The ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 is India’s most sought-after research fellowship for agriculture graduates — offering Rs.31,000 per month for 2 years (JRF phase) and Rs.35,000 per month in the 3rd year (SRF phase) to PhD researchers across 72 agricultural and allied science subjects. Conducted by NTA on behalf of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), this national-level competitive examination opens doors to doctoral study at top Agricultural Universities including IARI New Delhi, NDRI Karnal, IVRI Bareilly, and CIFE Mumbai. This complete guide covers everything: fellowship amount, eligibility criteria, exam date, application process, exam pattern, selection procedure, subject list, comparison with UGC NET JRF, and who should apply in 2026.
- What is ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026?
- ICAR JRF Fellowship Amount – Rs.31,000/Month Breakdown
- ICAR JRF 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- ICAR JRF 2026 Important Dates & Exam Schedule
- How to Apply for ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 – Step by Step
- ICAR JRF/SRF PhD 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
- Selection Process – From Exam to Fellowship Award
- Who Should Apply for ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026?
- ICAR JRF vs UGC NET JRF – Full Comparison 2026
- High-Value Agriculture Research Fellowship Terms to Know
- Frequently Asked Questions – ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026
What is ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026? Complete Overview
The ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 — formally called the ICAR All India Competitive Examination for Junior Research Fellowship / Senior Research Fellowship (PhD), or ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) — is a government-funded research fellowship programme administered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India.
The examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) across 89 cities nationwide in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. It serves 2 simultaneous purposes: (1) granting admission to doctoral (PhD) degree programmes at Agricultural Universities (AUs) across India, and (2) awarding the prestigious ICAR JRF/SRF fellowship — a monthly stipend of ₹31,000 rising to ₹35,000 — to top-ranked qualifiers. Candidates who clear the AICE-JRF/SRF exam and secure admission through ICAR counselling get 30% of total PhD seats at state AUs and 100% of seats at 4 ICAR Deemed Universities: IARI Pusa (New Delhi), NDRI Karnal, IVRI Bareilly, and CIFE Mumbai.
In 2026, approximately 27,000+ candidates are expected to register for the exam across 72 subjects spanning Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Veterinary Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering, Fisheries, Dairy Science, and Community Science. The scholarship duration is 3 years total — 2 years as JRF (Rs.31,000/month) and 1 year as SRF (Rs.35,000/month) — provided the candidate maintains satisfactory research progress as certified by the guide and university.
ICAR JRF Fellowship Amount 2026 – Rs.31,000/Month Breakdown
The ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 offers one of the most comprehensive financial support packages for PhD-level agriculture researchers in India. Here is the complete fellowship structure with annual earning calculations:
| Fellowship Name | ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of ICAR |
| JRF Stipend (Years 1–2) | Rs.31,000 per month |
| SRF Stipend (Year 3) | Rs.35,000 per month |
| Contingency Grant | Rs.10,000 per year (all 3 years) |
| Total Fellowship Duration | 3 years (2 JRF + 1 SRF) |
| Exam Date 2026 | July 4, 2026 (CBT mode) |
| Application Deadline | June 10, 2026 (extended) |
| Admit Card Release | June 27, 2026 |
| Exam Cities | 89 cities across India |
| Official Portal | exams.nta.ac.in/ICAR/ |
| Fellowship Phase | Year | Monthly Stipend | Annual Stipend | Contingency Grant/Year | Total Annual Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JRF (Junior Research Fellow) | Year 1 | ₹31,000 | ₹3,72,000 | ₹10,000 | ₹3,82,000 |
| JRF (Junior Research Fellow) | Year 2 | ₹31,000 | ₹3,72,000 | ₹10,000 | ₹3,82,000 |
| SRF (Senior Research Fellow) | Year 3 | ₹35,000 | ₹4,20,000 | ₹10,000 | ₹4,30,000 |
| Total 3-Year Fellowship | – | – | ₹11,64,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹11,94,000 |
Over the full 3-year fellowship period, an ICAR JRF awardee receives a total of ₹11,94,000 in financial support — covering living expenses, research consumables, books, travel, and academic participation. It is important to note that the contingency grant of Rs.10,000 per year is uniformly provided to all ICAR JRF/SRF awardees, including in-service candidates. The fellowship is awarded only after the candidate seeks admission through the ICAR counselling process conducted by ICAR after declaration of results — not directly at the time of exam qualification.
