ICAR IARI Technical Assistant syllabus 2026 has been officially updated following the September 28, 2026 Office Memorandum issued by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). This guide is for agriculture graduates, science diploma holders, and ITI-qualified candidates aged 18–35 who are targeting the Technical Assistant (T-3) or Technician (T-1) post under ICAR-IARI’s centralized recruitment. You will find the complete two-paper exam structure, subject-wise syllabus, historical cut-off marks by category, and a proven 90-day strategy to score above the cut-off.
The ICAR IARI Technical Assistant (T-3) 2026 exam has two papers: Paper-I (Preliminary, 100 marks, 1 hour) covering General Knowledge, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Agriculture; and Paper-II (Mains, 300 marks, 2 hours) testing subject-specific functional group knowledge. The General category cut-off in the 2023–24 cycle was 104.11 (Prelims) and 201.72 (Mains) out of 200/400 respectively — scores well above the 40% minimum qualifying mark for UR candidates.
- Conducting Body: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) / ASRB
- Posts: Technical Assistant (T-3) at ICAR Institutes; Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) at KVKs
- Pay Scale (T-3): Level-5, 7th CPC — basic pay Rs. 29,200/month (gross Rs. 40,000–55,000)
- Exam Mode: Online CBT (Computer-Based Test)
- Paper-I: 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 1 hour, negative marking 0.25/wrong
- Paper-II (Mains): 100 MCQs, 300 marks, 2 hours, negative marking 1 mark/wrong
- No Interview: Final merit based only on Mains score
- Functional Groups: 10 groups including Agriculture, Animal Science, IT, Civil, Electrical
- UR Minimum Qualifying Marks: 40% | OBC/EWS/SC: 30% | ST: 25%
- Official Website: icar.org.in | iari.res.in
- What Is ICAR IARI Technical Assistant Exam 2026?
- Who Should Apply for ICAR IARI Technical Assistant 2026?
- Salary and Pay Details for ICAR Technical Assistant (T-3) 2026
- Eligibility Criteria and Educational Qualifications
- ICAR IARI Technical Assistant Exam Pattern 2026 – Complete Structure
- ICAR IARI Technical Assistant Syllabus 2026 – Subject-Wise Topics
- 10 Functional Groups for Mains Examination
- Previous Year Cut-Off Marks – Category-Wise (2016–2024)
- ICAR T-3 Technical Assistant vs T-1 Technician – Key Differences
- 7-Step Strategy to Crack ICAR IARI Technical Assistant 2026
- Best Books and Study Material for ICAR Technical Assistant 2026
- Important Terms Related to ICAR IARI Technical Assistant
- Important Links
- Conclusion
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is ICAR IARI Technical Assistant Exam 2026?
The ICAR IARI Technical Assistant exam is a centralized national-level recruitment test conducted by the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) on behalf of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. It fills vacancies for Technical Assistant (T-3) posts at ICAR Institutes across India and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) posts at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). As of September 28, 2026, ICAR officially notified a revised examination scheme covering both posts under the ICAR Technical Service Cadre.
The exam runs in two stages: a qualifying Paper-I (Preliminary) that screens candidates, and a merit-determining Paper-II (Mains) that tests domain knowledge in 10 functional groups. No interview is conducted — final selection is purely based on Mains performance, making the exam extremely score-dependent.
ICAR is the apex body overseeing 113 research institutes across India. A Technical Assistant role at ICAR means working directly in laboratories, field stations, or research farms — making it one of the most sought-after science-stream government jobs in the agriculture sector, alongside NABARD and IARI research positions.
Who Should Apply for ICAR IARI Technical Assistant 2026?
This exam suits a specific profile of science and agriculture candidates. Use the list below to verify if this recruitment matches your qualifications and goals.
