🔥 At a Glance: ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 & ICAR JRF/SRF/PhD 2026
- Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of ICAR
- Exam Names: ICAR AIEEA (PG)-2026 & ICAR AICE JRF/SRF/PhD-2026
- Purpose: Admission to PG (Master's) programs + Award of JRF/SRF/PhD fellowships in Agriculture & Allied Sciences
- Application Start: 08 May 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 07 June 2026 (up to 5:00 PM)
- AIEEA (PG) Exam Date: 04 July 2026 (Saturday)
- Available PG Seats (2025-26): ~4,883 ICAR AIQ seats across India
- Official Websites: exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ | nta.ac.in
- Jump to Direct Apply Links ↓
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 & JRF/SRF/PhD 2026 – Full Information
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has entrusted the National Testing Agency (NTA) with the responsibility of conducting All India Competitive Entrance Examinations for admission to Bachelor (UG), Masters (PG), and Doctoral (Ph.D.) courses in Agricultural Universities (AUs) across India. Two major examinations have been notified for the academic session 2026-27:
- ICAR AIEEA (PG)-2026 – All India Entrance Examination for Admission to Postgraduate (Master's) Degree Programmes in Agriculture & Allied Sciences.
- ICAR AICE JRF/SRF (Ph.D.)-2026 – All India Competitive Examination for Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), and admission to Ph.D. programmes in Agriculture & Allied Sciences.
Below you will find complete details on eligibility, important dates, application fee, exam pattern, subject groups, scholarship details, how to apply, and important links for both examinations.
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India |
| Exam 1 | ICAR AIEEA (PG)-2026 – Admission to Master's Degree Programmes |
| Exam 2 | ICAR AICE JRF/SRF (Ph.D.)-2026 – Fellowship & Ph.D. Admission |
| Academic Session | 2026-2027 |
| Application Mode | Online only – exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ |
| Online Application Opens | 08 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 07 June 2026 (up to 5:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 07 June 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | 09 June to 10 June 2026 |
| AIEEA (PG) Exam Date | 04 July 2026 (Saturday) |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Official Websites | exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ | nta.ac.in | icar.org.in |
📅 ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 & JRF/SRF/PhD 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form Opens | 08 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application Form | 07 June 2026 (up to 5:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 07 June 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 09 June – 10 June 2026 |
| Download of Admit Cards | Will be announced on NTA website |
| AIEEA (PG)-2026 Exam Date | 04 July 2026 (Saturday) |
| Display of Answer Keys | Will be announced on NTA website |
| Declaration of Result | Will be announced on NTA website |
| Online Counselling Schedule | Will be notified on icar.org.in after result |
💰 ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 – Application Fee
| Category | Fee (AIEEA PG) |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,300/- |
| OBC-NCL / UPS / EWS | ₹1,255/- |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹675/- |
Note: Bank/Payment Gateway service charges and GST are payable extra by the candidate. Fee can be paid via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI through SBI or Canara Bank payment gateway.
📚 About ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 & ICAR AICE JRF/SRF/PhD 2026
What is ICAR AIEEA (PG)-2026?
The All India Entrance Examination for Admission (AIEEA) PG-2026 is a national-level entrance exam conducted by NTA on behalf of ICAR for admission to Master's Degree (M.Sc./M.Tech./M.V.Sc./M.F.Sc.) programmes in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Veterinary Science, Animal Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, Community Science, Fisheries, Dairy Science, and other allied sciences.
- Students for 30% seats in Master's programmes at State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) are admitted through AIEEA (PG).
- 100% seats of ICAR-Deemed Universities (IARI, IVRI, NDRI, CIFE) and Central Agricultural Universities (RLBCAU, Dr. RPCAU) are filled through this examination.
- The exam will be conducted in 122 cities across India.
- During academic year 2025-26, total ICAR AIQ seats were approximately 4,883.
What is ICAR AICE JRF/SRF/PhD-2026?
