ICAR AIQ counselling 2026-27 has officially been scheduled to begin from 29 September 2026 (Tuesday) for admission to Postgraduate (PG) programmes (excluding Veterinary stream) and Doctoral (PhD) programmes across all streams, including Veterinary — as confirmed by ICAR’s Agricultural Education Division via public notice dated 25 September 2026. This guide is for agriculture graduates and postgraduates holding valid ICAR AIEEA PG or AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 rank cards who are now ready to participate in the ICAR All India Quota counselling process for Academic Year 2026-27.
This article covers the official start date, eligibility, documents required, seat matrix overview, step-by-step counselling process, scholarship details, and a complete FAQ for ICAR PG and PhD counselling 2026-27.
ICAR AIQ counselling 2026-27 starts from 29 September 2026 for PG (excluding Veterinary) and PhD (all streams including Veterinary) programmes against All India Quota seats at 74+ agricultural universities across India. Candidates must keep original documents, testimonials, and certificates ready as per the official public notice issued by ICAR Agricultural Education Division on 25.09.2026.
- Conducting Body: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi
- Counselling Start Date: 29 September 2026 (Tuesday)
- Programmes Covered: PG (M.Sc.) — excluding Veterinary; PhD — all streams including Veterinary
- Quota Type: All India Quota (AIQ) seats
- Academic Year: 2026-27
- Exam Conducted By: National Testing Agency (NTA) — exam held 4 July 2026
- Result Declared: 29–30 August 2026 at exams.nta.nic.in/icar
- Total Candidates Appeared: 38,720 (out of 42,110 registered)
- Counselling Portal: icarcounseling.com
- Official Notice Date: 25 September 2026 (F.No. Agril. Edn./1-17/2026-Exam Cell)
- Seat Acceptance Fee: Rs.10,000 (online payment)
- Counselling Registration Fee: Rs.500 (non-refundable)
📋 Table of Contents
- What is ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026-27?
- Who Should Participate in ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026?
- Important Dates & Schedule
- Eligibility Criteria for ICAR PG and PhD Counselling
- ICAR AIQ Seat Matrix 2026 – PG & PhD
- Documents Required for ICAR Counselling 2026-27
- How to Register for ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026 – Step-by-Step
- ICAR JRF & PG Scholarship Details 2026
- ICAR PG vs PhD Counselling – Key Differences
- Pros and Cons of ICAR AIQ Seat Through Counselling
- Important Terms Related to ICAR Counselling
- Important Links
- Conclusion
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026-27?
ICAR AIQ counselling is the centralised, online seat-allotment process conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to fill All India Quota (AIQ) seats in Postgraduate (M.Sc.) and Doctoral (PhD) programmes across 74+ agricultural universities in India for Academic Year 2026-27.
ICAR conducts two national entrance exams every year — AIEEA-PG (for M.Sc. admissions) and AICE-JRF/SRF (for PhD admissions) — through the National Testing Agency (NTA). Both exams were held on 4 July 2026, and results were declared on 29–30 August 2026 at the official NTA portal. Candidates who have a valid rank card are now eligible to participate in the AIQ counselling process starting 29 September 2026.
The AIQ seats represent 30% of total seats at State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and 100% of seats at ICAR’s own premier institutions — including IARI New Delhi, ICAR-NDRI Karnal, IVRI Bareilly, RLBCAU Jhansi, CIFE Mumbai, and Dr. RPCAU Pusa. This makes the ICAR counselling process the single most important gateway for admission to India’s top agricultural research universities.
Who Should Participate in ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026?