- 🎓 B.Sc. Agriculture graduates targeting a central government research role without writing UPSC
- 🔬 B.Sc. Science graduates (Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Microbiology) seeking ICAR laboratory positions
- 🐄 Animal Science / Veterinary diploma holders applying under the Animal Science functional group
- 💻 BCA / B.Sc. Computer Science graduates targeting the Information Technology functional group
- ⚡ Electrical / Electronics / Civil Engineering diploma candidates for the Workshop Staff sub-groups
- 🐟 Fisheries Science graduates aiming for the Fisheries Science functional group under T-3
- 📚 Library Science (BLIS) holders eligible for the Library Information Science functional group
- 👩🍳 Home Science / Community Science graduates targeting the dedicated sub-group at ICAR Institutes
Salary and Pay Details for ICAR Technical Assistant (T-3) 2026
The ICAR Technical Assistant (T-3) post sits at Level-5 of the 7th Central Pay Commission Pay Matrix, with a starting basic pay of Rs. 29,200 per month. When DA (Dearness Allowance), HRA (based on city), and TA (Transport Allowance) are added, the gross monthly take-home for a Delhi-based posting ranges from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 55,000 per month.
| Post | Pay Level (7th CPC) | Basic Pay (Starting) | Gross Monthly (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Assistant (T-3) at ICAR Institutes | Level-5 | Rs. 29,200 | Rs. 40,000–50,000 |
| Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) at KVKs | Level-6 | Rs. 35,400 | Rs. 48,000–62,000 |
| Assistant at ICAR Institutes | Level-6 | Rs. 35,400 | Rs. 48,000–58,000 |
| Assistant at ICAR Headquarters | Level-7 | Rs. 44,900 | Rs. 60,000–75,000 |
| Technician (T-1) at ICAR-IARI | Level-2 | Rs. 21,700 | Rs. 28,000–35,000 |
In addition to basic pay, selected candidates receive Dearness Allowance (currently 55% of basic pay), HRA (up to 27% for X-class cities like Delhi), Transport Allowance, Medical Reimbursement, and pension benefits under NPS. The post also offers annual increments of 3% of basic pay and promotional pathways to T-4, T-5, and T-6 levels.
Eligibility Criteria and Educational Qualifications
Eligibility for ICAR Technical Assistant (T-3) varies by functional group. The core requirement is a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science or technical discipline from a recognized university. Age limits and category-based relaxations follow standard Government of India rules.
- Field/Farm & Lab Technician (Agriculture): B.Sc. Agriculture or equivalent
- Animal Science: B.Sc. Animal Husbandry / Veterinary Science
- Fisheries Science: B.Sc. Fisheries / B.F.Sc.
- Home Science: B.Sc. Home Science / Community Science
- Civil / Agri. Engg. / Electrical / Electronics: Diploma or B.E./B.Tech in relevant engineering
- Information Technology: BCA / B.Sc. Computer Science / B.Tech (IT/CS)
- Library Science: B.Lib.Sc. (BLIS) from a recognized university
| Category | Age Relaxation | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| UR / General | No relaxation (standard upper limit applies) | As per official notification |
| OBC (NCL) | +3 years | Reduced fee |
| SC / ST | +5 years | Fee waiver (as per rules) |
| PwD (Person with Disability) | +10 years (UR), +13 years (OBC), +15 years (SC/ST) | Exempted (check notification) |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per DoPT rules | Exempted (check notification) |
| EWS | No additional relaxation beyond UR | As per UR |
⚠ Important: Candidates can apply for only ONE functional group or sub-group. Even if eligible for multiple groups, only one functional group can be chosen at the time of application. Choose wisely based on your strongest subject area and the available vacancies for that group.
ICAR IARI Technical Assistant Exam Pattern 2026 – Complete Structure
The ICAR Technical Assistant (T-3) 2026 exam follows a two-paper structure established by the official September 28, 2026 Office Memorandum from ICAR. Paper-I is qualifying; Paper-II determines final merit. Both papers are objective MCQ format conducted online (CBT).
