ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Syllabus 2026, Subject wise Topics, Download PDF
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Syllabus 2026 includes Section A (General Knowledge), Section B (Core Subject), and Section C (Specialized Subject) with 120 questions carrying 480 marks. ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Syllabus 2026 also covers subject-wise topics such as Genetics, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Plant Physiology, and Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, helping candidates prepare strategically for the exam
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Syllabus 2026: The ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 Exam is expected to be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) across multiple cities throughout India. Agricultural Universities (AU) provide doctoral degree programmes in 80 different subjects.
Aside from the ICAR AICE JRF/SRF test pattern and marking system, the applicant should also be familiar with the ICAR AICE JRF/SRF syllabus for the course selected.
The ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 program covers a wide range of agricultural and related fields. The ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Syllabus can assist candidates in understanding overall subject-specific topics, allowing them to concentrate on areas of agricultural study.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Syllabus 2026 Overview
Candidates preparing for ICAR JRF 2026 should be aware of the exam structure and syllabus details. Check the table below for an overview of the ICAR JRF 2026 syllabus:
| Aspect | Details |
| Name of Exam | ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) |
| Full Form of Exam Name | Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Competitive Examinations Junior Research Fellowship, Senior Research Fellowship (Doctor of Philosophy) |
| Official Body | NTA |
| Full Form of the Organization | National Testing Agency |
| Scope | National |
| Exam Type | Agriculture Entrance Exam |
| Courses for Which the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) Syllabus is to be Studied | Doctoral degree programmes in AUs in different disciplines of Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Veterinary, Animal Sciences, and Agricultural Engineering, Community Science (erstwhile Home Science), Fisheries, Dairy Science, and other allied sciences |
| Official Website | icar.nta.nic.in |
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Exam Pattern
Understanding the ICAR AICE JRF/SRF exam pattern is as important as understanding the syllabus. The examination consists of a single computer-based test conducted over a duration of two hours. The paper contains objective-type questions and follows a negative marking scheme.
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Examination | LAN-Based CBT (Computer-Based Test) |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Number of Questions | 120 (20 + 50 + 50) 20 questions in Part A (General Knowledge/Reasoning Ability), 50 questions in Part B (Core Group containing the specialized subject opted by the candidate for Ph.D.), and 50 questions in Part C (Specialized Subject opted by the candidate for Ph.D.) |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options |
| Maximum Marks | 480 (80 + 200 + 200) |
| Scoring | 4 marks for each correct response; -1 mark for each incorrect response (negative marking); 0 marks for unattempted questions |
| Medium of Paper | English Only |
ICAR JRF/SRF Syllabus Section-wise
ICAR JRF/SRF examination is divided into three sections. Each section is designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's knowledge and academic preparedness for doctoral studies.
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Section A: The first 20 multiple-choice questions will be the same for all 72 specialized subjects. The questions test candidates' environmental knowledge and its impact on society. The questions include topics such as Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Fisheries, and Allied Sciences, as well as current events and personal experiences.
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Section B: 50 multiple-choice questions from the Core Group will cover the particular subject the applicant selected to pursue a Ph.D.
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Section C: 50 multiple-choice questions will be selected from one of the specific master's degree subjects that the applicant decided to study for their doctorate.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Specialized Subjects Syllabus
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Syllabus 2026 covers a wide range of specialized disciplines. Each specialization includes several units that evaluate both theoretical understanding and practical applications.
Below is a subject-wise overview of some of the major specializations included in the examination.
Genetics and Plant Breeding
Unit 1: General Genetics and Plant Breeding
Unit 2: Economics, Botany, and Plant Breeding Methods
Unit 3: Genome Organisation and Cytogenetics of Crop Plants
Unit 4: Quantitative and Biometrical Genetics
Unit 5: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnological Tools in Plant Breeding
Unit 6: Plant Breeding for Stress Resistance and Nutritional Quality
Unit 7: Plant Genetic Resources and their Regulatory System; Varietal Release and Seed Production
Unit 8: Statistical Methods and Field Plot Techniques
Seed Science & Technology
Unit 1: Seed Biology
Unit 2: Seed Production
Unit 3: Seed Processing
Unit 4: Seed Quality Control
Unit 5: Seed Storage
Unit 6: Seed Health
Unit 7: Seed Industry Development and Marketing
Unit 8: Protection of Plant Varieties
Economic Botany & Plant Genetic Resources
Unit 1: Biodiversity and Plant Genetic Resources