The All India Competitive Examination (AICE) for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) / Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) and admission to Ph.D. programmes is conducted by NTA to select meritorious candidates for research fellowships and doctoral studies in Agricultural and Allied Sciences. Candidates qualifying this examination may be awarded JRF/SRF and admitted to Ph.D. programmes in ICAR-AU system institutions.
🏛️ ICAR-AU System of India
The ICAR-AU System comprises 74 Agricultural Universities:
- 63 State Agricultural, Veterinary, Horticultural & Fisheries Universities (SAUs)
- 4 ICAR-Deemed Universities: IARI (New Delhi), IVRI (Bareilly), NDRI (Karnal), CIFE (Mumbai)
- 3 Central Agricultural Universities: CAU (Imphal), Dr. RPCAU (Pusa), RLBCAU (Jhansi)
- 4 Central Universities with Faculty of Agriculture: BHU, AMU, Viswa Bharati, Nagaland University
The National Agricultural Research, Education and Extension System (NAREES) of India admits more than 28,000 students at UG level and over 17,500 students at Master's and Doctoral level annually.
✅ Eligibility Criteria for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026
Nationality
Indian Nationals are eligible to appear in the examination.
Minimum Age
Candidates must not be below 19 years of age as on 31 August 2026. No relaxation in minimum age is permissible.
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must have passed a 4-year Bachelor's degree (B.Sc. Ag./B.Tech.) / 5-year (B.V.Sc. & AH) / 5½-year (B.V.Sc. & AH) / 6-year (10+6) degree programme from a recognized university in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Fisheries, Veterinary Science, Dairy Science, Agricultural Engineering, Community Science, or allied subjects.
- Candidates with only a 3-year Bachelor's degree are NOT eligible for admission under ICAR-AU system except in select courses at IARI and NDRI (Deemed Universities).
Minimum Marks / OGPA Required
| Category | Minimum % Marks | Minimum OGPA (10-point scale) |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / UPS / EWS | 60% | 6.60/10.00 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | 50% | 5.60/10.00 |
Note: There will be no rounding-off of OGPA/percentage. Equivalence between OGPA and percentage marks is NOT acceptable. Candidates (other than Veterinary Stream) must complete their UG degree by 31 July 2026; for Veterinary Stream, by 15 January 2027.
In-Service Candidates
In-service candidates working in ICAR Institutes, SAUs, CAUs, Central/State Government Departments dealing in Agriculture & Allied Sectors, or PSUs dealing with Agriculture are also eligible. They must produce a Sponsorship Certificate from their employer at the time of counselling.
📝 ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 – Exam Pattern & Scheme
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Number of Questions | 120 |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) – 4 options each |
| Marks for Correct Answer | +4 marks |
| Negative Marking | -1 mark for each incorrect response |
| Un-attempted Questions | 0 marks |
| Medium of Paper | English only |
| Calculator | Not permitted |
| Exam Cities | 122 cities across India (candidates select 4 preferred cities) |
The question paper is based on the syllabus prescribed by ICAR, available at: icar.org.in/node/21053
📖 Major Subject Groups for AIEEA PG-2026
Candidates must select one Major Subject Group for the entrance examination based on their graduation subject. There are 20 Major Subject Groups with 81 Sub-Subjects:
| Code | Major Subject Group | Key Sub-Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Plant Biotechnology | Bio-Chemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Plant Physiology |
| 02 | Plant Sciences | Genetics & Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Seed Science & Technology, Plant Genetic Resources |
| 03 | Physical Science | Agricultural Meteorology, Soil Science, Agril. Physics, Agril. Chemicals, Organic Farming, Environment Science |
| 04 | Entomology & Nematology | Entomology, Nematology, Sericulture |
| 05 | Agronomy | Agronomy |
| 06 | Social Sciences | Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension Education |
| 07 | Statistical Sciences | Agricultural Statistics, Computer Application, Bioinformatics |