Paper-I: Preliminary Examination (Qualifying)
| Section | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Knowledge | 25 | 25 |
| B | General English | 25 | 25 |
| C | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| D | General Agriculture | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | |
- Duration: 1 Hour (60 minutes) | Scribe candidates: 1 Hour 20 minutes
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer
- Language: English and Hindi (except General English section)
- Purpose: Qualifying only — not counted in final merit
- ASRB shortlisting ratio: Decided by ASRB (typically top 10–15 times vacancies proceed to Mains)
Paper-II: Mains Examination (Merit-Based)
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Question Type | Objective MCQs (4 choices, 1 correct) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Marks Per Question | 3 marks |
| Negative Marking | 1 mark per wrong answer |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 minutes) |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Content | Subject-specific to chosen functional group |
| Final Selection | Based exclusively on Mains score |
Paper-II carries a severe negative marking of 1 full mark per wrong answer on questions worth 3 marks — meaning one wrong attempt wipes out one-third of a correct answer’s value. Never guess randomly in the Mains exam. Skip questions where you are less than 60% confident. Even 70–80 well-chosen correct answers can beat 100 random attempts in the T-3 Mains.
ICAR IARI Technical Assistant Syllabus 2026 – Subject-Wise Topics
The Paper-I syllabus is identical for all functional groups. Paper-II syllabus is group-specific and is detailed in the official ICAR notification PDF. Below is the complete Paper-I syllabus with key topics for each section.
Section A: General Knowledge (25 Questions)
- Current affairs — national and international events (last 6–12 months)
- India and its neighbouring countries — political geography, bilateral relations
- History of India — ancient, medieval, modern periods; freedom movement
- Indian Culture — heritage, arts, literature, traditions
- Indian Geography — rivers, climate, agriculture zones, national parks
- Indian Economy — GDP, schemes, budgets, banking, RBI, NABARD
- General Policy — government schemes, agricultural policies, PM programs
- Scientific Research — ICAR institutes, discoveries, space programs (ISRO), DRDO
- Awards and honours — Padma Awards, Nobel Prize, Bharat Ratna
- Sports — national games, Olympics, cricket events, records
Section B: General English (25 Questions)
- Reading Comprehension — passage-based questions (1–2 passages)
- Vocabulary — synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms
- Grammar — tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, articles, conjunctions
- Sentence Correction — identify grammatical errors
- Fill in the Blanks — contextual vocabulary usage
- Para Jumbles — rearrange sentences into logical order
- Cloze Test — fill in multiple blanks in a passage
- Active and Passive Voice conversion
- Direct and Indirect Speech
Section C: Quantitative Aptitude (25 Questions)
- Number System — HCF, LCM, fractions, decimals, real numbers
- Percentage — profit and loss, discount calculations
- Ratio and Proportion — partnership problems
- Simplification — BODMAS, surds and indices
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work — pipe and cistern problems
- Time, Speed and Distance — trains, boats and streams
- Average — weighted average, mean problems
- Algebra — basic equations, linear and quadratic
- Geometry — triangles, circles, area, perimeter (Mensuration)
- Trigonometry — basic ratios, height and distance
- Statistics — mean, median, mode, range, bar graphs, pie charts
- Data Interpretation — table-based and graph-based questions
Section D: General Agriculture (25 Questions)
- Basic Agronomy — kharif and rabi crops, crop seasons, soil types
- ICAR Institutes — names, locations, mandates, flagship varieties
- Government agricultural schemes — PM-KISAN, PM KUSUM, RKVY, PKVY
- Soil science basics — macronutrients, micronutrients, deficiency symptoms
- Horticulture — fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, post-harvest
- Plant Protection — common pests, diseases, pesticides, IPM (Integrated Pest Management)
- Animal Husbandry basics — breeds, diseases, milk production
- Agricultural statistics — MSP, crop production figures, area under cultivation
- Irrigation methods — drip, sprinkler, flood irrigation efficiency
- Green Revolution, White Revolution, Blue Revolution significance
10 Functional Groups for Mains Examination (Paper-II)
The Paper-II (Mains) tests domain knowledge specific to the functional group you have chosen. ICAR’s September 2026 notification defines 10 functional groups. You can apply for both T-3 and T-4 posts but only under one group.