By comparison, the ICAR PG Scholarship (for Master’s degree, formerly known as JRF at PG level) provides Rs.12,640 per month with a Rs.6,000/year contingency grant for 2 years — significantly lower than the PhD-level JRF fellowship. The PG scholarship is awarded through a separate exam, the ICAR AIEEA (PG), also held on July 4, 2026.
ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 – Full Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet all eligibility conditions — educational qualification, minimum marks, and age criteria — before submitting the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 application. Here is the complete eligibility framework:
| Eligibility Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Master’s degree in a relevant Agriculture/Allied Science subject from a UGC-recognised university |
| Minimum Marks – General/OBC/EWS | 60% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in Master’s degree |
| Minimum Marks – SC/ST/PwBD | 55% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in Master’s degree |
| Final Year Candidates | Eligible to apply; must produce final marksheet at counselling |
| Nationality | Indian nationals only |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit specified for AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) |
| Number of Attempts | No restriction on number of attempts |
| In-Service Candidates | Eligible; contingency grant applicable to all including in-service awardees |
| State Domicile Restriction | Not more than 40% candidates from any 1 state admitted in any AU/subject/category |
| Reservation Policy | SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD reservations as per Govt. of India norms; 2% seats for PwBD per stream |
Eligible subjects for the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) exam span across Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Veterinary Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering, Community Science (formerly Home Science), Fisheries Science, Dairy Science, and allied disciplines. Candidates must choose their subject at the time of application based on their Master’s degree specialisation — the exam paper is subject-specific across 72 subjects in total.
The application fee for ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 is as follows (candidates must verify the current fee on the official NTA portal as fees may be updated):
| Category | Application Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs.1,000 |
| SC / ST | Rs.500 |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | Rs.500 |
| Payment Mode | Debit card, credit card, Net Banking, UPI/Paytm |
ICAR JRF 2026 Important Dates & Exam Schedule
The 2026 ICAR examination cycle for both AIEEA (PG) and AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) is being conducted simultaneously by NTA. Here are all critical dates for the ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026:
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Application Form Released | May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (Extended) | June 10, 2026 (9:00 PM) |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | June 10, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | June 9–10, 2026 |
| Admit Card / Hall Ticket Release | June 27, 2026 |
| Exam Date (AICE-JRF/SRF PhD) | July 4, 2026 |
| Exam Date (AIEEA PG) | July 4, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | To be announced by NTA |
| ICAR Counselling Schedule | To be notified by ICAR after result |
| Fellowship Award | After counselling and university registration |
All candidates must regularly check the official NTA ICAR portal at exams.nta.ac.in/ICAR/ for the latest notifications, admit card links, and result announcements. The NTA Help Desk for ICAR exam queries can be reached at +91-11-40759000 or [email protected].
How to Apply for ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 – Step-by-Step Process
The ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 application is entirely online through the NTA portal. Follow these 10 steps carefully to complete your registration without errors:
- 🌐 Visit the Official Portal: Go to exams.nta.ac.in/ICAR/ — the official NTA examination portal for ICAR admissions. Do not use any third-party link or coaching institute portal to apply.
- 🆕 New Registration: Click on “New Registration” and create your account by entering your full name, valid email ID, and active mobile number. An OTP will be sent for verification. Note your Application Number and password carefully — these are your login credentials for all future steps.
- 🔐 Login to Dashboard: Log in using the Application Number and password received during registration. The dashboard shows your application status and provides links to each step of the form.
- 🖊️ Fill the Application Form: Enter all personal details (name, date of birth, gender, category, nationality), contact details, and academic qualifications carefully. Select your ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) subject from the list of 72 subjects. Ensure your chosen subject matches your Master’s degree specialisation — mismatches lead to disqualification at counselling.
