Table of Contents
- What is ICAR AIEEA PG (JRF)?
- ICAR PG (JRF) Highlights
- ICAR PG (JRF) Exam Pattern
- ICAR PG (JRF) 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- Major Subject Groups Available in ICAR PG Examination
- ICAR PG (JRF) Syllabus
- Download Official ICAR PG (JRF) Syllabus PDF
- Participating Universities
- Why Choose ICAR PG (JRF)?
- Career Opportunities After ICAR PG
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is ICAR PG and JRF the same?
- Is there negative marking in ICAR PG?
- How many questions are asked in ICAR PG?
- What is the duration of the examination?
- Is the exam conducted online?
- Where can I download the official syllabus?
- Conclusion
What is ICAR AIEEA PG (JRF)?
The ICAR AIEEA PG (All India Entrance Examination for Admission – Postgraduate) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission into Master's degree programs in Agriculture and Allied Sciences offered by ICAR-affiliated Agricultural Universities across India.
Through this examination, eligible candidates can also compete for the prestigious ICAR-PG Scholarship (commonly referred to as JRF by students).
The examination serves as the gateway to top agricultural institutions such as IARI, IVRI, NDRI, CIFE, State Agricultural Universities, Central Agricultural Universities, and other ICAR-recognized institutions.
ICAR PG (JRF) Highlights
| Particular | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Name | ICAR AIEEA PG | |
| Conducting Agency | National Testing Agency (NTA) | |
| Governing Body | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) | |
| Exam Level | National | |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) | |
| Courses Offered | M.Sc. Agriculture and Allied Sciences | |
| Scholarship | ICAR-PG Scholarship (JRF) | |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | |
| Official Website | https://exams.nta.nic.in/ICAR | |
| ICAR Website | https://icar.org.in |
ICAR PG (JRF) Exam Pattern
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Examination | Online (CBT) |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 480 Marks |
| Correct Answer | +4 Marks |
| Incorrect Answer | -1 Mark |
| Unattempted Question | 0 Mark |
| Language | English |
The examination evaluates candidates' understanding of their chosen agricultural discipline at the undergraduate level.
ICAR PG (JRF) 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in the relevant agricultural or allied science discipline from a recognized university.
Common eligible degrees include:
- B.Sc. (Agriculture)
- B.Sc. (Horticulture)
- B.Sc. (Forestry)
- B.Sc. (Community Science)
- B.F.Sc.
- B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering)
- B.V.Sc. & A.H.
- B.Sc. (Agri Biotechnology)
- Other equivalent agricultural degrees
Candidates should verify specific eligibility requirements for their chosen subject group in the official Information Bulletin.
Major Subject Groups Available in ICAR PG Examination
The ICAR PG examination is conducted for multiple subject groups, including:
- Agronomy
- Plant Sciences
- Horticulture
- Forestry and Agroforestry
- Soil Science
- Entomology and Nematology
- Plant Biotechnology
- Agricultural Engineering and Technology
- Water Science and Technology
- Animal Sciences
- Veterinary Science
- Fisheries Science
- Dairy Science
- Dairy Technology
- Food Science and Technology
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Extension
- Agri-Business Management
- Statistical Sciences
- Community Science and related disciplines.
ICAR PG (JRF) Syllabus
The syllabus is based on the undergraduate curriculum of the selected subject group.
Download Official ICAR PG (JRF) Syllabus PDF
Candidates can download the official subject-wise syllabus
Participating Universities
Admission through ICAR PG scores is available in:
- ICAR Deemed Universities
- State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)
- Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs)
- Central Universities with Agriculture Faculties
- ICAR Institutes Offering Postgraduate Programmes
The ICAR-AU system comprises dozens of agricultural universities across India.
Why Choose ICAR PG (JRF)?
- Admission to top agricultural universities in India
- Opportunity to receive ICAR-PG Scholarship
- Better research exposure
- Access to advanced agricultural education
- Strong foundation for Ph.D. programs
- Enhanced career opportunities in research, academics, government services, and agribusiness
Career Opportunities After ICAR PG
After completing a Master's degree through ICAR PG admission, candidates can pursue careers as:
- Agricultural Scientist
- Research Associate
- Agricultural Officer
- Subject Matter Specialist
- Assistant Professor
- Agricultural Consultant
- Plant Breeder
- Soil Scientist
- Agronomist
- Horticulture Specialist
- Extension Officer
- Agri-Business Professional
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is ICAR PG and JRF the same?
ICAR AIEEA PG is the entrance examination, while JRF generally refers to the ICAR-PG Scholarship awarded to eligible candidates based on merit.
Is there negative marking in ICAR PG?
Yes. One mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.
How many questions are asked in ICAR PG?
A total of 120 multiple-choice questions are asked.
What is the duration of the examination?
The examination duration is 120 minutes (2 hours).
Is the exam conducted online?
Yes. The examination is conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
Where can I download the official syllabus?
The official syllabus can be downloaded from the above link using the syllabus link provided above.
Conclusion
ICAR AIEEA PG (JRF) 2026 is one of the most important entrance examinations for agriculture graduates aspiring to pursue postgraduate studies in premier agricultural institutions across India. Understanding the exam pattern, eligibility criteria, subject groups, and syllabus is the first step toward successful admission and scholarship opportunities.
Candidates should regularly visit the official ICAR and NTA websites for the latest notifications, application dates, admit cards, answer keys, and counselling updates.
