ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF 2025 is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of ICAR for admissions to Ph.D. programs in agricultural and allied sciences. It offers Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)/Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) to eligible candidates. The exam covers 72 subjects and will be conducted in 89 cities across India. Admissions are granted to 30% of seats in AUs and 100% of seats in ICAR Deemed Universities and select Central Agricultural Universities. The exam ensures a merit-based, transparent, and fair admission process.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 serves as a gateway for aspiring scholars seeking admission to doctoral programs in Agricultural and Allied Sciences across premier institutions in India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency, this national-level examination facilitates merit-based selection for Junior and Senior Research Fellowships, fostering academic excellence and innovation.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Overview | |
Feature | Details |
Exam Name | ICAR All India Competitive Examination (AICE) JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2025 |
Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Purpose | Admission to Ph.D. programs in Agricultural and Allied Sciences + Award of JRF/SRF Fellowships |
Exam Level | National |
Number of Subjects | 72 Subjects |
Number of Exam Cities | 89 Cities across India |
Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
Exam Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Total Questions | 120 Questions |
Language of Exam | English only |
Fellowship Offered | JRF (Rs. 37,000/month for 1st & 2nd year) + SRF (Rs. 42,000/month for 3rd year) |
Official Websites | www.nta.ac.in, https://exams.nta.ac.in/ICAR/ |
Adhering to important dates is crucial for seamless participation in ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025. The official schedule outlines key milestones, including application deadlines, correction windows, examination dates, and result announcements. Staying informed about these dates helps candidates manage their preparation and application process in a timely and organized manner.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Important Dates | |
Activity | Date |
Online submission of application form | 6 May 2025 to 5 June 2025 (up to 5:00 PM) |
Last date of successful fee transaction | 5 June 2025 (up to 11:50 PM) |
Correction in application form | 7 June 2025 to 9 June 2025 |
Admit card release | To be announced later |
Date of Examination | 3 July 2025 |
Display of Answer Keys | To be announced later |
Result declaration | To be announced later |
Counselling schedule | Announced post-result on ICAR website |
The official ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Notification was released via NTA, detailing all essential information, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and instructions. The application process is completely online through https://exams.nta.ac.in/ICAR/. The notification emphasizes transparency, fairness, and standardization of the assessment process. It also outlines strict adherence to eligibility criteria and instructions for candidates to avoid disqualification.
Indian nationals with a Master’s degree (with thesis) in a relevant field and meeting specific OGPA or percentage marks criteria are eligible. The minimum OGPA required is 6.5/10 (60%) for General/OBC/EWS and 5.5/10 (50%) for SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender. The candidate must complete the Master’s degree by 31 July 2025. Age must be at least 20 years as of 31 August 2025. 3-year UG degree holders are not eligible except in some IARI/NDRI courses.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Eligibility Criteria | ||
Category | Minimum OGPA (10-point scale) | Minimum Percentage |
General/OBC (NCL)/UPS/EWS | 6.5 | 60.00% |
SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender | 5.5 | 50.00% |
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 application form must be submitted online through the NTA portal. The process includes three steps: registration, filling the application, and fee payment. Applicants must upload scanned images of their photograph, signature, and thumb impression in the prescribed format. Only one application per candidate is allowed. All correspondence will be through the registered email ID and mobile number. No documents need to be sent physically. Incomplete applications or missing fee payments will lead to rejection. Candidates must regularly check the NTA website for updates regarding their application status.
The application fee structure for ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 varies across different candidate categories. Payment of the prescribed fee is a mandatory step in completing the application process. Candidates must review the applicable fee details carefully to ensure successful submission of their online application within the stipulated timeline.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Application Fee | |
Category | Fee (INR) |
General/Unreserved | ₹2000 |
OBC (NCL)/UPS/EWS | ₹1955 |
SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender | ₹1025 |
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 exam date is July 3, 2025. The examination will be conducted in LAN-based CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode across 89 cities in India. The exact time, shift, and location of the exam will be mentioned on the admit card. Candidates are advised to reach their assigned center well in advance with a printed admit card and a valid ID. No changes in center or shift are allowed once the admit card is issued. Late entry or missing the exam will lead to disqualification.
