Indian Council of Agricultural Research runs Netaji Subhas ICAR International Fellowship (NS-ICARIF) every year for Indian and overseas students who want to pursue a Ph.D. in agriculture and allied sciences. Every cycle, 30 fellowships are offered for a three-year period, and eligible Indian scholars can go to identified foreign universities while overseas scholars can join Indian Agricultural Universities under the ICAR-AU system.
For the 2026 cycle, applications are being invited by the ICAR Education Division through the Assistant Director General (HRD) office. Fresh candidates below 35 years and in-service candidates below 40 years can apply if they hold a Master's degree in agriculture or an allied subject with 65% marks or OGPA of 6.60 out of 10.
Netaji Subhas ICAR International Fellowship 2026
NS-ICARIF is a central scheme run by ICAR under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The scheme was started to build a pool of trained agricultural scientists by giving Indian students access to world-class research labs abroad, and by bringing overseas scholars to Indian universities that have strong programmes in crop sciences, animal sciences, horticulture, biotechnology and other fields.
The two-way model is the main feature of this fellowship. Indian candidates get to work in foreign universities that have research strength in identified areas, and overseas candidates get admission in top Indian Agricultural Universities under the ICAR system. Both sides benefit from exchange of ideas, research methods and cross-country academic ties.
Areas of study covered under this fellowship include Crop Sciences, Horticulture, Animal Sciences, Fisheries, Natural Resource Management, Agricultural Engineering, and Biotechnology and Nanotechnology. If your Ph.D. topic falls in any of these fields, you can apply.
If you are also looking at other doctoral level schemes, you can check Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF) for research fellowships in IITs, IISc and IISERs.
Highlights of NS-ICAR International Fellowship
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Netaji Subhas ICAR International Fellowship (NS-ICARIF) |
| Launched By | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare |
| Nodal Department | Department of Agricultural Research and Education |
| Eligible People | Indian and overseas students with Master's in agriculture / allied sciences |
| Number of Fellowships | 30 per year |
| Fellowship Duration | 3 years |
| Stipend (Indian fellows abroad) | US $2,000 per month + US $1,000 per year contingency |
| Stipend (Overseas fellows in India) | ₹40,000 per month + ₹25,000 per year contingency |
| Application Mode | Email to ADG (HRD), ICAR |
| Official Website | icar.org.in / education.icar.gov.in |
How to Apply for NS-ICAR International Fellowship 2026
The application process has been updated. For the current cycle, ICAR is accepting applications by email instead of the earlier online portal only submission. You have to send a filled application to the ADG (HRD) office with all supporting documents attached. Follow the steps below.
STEP 1 - Visit the ICAR Education Division notification page at education.icar.gov.in/NetajiSubhasNotification and download the latest advertisement and the offline application form. Read the guidelines document carefully before you start filling the form.
STEP 2 - Fill the application form with your personal details, academic qualifications, publication list, research plan and the name of the host university where you have got admission or acceptance. Attach a passport-size photograph and your signature scan at the marked places.
STEP 3 - Collect all required documents such as your Master's degree marksheets, degree certificate, admission acceptance letter from the host university, No Objection Certificate from your employer (if in-service), passport copy and medical fitness certificate. Scan each in PDF format.
STEP 4 - Send the completed form and scanned documents to adg.hrd.applications@gmail.com. In the subject line, write "Application for NSIF: Your Name and Contact Number" so that the office can sort your file properly.
STEP 5 - Wait for a confirmation. The Selection Committee will review your academic record, research relevance and past achievements. Shortlisted overseas candidates may be interviewed over phone or video call. Final selection results are put up on the ICAR website.
Make sure you apply before the last date given in the current notification. In the last cycle (2025-26), the last date was first set in July and later extended, so keep checking the ICAR website for the exact deadline for the 2026 round.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for NS-ICARIF, you must meet the academic and age rules set by ICAR. The scheme is open to Indian citizens who want to study abroad and to overseas nationals who want to do their Ph.D. in Indian Agricultural Universities.
- Educational qualification: Master's degree in agriculture or an allied science with OGPA of 6.60 out of 10 or 65% marks (or an equivalent grade). The degree should be from a recognised university.
- Age limit for fresh candidates: Not more than 35 years on the last date for receipt of applications. Non-employed graduates should have finished their Master's within two years of the admission year.
- Age limit for in-service candidates: Up to 40 years on the last date. Indian in-service candidates should be working in the ICAR-AU system and must produce a No Objection Certificate from their parent institution.
