The ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (ICAR-JRF) is awarded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, to encourage meritorious students to pursue postgraduate studies in agriculture and allied sciences. The fellowship supports students in Master’s degree programs by providing financial assistance for two years.
The fellowship is granted based on performance in the All India Competitive Entrance Examination (ICAR-AICE-JRF/SRF) for admission into State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Deemed Universities, Central Agricultural Universities, and other recognized institutions offering agricultural education.
Benefits
Fellowship Amount
- For Veterinary Sciences: ₹12,000 per month + Contingency Grant of ₹6,000 per annum
- For Other Disciplines: ₹8,640 per month + Contingency Grant of ₹6,000 per annum
- The fellowship rates may be revised periodically by ICAR.
Eligibility Criteria
Method of Award
The ICAR-JRF (PGS) is awarded based on merit in the All India Competitive Entrance Examination (AICE-JRF/SRF) for:
- ICAR-JRF (PGS) (Junior Research Fellowship for Postgraduate Studies)
- Concurrent admission to Master’s degree programs in:
- State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)
- Deemed Universities:
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar
- National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal
- Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai
- Allahabad Agricultural University (AAU)
- Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur
- Central Universities with Agricultural Faculties:
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
- Visva-Bharati University
- Nagaland University
Educational Qualification
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Bachelor’s degree holders or final-year undergraduate students in agriculture and allied sciences are eligible.
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Candidates must have completed education under:
- 10+2+5 (for Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Veterinary, Fisheries Science, and Dairy Technology)
- 10+2+4 (for other agricultural science disciplines)
- 10+2+3 (for basic science subjects)
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Minimum Academic Requirements:
- General/OBC/Under Privileged States (UPS): 60% marks or OGPA of 6.60/10.00, 3.25/5.00, or 2.6/4.00
- SC/ST/PWD: 55% marks or OGPA of 5.5/10.00, 2.75/5.00, or 2.20/4.00
- The OGPA to percentage conversion will be verified by the Registrar of the concerned university.
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For M.V.Sc. Admission:
- Candidates must have completed B.V.Sc. & A.H. with an internship before the date of registration.
Age Limit
- Minimum age: 19 years as of the date of the examination.
- No age relaxation is provided.
Reservation Policy
- Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PWD categories is as per Government of India norms.
- Verification of caste/category certificates will be conducted by the respective Agricultural Universities (AUs).
Application Process
Online Registration
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Visit the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF Examination Portal.
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Register with a unique email ID and mobile number.
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Fill in the necessary details:
- Personal Information
- Contact Details
- Academic Qualifications
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Upload scanned copies of required documents:
- Passport-size Photograph
- Signature
- Thumb Impression
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Pay the application fee.
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Submit the application and note the system-generated application number.
Application Correction
- After submission, the National Testing Agency (NTA) provides a correction window for applicants to edit mistakes.
- No further changes are allowed after the correction window closes.
Offline Submission
- After completing the online application, candidates must send a hard copy of their application along with the proof of fee payment to the Controller of Examinations (Agricultural Education), ICAR by post.
Documents Required
- Candidate’s Photograph (Recent passport-size photo)
- Candidate’s Signature
- Thumb Impression (Left thumb for males, Right thumb for females)
- Government Identity Proof:
- Aadhaar Number
- Election Card (EPIC)
- Passport
- Ration Card
- PAN Card
- Bank Account Details
- Three identical copies of the passport-size photograph with name and date.
- Proof of Application Fee Payment.
- Post-office receipt as postal dispatch proof of application.
- Communication Address, Mobile Number, and Email ID.
- Bank Account Details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the different modes to apply for ICAR JRF?
Candidates can apply online through the ICAR examination portal and submit a hard copy of the application by post.
Q: Can I submit two application forms for two courses at a time?
No, candidates can only apply for one discipline at a time.
Q: What documents or certificates do I need to upload along with the application form?
Candidates must upload photograph, signature, thumb impression, and valid government ID proof.
Q: How can I pay the application fee?
Payment can be made online via debit card, credit card, or net banking.
Q: Can I make corrections in the application after submission?
Yes, NTA provides a correction window, but no further changes can be made once it closes.
Q: How will I get my admit card?
Admit cards will be available for download from the ICAR official website.
Q: If I do not receive my admit card, whom should I contact?
Candidates can contact the NTA Helpdesk through email or phone for assistance.