Details

Are you looking to pursue a PhD in agricultural sciences and need financial support? The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) offers a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) to help bright minds advance their education and contribute to agricultural research.

What Is This Scheme?

The ICAR Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) for Post-Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences is a program designed to encourage bright and talented students to undertake higher studies, specifically a PhD, in various fields of agriculture and its related sciences. This fellowship supports students pursuing these advanced degrees at designated Agricultural Universities (AUs) across India.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This fellowship is for candidates who have completed their Master's degree in agriculture or allied sciences and wish to pursue a PhD. It's particularly beneficial for those who want to specialize in areas that address the emerging challenges in agricultural research and education. Specific eligibility criteria regarding academic marks and age limits apply, with relaxations for candidates from reserved categories.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The ICAR SRF plays a crucial role in strengthening agricultural research and education in India. By providing financial assistance and encouraging higher studies, it helps nurture a new generation of researchers and academicians. This, in turn, contributes to developing innovative solutions for the agricultural sector, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Objective

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) offers Senior Research Fellowships for talented students pursuing PhDs in agricultural and allied sciences at Agricultural Universities.

Benefits

a)Emeritus Scientists will be entitled to an honorarium of Rs.50,000/- per month in addition to a pension that he may draw w.e.f. 1.1.2016. The honorarium paid to the Emeritus Scientist shall be subject to the Income Tax Act.

b)A contingent grant of Rs. 2,00,000/- per annum per scientist, depending upon the nature of the project to cover expenditure on the purchase of essential items of stores such as chemicals, glasswares etc., books and stationery and part-time laboratory/ministerial help will be given to the Emeritus Scientist. While sanctioning a project the amount of contingent grant could be enhanced with the concurrence of the FA (DARE) keeping in view the nature of research work. The expenditure on travel may be used to cover the tours within the country for the Purpose of collection of research data and also to attend a scientific meeting/conference within the country including the review meetings called by ICAR from the contingencies. Airfare in the economy class, eligible DA, and road mileage from the residence or from the headquarters to the airport and vice-versa will be admissible for such tours. No separate grant for TA/DA will be given and the Emeritus Scientist is to meet the expenditure on TA/DA from contingencies. The contingent grant will be released only on the basis of requisition and actual utilization in the previous year.

c)Grant for engagement of one Junior Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow/Research Associates on such rates and allowances as approved by the Council from time to time. Their appointment will be coterminous with the termination of the project under the Emeritus Scientists Scheme.

d)The Emeritus Scientist will devote his whole time to the project for which financial assistance is provided and he will not accept any other regular or part-time remunerative job during his tenure as Emeritus Scientist.

e)The Emeritus Scientist shall not receive any assistance for the same work from any other source so long as he receives assistance from the Council.

f)The Emeritus Scientist shall normally remain attached to an Agricultural University / ICAR Institute from where he/she retired, or to any other institution concerned with agriculture and allied sciences where he/she is assured in writing of the necessary facilities. The concerned University / Institution shall make necessary arrangements for the smooth running of the project and shall make available office accommodation and provide laboratory and library facilities and other supporting help to the Emeritus Scientist. The Emeritus Scientist shall himself/herself make the necessary arrangements with the concerned University / Institution.

g)The Emeritus Scientist will participate in the teaching programmes in the field of his / her specialization of the university or institute to which he/ she is attached. The Emeritus Scientist shall be subject to the discipline of the Institute where he/she is permitted to work. His / her annual report would be submitted through the Dean/Head of the Institution/Director of the Institute. In the case of teachers, he/she will be answerable to the Director (Instructions) / Dean/Head of the Department.

h)The Emeritus Scientist shall be entitled to residential accommodation in the institute where he/she had worked earlier. In case the Emeritus Scientist comes from outside, he shall be considered for accommodation on priority as per entitlement and existing rules. The Emeritus Scientist will be entitled to occupy ICAR / SAU Rest House, wherever available, on tours at the rates applicable to ICAR / SAU employees.

i)The appointment shall start only after the Scientist has actually retired, after availing of leave preparatory to retirement, if any, or when the basic facilities for the work have been made available.

