AI SummaryICAR Senior Research Fellowship for Post-Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences is running for the 2026 admission cycle, with the entrance exam already conducted on 4 July 2026 in Computer Based Test mode across 122 cities. Successful candidates get a monthly stipend of ₹31,000 as Junior Research Fellow (JRF) in the first two years, going up to ₹35,000 as Senior Research Fellow (SRF) in the third year, along with ₹10,000 as yearly contingency grant for research expenses.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research funds this fellowship for meritorious students admitted to PhD programs at ICAR-accredited agricultural universities across India. Registration for AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 closed on 10 June 2026 after an extension, and results are expected shortly on the NTA portal at exams.nta.ac.in/ICAR/. The answer key was released after the exam and candidates could raise objections within the given window.
ICAR SRF Fellowship 2026 for PhD in Agricultural Sciences
This fellowship covers doctoral admissions to premier institutes like IARI New Delhi, NDRI Karnal, IVRI Izatnagar and Punjab Agricultural University, along with other ICAR-accredited State Agricultural Universities. Selection is done through the AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) entrance exam managed by the National Testing Agency on behalf of ICAR.
Fellows can work on time-bound research projects, ICAR-funded schemes or regular PhD programs. Project-linked fellows receive higher emoluments of ₹37,000 per month as JRF and ₹42,000 per month as SRF, plus House Rent Allowance. If you are looking at other doctoral funding options, you may also want to check the Prime Minister Research Fellowship Scheme which supports PhD scholars at IITs, IISc and other top institutes.
Application Process at icar.nta.ac.in
Registration for the 2026 cycle is closed, but the same online process will apply for the next AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) notification. All applications are accepted only through the official NTA portal. Follow these steps to complete the online application when the next window opens.
STEP 1 - Go to the official NTA ICAR portal at icar.nta.nic.in and click on the 'New Registration' link for AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.).
STEP 2 - Register using your active email ID and mobile number. A system-generated application number will be sent to your registered contact details.
STEP 3 - Log in with your application number and password, then fill in personal details, academic qualifications, category, exam city preferences and subject choice.
STEP 4 - Upload the scanned photograph (10 kb to 200 kb), signature (4 kb to 30 kb) and thumb impression (3 kb to 30 kb) in the required formats. Use left thumb for males and right thumb for females.
STEP 5 - Pay the application fee online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI or Paytm through SBI, Canara, HDFC or ICICI payment gateways.
STEP 6 - After final submission, download and print the confirmation page for your records. Keep the payment receipt safe for future reference.
If you make a mistake in the form, NTA opens a short correction window after the last date. You can edit selected fields during that time only. No changes are allowed once the correction window closes.
Required Documents
Keep these documents and details ready before you start the online application to avoid last-minute problems.
Photograph and signature: Recent passport-size colour photograph in JPG/JPEG format, scanned signature and thumb impression in the size limits mentioned above.
Identity proof: Valid government ID like Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport or PAN Card for identity verification during registration and at the exam centre.
Academic details: Your Master's degree marksheet (or final semester details if you are still studying), name of the ICAR-accredited university where you completed PG, and subject of PhD.
Category certificate: Valid SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS or PwD certificate in the prescribed central government format if you are claiming reservation or fee relaxation.
Bank and contact details: Active email ID, mobile number and bank account details for fee payment and further communication.
Eligibility for ICAR SRF Fellowship 2026
To apply for AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026, you must meet the academic and category rules set by ICAR. Check the points below carefully before you fill the form.
- Educational qualification: A Master's degree (M.Sc., M.V.Sc., M.E. or M.Tech.) in an agriculture or allied subject from an ICAR-accredited university, with a minimum of 60% marks or OGPA of 6.60/10.00 for General, OBC and EWS candidates. SC, ST and PwD candidates need 50% marks or OGPA of 5.50/10.00.
- Final semester students: If you are in the final semester of your PG programme, you can still apply, provided you complete your degree before the counselling or admission stage.
- Age limit: Minimum age is 20 years as on 31 August 2026. As per the revised rules, there is no upper age limit for the exam, though individual universities may have their own age rules for PhD admission.