- 🎓 B.Sc. Agriculture (4-year) graduates with 60% or above (General/OBC) who appeared in AIEEA-PG 2026 and have a valid rank card
- 🔬 M.Sc. Agriculture / Allied Sciences graduates who appeared in AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 and wish to pursue doctoral research at a premier agricultural university
- 🐄 Veterinary graduates (B.V.Sc.) who qualified in AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 — PhD (Veterinary stream) is covered under AIQ counselling
- 📊 SC/ST/PwBD candidates with 50% in B.Sc. Agriculture (4-year) who qualified AIEEA-PG 2026
- 🌾 Out-service candidates (working professionals in agriculture sector) who registered and qualified for ICAR PG National Talent Scholarship consideration
- 🏛️ Candidates seeking IARI, NDRI, or IVRI admission — 100% of PG/PhD seats at these premier institutions are filled exclusively through ICAR AIQ counselling
- 📋 Final-year B.Sc. Agriculture students who applied provisionally and have now completed their degree with required marks
- 🎯 JRF/SRF fellowship aspirants who want to pursue PhD with a monthly stipend of Rs.37,000–Rs.42,000 from ICAR
Important Dates & Schedule – ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026-27
The official public notice issued by ICAR’s Agricultural Education Division (F.No. Agril. Edn./1-17/2026-Exam Cell, dated 25.09.2026) confirms counselling begins 29 September 2026. Specific round-wise dates will be published on icarcounseling.com.
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| AIEEA-PG & AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) Exam | 4 July 2026 |
| ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Result Declared | 29–30 August 2026 (NTA) |
| ICAR Official Public Notice for Counselling | 25 September 2026 |
| AIQ Counselling Starts (PG & PhD) | 29 September 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Counselling Registration & Choice Filling | As per icarcounseling.com schedule |
| Seat Allotment Round 1 | To be notified on icarcounseling.com |
| Document Verification (Online) | After each seat allotment round |
| Seat Acceptance Fee Payment | Rs.10,000 (within stipulated date) |
| Physical Reporting at Allotted University | As per university schedule |
The ICAR public notice explicitly states: “All may kindly note and keep their documents, testimonials, certificates, etc. ready for the purpose.” Do not wait for the counselling portal to open — prepare your document set today. Download the official notification from: Agrijob.in Telegram Channel
Eligibility Criteria for ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026
To participate in ICAR AIQ counselling 2026-27, candidates must fulfil the following eligibility conditions set by ICAR and NTA.
For PG (M.Sc.) Counselling — AIEEA-PG 2026
- Must hold a 4-year / 5-year / 6-year Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Allied Sciences from a recognised university
- Minimum marks: 60% aggregate for General/OBC/EWS candidates; 50% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates
- Must have a valid AIEEA-PG 2026 rank card (non-zero score mandatory)
- Candidates with zero or negative marks are barred from counselling
- 3-year B.Sc. degree holders are generally not eligible, with exceptions at IARI and NDRI
- Minimum age: 19 years as on 31 August 2026
- Final-year students may apply provisionally — degree completion required before physical reporting
For PhD Counselling — AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026
- Must hold an M.Sc. / M.V.Sc. / M.Tech degree in Agriculture or Allied Sciences
- Valid AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 rank card from NTA required
- Veterinary stream candidates: PhD counselling is included under AIQ (PG Veterinary excluded)
- Cut-off: General/OBC candidates — 60%; SC/ST/PwBD — 50% at the Master’s level
- JRF holders get fellowship of Rs.37,000/month; SRF holders get Rs.42,000/month
| Category | Min. Marks for PG Eligibility | Application Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 60% in B.Sc. Agriculture (4-yr) | Rs.1,300 |
| OBC-NCL / EWS / UPS | 60% in B.Sc. Agriculture (4-yr) | Rs.1,255 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | 50% in B.Sc. Agriculture (4-yr) | Rs.675 |
ICAR AIQ Seat Matrix 2026 – PG & PhD Overview
The ICAR AIQ seat matrix for 2026-27 covers 81 sub-disciplines across 74 Agricultural Universities under the ICAR-AU system. Here is the broad distribution of available seats based on previous years and ICAR’s published data:
| Programme | Approximate AIQ Seats | Universities Covered |
|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. (PG) — ICAR Deemed Universities | 100% seats (IARI, NDRI, IVRI, CIFE, RLBCAU, Dr. RPCAU) | 6 premier ICAR institutions |
| M.Sc. (PG) — State Agricultural Universities | 30% of total seats (~3,489+ seats) | 68+ SAUs/CAUs |
| PhD (All Streams incl. Veterinary) | ~2,278+ seats (as per 2025-26 data) | 74 AUs including IVRI |
| Total PG + PhD AIQ Seats (Approx.) | 5,700+ seats | 74+ Agricultural Universities |
The final, subject-wise seat matrix will be displayed on the official ICAR counselling portal at icarcounseling.com at the time counselling opens.