- 📂 Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph (JPG format, 10–200 KB), signature (JPG format, 4–30 KB), left-hand thumb impression (JPG, 10–50 KB), and any other documents as specified in the information bulletin. Ensure images are clear and within size limits to avoid rejection.
- 🏙️ Choose Exam City Preference: Select up to 4 exam city preferences from 89 available cities across India. NTA will allot a centre based on availability in your preferred cities. The Advanced Exam City Intimation Slip will be released before the admit card.
- 💳 Pay Application Fee: Complete the payment of the applicable application fee (General/OBC/EWS: Rs.1,000; SC/ST/PwBD: Rs.500) through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI/Paytm. Keep the payment confirmation receipt safely.
- ✅ Submit & Print Confirmation: Review all entered information carefully before final submission. Once submitted, a confirmation page with Application Number is generated — download and print it. If no confirmation page appears, the application was not submitted successfully and must be refiled.
- 📥 Download Admit Card: Visit the NTA ICAR portal on June 27, 2026, to download your Admit Card / Hall Ticket. The admit card contains your exam date, shift, venue address, and reporting time. Carry a printed copy to the exam centre along with a valid photo ID.
- 📊 Appear for Exam & Check Result: Appear for the CBT exam on July 4, 2026. After result declaration, eligible candidates will be invited for ICAR counselling. The fellowship is officially awarded only after counselling, seat allotment, and registration at the respective Agricultural University.
ICAR JRF/SRF PhD 2026 – Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Understanding the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 exam pattern is essential for strategic preparation. The exam is subject-specific — each of the 72 subjects has its own question paper based on the ICAR-prescribed PhD-level syllabus for that specialisation.
| Exam Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) — LAN-Based |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Questions | 120 questions |
| Total Marks | 480 marks |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +4 marks |
| Negative Marking | –1 mark per wrong answer |
| Unattempted Questions | No penalty (0 marks) |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Medium of Exam | English only |
| Number of Subjects | 72 subjects across core groups |
| Syllabus Basis | ICAR-prescribed PhD-level syllabus (available at ICAR website) |
The major subject core groups covered in ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 include:
- 🌾 Crop Sciences: Agronomy, Plant Breeding & Genetics, Seed Science, Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Plant Physiology
- 🌿 Horticulture Sciences: Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, Floriculture & Landscape, Plantation Crops & Spices, Post-Harvest Technology
- 🐛 Plant Protection: Entomology, Plant Pathology, Nematology, Agricultural Chemicals
- 🌲 Forestry & Natural Resources: Forestry, Environmental Sciences, Water Management
- 🐄 Veterinary & Animal Sciences: Veterinary Anatomy, Animal Nutrition, Animal Genetics & Breeding, Poultry Science
- 🐟 Fisheries Science: Aquaculture, Fish Processing Technology, Fisheries Resource Management
- 🥛 Dairy Science: Dairy Chemistry, Dairy Technology, Dairy Microbiology
- ⚙️ Agricultural Engineering: Farm Machinery & Power, Soil & Water Conservation, Post-Harvest Engineering
- 💰 Agricultural Economics & Extension: Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Statistics
- 👩🍳 Community Science: Human Development, Food & Nutrition, Fabric & Apparel
The detailed subject-wise syllabus PDF for each of the 72 subjects is available for free download at the ICAR official website (icar.org.in). Previous year question papers for ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF are also available on the NTA portal and agriculture coaching platforms for exam preparation. Tie-breaking between equal-scoring candidates is resolved by: (1) fewer incorrect answers, then (2) older age, then (3) higher percentage in qualifying Master’s degree.
ICAR JRF 2026 – Complete Selection Process
The ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 selection process involves 4 clearly defined stages from application to fellowship award. Here is the complete roadmap:
- 📝 Online Application & Fee Payment: Candidates apply through the NTA ICAR portal by June 10, 2026. Only valid, fee-paid applications with all documents correctly uploaded are considered for examination.