j)The Emeritus Scientist will be eligible to avail of one-month leave with honorarium for each completed year of his / her tenure or on pro-rata basis for any fraction of a year. He/she may plan his leave as convenient to him/her. In exceptional cases, an Emeritus Scientist may avail of leave up to three months without honorarium on health grounds supported by a medical certificate. He /she will be treated on duty while accepting assignments within NARS. The Head of the Department / Dean / Director of the Institute will sanction the leave and the office to which he is attached will maintain a record.

k)The duration of appointment of the Emeritus Scientist shall be strictly three years. No further extension will be considered. However, the duration of the project in the case of an existing Emeritus Scientist will remain at two years only. A standing committee specifically constituted with the approval of DG will review the work of the Emeritus Scientist on completion of one year. The salient findings will be published in the form of research papers in scientific journals and the ICAR/DARE Annual Report. A copy of the final report will be sent to the Libraries of the concerned Institutes.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Qualification: Candidates should have completed their Master’s degree with at least 55% marks or an equivalent OGPA (5.5/10.00, 2.75/5.00, 2.20/4.00). For SC/ST and Physically Handicapped (PH) candidates, this requirement is relaxed by 5 percent or an equivalent OGPA. Candidates in their final semester are also eligible if they complete their degree by the examination date.
University for PhD: The fellowship is only granted if the candidate pursues a PhD in an Agricultural University (AU) different from the one where they completed their Master's degree.
Age Limit: The upper age limit is 30 years as of the examination date. This is relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST & PH candidates and by 3 years for OBC candidates. For in-service candidates from Agricultural Universities, the age limit is 45 years.
Reservation: Reservation for SC/ST/OBC and PH categories will be as per Government of India rules.
University Restriction: The ICAR-SRF (PGS) is only available for admission to the specified Agricultural Universities (AUs).

How To Apply

Application forms are submitted exclusively online through the official website: https://icar.nta.ac.in.
Candidates must carefully fill in all required details, including personal information, academic qualifications, and contact details.
Upload scanned images of your photograph, signature, and thumb impression as per the specified size and format.
Pay the application fee through the designated payment gateway using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Paytm. Keep proof of payment for your records.
Submit the application form before the closing date.
Note: Applications submitted through any mode other than online will not be accepted.

Documents Required

Candidates need to have the following ready for the online application:

A recent passport-size photograph (file size: 10 kb - 200 kb).
Your signature (file size: 4kb - 30kb).
Your thumb impression (file size: 3kb - 30kb). Use the left thumb for males and the right thumb for females.
A valid Government Identity Proof (e.g., Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Ration Card, PAN Card, Bank Account Number).
Three identical copies of your latest passport-size colored photographs (with name and date printed on them).
Proof of application fee payment.
Proof of postal dispatch if an application is sent by post (though the primary mode is online).
Current address for communication, mobile number, and email ID.
Bank account details for fee payment.

FAQ’s

What should I do if I make a mistake while filling out the application?

After clicking 'Final Submit', you cannot edit your application. However, the National Testing Agency (NTA) usually opens a 'Correction Window' for a limited period. You can make changes to your application details on the website only during this window. No changes will be allowed once the correction window closes.

Can I apply more than once for this fellowship exam?

No, each candidate is allowed to submit only one application form for the examination.

Who is responsible for conducting the ICAR Senior Research Fellowship exam?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the ICAR AICE and ICAR AIEEA exams on behalf of ICAR. You will need to visit the official ICAR-NTA website to apply and find exam-related information.

How can I pay the application fee for the fellowship?

You can pay the application fee securely using a payment gateway via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Paytm, usually through SBI, Canara, HDFC, or ICICI Bank. Remember to keep a copy of the fee payment receipt.

Do I need to upload my academic certificates when submitting the application?

No, you do not need to upload any certificates along with the application form at the time of online submission. You will need to upload scanned images of your photograph, signature, and thumb impression. You might be required to produce your certificates later during the admission process or for verification.

What is the age relaxation for different categories?

The upper age limit for the fellowship is 30 years. This limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST and Physically Handicapped (PH) candidates, and by 3 years for OBC candidates. For candidates already employed in Agricultural Universities, the age limit is extended to 45 years.

Is there a specific way to submit my application form?

Yes, applications are accepted only through the online mode on the official website. Any application submitted through offline means will not be considered.

ICAR Emeritus Scientist 2026