Documents Required for ICAR Counselling 2026-27
ICAR’s own public notice (dated 25 September 2026) specifically asks candidates to keep all “documents, testimonials, certificates, etc. ready.” Keep clear scanned copies for online verification and originals for physical reporting at the allotted university.
- ✅ ICAR AIEEA PG / AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 Rank Card — downloaded from exams.nta.nic.in/icar
- ✅ Admit Card of ICAR AIEEA PG or AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 exam
- ✅ Class 10th (Matriculation) Certificate & Marksheet
- ✅ Class 12th (Intermediate) Certificate & Marksheet
- ✅ All B.Sc. / M.Sc. Semester / Year Marksheets from Class 10th onwards
- ✅ Degree / Provisional Degree Certificate (B.Sc. Agriculture or M.Sc. Agriculture)
- ✅ Aadhaar Card (mandatory identity proof)
- ✅ 3 Recent Passport-Size Photographs
- ✅ Transfer Certificate (TC) / Migration Certificate
- ✅ Character Certificate from last attended institution
- ✅ Domicile Certificate (state-specific, if applicable)
- ✅ Category Certificate — OBC-NCL / SC / ST / EWS / PwBD (if applicable, must be valid for 2026)
- ✅ Gap Certificate (if there is a year gap after qualifying degree)
Prepare self-attested photocopies of all documents in advance. The ICAR counselling is fully online for the document verification phase — upload clear, high-resolution scans (minimum 200 DPI). Keep originals safe for physical reporting at your allotted Agricultural University after seat allotment. OBC-NCL certificates must be issued after 1 April 2026 to be valid for 2026-27 admission.
How to Register for ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026 – Step-by-Step
The entire ICAR AIQ counselling process is conducted online through the official portal at icarcounseling.com. Follow these steps once the registration window opens:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to icarcounseling.com — the ICAR-designated counselling website for all PG and PhD seat allotments.
- Register / Login: Use your ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 or AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 rank card credentials (Application Number + Date of Birth) to log in to the counselling portal.
- Pay Counselling Registration Fee: Pay the one-time, non-refundable counselling registration fee of Rs.500 online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of all required documents listed above. Ensure files are clear, properly oriented, and within the specified file size limits.
- Fill Course & University Preferences (Choice Filling): Select your preferred Agricultural Universities, ICAR Deemed Universities, and eligible subjects/disciplines in order of preference. Include all choices you are genuinely willing to accept.
- Lock Your Choices: Review your preference list carefully and lock choices before the deadline. Once locked, changes are not permitted within that round.
- Check Seat Allotment Result: Log in after each allotment round to check if a seat has been allotted. ICAR typically conducts 4 rounds + 1 mop-up round.
- Pay Seat Acceptance Fee: If a seat is allotted and you wish to accept it, pay the Seat Acceptance Fee of Rs.10,000 online within the prescribed time window.
- Download Provisional Seat Allotment Letter: Download and print your allotment letter after successful fee payment and document verification.
- Report to Allotted University: Appear at the allotted Agricultural University on the reporting date with all original documents for final admission and physical verification.