- 🖥️ Computer-Based Test (CBT): All eligible applicants appear for the subject-specific CBT on July 4, 2026, across 89 exam cities. The exam is 120 MCQs of 480 marks in 120 minutes with negative marking. Admit cards are released on June 27, 2026.
- 📊 Merit List & Rank Declaration: NTA declares the result and subject-wise merit list (rank list) after the exam. Candidates are ranked within their chosen subject. The merit list is prepared category-wise (General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD) for each subject, ensuring statutory reservation norms are followed.
- 🎓 ICAR Counselling & Seat Allotment: Eligible candidates (declared by ICAR based on rank thresholds) are invited for online counselling conducted separately by ICAR — not by NTA. Candidates choose their preferred Agricultural University and subject. Seat allotment is done based on rank, subject choice, and university-wise seat availability. The constraint that not more than 40% candidates from any single state are admitted to any AU/subject/category applies here.
- 🏛️ University Registration & Fellowship Activation: Allotted candidates register at their assigned Agricultural University within the stipulated date. After university registration, the JRF fellowship of Rs.31,000/month is activated and credited monthly. The contingency grant of Rs.10,000/year is released separately for research expenses.
Fellowship continuation from JRF to SRF (year 3 upgrade from Rs.31,000 to Rs.35,000/month) requires satisfactory research progress certification by the PhD guide and university authorities. Candidates who leave the programme before completion may be required to refund the fellowship amount as per university bond conditions.
Who Should Apply for ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026?
The ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 is ideal for a specific set of agriculture graduates and researchers. Here are 8 candidate profiles who stand to benefit the most from this fellowship:
- 🎓 MSc Agriculture / MSc Horticulture Graduates (60%+ marks): Any candidate who has cleared their Master’s degree in any ICAR-recognised agriculture or allied subject with 60%+ marks (General/OBC/EWS) is directly eligible and should apply as the ICAR JRF is the primary funded pathway to agricultural PhD research in India.
- 👩🔬 Women Researchers in Agriculture: Women candidates get reservation benefits under SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories and also benefit from ICAR’s emphasis on gender inclusion in research programmes. Women working in areas like Food & Nutrition, Community Science, or Horticulture have excellent admission prospects at IARI, NDRI, and state AUs.
- 📚 Final-Year MSc Students (2025–26 batch): Candidates currently in the final semester of their MSc Agriculture programme may apply with provisional eligibility — they must produce their final marksheet at the time of ICAR counselling to confirm admission and fellowship activation.
- 🏛️ In-Service Agricultural Professionals: Government agricultural officers, ICAR scientists, state Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) workers, and Nabard employees who have an MSc Agriculture and want to upgrade qualifications via a PhD without leaving service are eligible. ICAR explicitly allows in-service candidates and extends the contingency grant to them.
- 🌾 Candidates Targeting IARI, NDRI, IVRI, or CIFE: The 4 ICAR Deemed Universities — Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Pusa, National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Karnal, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) Bareilly, and Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) Mumbai — fill 100% of their PhD seats through the AICE-JRF/SRF exam. Aspirants targeting these premier institutes must qualify this exam.
- 📍 Candidates from NE India, Hilly States & SC/ST Communities: Candidates from the North East, hilly states, and scheduled communities benefit from the 55% (vs 60%) minimum marks threshold. ICAR’s state-wise domicile cap (40% per state per AU) also creates better access for candidates from smaller states compared to UP, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
- 🔬 Aspirants Planning a Career in ICAR Research Institutes: PhD from an ICAR-AU system through the JRF route is the most direct path to becoming an ICAR Scientist (Group A, Rs.56,100–Rs.1,77,500/month pay scale). Many ICAR recruitment notifications for Scientist B and above posts require or prefer PhD from ICAR-AU system.
- 💼 Agriculture Graduates Who Also Plan to Appear for ASRB NET: Candidates who qualify the ICAR JRF and complete their PhD are subsequently eligible to appear for the ASRB National Eligibility Test (NET) — a prerequisite for ICAR Scientist and teaching positions at Agricultural Universities across India.
