matching their M.Sc. specialization
📚 AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 — Section C: Specialized Subject
- 50 questions, 200 marks — advanced post-graduation level topics
- Selected from 72 specialized subjects in Table-3 of Information Bulletin
- Must match the candidate's M.Sc. thesis/specialization area for best performance
- Research methodology, advanced concepts, recent developments in the chosen subject
ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026How to Apply
- Both exams have SEPARATE applications — visit https://exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ for each.
- Step 1: Register on NTA-ICAR portal with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Step 2: For AIEEA PG 2026 — fill PG application form, select subject, upload documents, pay ₹1,300 (Gen) / ₹675 (SC/ST/PwBD).
- Step 3: For AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 — fill PhD application form separately, select specialized subject from Table-3, upload documents, pay ₹2,000 (Gen) / ₹1,075 (SC/ST/PwBD).
- Step 4: Upload photograph (JPG, 10-200 KB, white background, face 80% of frame), signature (JPG, 10-30 KB), and PwBD/UDID certificate if applicable (PDF, 50-300 KB).
- Step 5: Download and print Confirmation Page for both applications after fee payment.
- Step 6: Correction Window: 09-10 June 2026 — ONLY opportunity to correct errors. Use it carefully.
- Step 7: Download Admit Card when announced. Appear for both exams on 04 July 2026 (shifts may differ — check Admit Card).
- Note: Name, DOB, gender, and photograph in Aadhaar must match application form entries exactly.
Recruitment Note: About ICAR and NTA
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), established in 1929, is the apex body for agricultural research and education in India under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. With 113 institutes, 71 All India Coordinated Research Projects, and 74 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, ICAR runs the world's largest national agricultural research system, admitting over 17,500 students at Master's and Doctoral level annually. Since 2019, ICAR has entrusted the National Testing Agency (NTA) with conducting All India Competitive Examinations for admissions to UG, PG, and Ph.D. courses in Agricultural Universities. NTA conducts these examinations through a standardized Computer Based Test (CBT) framework at 122 cities across India, ensuring transparency and uniformity in the selection process.
Recruitment Note: Key Differences — AIEEA PG vs AICE JRF/SRF PhD
Though both exams share the same application window, exam date, and are conducted by NTA for ICAR, they are entirely separate examinations. AIEEA PG 2026 is for admission to Master's programmes — the eligibility is a 4-year undergraduate degree in Agriculture or Allied Sciences. The PG Scholarship is ₹12,640/month. AICE JRF/SRF (Ph.D.)-2026 is for Doctoral programmes — eligibility requires a completed Master's degree with 60% marks (50% for SC/ST). The JRF fellowship is ₹37,000/month, upgrading to SRF ₹42,000/month in Year 3. The PhD exam has 3 sections (A+B+C) while the PG exam is a single subject paper. Candidates with a qualifying Master's degree may apply for BOTH exams with separate fees. The correction window and all key dates are common to both exams.
Recruitment Note: Important Terms for Scholarship / Fellowship Awardees
Both the ICAR-PG Scholarship and ICAR-JRF/SRF are merit-based awards — not all admitted candidates receive them. For PG Scholarship: awardees must execute a Surety Bond at the time of university registration. If the candidate leaves before programme completion, the scholarship amount must be refunded. For JRF/SRF: the fellowship is valid only for the academic session for which the exam was conducted — it cannot be carried forward to the next year. If the candidate leaves the Ph.D. programme after being awarded the fellowship, the entire amount received must be refunded with interest. No other scholarship or fellowship may be simultaneously held during the tenure of ICAR fellowship. Duration of JRF/SRF is normally 3 years and will not be extended under any circumstances.
ICAR PG & PhD Admission 2026Important Official Links
| Apply Online — AIEEA PG 2026 Application Window: 08/05/2026 to 07/06/2026 | Click Here ↗ |
| Apply Online — AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 Application Window: 08/05/2026 to 07/06/2026 | Click Here ↗ |
| Download Notification — AIEEA PG 2026 Advt No. ICAR AIEEA (PG)-2026 Information Bulletin | Click Here ↗ |
| Download Notification — AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 Advt No. ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.)-2026 Information Bulletin | Click Here ↗ |
| ICAR Syllabus (Both Exams) | Click Here ↗ |
| Official Website | Click Here ↗ |
Disclaimer Information provided here is for quick reference. Verify all details on the official website before taking action.