ICAR JRF & PG Scholarship Details 2026
One of the biggest financial advantages of securing admission through ICAR AIQ counselling is access to ICAR’s prestigious scholarship and fellowship programmes. Both are disbursed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
| Scholarship Type | Programme | Monthly Stipend | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICAR PG National Talent Scholarship (NTS) | M.Sc. (PG) | Rs.12,640/month (approx.) | Merit in AIEEA-PG 2026, above scholarship cutoff (~70–75 percentile in popular subjects) |
| ICAR JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) | PhD | Rs.37,000/month | AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 qualified, JRF rank |
| ICAR SRF (Senior Research Fellowship) | PhD (after 2 yrs) | Rs.42,000/month | Upgraded from JRF after completion of 2 years + satisfactory research progress |
Completing M.Sc. at a premier ICAR agricultural university opens high-value career paths: ICAR ARS Scientist (pay scale Rs.56,100–Rs.1,77,500/month), Assistant Professor at State Agricultural Universities (Rs.57,700+/month), and agritech R&D roles at companies like Bayer, Syngenta, and UPL.
ICAR PG vs PhD Counselling 2026 – Key Differences
| Criteria | ICAR PG (M.Sc.) Counselling | ICAR PhD Counselling |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance Exam | AIEEA-PG 2026 (NTA) | AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 (NTA) |
| Veterinary Stream Included? | ❌ No — Veterinary PG excluded from AIQ | ✅ Yes — All streams including Veterinary |
| Total AIQ Seats (Approx.) | 3,489+ PG seats | 2,278+ PhD seats |
| Minimum Qualification | 4-year B.Sc. Agriculture (60% General) | M.Sc. Agriculture or equivalent |
| Financial Support | ICAR NTS Scholarship (~Rs.12,640/month) | JRF Rs.37,000 / SRF Rs.42,000/month |
| Programme Duration | 2 years (M.Sc.) | 3–5 years (PhD) |
| Career Outcome | Research, teaching, agritech roles | Scientist, Professor, Senior Researcher |
| Best For | B.Sc. Agriculture graduates seeking specialisation | M.Sc. graduates targeting research careers |
For candidates aiming at a research career in agriculture, the ICAR PhD (AIQ) route is more financially rewarding with JRF/SRF fellowships of Rs.37,000–42,000/month — significantly higher than PG scholarships. However, for those still at the B.Sc. level, ICAR PG counselling is the essential first step to accessing India’s top agricultural universities like IARI, NDRI, and IVRI. Both pathways are merit-based and nationally competitive.
Pros and Cons of ICAR AIQ Seat Through Counselling
Advantages
- ✅ Access to Premier Institutions: 100% seats at IARI, NDRI, IVRI, CIFE, RLBCAU, and Dr. RPCAU are filled through ICAR AIQ — the only route to these institutes
- ✅ Financial Support: ICAR scholarships (PG-NTS) and JRF/SRF fellowships reduce financial burden significantly
- ✅ Fully Online Process: No need to physically travel for document verification — saves time and cost
- ✅ Multiple Rounds: 4 rounds + mop-up round gives candidates multiple chances for seat allotment
- ✅ Wide University Choice: Access to 74+ agricultural universities across India in a single counselling process
- ✅ Transparent Meritocracy: Seat allotment strictly based on ICAR entrance rank — no bias or state-level restrictions
Disadvantages
- ❌ High Competition: 38,720 candidates appeared in 2026 for a limited number of AIQ seats — cutoffs are steep at premier institutions
- ❌ Veterinary PG Excluded: Candidates seeking PG (M.V.Sc.) admission must look for separate state-level counselling processes
- ❌ Choice-Based Risk: Wrong preference order can result in a less preferred university despite a good rank
- ❌ Seat Acceptance Fee Non-Refundable: Rs.10,000 seat acceptance fee may be forfeited if the candidate later withdraws
Important Terms Related to ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026
Understanding these key terms will help you navigate the ICAR counselling portal and process more effectively:
- AIQ (All India Quota): Reserved share of PG/PhD seats (30% at SAUs, 100% at ICAR Deemed Universities) filled through ICAR’s centralised counselling based on national entrance rank