- University mobility: You should pursue your PhD in an Agricultural University different from the one where you completed your Master's degree. This rule promotes exposure across different research centres.
Your university will verify the genuineness of your category certificates and Master's degree at the time of admission. Any mismatch can lead to cancellation of the fellowship.
Fellowship Amount and Benefits
Selected candidates get a monthly stipend, yearly contingency grant and HRA as per the revised ICAR rates issued in October 2024. The current fellowship structure is given below.
| Fellowship Type | Monthly Stipend | Annual Contingency |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional JRF (Year 1-2) | ₹31,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Institutional SRF (Year 3) | ₹35,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Project-linked JRF (Year 1-2) | ₹37,000 + HRA | ₹10,000 |
| Project-linked SRF (Year 3 onwards) | ₹42,000 + HRA | ₹10,000 |
| Research Associate | ₹61,000 - ₹67,000 + HRA | As per project rules |
The yearly contingency grant of ₹10,000 can be used for books, chemicals, lab materials, printing and travel related to your research work. Payment is done through DBT to your bank account directly.
ICAR SRF Fellowship 2026 Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | ICAR Senior Research Fellowship for PG Studies in Agricultural Sciences |
| Exam Name | AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 |
| Launched By | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Beneficiaries | PhD students in agriculture and allied sciences |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹31,000 (JRF) / ₹35,000 (SRF) |
| Contingency Grant | ₹10,000 per year |
| Exam Date 2026 | 4 July 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | icar.nta.ac.in / icar.org.in |
Exam Pattern and Mode
AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) is a Computer Based Test of 2 hours duration. The question paper covers subject-specific topics based on the syllabus published by ICAR for each major PhD discipline. Exam is conducted in around 122 cities across India, so most candidates get a centre in or near their home state.
Merit list is prepared based on the score in the entrance exam. Top-ranked candidates get PhD admission with ICAR fellowship, while others may still get admission without the fellowship, depending on university seats.
References and Official Documents
For the latest notification, syllabus PDF, information bulletin and fellowship rules, refer to these official sources.
FAQ's
What is the ICAR SRF Fellowship for PG Studies in Agricultural Sciences?
It is a doctoral fellowship funded by ICAR to support PhD scholars in agriculture and allied sciences at ICAR-accredited universities, with a monthly stipend, yearly contingency grant and HRA where applicable.
How much stipend do ICAR JRF and SRF fellows get in 2026?
As per the revised rates from October 2024, institutional JRF fellows get ₹31,000 per month for the first two years and ₹35,000 per month as SRF from the third year, along with ₹10,000 per year as contingency grant.
Who conducts the AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 exam?
National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the exam on behalf of ICAR. The application, admit card, exam and result are all handled through the NTA ICAR portal at icar.nta.ac.in.
When was the AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 exam held?
The exam was held on 4 July 2026 in Computer Based Test mode across around 122 cities in India. The answer key has been released and results are expected soon on the official NTA portal.
What is the minimum age to apply for ICAR SRF Fellowship 2026?
Minimum age is 20 years as on 31 August 2026. There is no upper age limit for appearing in the entrance exam, though universities may have their own PhD admission age rules.
What are the minimum marks required in Master's degree?
You need a minimum of 60% marks or OGPA of 6.60/10.00 in your Master's degree for General, OBC and EWS categories. SC, ST and PwD candidates need 50% marks or OGPA of 5.50/10.00.
Can I apply for the fellowship if I am in the final semester of my PG?
Yes, final semester students can apply. You must complete your Master's degree with the required marks before the counselling or admission stage.
How is the fellowship amount paid to selected candidates?
Payment is done through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the fellow's bank account every month. Contingency grant is released yearly as per the university's process.
Can I pursue PhD in the same university where I did my Master's?
No, ICAR rules require you to pursue your PhD in an Agricultural University different from the one where you completed your Master's degree, to promote research exposure across institutes.
Where can I check the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 result?
You can check the result on the official NTA portal at exams.nta.ac.in/ICAR/ by logging in with your application number and password. Results will be announced after the answer key objection window closes.