| 08 | Horticulture | Vegetable Science, Fruit Science, Post-Harvest Management, Floriculture & Landscaping, Plantation Spices, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops |
| 09 | Forestry / Agroforestry & Silviculture | Forest Products & Utilization, Silviculture & Agroforestry, Forest Resource Management, Forest Biology & Tree Improvement |
| 10 | Agricultural Engineering & Technology | Soil & Water Conservation Engg., Irrigation & Drainage Engg., Processing & Food Engg., Farm Machinery & Power Engg., Renewable Energy Engg. |
| 11 | Community Science | Food & Nutrition, Human Development & Family Studies, Resource Management, Apparel & Textile Science, Extension Education |
| 12 | Animal Biotechnology | Veterinary Biotechnology, Veterinary Biochemistry |
| 13 | Veterinary Science | Vet. Anatomy, Vet. Medicine, Vet. Parasitology, Vet. Pharmacology, Vet. Pathology, Vet. Microbiology, Vet. Surgery, Vet. Public Health |
| 14 | Animal Sciences | Animal Genetics & Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Vet. Physiology, Livestock Production & Management, Livestock Products Technology, Poultry Science |
| 15 | Fisheries Science | Fisheries Resource Mgmt., Aquaculture, Fish Processing Technology, Aquatic Animal Health Mgmt., Fisheries Extension, Fish Genetics & Breeding, Fish Biotechnology |
| 16 | Dairy Science | Dairy Microbiology, Dairy Chemistry |
| 17 | Dairy Technology | Dairy Technology, Dairy Engineering |
| 18 | Food Science Technology | Food Processing Technology, Food Process Engineering, Food Safety & Quality |
| 19 | Agri Business Management | Agri Business Management |
| 20 | Water Science & Technology | Water Science & Technology |
🎓 ICAR-PG Scholarship & National Talent Scholarship (NTS) 2026
- ICAR-PG Scholarship is awarded to meritorious candidates admitted to Agricultural Universities offering courses and research work.
- Scholarship amount: ₹12,640/- per month + a contingent grant of ₹6,000/- per year for procurement of chemicals, equipment, books, and travel related to research work.
- Scholarship duration: 2 years from the date of registration (no extension beyond 2 years).
- For graduates with 10+2+3 admitted at IARI/NDRI, no fellowship is payable during the first year (remedial courses year).
- National Talent Scholarship (NTS-PG) will also be provided to eligible candidates as per NTS guidelines announced at counselling.
- There is no reservation of ICAR-PG Scholarship for Gen-EWS, OBC(NCL), and UPS category; they are however entitled for ICAR-PG Scholarship based on merit.
- 5% reservation in PG Scholarship for PwBD category is horizontal across all categories.
📋 Reservation Policy – ICAR AIEEA PG 2026
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% (inter-changeable with ST) |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% (inter-changeable with SC) |
| OBC – Non-Creamy Layer (Central List) | As per GoI directives applicable at time of counselling |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | As per Gazette Notification dated 12 January 2019 |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | 5% horizontal across all categories (min. 40% disability) |
| Remote & Underprivileged States/UTs (UPS) | 2% horizontal across all categories |
UPS States include: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Goa, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and Ladakh.
♿ Provisions for PwBD Candidates
- PwBD candidates with at least 40% benchmark disability are eligible for reservation benefits.
- Facility of a Scribe is available for candidates with physical limitation in writing (certified by CMO/Civil Surgeon).
- Compensatory time of not less than 20 minutes per hour is granted. For a 2-hour exam, this means 40 minutes extra time.
- NTA will provide a scribe if requested; candidates may also bring their own scribe with an undertaking.
- UDID Card details uploaded will be verified from the UDID portal of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DePwD).
💻 How to Apply – ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 & JRF/SRF/PhD 2026
- Step 1: Visit the official NTA-ICAR portal: https://exams.nta.nic.in/icar/. Download and read the Information Bulletin carefully before applying.