| S.No. | Functional Group / Sub-Group | Key Mains Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Field/Farm Technician & Lab Technician (Agriculture) | Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Genetics |
| 2 | Field/Farm Technician & Lab Technician (Animal Science) | Animal Nutrition, Genetics, Livestock Production, Veterinary basics, Dairy |
| 3 | Field/Farm Technician & Lab Technician (Fisheries Science) | Aquaculture, Fish Biology, Water Quality, Fisheries Management, Fish Nutrition |
| 4 | Field/Farm Technician & Lab Technician (Home Science) | Food Science, Nutrition, Textile, Child Development, Community Extension |
| 5 | Workshop Staff (Civil Engineering) | Structural Engineering, Surveying, Construction Materials, Drawing |
| 6 | Workshop Staff (Agricultural Engineering) | Farm Machinery, Irrigation Engineering, Agri-Processing, Soil-Water Conservation |
| 7 | Workshop Staff (Electrical Engineering) | Electrical Circuits, Machines, Power Systems, Control Systems |
| 8 | Workshop Staff (Electronics & Instrumentation) | Digital Electronics, Sensors, Signal Processing, Microprocessors, Instrumentation |
| 9 | Library Information Science / Documentation Staff | Library Management, Cataloguing, Reference Services, Digital Libraries |
| 10 | Information Technology | Programming, DBMS, Networking, Operating Systems, Web Technologies |
Previous Year Cut-Off Marks – Category-Wise (2016–2024)
Understanding the historical cut-off is the single most important piece of data for exam planning. The ICAR IARI Technician and Technical Assistant cut-off marks were officially released on December 10, 2024, for the 2022 Prelims and 2023 Mains cycle. Use these figures to set your target score.
ICAR IARI Technician (T-1) CBT Cut-Off 2023–24 (Official)
| Category | Prelims Cut-Off (out of 200) | Mains Cut-Off (out of 400) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 104.110 | 201.72 |
| EWS | 99.300 | 195.40 |
| OBC (NCL) | 98.142 | 195.41 |
| SC | 95.921 | 168.72 |
| ST | 93.118 | 153.74 |
| PWD – OH | 88.884 | 119.06 |
| PWD – HH | 68.363 | 116.71 |
| PWD – VH | 78.645 | 162.07 |
| PWD – MD Others | 64.592 | 117.40 |
ICAR IARI Technician (T-1) Cut-Off 2022 (CBT – 100 marks paper)
| Category | Cut-Off Marks (out of 100) |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 61.786 |
| OBC | 58.166 |
| EWS | 57.843 |
| SC | 52.902 |
| ST | 49.893 |
| PWD – OH | 36.700 |
| PWD – HH | 43.330 |
| PWD – VH | 56.098 |
| PWD – Others | 43.427 |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 36.130 |
ICAR IARI Cut-Off 2018 and 2016 (Historical Reference)
| Category | Cut-Off 2018 (out of 100) | Cut-Off 2016 (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 53 | 53 |
| OBC | 50 | 50 |
| SC | 45 | 45 |
| ST | 42 | 42 |
Minimum Qualifying Marks (All Years)
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| UR (General) | 40% |
| OBC / EWS / SC | 30% |
| ST | 25% |
⚠ Key Insight from Cut-Off Data: The General category cut-off in 2022 (61.78 out of 100) was more than 20 marks above the 40% qualifying minimum — meaning top performers push cut-offs much higher than the floor. Target 70–75+ marks in Paper-I and 200+ in Paper-II (Mains) to be safe as a General category candidate.