Fellowship Amount and Other Benefits
The fellowship covers monthly stipend, annual contingency grant and to-and-fro air travel. The amount is different for Indian fellows going abroad and overseas fellows coming to India. The Council releases the money in half yearly instalments after checking your academic progress report signed by your supervisor.
For Indian fellows going abroad, the stipend is US $2,000 per month plus US $1,000 per year as a lumpsum contingency and preparatory grant. To-and-fro air travel by the shortest route is covered. Medical insurance and other small costs have to be managed by you from this grant.
For overseas candidates studying in India, the monthly stipend is ₹40,000 and the annual contingency amount is ₹25,000. Travel from the nearest port of arrival in India to the host Indian Agricultural University is also reimbursed. In-service candidates can continue to draw their salary from their parent office as per its own rules.
The fellowship is for 3 years. If you fail to finish your Ph.D. within two years of the sanctioned period, ICAR may start recovery of the amount paid to you. So plan your research timeline properly with your guide.
Bond and Bank Guarantee
Since the fellowship amount is large and paid in foreign currency in many cases, ICAR asks for a financial security. The rules are different for Indian and overseas fellows.
- Indian candidates going abroad: Must submit an irrevocable bank guarantee of US $10,000 or the equal amount in rupees, valid till the fellowship period is over.
- Overseas fellows in India: A total of ₹2,00,000 is held back from their fellowship instalments as security in place of a bank guarantee. This amount is refunded after they finish the Ph.D.
- Indian in-service candidates: Have to sign a bond to serve their home institution for at least 3 years after they get the degree.
Documents Required
Keep all your documents ready in scanned form before you start filling the application. Missing documents are one of the main reasons for rejection at the initial stage. The list below covers what you will normally need.
You will need a passport-size photograph and scanned signature, Aadhaar card, proof of age and residence, and a valid passport copy. Along with these, keep your Master's degree marksheets and certificate, No Objection Certificate from the employer (if you are in-service), details of your research publications and awards like Gold Medal or JRF, admission acceptance letter from the host university with the research plan, medical fitness certificate from an authorised doctor, and bank account details linked to Aadhaar.
Selection Process
The ICAR Selection Committee shortlists candidates on the basis of academic record, research proposal and its relevance to Indian agriculture, and past professional work. Interviews are held for shortlisted candidates. Overseas applicants may be interviewed by phone or video call so that they do not have to travel to India for this stage.
Progress is reviewed every 6 months during the fellowship. If your academic performance is poor or your supervisor's report is not satisfactory, the Council can end the fellowship early. So the stipend keeps coming only if you keep working on your Ph.D. seriously.
Official References
You can read the full rules and download the latest notification from the ICAR portal. Some useful links are given below.
ICAR Official Notification Page | Education Division Notification | Fellowship Guidelines PDF
FAQ's
Is Netaji Subhas ICAR International Fellowship still open in 2026?
Yes, the fellowship is still running and ICAR is inviting applications for the 2026 cycle through the ADG (HRD) office. Check the ICAR notification page for the exact last date.
How many fellowships are given every year?
ICAR offers 30 fellowships every year for a three-year Ph.D. programme in agriculture and allied sciences.
How much stipend do Indian fellows get for study abroad?
Indian fellows going abroad get US $2,000 per month as stipend and US $1,000 per year as a lumpsum contingency and preparatory grant, plus to-and-fro air travel.
What is the stipend for overseas candidates studying in India?
Overseas fellows studying in Indian Agricultural Universities get a monthly stipend of ₹40,000 and an annual contingency amount of ₹25,000, along with travel reimbursement from their port of arrival in India.
How can I submit my application for NSIF 2026?
You have to send the filled application form and scanned documents by email to adg.hrd.applications@gmail.com with the subject line "Application for NSIF: Your Name and Contact Number".
What is the age limit for applicants?
Fresh candidates must be up to 35 years old and in-service candidates can apply up to 40 years, both counted on the last date for receipt of applications.
What subjects are covered under this fellowship?
The fellowship covers Crop Sciences, Horticulture, Animal Sciences, Fisheries, Natural Resource Management, Agricultural Engineering, and Biotechnology and Nanotechnology.
Is there any bond or bank guarantee needed?
Yes. Indian fellows going abroad have to give a bank guarantee of US $10,000. Overseas fellows have ₹2,00,000 held back from their instalments as security, which is refunded after they finish the Ph.D. In-service Indian candidates also sign a service bond of 3 years with their home institution.