Tagore National Scholarship for Cultural Research 2026

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) offers Junior Research Fellowships to bright students pursuing Master's degrees Read More... in agriculture and related fields, encouraging them to pursue advanced studies. Read less

Details

Are you a bright student passionate about agriculture and dreaming of pursuing higher studies? The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) brings you an excellent opportunity to get financial support through its Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) program.

What Is This Scheme?

The ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is a prestigious award given to students who excel in an All India Competitive Entrance Examination. This fellowship supports your postgraduate studies, including coursework and research, leading to a Master's degree in various agricultural and allied science disciplines. The goal is to identify and nurture talent, encouraging more students to take up advanced agricultural education and contribute to the field.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This fellowship is designed for students who have completed or are about to complete their Bachelor's degree in agriculture or related fields. You must meet specific academic criteria and be within the age limit to be considered. The fellowship is awarded based on merit in the ICAR-JRF entrance exam.

Why This Scheme Is Important

This scheme plays a vital role in strengthening India's agricultural research and education system. By providing financial assistance and recognition, it encourages bright minds to focus on agricultural sciences. This, in turn, helps in developing innovative solutions for the challenges facing the agriculture sector and ensuring food security for the nation.

Objective

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) offers Junior Research Fellowships to bright students pursuing Master's degrees in agriculture and related fields, encouraging them to pursue advanced studies.

Benefits

Honorarium:

The scholarship honorarium will be ₹50,000/- per month. However, if the scholar is from a University, College, Research Institute, or Government set-up in India, he/she would be entitled to the same pay, including grade pay, etc., which he/she would have drawn had he/she continued in his/her parent organization.

Note:Essential or mandatory contribution of the employer to Provident Fund etc. would be paid by the parent organizations had he/she continued in his/her parent organization.

Contingency Grant:

In case of scholars selected as Tagore Scholars under Non-MoC institutions, will also be paid a contingency grant by the Ministry on an ‘actuals basis’ up to a maximum ceiling of ₹10,000 per month and such other allowances/benefits provided in this scheme, and to the extent, as may be specifically decided in each case by the ILSCC/NSC (within the limits applicable in the case of Tagore National Fellows), depending on the nature and the duration of the project subject to the verification of the bills by the Nodal Institutions.

Note:For scholars selected under MoC Institutions, the expenditure in this regard will be borne by the concerned MoC Institution from the grant-in-aid received by them from their administrative Division of the Ministry.

Accommodation:

A Scholar who is not a bona-fide resident of the place of the Participating Institution to which he has proposed to be affiliated and who intends to take up rented accommodation in the city of the desired Institution will be required to indicate this fact at the time of applying for Scholarship.
The selected Scholar will be entitled to receive a House Rent Allowance of up to 30% of the honorarium. However, with respect to Scholars from University, College, Research Institute or Government set up, HRA will be paid by the Parent Organization as per entitlement.
MoC Institutions will bear the expenditure in this regard from the grant-in-aid received by them from their administrative Division of the Ministry.
In respect of Non-MoC Institutions, the Ministry of Culture will reimburse the House Rent Allowance directly to Scholars on submission of rent receipts (in original) to the Participating Institutions who will verify and forward the same to the Ministry for reimbursement.

Settling Allowance:

A Scholar from outstation will be given, if required, a lump sum grant of ₹1.00 lakh as settling allowance for packing/transportation, etc., of his personal belongings from the old station to the new station of his stay during the tenure of the Scholarship, if he moves station or otherwise transports books and academic effects.
Allowance of an equal amount will also be given at the conclusion of the Scholarship for moving out of station. On a case-to-case basis, economy airfare from his/her place/country of residence will be provided/reimbursed upon joining and on the conclusion of the Scholarship.
In this regard, Non-MoC Institutions will bear the expenditure and thereafter seek reimbursement from the Ministry after submission of certified copies of Bills along with justification.
Intimation in advance is also required to be given to the Ministry by the Non-MoC Institutions. MoC Institutions will bear the expenditure in this regard from the grant-in-aid received by them from their administrative Division of the Ministry.

Support to Scholars:

Infrastructural support will be provided by the Nodal Institution to the Scholars to enable them to conduct their research. This may include the provision of a computer with peripherals and connectivity, working space in the institution’s premises, providing a congenial atmosphere to carry out research, etc. Other facilities, like appropriate seating arrangements, library facilities, etc., will also be made available.

One important advantage of this scheme will be the access of the Scholars to national institutions for study and avail original and rare research material. In respect of foreign Scholars engaged under this scheme, necessary political/security clearances from the concerned Ministries/Departments shall be obtained by the Ministry of Culture.

Encouragement and financial support may also be given to enable the Scholars to present papers at conferences hosted by the concerned institution or other related organizations and institutions, which will be met out/reimbursed, on an ‘actuals’ basis, with a ceiling of ₹1.00 lakh per annum, provided adequate academic interaction is arranged.