Unit 2: Exploration and Germplasm Collecting
Unit 3: Germplasm Exchange and Plant Quarantine
Unit 4: Principles and Methods of Germplasm Conservation
Unit 5: Principles and Practices of Germplasm Regeneration and Evaluation
Unit 6: Biotechnology in Plant Genetic Resource Management
Unit 7: Economic Botany
Unit 8: Information Management in Plant Genetic Resources
Unit 9: Plant Taxonomy
Unit 10: Plant Biosecurity
Unit 11: Fundamentals of Molecular Biology for PGR Management
Plant Pathology
Unit 1: History and Principles of Plant Pathology
Unit 2: Laboratory and Analytical Technique
Unit 3: Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology
Unit 4: Mycology
Unit 5: Plant Bacteriology
Unit 6: Plant Virology
Unit 7: Plant Disease Epidemiology
Unit 8: Phanerogamic Parasites and Non-parasitic Diseases
Unit 9: Fungal Diseases of Crop Plants
Unit 10: Bacterial and Viral Diseases of Crop Plants
Unit 11: Management of Plant Diseases
Nematology
Unit 1: History and Economic Importance
Unit 2: Nematode Taxonomy and Morphology
Unit 3: Nematological Techniques
Unit 4: Nematode Ecology
Unit 5: Plant Nematode Relationship
Unit 6: Nematode Physiology and Cytology
Unit 7: Nematode pests of crops
Unit 8: Nematode Management
Unit 9: Interactions of Nematodes with Soil Organisms
Unit 10: Statistics
Agricultural Entomology
Unit 1: Systematics
Unit 2: Morphology
Unit 3: Embryology, Internal Anatomy, and Physiology
Unit 4: Ecology
Unit 5: Biological Control
Unit 6: Chemical Control and Toxicology
Unit 7: Host Plant Resistance
Unit 8: Novel Approaches in Pest Control
Unit 9: Integrated Pest Management
Unit 10: Pesticide Application Equipment
Unit 11: Pests of Field Crops and their Management
Unit 12: Pests of Horticultural Crops and their Management
Unit 13: Pests of Stored Products and their Management
Unit 14: Insect and mite vectors of Plant Diseases
Unit 15: Honey Bees and Bee-keeping
Unit 16: Silkworms and Sericulture
Unit 17: Lac Insect
Unit 18: Helpful and Useful Insects
Unit 19: Statistics and Computer Application
Sericulture
Unit 1: Mulberry Crop Production
Unit 2: Mulberry and Silkworm Breeding
Unit 3: Silkworm Biology
Unit 4: Silkworm Protection
Unit 5: Silkworm Nutrition
Unit 6: Non-Mulberry Sericulture
Unit 7: Silk Reeling Technology
Unit 8: Silkworm Seed Cocoon and Egg Production
Plant Biochemistry
Unit 1: Basic Biochemistry and Biomolecules
Unit 2: Intermediary Metabolism
Unit 3: Enzymes, Vitamins and Hormones
Unit 4: Molecular Biology
Unit 5: Techniques in Biochemistry
Unit 6: Biochemistry of Food-grains, Fruits, and Vegetables
Unit 7: Photosynthesis
Unit 8: Plant Metabolic Processes
Unit 9: Plant Molecular Biology
Unit 10: Plant Biotechnology/Genetic Engineering
Plant Physiology
Unit 1: Cell Organelles and Water Relations
Unit 2: Metabolic Processes and Growth Regulation
Unit 3: Crop Productivity and Modelling
Unit 4: Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants
Unit 5: Plant Growth Regulators and Plant Development
Unit 6: Mineral Nutrition
Unit 7: Climate and Climate Change
Unit 8: Seed Physiology
Unit 9: Physiology of Flowering and Reproduction
Unit 10: Physiology of Horticultural and Plantation Crop Species
Unit 11: Post-Harvest Physiology
Unit 12: Morphogenesis, Tissue Culture, and Plant Transformation
Unit 13: Phenomics
Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
Unit 1: Cell Structure and Function
Unit 2: Biomolecules and Metabolism
Unit 3: Enzymology
Unit 4: Molecular Genetics
Unit 5: Gene Expression
Unit 6: Molecular Biology Techniques
Unit 7: Gene Cloning
Unit 8: Molecular Biology
Unit 9: Plant Molecular Biology
Unit 10: Tissue Culture
Unit 11: Plant Genetic Engineering
Unit 12: Molecular Markers and Genomics
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Specialized Subjects Syllabus PDF
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Syllabus 2026 covers a large number of specialized subjects across agriculture and allied sciences. While the unit-wise overview for major subjects is provided above, candidates must refer to the official syllabus PDF for the complete and detailed coverage of their chosen discipline.
The official document includes subject-specific topics, important units, and examination coverage that will help you plan your preparation more effectively.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Preparation Tips
A smart preparation strategy can significantly improve your performance in the ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 examination. Follow these key tips:
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Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the syllabus, marking scheme, and the three sections: General Knowledge, Core Subject, and Specialized Subject.
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Create a Study Plan: Allocate time wisely across subjects and set realistic daily targets to ensure complete syllabus coverage.
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Use Standard Study Material: Refer to NCERTs, postgraduate textbooks, class notes, and previous years' question papers.
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Practice Mock Tests: Regularly attempt mock tests and sample papers to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
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Revise Consistently: Prepare short notes and revise important concepts, formulas, and facts regularly.
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Stay Updated: Follow agriculture-related current affairs, government initiatives, and scientific developments.
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Focus on Health and Consistency: Maintain a balanced routine, get adequate rest, and stay consistent with your preparation.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Syllabus 2026 FAQs
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