National Pension Scheme For Traders And Self Employed Persons 2026

The ICAR Emeritus Scientist Scheme offers a way for highly experienced retired scientists and professors from the Read More... National Agriculture Research System (NARS) to continue their valuable research and teaching work. Read less

Details

India's agricultural sector thrives on experience and innovation. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) understands the immense value that seasoned professionals bring. That's why the ICAR Emeritus Scientist Scheme has been designed to tap into the knowledge and skills of retired experts.

What Is This Scheme?

This scheme is a structured approach to engage outstanding superannuated professionals from the National Agriculture Research System (NARS). It allows them to bring their ongoing research projects to a fruitful conclusion, share their expertise by teaching specialized courses, and contribute to national policy matters.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme is open to reputable scientists and teachers at the level of Principal Scientist/Professor and above. This includes those from State Agricultural Universities, Deemed Universities, Central Agricultural Universities, Central Universities with agriculture facilities, and research/education/extension institutions funded by the Centre and States.

It’s particularly useful for continuing important research work that is already underway and for initiating new programs in critical priority areas. It also aims to leverage the talent of retired teachers for developing instructional materials, including multimedia content for agricultural education, even through distance learning programs.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The primary goal is to utilize the extensive experience of retired scientists. This helps in completing nationally important research and in developing new academic programs. The scheme also encourages retired teachers to create advanced learning materials, boosting agricultural education across the nation. It ensures that valuable expertise isn't lost after retirement and continues to contribute to India's agricultural development.

Objective

The ICAR Emeritus Scientist Scheme offers a way for highly experienced retired scientists and professors from the National Agriculture Research System (NARS) to continue their valuable research and teaching work.

Benefits

Benefits to the family on the death of an eligible beneficiary:

During the receipt of a pension, if an eligible beneficiary dies, his spouse shall be only entitled to receive fifty percent of the pension received by such eligible beneficiary, as a family pension, and such family pension shall be applicable only to the spouse.

Benefits on disablement:

If an eligible beneficiary has given regular contributions and become permanently disabled due to any cause before attaining his age of 60 years, and is unable to continue to contribute under this Scheme, his spouse shall be entitled to continue with the Scheme subsequently by payment of regular contribution as applicable or exit the Scheme by receiving the share of contribution deposited by the such beneficiary, with interest as actually earned thereon by the Pension Fund or the interest at the savings bank interest rate thereon, whichever is higher.

Benefits on Leaving the Pension Scheme:

In case an eligible beneficiary exits this Scheme within a period of less than ten years from the date of joining the Scheme by him, then the share of contribution by him only will be returned to him with savings bank rate of interest payable thereon.

If an eligible beneficiary exits after completion of a period of ten years or more from the date of joining the Scheme by him but before his age of sixty years, then his share of contribution only shall be returned to him along with accumulated interest thereon as actually earned by the Pension Fund or the interest at the savings bank interest rate thereon, whichever is higher.

If an eligible beneficiary has given regular contributions and died due to any cause, his spouse shall be entitled to continue with the Scheme subsequently by payment of regular contribution as applicable or exit by receiving the share of contribution paid by such beneficiary along with accumulated interest, as actually earned thereon by the Pension Fund or at the savings bank interest rate thereon, whichever is higher

After the death of the beneficiary and his or her spouse, the corpus shall be credited back to the fund.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Who Can Apply?

To be considered for the ICAR Emeritus Scientist Scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be an outstanding retired teacher or scientist with a strong publication record and at least 5 years of teaching/training experience.
Be a scientist of repute from the National Agriculture Research System (NARS) at the Principal Scientist/Professor level or above.
Have retired from a State Agricultural University, Deemed University, Central Agricultural University, Central University with agriculture facilities, or a Centre/State funded institution involved in agricultural research, education, HRD, or extension.
Be proposing to undertake research work that is of national importance. Preference is given for work where equally competent regular scientists are not available.
The proposed work must be to complete ongoing research or initiate new programs in nationally important priority areas. Starting an entirely new project is generally not covered.

Age and Application Timeline

Maximum Age for Application: 65 years.
Maximum Age for Tenure: Up to 70 years or for three years, whichever comes first.
Application Window: Teachers/Professors who are set to retire within the next 12 months are eligible to apply. Applications should be submitted through the Executive Authority of the institution where the scientist plans to work.
Preference: Priority will be given to applicants who have retired within one year from the notification date.

How to Apply

Interested and eligible retired scientists can apply as follows:

If you are retiring within the next 12 months, you are eligible to apply.
Prepare 15 copies of your application in the prescribed Proforma.
Submit these applications through the Executive Authority of the institution where you intend to carry out research, teaching, human resource development, or extension activities.
Ensure your application is duly recommended with justification by the Executive Authority.
Send the applications to:
Deputy Director General (Education),
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR),
New Delhi.

Notification for vacant slots will be issued as needed. Only applications received within the specified period will be considered.

Documents Needed

To apply for the ICAR Emeritus Scientist Scheme, you need to submit the following:

Fifteen (15) copies of the application in the prescribed Proforma.

The application must be submitted through the Executive Authority of the institution where you plan to continue your work. This authority should provide their recommendation and justification for your proposed activities.

FAQ’s

I'm 68 years old and retired. Can I apply for the Emeritus Scientist position?

The scheme allows Emeritus Scientists to work up to the age of 70 years. However, the appointment duration is strictly three years and no extensions are provided. The key is that the project work should be completed within this tenure.

What is the maximum age limit to apply for this scheme?

You can apply for the ICAR Emeritus Professor position as long as you are 65 years old or younger at the time of application. Preference is given to those who have retired within the last year.

Can I get financial help for the same research project from another source while I am an ICAR Emeritus Scientist?

No, you cannot receive assistance for the same research work from any other source while you are receiving support under the Emeritus Scientist Scheme from ICAR.

What kind of institutional support can I expect?

The institution where you are attached should provide necessary facilities. This includes office accommodation, laboratory access, library facilities, and other supporting help to ensure your project runs smoothly.

How much time do I have to complete my project as an Emeritus Scientist?

The appointment of an Emeritus Scientist is for a duration of strictly three years. No extensions will be considered. While your tenure is three years, the project work itself is typically for two years within that tenure.

What if I need to travel for my research? Is there a separate travel allowance?

No separate TA/DA grant is provided. The expenses for tours within the country for collecting research data or attending scientific meetings can be met from the contingent grant. This includes economy class airfare and eligible daily allowances.

Where can I find more information or the official notification?

For official updates and more details, you can visit the ICAR website, which is https://rlbs.icar.gov.in/. Notifications for vacant slots are released periodically.

How many copies of the application do I need to submit?

You need to submit fifteen (15) copies of your application in the prescribed Proforma. Make sure they are sent through the Executive Authority of your proposed host institution.

What if I have ongoing research and am retiring soon? Can I apply?

Yes, if you are a teacher or professor who is due to retire within the next 12 months, you are eligible to apply. The scheme is designed to help you complete ongoing work and utilize your expertise.

Can I take a break during my tenure?

You are eligible for one month of leave with honorarium for each completed year of your tenure, or on a pro-rata basis. In exceptional cases, with a medical certificate, you can take up to three months of leave without honorarium for health reasons.