ICAR T-3 Technical Assistant vs T-1 Technician – Key Differences
| Parameter | Technical Assistant (T-3) | Technician (T-1) |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | B.Sc. / B.Tech / B.Lib.Sc. in relevant discipline | 10th pass (Matriculation) from recognized board |
| Pay Level (7th CPC) | Level-5 (Rs. 29,200 basic) | Level-2 (Rs. 21,700 basic) |
| Exam Papers | Paper-I (Prelims) + Paper-II (Mains, 300 marks) | Single CBT (100 marks, 90 minutes) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 (Prelims) / 1.0 mark (Mains) | 0.25 mark per wrong answer |
| Subjects | GK, English, Aptitude, General Agriculture + Domain Mains | GK, Mathematics, Science, Social Science |
| Interview | No | No |
| Conducting Body | ASRB (centralized via ICAR) | ICAR-IARI directly |
| Promotion Scope | T-3 → T-4 → T-5 → T-6 | T-1 → T-2 → T-3 |
| Best For | Science/agriculture graduates targeting research lab roles | 10th pass candidates seeking entry-level field positions |
If you hold a B.Sc. in Agriculture or a relevant science field, always target Technical Assistant T-3 over Technician T-1 — the salary difference is Rs. 7,500/month at entry level and the long-term promotion pathway to T-5/T-6 adds substantially more value. The T-3 exam is tougher but the career ROI is significantly higher over a 25-year service period.
7-Step Strategy to Crack ICAR IARI Technical Assistant 2026
Preparing for the ICAR Technical Assistant exam requires a disciplined 90-day plan that balances Paper-I breadth with Paper-II depth. This strategy is based on the exam structure, cut-off trend analysis, and the two-paper weighting system where Paper-II alone determines your merit rank.
- Map the syllabus before Day 1: Download the official ICAR notification PDF from icar.org.in. Note your functional group for Mains. Break the Paper-I syllabus into weekly targets — 1 week per subject × 4 subjects = 4 weeks for one full round of coverage.
- Master General Agriculture first (unique to ICAR): Unlike SSC/IBPS exams, ICAR includes a dedicated Agriculture section in Paper-I. Candidates with strong agriculture backgrounds gain a 10–15 mark edge here. Cover ICAR institute mandates, major crop varieties released by ICAR, government schemes, and soil nutrition basics.
- Build a current affairs habit for GK: Spend 20–30 minutes daily on one reliable source — PIB (pib.gov.in), The Hindu agriculture section, or a monthly GK digest. Focus specifically on: ICAR and government agricultural policy announcements, budget allocations for agriculture, and science discoveries in India.
- Strengthen Mains domain subject with NCERT + UG textbooks: Paper-II is the merit decider. For Agriculture group, NCERT books (Classes 11–12 Biology, Chemistry) plus standard UG agronomy and plant pathology texts cover 70–80% of Mains questions. For Engineering groups, use standard diploma-level textbooks from your trade.
- Attempt previous year papers under timed conditions: Solve at least 5 full-length Paper-I mock tests and review every wrong answer. For Paper-II, use question banks from platforms like Testbook, Adda247, or ixamBee that have ICAR-specific question sets. Each mock should simulate the actual 90-minute / 120-minute window.
- Apply the 60% confidence rule for Paper-II: Given the 1 mark negative deduction per wrong answer in Mains, never mark an answer you are less than 60% confident about. Calculate: scoring 80 correct + 20 skipped = 240 marks. Scoring 80 correct + 20 wrong = 240 − 20 = 220 marks. Skipping saves 20 marks — equivalent to almost 7 correct answers.
- Schedule revision weeks before the exam: Reserve the last 15–20 days solely for revision — no new topics. Focus on: short notes for General Agriculture facts, formula sheets for Quantitative Aptitude, vocabulary lists for English, and current affairs from the last 3 months. Take one full mock per day in the final week.
Best Books and Study Material for ICAR Technical Assistant 2026
| Subject | Recommended Book / Resource | Publisher / Author |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | Lucent’s General Knowledge | Lucent Publications |
| General Agriculture | NCERT Agriculture (11th–12th) + Objective Agriculture | NCERT + Jain Brothers |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal |
| General English | A Mirror of Common Errors / Objective English | Ashok Kumar Singh / Hari Mohan Prasad |
| Science (for Technician T-1) | General Science (NCERT 8th–10th) | NCERT |
| Mains – Agriculture | Principles of Agronomy / Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | S.R. Reddy / Rangaswami & Mahadevan |
| Mains – Animal Science | Livestock Production and Management | S.P. Dahama |
| Previous Year Papers | ICAR Technician Solved Papers | Kiran Publications / Arihant |
| Mock Tests | Online platforms: Testbook, ixamBee, Adda247, Oliveboard | ICAR-specific test series |
| Current Affairs | PIB.gov.in + Monthly GK Digest | Government of India / Study IQ |
Important Terms Related to ICAR IARI Technical Assistant
Knowing these high-relevance terms strengthens both your exam vocabulary and your General Knowledge score in Paper-I.