- AIEEA-PG: All India Entrance Examination for Admission (Post-Graduate) — the M.Sc. Agriculture entrance test conducted by NTA on behalf of ICAR
- AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD): All India Competitive Examination for Junior/Senior Research Fellowship (PhD) — the doctoral admission-cum-fellowship exam by NTA/ICAR
- icarcounseling.com: The official ICAR counselling portal where registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and document upload are conducted
- Seat Matrix: The official list showing the number of AIQ seats available subject-wise, category-wise, and university-wise — released before counselling opens
- Choice Filling: The process of selecting preferred universities and subjects in order of priority during ICAR counselling registration window
- Seat Acceptance Fee: A mandatory fee of Rs.10,000 paid online after seat allotment to confirm acceptance — partially or fully refundable as per ICAR policy
- Mop-Up Round: A final counselling round conducted after all regular rounds are over, to fill any remaining vacant AIQ seats
- ICAR-PG NTS (National Talent Scholarship): ICAR’s financial scholarship for meritorious M.Sc. Agriculture students admitted through AIQ counselling
- Physical Reporting: The final step where selected candidates personally report to the allotted Agricultural University with original documents to complete the admission process
Important Links – ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026-27
| Link Name | URL |
|---|---|
| 📥 Download Official ICAR Notice (25.09.2026) | Download via Agrijob.in Telegram |
| 🌐 ICAR Official Portal | icar.org.in |
| 📋 ICAR Counselling Portal | icarcounseling.com |
| 📊 NTA ICAR Result & Rank Card | exams.nta.nic.in/icar |
| 📖 ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Complete Guide | ICAR JRF 2026 Guide – Agrijob.in |
| 📱 Agrijob.in Telegram Channel | t.me/agrijob_in |
Conclusion – ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026-27
ICAR AIQ counselling 2026-27 begins on 29 September 2026 and is the most critical step for agriculture graduates and postgraduates to secure admission at India’s top agricultural universities, including IARI, NDRI, IVRI, and 70+ SAUs. With over 5,700 combined PG and PhD seats available under the All India Quota, and ICAR JRF/SRF fellowships of up to Rs.42,000/month for PhD scholars, this is a high-value opportunity that demands immediate preparation.
Keep all your documents ready now — as directed in the official ICAR notice — and monitor icarcounseling.com daily for registration dates, seat matrix, and choice-filling schedule. Bookmark this page — we update it every time official data is released on the ICAR portal.
- ICAR AIQ counselling 2026-27 officially starts from 29 September 2026 as confirmed by ICAR public notice dated 25.09.2026
- PG (M.Sc.) counselling covers all streams except Veterinary; PhD counselling includes all streams including Veterinary
- Over 5,700 AIQ seats are available across 74+ agricultural universities, including 100% seats at IARI, NDRI, IVRI, RLBCAU, CIFE, and Dr. RPCAU
- ICAR PhD scholars receive JRF fellowship of Rs.37,000/month, upgraded to SRF at Rs.42,000/month after 2 years
- All candidates must keep original documents and testimonials ready immediately — do not wait for portal registration to begin document preparation
- Register on icarcounseling.com and download the official notice from the Agrijob.in Telegram channel
Frequently Asked Questions About ICAR AIQ Counselling 2026
When does ICAR AIQ counselling 2026-27 start?
ICAR AIQ counselling 2026-27 is officially scheduled to start from 29 September 2026 (Tuesday), as per the public notice issued by ICAR’s Agricultural Education Division (F.No. Agril. Edn./1-17/2026-Exam Cell) on 25 September 2026. The exact round-wise schedule and registration window will be published on the official ICAR counselling portal at icarcounseling.com.
Is Veterinary PG included in ICAR AIQ counselling 2026?