Quick Overview
🚀 Recruitment Overview
Quick Summary of the Notification
| Organization |  ICAR |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Masters Admission (PG) / PhD Admission + JRF/SRF Fellowship |
| Total Vacancy | N/A |
| Salary | PG Scholarship: ₹12,640/Month | JRF: ₹37,000/Month | SRF: ₹42,000/Month (Merit-based) |
| Job Location | All India |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 07/06/2026 |
| Official Website | Visit Website ↗ |
💡 Expert Tip
Candidates eligible for both exams — those with a 4-year B.Sc. in their final year of Master's — should apply for AIEEA PG first since the PhD exam requires a completed Master's degree. However, if you already hold a qualifying Master's degree with 60% marks (or 50% for SC/ST), apply for BOTH exams simultaneously as they share the same exam date and application window. One major trap: the correction window is only 09-10 June 2026 — just 2 days. Fill both applications carefully. For the PhD exam, choosing the right specialized subject (Section C) is critical — candidates often underperform in Section C because they pick a subject outside their core M.Sc. specialization. Always pick the subject that matches your PG thesis area.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 What is the scholarship/fellowship amount for ICAR PG and PhD 2026? ▼
Ans: For AIEEA PG 2026 (Masters): ICAR-PG Scholarship is ₹12,640 per month plus ₹6,000 annual contingent grant — awarded to meritorious candidates only. For AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 (Doctoral): JRF is ₹37,000 per month (Years 1-2) and SRF is ₹42,000 per month (Year 3), plus ₹10,000 annual contingent grant. Both are merit-based — not guaranteed for all admitted candidates.
Q.2 What is the last date to apply for ICAR PG and PhD 2026? ▼
Ans: The last date to submit online applications for both AIEEA PG 2026 and AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 is 07 June 2026 (up to 5:00 PM). Fee payment closes at 11:50 PM on 07 June 2026. Both applications are submitted on the same portal — exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ — but require separate submissions and separate fee payments.
Q.3 Is there negative marking in ICAR AIEEA PG and JRF/SRF PhD exams? ▼
Ans: Yes, both exams have negative marking. For each incorrect response, 1 mark is deducted. Each correct answer carries +4 marks. Non-attempts carry 0 marks. Both exams have 120 questions worth 480 marks to be completed in 120 minutes. Attempt questions carefully — random guessing will hurt your score.
Q.4 Can I apply for both AIEEA PG 2026 and AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026? ▼
Ans: Yes, if you meet the eligibility for both, you can apply for both exams simultaneously. They share the same exam date (04 July 2026) but will likely be scheduled in different shifts — check your Admit Card for the exact timing. You need separate applications and separate fee payments for each. Both exams are conducted on the NTA-ICAR portal at exams.nta.nic.in/icar/.
Q.5 What is the age limit for ICAR PG and PhD admission 2026? ▼
Ans: For AIEEA PG 2026 (Masters): minimum age is 19 years as on 31 August 2026. For AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 (Doctoral): minimum age is 20 years as on 31 August 2026. There is NO upper age limit for either exam. No relaxation in minimum age is permissible for any category.
Q.6 What is the educational qualification for ICAR AIEEA PG vs JRF/SRF PhD? ▼
Ans: For PG Exam (Masters): 4-year B.Sc. (Hons.) or B.Tech. in Agriculture or Allied Sciences, or 5/5.5-year B.V.Sc. & A.H. degree. Candidates with 3-year bachelor's degree are NOT eligible at most AUs. For PhD Exam: Master's Degree with minimum 60% marks/OGPA 6.5 (General/OBC/EWS) or 50%/OGPA 5.50 (SC/ST/PwBD). No rounding-off of marks is permitted.
Q.7 What is the exam pattern for ICAR PG vs PhD exam 2026? ▼
Ans: PG Exam: 120 MCQs, single subject paper, 480 marks, 120 minutes. PhD Exam: 120 MCQs in 3 sections — Section A (20 Qs/80 Marks): General Agricultural Knowledge; Section B (50 Qs/200 Marks): Core Group of the Ph.D. subject; Section C (50 Qs/200 Marks): Specialized Subject chosen. Both exams: +4 correct, -1 wrong, 0 non-attempt.
Q.8 How to download ICAR PG and PhD 2026 notification PDF? ▼
Ans: Official Information Bulletins for both AIEEA PG 2026 and AICE JRF/SRF PhD 2026 are available on the NTA-ICAR portal at exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ and on www.nta.ac.in. Separate PDFs are available for each exam. Direct download links are also provided on this page above.
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