- Step 2: Register using a unique e-mail ID and mobile number. Note down the system-generated Application Number. Fill in all personal, educational, and contact details. Upload:
– Recent passport-size colour photograph (JPG, 10-200 KB, face occupying 80% of image, white background, no mask)
– Signature (JPG/JPEG, 10-30 KB)
– Thumb Impression (Male: Left, Female: Right; 3-30 KB, JPG format)
– PwBD/UDID Certificate (if applicable; PDF, 50-300 KB)
– Capture a Live Photograph at the time of filling the form using a webcam/mobile camera. - Step 3: Pay the application fee online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI via SBI or Canara Bank. A Confirmation Page will be generated only after successful payment. Download and keep it safe.
All three steps can be completed together or in separate sittings. The application process is entirely online — no physical documents need to be sent to NTA or ICAR.
🎫 Admit Card – ICAR AIEEA PG 2026
- Admit Cards will be uploaded on the NTA website: exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ (date to be announced later).
- Admit Cards will NOT be sent by post. Candidates must download them from the NTA website.
- No duplicate Admit Card will be issued at Examination Centres.
- Issue of Admit Card does not necessarily mean acceptance of eligibility; eligibility will be scrutinised at subsequent stages.
- Candidates must carry: Print of Admit Card + 1 passport-size photograph (same as uploaded) + Original valid photo ID proof.
📋 Important Instructions for Exam Day
Candidates MUST bring to the examination centre:
- Print copy of Admit Card downloaded from NTA website.
- One passport-size photograph (same as uploaded on the application form) for pasting on attendance sheet.
- Any one original, valid, non-expired Govt. photo ID: PAN Card / Driving License / Voter ID / Passport / Aadhaar Card (with photo) / Aadhaar Enrolment No. / Ration Card.
- PwBD Certificate (if claiming relaxation under PwBD category).
- Personal transparent water bottle; sugar tablets/fruits (for diabetic candidates).
Items strictly NOT allowed inside the examination hall:
- Mobile phone, Bluetooth devices, earphone, pager, or any electronic gadget
- Calculator, log tables, slide rules, DocuPen
- Any printed or written material, stationery, handbag, purse
- Eatables and water (except for diabetic candidates)
- Electronic or analog watches with calculator facility
- Camera, tape recorder, or any metallic item
📊 Result Declaration & Counselling Process
- Provisional Answer Keys will be displayed on the NTA website for 2-3 days after the exam for challenges.
- Candidates can challenge Answer Keys online by paying a non-refundable fee of ₹200/- per question.
- The Result will be declared based on Final Answer Keys settled by subject experts. NTA's decision is final.
- Overall Merit/Rank List will be prepared by ICAR separately for every major subject.
- Tie-breaking criteria (in order): (i) Fewer negative marks; (ii) Older age; (iii) Higher score in Class XII.
- No re-checking or re-evaluation of answer scripts will be entertained.
- Online Counselling schedule will be notified separately on icar.org.in after declaration of result.
🗺️ ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 – Examination Cities (122 Cities)
The examination will be conducted in 122 cities across India. Candidates can choose any 4 preferred cities while applying. Key cities include:
Port Blair, Guntur, Kurnool, Nellore, Rajahmundry, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Itanagar, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Munger, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea, Saharsa, Chandigarh, Bhilai Nagar/Durg, Bilaspur, Raipur, Silvassa, Daman, Panaji, Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Kurukshetra, Hamirpur, Kangra/Palampur, Shimla, Jammu, Srinagar, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Mysuru, Kochi, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Leh, Kavaratti, Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar, Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl, Kohima, New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Puducherry, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sriganganagar, Udaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Hyderabad, Warangal, Agartala, Agra, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee, Burdwan, Durgapur, Kolkata, Siliguri, and more.
NTA reserves the right to allot a nearby exam city if needed. The Examination City Centre, once opted, cannot be changed.
