The ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 notification has been released for candidates seeking admission to Ph.D. programmes in agriculture and allied sciences and for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF).
Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of ICAR, the application process began on 8 May 2026. The examination is scheduled to be held on 4 July 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
Candidates planning to appear for the exam should stay updated with the ICAR AICE JRF/SRF eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, admit card, result, counselling, and cut-off details to complete their admission journey smoothly.
The ICAR AICE JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) examination is one of the most important entrance tests for postgraduate students who are aspiring to pursue doctoral research in agriculture and allied disciplines. The exam facilitates admissions and fellowship awards for the academic session 2026–27.
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 Overview | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | ICAR AICE JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Governing Body | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Academic Session | 2026–27 |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Purpose | Ph.D. Admission & Award of JRF/SRF |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Official Website | exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ |
Candidates should keep track of all important events related to the examination to avoid missing any deadlines.
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 Important Dates | |
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | 8 May 2026 |
| Application Form Start Date | 8 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | 10 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 10 June 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 12–14 June 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 Exam Date | 4 July 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | To be announced |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
| Counselling | After Result |
Candidates should check the official website for any deadline extensions announced by NTA.
The National Testing Agency has released the official notification and information bulletin for ICAR AICE JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026. The notification contains complete information regarding eligibility, application procedures, exam pattern, syllabus, counselling process, and participating universities.
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 Notification PDF
Before applying, candidates must ensure that they fulfil the prescribed ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Eligibility Criteria. Failure to meet eligibility conditions may result in the cancellation of candidature during verification.
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Eligibility Criteria | |
| Eligibility Parameter | Requirement |
| Nationality | Indian Citizens |
| Educational Qualification | Master's degree in respective field from a recognised university |
| Minimum Marks (General/OBC/EWS) | 60% marks or equivalent OGPA |
| Minimum Marks (SC/ST/PwD) | 50% marks or equivalent OGPA |
| Minimum Age | 20 Years |
| Upper Age Limit | No Upper Age Limit |
| Admission Basis | Entrance Test Performance & Eligibility Verification |
Candidates are advised to verify subject-wise eligibility requirements from the official information bulletin before applying.
The ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 application form is available online through the NTA ICAR portal. Candidates must complete registration, fill academic details, upload documents, and pay the prescribed application fee before the deadline.
Visit the official NTA ICAR website.
Complete online registration.
Fill personal and academic information.
Upload photograph, signature, and required certificates.
Pay the application fee online.
Submit the application form.
Download and save the confirmation page.
Candidates need to make payment for the discussed fee amount through a debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI. Here are the fee details based on different categories:
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 Application Fees | |
| Category | Application Fee |
| General/Unreserved | ₹2000 |
| OBC (NCL)/EWS | ₹1950 |
| SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender | ₹1000 |
Additional processing charges and GST may be applicable as per payment gateway norms.
The ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 Exam Date is scheduled for 4 July 2026 (Saturday). The examination will be conducted in computer-based test mode at designated centres across India. Exact reporting time, shift details, and exam centre information will be mentioned on the admit card.
Understanding the ICAR AICE JRF/SRF exam pattern helps candidates prepare strategically for the examination.
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Exam Pattern | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test |
| Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Type of Questions | Objective MCQs |
| Medium | English |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Total Marks | 480 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | +4 |
| Negative Marking | -1 |
| Exam Level | Postgraduate to Doctoral |
Candidates should refer to the official bulletin for subject-wise paper structure and discipline-specific details.
The ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Syllabus is based on the candidate's postgraduate discipline and covers core concepts, advanced subject knowledge, and specialised areas relevant to doctoral studies.
Major disciplines include:
Agriculture
Horticulture
Agronomy
Genetics and Plant Breeding
Soil Science
Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Economics
Forestry
Fisheries Science
Veterinary Sciences
Animal Sciences
Dairy Science
Biotechnology
Home Science and related fields
Download ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 Syllabus PDF
The admit card will be released online by NTA before the examination. Candidates can download admit card for ICAR AICE JRF/SRF by entering their application number and password or the date of birth.
The admit card will contain:
Candidate details
Exam date and shift
Reporting time
Exam centre address
Important instructions
Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof.
The examination will be conducted at designated centres across 122 cities in India. Candidates can select their preferred exam city while filling out the application form.
The final allotted exam centre will be mentioned on the admit card issued by NTA.
After the examination, NTA will release the provisional answer key on its official website. Candidates will be able to:
Download the answer key
Compare responses
Calculate probable scores
Raise objections against discrepancies within the specified period
A final answer key will be published after reviewing objections.
The ICAR AICE JRF/SRF 2026 result will be declared online after completion of the evaluation process.
The scorecard will include:
Candidate's score
Percentile
Rank
Qualifying status
Category details
Candidates can download their results from the official NTA portal.
The ICAR AICE JRF/SRF Cut Off varies every year depending on:
Number of applicants
Difficulty level of the examination
Number of available seats
Fellowship availability
Category-wise reservation
The official cut-off marks will be released along with the result. Candidates scoring above the prescribed cut-off will become eligible for counselling and fellowship consideration.
After the declaration of results, ICAR will conduct the counselling process for admission to Ph.D. programmes.
The counselling process generally includes:
Registration for counselling
Choice filling and locking
Seat allotment
Document verification
Admission confirmation
Fellowship allocation (where applicable)
Candidates must regularly visit the official ICAR website for counselling updates.