Sources and references

Official Website

Eligibility Criteria

How the Fellowship is Awarded:

The ICAR-JRF (PGS) fellowship is granted based on your performance in the All India Competitive Entrance Examination. This exam also serves for concurrent admission to Master's degree programs at:

State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).
Deemed Universities like IARI (New Delhi), IVRI (Izatnagar), NDRI (Karnal), CIFE (Mumbai), AAU (Allahabad), and Central Agricultural University (Imphal, Manipur).
Central Universities with agriculture faculties such as Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Visva Bharti, and Nagaland University. These are collectively known as Agricultural Universities (AUs).

General Eligibility:

You must have completed your Bachelor's Degree or be in the final year of your Bachelor's Degree in the relevant field. This applies to programs under 10+2+5, 10+2+4, or 10+2+3 (for basic science subjects) systems. The specific eligibility requirements, including any remedial courses, set by the Agricultural Universities will be considered final.
Academic Marks: Candidates from General, OBC, and Under Privileged States (UPS) categories need to have secured at least 60% marks or an Overall Grade Point Average (OGPA) of 6.60/10.00, 3.25/5.00, or 2.6/4.00. For SC/ST/Physically Handicapped (PH) categories, the requirement is 55% marks or an OGPA of 5.5/10.00, 2.75/5.00, or 2.20/4.00. The university registrar will certify the conversion of OGPA to percentage marks if needed.
For admission to M.V.Sc. programs, you must have completed your B.V.Sc.&A.H. and finished your internship before the registration date at the university.
Minimum Age: You must be at least 19 years old as of the examination date. No exceptions are made for the minimum age limit.

Important Notes:

Reservations for SC/ST/OBC and PH categories will be applied as per the Government of India rules and instructions. The Agricultural University where you are admitted is responsible for verifying the authenticity of these certificates.
The ICAR-JRF (PGS) fellowship is only valid for admission to the Agricultural Universities (AUs) mentioned above.

How To Apply

Applications for the ICAR-JRF (PGS) examination are accepted only through the online mode. Here's how you can apply:

Visit the official ICAR examination website: https://icar.nta.nic.in.
Fill out the online application form carefully with all the required details.
Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and thumb impression as specified.
Pay the application fee online using the available payment methods (SBI/Syndicate/HDFC Payment Gateway via Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking/UPI).
Ensure you keep proof of payment for your records.
Submit the application form before the deadline.

Please note that applications submitted through any other mode will not be accepted.

Documents Required

When filling out the online application form for the ICAR exam, you will need the following information and documents:

Your recent passport-sized colour photograph (three identical copies with name and date written on the back).
Your signature.
Your thumb impression (left thumb for males, right thumb for females).
Details for a government-issued identity card, such as Aadhaar Number, Election Card (EPIC No.), Passport number, Ration Card Number, Bank Account Number, or PAN Number.
Proof of application fee payment.
Postal dispatch proof of application if applicable.
Your communication address, mobile number, and email ID.
Your bank account details.

Note: No certificates are generally required to be uploaded with the application form at the time of online submission. However, these documents will be verified directly at the time of admission to the university.

FAQ’s

What is the age requirement to apply for the ICAR JRF?

You must be at least 19 years old as of the examination date. There is no relaxation provided for this minimum age limit.

Can I correct mistakes in my application form after submitting it?

Once you click 'Final Submit', your application details cannot be edited. However, NTA usually opens a correction window as per the schedule, allowing you to make changes on the website. No corrections will be permitted after this correction window closes, so ensure all information is final.

How will I receive my admit card, and whom should I contact if I don't get it?

The admit card will be uploaded on the NTA website (https://icar.nta.nic.in) as per the schedule. You should check it carefully for all your details. If you do not receive your admit card, you can contact NTA via the toll-free number 0120-6895200 or email them at [email protected].

Is there a way to pay the application fee other than online methods?

No, the application fee can only be paid online using the SBI/Syndicate/HDFC Payment Gateway through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Make sure to keep proof of your payment.

What is the purpose of the ICAR JRF for agriculture students?

The ICAR JRF is crucial as it financially supports and recognizes talented students, motivating them to pursue advanced studies and research in agricultural sciences. This helps in advancing the agricultural sector in India.

Does the fellowship cover study and research for my Master's degree?

Yes, the fellowship is intended to support both your coursework and research activities as you work towards your Master's degree in agriculture and allied sciences.

What is the procedure for applying for this fellowship?

You must apply online only through the official website: https://icar.nta.nic.in. The application involves filling out the form, uploading required images, and paying the fee online.

Are there any specific universities where the ICAR JRF can be used?

Yes, the ICAR-JRF (PGS) fellowship is exclusively for admission into Master's programs at the specified Agricultural Universities (AUs) in India, including State Agricultural Universities and certain central/deemed universities.

What academic percentage or grade is required to be eligible?

General, OBC, and UPS candidates need at least 60% marks or an OGPA of 6.60/10.00. SC/ST/PH candidates require 55% marks or an OGPA of 5.5/10.00. The specific conversion of OGPA to percentage will be certified by the university registrar.

Do I need to upload my certificates with the application form?

No, you typically do not need to upload any certificates along with the online application form. However, these documents will be thoroughly verified when you get admitted to the university.