- ASRB (Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board): The apex body that conducts centralized recruitment for ICAR’s scientific and technical cadre positions — the equivalent of UPSC for ICAR roles.
- Functional Group: One of 10 subject specializations (Agriculture, Animal Science, IT, etc.) under which a candidate appears in the Mains Examination; only one can be chosen per application.
- CBT (Computer-Based Test): The online examination mode used for both T-1 Technician and T-3 Technical Assistant recruitment — conducted at authorized test centres across India.
- 7th CPC Pay Matrix: The pay structure for central government employees revised by the 7th Central Pay Commission — T-3 sits at Level-5 (Rs. 29,200 basic), T-4 at Level-6 (Rs. 35,400 basic).
- KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra): Farm Science Centres established by ICAR across districts in India; Senior Technical Assistants (T-4) are recruited specifically for KVK positions.
- NPS (National Pension System): All ICAR Technical Assistant recruits from 2004 onwards fall under NPS (not the old defined-benefit pension) — understanding this is important for financial planning.
- Merit List: The final selection list based exclusively on Mains (Paper-II) marks for T-3 — Paper-I is only qualifying and does not count toward the merit score.
- Shortlisting Ratio: ASRB decides how many times the vacancy count are called for Mains after Paper-I — typically 10–15 times the available vacancies in each functional group.
- IPM (Integrated Pest Management): A high-frequency topic in Paper-I Agriculture section and Agriculture Mains — covers biological, chemical, and cultural pest control methods.
- IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute): Founded in 1905, headquartered in New Delhi — the “Mother Institute” of the ICAR network and the premier agricultural research university in India; directly conducts Technician T-1 recruitment.
Important Links
| Link Name | URL |
|---|---|
| Official ICAR Website | icar.org.in |
| Official IARI Website | iari.res.in |
| ASRB Official Portal | asrb.org.in |
| ICAR T-3 Syllabus Official PDF (Sept 2026) | Download PDF (icar.org.in) |
| PIB – Government Agricultural Schemes | pib.gov.in |
| NABARD Official Site | nabard.org |
| India Agriculture Department Portal | agricoop.nic.in |
| ICAR IARI Recruitment 2026 – Agrijob.in | ICAR IARI Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 |
Conclusion
The ICAR IARI Technical Assistant syllabus 2026 is well-structured and entirely predictable — two objective-type papers, a clearly defined subject list, and a merit system that rewards consistent domain preparation over guesswork. The General category cut-off in recent cycles has settled around 60–65% in Paper-I and 50–67% in Paper-II Mains, giving disciplined candidates a realistic shot at selection with 90 focused days of preparation. Start with the official ICAR notification PDF, choose your functional group wisely, and build your daily study schedule around the 7-step strategy outlined above. Bookmark this page — it is updated every time ICAR releases a new notification or cut-off data.
- ICAR Technical Assistant T-3 exam now has 2 papers: Paper-I (100 marks, qualifying) and Paper-II (300 marks, merit-based) as per the September 28, 2026 official notification.
- The General category Prelims cut-off was 104.11 out of 200 in the 2023–24 cycle — target 70%+ in Paper-I to stay safe.
- Paper-II has a severe 1-mark negative deduction per wrong answer — skip questions where confidence is below 60%.
- T-3 pay starts at Rs. 29,200/month (Level-5, 7th CPC); gross salary including DA and HRA in Delhi is Rs. 40,000–55,000/month.
- Only one Functional Group can be chosen per application — choose based on your strongest B.Sc. subject to maximize Mains performance.
- Download the official ICAR syllabus PDF from icar.org.in and cross-check the Mains syllabus for your chosen group before finalizing your study plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About ICAR IARI Technical Assistant Syllabus 2026
What is the complete syllabus for ICAR Technical Assistant T-3 Paper-I 2026?