Understanding the ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 exam pattern is essential for candidates preparing for ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025. The examination is structured to assess both general aptitude and subject-specific knowledge through a comprehensive question paper. Familiarity with the pattern aids effective preparation and enhances the chances of securing a competitive score.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Exam Pattern | |
Feature | Details |
Mode | LAN Based CBT |
Duration | 2 Hours |
Total Questions | 120 (MCQs) |
Section A | 20 Questions - General Knowledge & Reasoning |
Section B | 50 Questions - Core Group Subject |
Section C | 50 Questions - Specialized Subject |
Medium | English |
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Syllabus is based on the postgraduate level curriculum in agricultural and allied sciences. It includes content from general knowledge, core subject areas, and specialized fields aligned with the candidate’s Master's program. The detailed syllabus for each subject is available on the official ICAR website (https://icar.org.in/node/21053). Candidates are advised to study according to their selected subject to ensure proper preparation. The syllabus also helps set expectations for the type of questions asked in each of the three exam sections.
Practicing ICAR JRF Previous Year Question Papers is crucial for ICAR AICE JRF/SRF exam preparation. These papers help candidates understand the question format, level of difficulty, and time management strategies. They provide insights into frequently asked topics and help build exam confidence. Many subject-specific papers from earlier years are available on educational portals, ICAR’s official site, or through academic publishers. Solving them under timed conditions is highly recommended to improve accuracy and speed. Candidates can also use them to identify weak areas and improve their overall performance.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Admit Card will be released on the NTA’s official website. Candidates must download and print the admit card once it is available. The card includes crucial details like exam date, time, shift, center, and instructions. Entry into the examination center without the admit card and a valid government-issued photo ID will not be permitted. Candidates must check for discrepancies in the admit card and report them to NTA immediately. Admit cards will not be sent by post and must be preserved until admission is finalized.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2025 will be held in 89 cities across India, ensuring candidates from diverse regions can participate. While filling out the application, candidates must choose their preferred exam cities. The final allotment will be printed on the admit card and cannot be changed later. NTA aims to allot centers as per preference, but reserves the right to assign any center based on operational requirements. Candidates must visit the venue beforehand, arrive early on exam day, and strictly follow the prescribed guidelines.
After the examination, NTA will release the provisional ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Answer Key along with the question paper attempted by the candidate. Candidates can challenge the answers by submitting appropriate representations online within a specified timeframe. A processing fee (refundable if the challenge is accepted) must be paid per question challenged. Final answer keys will be released after analyzing the objections, and the results will be compiled based on them. This process ensures transparency and provides candidates with the opportunity to rectify any discrepancies in scoring.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Result will be announced on the NTA website. Scores will be computed using percentile normalization if the exam is held in multiple shifts. The result includes the candidate’s score, rank, and qualifying status. Based on their ranks, eligible candidates will be invited for counseling for admission and/or award of fellowship. No requests for rechecking or reevaluation are entertained. Merit lists will be used to allocate seats and fellowships, and only candidates who meet the cutoff will proceed to counseling.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025 Cut-off scores represent the minimum marks required to qualify for fellowships or admission through ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2025. These vary based on the subject, category, and number of available seats. Cut-offs are determined after the result declaration and are influenced by the difficulty of the exam and number of applicants. Only candidates who score above the cutoff are eligible for counseling and seat allocation. Final admission and fellowship depend on the merit rank, availability of seats, and reservation norms. Cut-offs are published on the ICAR or NTA website.
ICAR will conduct centralized online counseling after the results are declared. Qualified candidates must register, fill out their preferences for universities and subjects, and participate in the seat allocation process. Seats and fellowships will be allocated based on merit rank, category, and availability. Counseling details, including schedules and procedures, will be published on the ICAR website. Candidates must ensure all eligibility documents are ready and attend counseling within the deadlines. Those failing to report or produce required certificates may lose their claim to seats or fellowships.