ICAR JRF vs UGC NET JRF 2026 – Which Fellowship is Better?
Agriculture MSc graduates often debate between the ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 and the UGC NET JRF. Here is a head-to-head comparison to help you choose the right path:
| Parameter | ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 | UGC NET JRF 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | NTA (on behalf of ICAR) | NTA (on behalf of UGC) |
| Applicable Disciplines | 72 Agriculture & Allied Sciences | All disciplines incl. Humanities, Sciences |
| JRF Stipend/Month | Rs.31,000 | Rs.37,000 |
| SRF Stipend/Month | Rs.35,000 (Year 3) | Rs.42,000 (Year 3–5) |
| Total Fellowship Duration | 3 years (2 JRF + 1 SRF) | 5 years (2 JRF + 3 SRF) |
| University Scope | Agricultural Universities & ICAR DUs only | Any UGC-recognised university in India |
| Teaching Eligibility | No (only for research) | Yes (JRF + NET = Teaching eligibility) |
| Research Infrastructure | ICAR-funded labs, farms & equipment | University-dependent |
| Career Path Post-PhD | ICAR Scientist, AU Faculty, Agri PSU | University teaching, research institutes |
High-Value Agriculture Research Fellowship Terms You Must Know
These key terms will help agriculture graduates navigate the fellowship, examination, and research career landscape confidently in 2026:
- 🔬 ICAR JRF (Junior Research Fellow): A researcher in the first 2 years of a PhD programme at an Agricultural University, receiving Rs.31,000/month under the ICAR scholarship. The JRF phase focuses on coursework completion and initial research design under a guide’s supervision.
- 🎓 ICAR SRF (Senior Research Fellow): A PhD researcher in their 3rd year who has demonstrated satisfactory research progress and is upgraded from JRF to SRF, receiving Rs.35,000/month. The SRF phase is characterised by intensive data collection and thesis writing.
- 🏛️ ICAR DU (Deemed University): The 4 ICAR institutions that function as Deemed Universities — IARI Pusa (New Delhi), NDRI Karnal, IVRI Bareilly, and CIFE Mumbai. 100% of PhD seats at these institutes are filled through the AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) exam, making it the mandatory pathway for admission.
- 📋 ICAR AIEEA (PG): All India Entrance Examination for Admission (Postgraduate) — a separate ICAR exam for Master’s degree admission and award of ICAR-PG Scholarship (Rs.12,640/month for 2 years). Held alongside the JRF/SRF exam on July 4, 2026.
- 🏆 ASRB NET (Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board – NET): National Eligibility Test for appointment as ICAR Scientist and teaching faculty at Agricultural Universities. A PhD through the ICAR-JRF route is the most recognised qualification for ASRB NET eligibility. ICAR Scientist Grade B salary ranges from Rs.56,100 to Rs.1,77,500/month.
- 🧪 Contingency Grant: An additional Rs.10,000 per year provided to ICAR JRF/SRF awardees over and above the monthly stipend, specifically for purchasing research chemicals, books, equipment, and covering field travel costs connected to research work.
- 📊 ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD): All India Competitive Examination — Junior Research Fellowship / Senior Research Fellowship (Doctor of Philosophy) — the official full name of the exam commonly called ICAR JRF exam. Conducted by NTA in 72 subjects across 89 cities.
- 🌾 Agricultural University (AU): State-level agricultural universities like G.B. Pant University (Pantnagar), TNAU (Coimbatore), PAU (Ludhiana), UAS (Bengaluru), BAU (Ranchi) etc. that participate in the ICAR-AU system. 30% of PhD seats at these universities are filled through the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF exam.
- 📜 Surety Bond: A mandatory financial bond executed by ICAR scholarship recipients at the time of university registration, committing to complete the programme. Candidates who discontinue studies before completion must refund all scholarship amounts received under the bond conditions.
- 🔗 NTA (National Testing Agency): The autonomous apex testing organisation under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, responsible for conducting ICAR AIEEA and AICE-JRF/SRF exams since 2019. Official NTA contact for ICAR queries: +91-11-40759000 / [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions – ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026
What is the ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026?
The ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 is a government-funded research fellowship awarded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to meritorious candidates qualifying the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) national competitive exam conducted by NTA. Selected fellows receive Rs.31,000 per month for 2 years (JRF) and Rs.35,000 per month in the 3rd year (SRF) along with a Rs.10,000/year contingency grant — totalling approximately Rs.11,94,000 over 3 years — to pursue doctoral research at Agricultural Universities and ICAR Deemed Universities across India.
What is the ICAR JRF stipend per month in 2026?
The ICAR JRF scholarship 2026 stipend is Rs.31,000 per month for the first 2 years of the PhD programme, upgrading to Rs.35,000 per month in the 3rd year (SRF phase). Additionally, all awardees receive a contingency grant of Rs.10,000 per year for research expenses. The total annual support is Rs.3,82,000 in Years 1–2 and Rs.4,30,000 in Year 3 — making it one of the highest-paying government research fellowships available for agriculture graduates without a qualifying PhD or GATE score.
What is the eligibility for ICAR JRF 2026?
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant agriculture or allied science subject with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates) from a UGC-recognised university. Candidates appearing in the final year of their MSc may also apply with provisional eligibility. Indian nationality is mandatory. There is no upper age limit for the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) exam and no restriction on the number of attempts, making it accessible to working professionals and experienced researchers as well.
What is the ICAR JRF 2026 exam date?
The ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 exam is scheduled on July 4, 2026, in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across 89 exam cities throughout India. The admit card for eligible candidates will be available for download on June 27, 2026, from the official NTA ICAR portal at exams.nta.ac.in/ICAR/. The application deadline was extended to June 10, 2026.
How many questions are in the ICAR JRF exam 2026?
The ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2026 exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) carrying a total of 480 marks. Each correct answer earns +4 marks and each incorrect answer results in a deduction of 1 mark (negative marking). Unattempted questions carry no penalty. The exam duration is 120 minutes (2 hours). The paper is entirely in English and is based on the ICAR-prescribed PhD-level syllabus of the candidate’s chosen subject from 72 available specialisations.
How is ICAR JRF different from UGC NET JRF for agriculture candidates?
The ICAR JRF Scholarship 2026 is specifically for doctoral research in 72 agricultural and allied science subjects at ICAR Deemed Universities and state Agricultural Universities — it does not provide teaching eligibility. UGC NET JRF (Rs.37,000/month) covers all disciplines, grants teaching eligibility (Assistant Professor), and provides 5-year fellowship support versus ICAR’s 3-year support. For agriculture graduates targeting ICAR Scientist careers, IARI/NDRI/IVRI admission, or agri-research careers, ICAR JRF is the superior and more targeted pathway. Many candidates appear for both exams simultaneously for maximum opportunity.
What happens after qualifying ICAR JRF 2026?
After qualifying the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) exam, top-ranked candidates are declared eligible by ICAR for the online counselling process — conducted separately after result declaration. During counselling, candidates choose their preferred Agricultural University and subject specialisation. Seats are allotted based on rank, category, and university-wise availability. After seat allotment, candidates register at the allotted university within the given timeline, following which the Rs.31,000/month JRF fellowship is activated and disbursed monthly throughout the programme.
What is the contingency grant given to ICAR JRF awardees?
All ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) fellowship awardees — including in-service candidates — receive a contingency grant of Rs.10,000 per year in addition to their monthly stipend. This grant is specifically meant for procurement of essential chemicals, laboratory equipment, books, and travel expenses directly connected with research work. The contingency grant is uniform across all 3 years of the fellowship and is separate from the monthly stipend amount.
For more information about government agriculture careers and fellowships, also read our guides on NABARD Recruitment 2026 and FPO Formation Guide 2026.
This guide is regularly reviewed and updated for accuracy. Bookmark this page for the latest ICAR JRF 2026 notifications, result updates, and counselling schedule announcements.
Last Updated: June 2026