🔗 ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 & JRF/SRF/PhD 2026 – Important Links
| Apply Online – AIEEA PG-2026 | Apply Now (PG) |
|---|---|
| Apply Online – AICE JRF/SRF/PhD-2026 | Apply Now (JRF/SRF/PhD) |
| Official Notification – AIEEA PG-2026 (PDF) | Download Notification (PG) |
| Official Notification – JRF/SRF/PhD-2026 (PDF) | Download Notification (JRF/SRF/PhD) |
| NTA Official Website | www.nta.ac.in |
| NTA-ICAR Exam Portal | exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ |
| ICAR Official Website | www.icar.org.in |
| Exam Syllabus | Click Here |
| NTA Helpline | 011-40759000, 011-69227700 | Email: icar@nta.ac.in |
❓ ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 and who conducts it?
Ans: ICAR AIEEA (PG)-2026 is the All India Entrance Examination for Admission to Postgraduate (Master's Degree) programmes in Agriculture and Allied Sciences. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The exam is scheduled for 04 July 2026.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans: The last date to submit the online application form is 07 June 2026 (up to 5:00 PM). The last date for successful fee payment is 07 June 2026 (up to 11:50 PM).
Q3. What is the application fee for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans: The application fee is ₹1,300/- for General/Unreserved category, ₹1,255/- for OBC-NCL/UPS/EWS category, and ₹675/- for SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender candidates. Bank service charges and GST are payable extra.
Q4. What is the minimum educational qualification for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans: Candidates must have a 4-year Bachelor's degree (B.Sc. Ag./B.Tech.) or 5/5½-year B.V.Sc. & AH in the relevant subject from a recognized university. Graduates with only a 3-year Bachelor's degree are NOT eligible for admission in most Agricultural Universities (except certain courses at IARI and NDRI).
Q5. What is the minimum marks/OGPA required for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans: Candidates from General/OBC/EWS/UPS categories must have secured at least 60% marks or 6.60/10.00 OGPA. For SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender candidates, the minimum requirement is 50% marks or 5.60/10.00 OGPA.
Q6. Is there negative marking in ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans: Yes, there is negative marking. 4 marks are awarded for each correct answer, and 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for un-attempted questions.
Q7. How many seats are available through ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans: During academic year 2025-26, the total number of ICAR AIQ seats available for admission in different PG programs under the ICAR-AU system was 4,883. The final seats for 2026-27 will be displayed on the ICAR website at the time of online counselling.
Q8. What is the ICAR-PG Scholarship amount?
Ans: The ICAR-PG Scholarship is ₹12,640/- per month along with a contingent grant of ₹6,000/- per year. The scholarship is awarded for a maximum period of 2 years from the date of registration.
Q9. Can candidates from states other than their home state apply for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans: Yes, all Indian nationals are eligible to apply. The admission through counselling is based on merit rank and seat availability in the candidate's chosen subject and university. However, not more than 40% candidates from any one state shall be admitted in any Agricultural University in a particular subject and category.
Q10. What documents should be carried on the day of examination?
Ans: Candidates must carry: (1) Print of Admit Card, (2) 1 passport-size photograph (same as uploaded), (3) Any one original valid Govt. photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Driving License/Voter ID/Passport), (4) PwBD certificate (if applicable). Diabetic candidates may also carry sugar tablets/fruits and a transparent water bottle.
Q11. What is the difference between ICAR AIEEA PG and ICAR AICE JRF/SRF/PhD?
Ans: ICAR AIEEA (PG) is for admission to Master's Degree (PG) programmes in Agricultural Universities. ICAR AICE JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) is for award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) / Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) and admission to Ph.D. programmes. Both examinations are conducted by NTA on behalf of ICAR. Both have separate application links and notification PDFs.
Q12. In how many cities is ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 conducted?
Ans: The examination will be conducted in 122 cities across India. Candidates must choose any 4 preferred examination cities while filling the application form. The allotted centre, date, and shift is final and cannot be changed.
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