The India-Afghanistan Fellowship program, initiated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Ministry of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. fellowships in agriculture and allied sciences to students from Afghanistan. The fellowship aims to attract meritorious Afghan students to pursue higher education in agriculture, agricultural engineering, home science, dairy, and animal husbandry at Indian Agricultural Universities (AUs) under the ICAR-AU system. The fellowship provides a comprehensive package, including financial assistance, research grants, and other support.
Benefits:
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Fellowship Amount:
- Bachelor’s Degree: ₹12,000/month for 4 years
- Master’s Degree: ₹12,000/month for 2 years
- Ph.D. Degree: ₹15,000/month for 3 years
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Research Grant:
- M.Sc. Students: ₹6,000/year
- Ph.D. Students: ₹10,000/year
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Additional Benefits:
- Group Insurance (Under consideration for all fellows)
- Bench Fee: Annual fee of $2,000 as per SAARC norms to be paid to the respective Indian Agricultural Universities
- Kit: ₹15,000 per annum for all fellows
- Tuition Fees and Hostel Fees: As per University norms
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Special Notes:
- No provision for changing the University once admission is granted.
- If a candidate violates the admission rules (i.e., changing universities), the fellowship will be canceled.
Eligibility:
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Bachelor’s Degree:
- Completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics.
- Applies to B.Sc. in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, and B.Tech./Biotechnology.
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Master’s Degree:
- A four-year Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or a related subject.
- For M.V.Sc., candidates must have completed their internship under a 5-year degree program.
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Doctoral Program (Ph.D.):
- A Master’s degree in the respective or related subject.
- Minimum OGPA of 6.50/10 or equivalent percentage at the Master’s level.
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Other Criteria:
- Candidates must meet the Means Test and have a maximum family income of ₹1,00,000 per year.
- Knowledge of English is mandatory for all programs.
- Mandatory Attendance: Fellows must maintain the required attendance in their respective universities.
Application Process:
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Step 1: Afghan candidates should explore Indian Agricultural Universities (AUs) through the ICAR website and the respective University websites for program details, admission requirements, and courses offered.
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Step 2: Applicants must apply to the Afghanistan Government for sponsorship.
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Step 3: After scrutiny, the Afghanistan Ministry forwards the applications to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Govt. of India, via the Afghan Embassy.
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Step 4: The MEA forwards the applications to DARE, which then sends the applications to the Education Division, ICAR, for eligibility review and recommendations for admission.
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Step 5: The University communicates the final selection, accompanied by a recommendation letter from ICAR/DARE.
Documents Required:
- Proof of Identity (Aadhaar Card)
- Proof of Previous Academic Qualifications
- Aadhar Number
- Income Certificate (issued by the State/UT Authority)
- Bank Account Details (in the name of the student or joint account with parent)
- Proof of Admission (into an ICAR recognized Agricultural University)
- Photographs (passport-sized)
- Original documents must be submitted during admission and will be returned after course completion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- What is the India-Afghanistan Fellowship program?
A fellowship that allows Afghan students to pursue agricultural studies in India at ICAR-recognized institutions. - What are the eligibility criteria for the Bachelor’s program?
Candidates must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics. - What is the fellowship amount for the Master’s and Ph.D. programs?
₹12,000/month for Master’s and ₹15,000/month for Ph.D. students. - Can I change universities once selected?
No, once admitted to a university, you cannot change your institution. Violating this rule will result in the termination of the fellowship. - Do I need to submit original documents during admission?
Yes, you must submit the originals for verification at the time of admission, which will be returned later. - What happens if I fail to meet the attendance requirement?
Your fellowship may be canceled if you fail to meet the required attendance.