Paper-I covers four sections of 25 questions each: General Knowledge (current affairs, India geography, history, scientific research), General English (grammar, comprehension, vocabulary), Quantitative Aptitude (arithmetic, algebra, statistics, data interpretation), and General Agriculture (crop science, ICAR institutes, government schemes, soil science). Each section carries 25 marks; negative marking is 0.25 per wrong answer.
What is the cut-off for General category in ICAR IARI Technical Assistant exam?
The officially released General category cut-off for the 2023–24 cycle was 104.11 out of 200 for Prelims and 201.72 out of 400 for Mains. In the 2022 single-paper CBT (100 marks), the General cut-off was 61.786. These figures rise with higher competition and more vacancies. The minimum qualifying mark is 40% for UR candidates — but actual selection requires scoring well above this floor.
Is there an interview in ICAR Technical Assistant T-3 recruitment?
No. As confirmed in the September 28, 2026 ICAR Office Memorandum, final selection for Technical Assistant (T-3) and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) is based exclusively on Mains (Paper-II) performance. No interview or viva-voce is conducted. Document verification follows the merit list.
What is the salary of ICAR Technical Assistant T-3 after selection?
The ICAR Technical Assistant (T-3) post is at Level-5 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, with a starting basic pay of Rs. 29,200 per month. With current DA (approximately 55% of basic), HRA (up to 27% for Delhi postings), and Transport Allowance, the gross monthly salary ranges from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 55,000 depending on the posting city. Annual increments of 3% increase this progressively.
How many functional groups are there in ICAR T-3 Technical Assistant Mains 2026?
There are 10 functional groups for the Mains examination: Agriculture, Animal Science, Fisheries Science, Home Science/Community Science, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering, Library Information Science, and Information Technology. Candidates can apply for only one functional group, regardless of eligibility for multiple groups.
What is the difference between ICAR T-1 Technician and T-3 Technical Assistant?
ICAR Technician (T-1) requires only 10th pass qualification, carries Level-2 pay (Rs. 21,700 basic), and involves a single 100-mark CBT. Technical Assistant (T-3) requires a B.Sc. degree in a relevant discipline, carries Level-5 pay (Rs. 29,200 basic), and involves two papers — a qualifying Prelims and a merit-based Mains of 300 marks with domain-specific questions. T-3 offers significantly better salary and promotion pathway to T-5/T-6 level.
How should I prepare for the General Agriculture section in Paper-I?
Focus on five high-frequency topics: names and mandates of major ICAR institutes (ICAR-IARI, ICAR-NDRI, ICAR-CIMMYT collaborations, etc.), important HYV crop varieties released by ICAR, current government agricultural schemes (PM-KISAN, PKVY, Soil Health Card), basic soil science (macro/micronutrients, deficiency symptoms), and crop protection basics (common pests, diseases, IPM). NCERTs for Agriculture (Classes 11–12) and Objective Agriculture books by Jain Brothers cover 80% of this section.
What is the SC category cut-off for ICAR IARI exam?
The SC category cut-off in the 2023–24 cycle was 95.921 out of 200 (Prelims) and 168.72 out of 400 (Mains). In the 2022 single-paper CBT, the SC cut-off was 52.902 out of 100. The minimum qualifying mark for SC candidates is 30% — but actual selection in most cycles requires scoring well above 50%. SC candidates should target 55+ (out of 100) or 100+ (out of 200) in Paper-I to be safe.
Can I apply for both Technical Assistant T-3 and Senior Technical Assistant T-4 in 2026?
Yes. As per the ICAR September 2026 notification, candidates can choose to apply for either one or both posts (T-3 and T-4) depending on their eligibility. However, despite eligibility for multiple functional areas, only one Functional Group or Sub-Group can be selected for the examination. This single-group restriction applies across both T-3 and T-4 applications.
⚠ Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. Salary figures, cut-off marks, and exam structure are based on officially released data. Candidates are advised to verify all details from official ICAR / ASRB sources before making application decisions.