No. As per the official ICAR public notice, Veterinary stream is excluded from PG (M.Sc.) counselling. However, PhD programmes in Veterinary stream ARE included in the AIQ counselling 2026-27. Candidates seeking M.V.Sc. admission must apply through the respective state or university-level admission processes.
What documents do I need for ICAR counselling 2026?
You need your ICAR 2026 rank card, admit card, all marksheets from Class 10th onwards, degree/provisional degree certificate, Aadhaar card, passport-size photographs, transfer certificate, character certificate, domicile certificate, and category certificate (if applicable). ICAR’s own public notice of 25 September 2026 specifically asks all candidates to keep “documents, testimonials, certificates, etc. ready” before counselling begins.
How many AIQ seats are available in ICAR PG and PhD counselling 2026-27?
Approximately 3,489+ PG seats and 2,278+ PhD seats are available under the ICAR All India Quota for 2026-27, totalling over 5,700 seats across 74+ agricultural universities. The exact subject-wise and university-wise seat matrix will be displayed on icarcounseling.com when the portal opens for registration.
What is the counselling registration fee for ICAR AIQ 2026?
The ICAR counselling registration fee is Rs.500 (non-refundable), payable online. Additionally, candidates who accept a seat must pay a Seat Acceptance Fee of Rs.10,000 after allotment to confirm their admission. This fee may be partially refundable if the candidate withdraws within the specified window — check the counselling brochure on icarcounseling.com for the latest refund policy.
What is ICAR JRF stipend for PhD scholars in 2026?
ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) scholars admitted through AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 receive a monthly stipend of Rs.37,000/month. After completing 2 years of PhD research with satisfactory progress, the fellowship is upgraded to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) at Rs.42,000/month. Both fellowships are disbursed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Which universities offer 100% seats through ICAR AIQ counselling?
All PG and PhD seats at ICAR’s premier deemed universities are filled exclusively through AIQ counselling — this includes IARI New Delhi, ICAR-NDRI Karnal, IVRI Bareilly, CIFE Mumbai, RLBCAU Jhansi, and Dr. RPCAU Pusa, Bihar. There is no separate state quota or direct admission at these institutions. For State Agricultural Universities, 30% of seats are under AIQ.
Can I participate in ICAR counselling if I have a 3-year B.Sc. Agriculture degree?
Generally, 3-year B.Sc. degree holders are not eligible for ICAR PG AIQ counselling. The standard requirement is a 4-year / 5-year / 6-year B.Sc. Agriculture or Allied Sciences degree. However, limited exceptions exist at IARI, New Delhi, and ICAR-NDRI, Karnal — check the specific university’s eligibility norms in the ICAR counselling brochure 2026-27 available on icarcounseling.com.
How many rounds of ICAR AIQ counselling are conducted?
ICAR typically conducts 4 regular rounds of seat allotment followed by 1 mop-up round to fill any remaining vacant AIQ seats. Candidates who are not allotted a seat in earlier rounds automatically remain in the pool for subsequent rounds, provided they have locked valid choices. The complete round-wise schedule is published on icarcounseling.com after the counselling opens on 29 September 2026.
Where can I download the official ICAR AIQ counselling 2026 notice?
The official public notice for ICAR AIQ counselling 2026-27 (dated 25 September 2026, F.No. Agril. Edn./1-17/2026-Exam Cell) is available for download on the Agrijob.in Telegram channel. You can also visit the official ICAR website at icar.org.in and the counselling portal at icarcounseling.com for all official communications and updates.
Last Updated: September 2026 | Source: ICAR Agricultural Education Division Public Notice dated 25.09.2026 | This guide is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy. Bookmark this page for the latest ICAR counselling information.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. All data is sourced from official ICAR/NTA notifications. Candidates must verify all dates, fees, eligibility, and seat details on the official ICAR portal (icar.org.in) and counselling portal (icarcounseling.com) before taking any action. Agrijob.in is not affiliated with ICAR or NTA.
