NTA Opens Applications for ICAR AIEEA (PG) & AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2025: Key Details for Aspiring Scholars

The exams are scheduled to take place on July 3, 2025, providing a gateway for admission into master’s and doctoral programs under the ICAR-AU system, which includes 74 agricultural universities nationwide.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the opening of online applications for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) All India Entrance Examination for Admission (AIEEA) Postgraduate (PG) and All India Competitive Examination (AICE) for Junior Research Fellowship/Senior Research Fellowship (JRF/SRF) Ph.D. programs for the academic year 2025-26.

The announcement, made via a post on X by the official NTA handle (@NTA_Exams) on May 6, 2025, at 16:47 UTC, details the application process for these highly competitive exams. Aspiring candidates can submit their applications online from May 6, 2025, to June 5, 2025, through the official website, https://icar.nta.nic.in. The exams are scheduled to take place on July 3, 2025, providing a gateway for admission into master’s and doctoral programs under the ICAR-AU system, which includes 74 agricultural universities nationwide.

Exam Structure and Scope

The ICAR AIEEA (PG) facilitates admission to 30% of seats in master’s degree programs across Agricultural Universities (AUs), with 100% of seats in four ICAR-Deemed Universities (DUs)—namely the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), and Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE)—also filled through this exam. Additionally, all seats at Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs) like RLBCAU, Jhansi, and Dr. RPCAU, Pusa, will be allocated via AIEEA (PG). The AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) exam similarly covers 30% of doctoral seats across AUs and 100% in the aforementioned ICAR-DUs and CAUs.

Both exams will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, featuring objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), a format consistent with NTA’s testing methodology for ICAR exams since at least 2024. The exams span disciplines such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Veterinary Sciences, Animal Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, Community Science, Fisheries, Dairy Science, and other allied fields, reflecting the diversity of India’s agricultural education system.

Scholarships and Eligibility

A key highlight of these exams is the provision of scholarships. The ICAR-PG Scholarship and National Talent Scholarship (NTS) will be awarded to meritorious candidates based on their overall rank and seat availability in their chosen disciplines. For Ph.D. aspirants, the ICAR JRF/SRF fellowship offers financial support to a limited number of candidates, while others qualifying for counseling may secure admission without a fellowship, depending on merit and seat availability.

Eligibility criteria, detailed in the Information Bulletin on the NTA website, include caps on state-wise representation—no more than 40% of candidates from any single state will be admitted to a particular subject or category in an agricultural university. This ensures a balanced distribution of talent across India. There is also no provision for direct nomination; all admissions require qualifying through these entrance exams, emphasizing the competitive nature of the process.

Application Process and Support

Candidates are encouraged to apply early within the one-month window, with the application portal accessible at https://icar.nta.nic.in. The NTA has also provided a helpline for support, reachable at 011-40759000 or 011-6922770, to assist applicants with queries regarding the process, eligibility, or fee structure, all of which are outlined on the website.

The announcement follows a pattern of NTA’s engagement with ICAR exams, with previous application windows for the same exams in 2024 closing on May 11, as noted in historical web data. This year’s extended timeline may reflect adjustments to accommodate more applicants or address logistical challenges faced in prior cycles, such as website crashes reported by users during CUET PG result announcements on May 6, 2025.

Context and Significance

The ICAR, under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is the apex body overseeing agricultural research and education in India. The National Agricultural Research, Education and Extension System (NAREES), one of the largest globally, admits over 28,000 undergraduate and 17,500 postgraduate and doctoral students annually. This system, comprising 63 State Agricultural Universities, four ICAR-DUs, three Central Agricultural Universities, and four Central Universities with agriculture faculties, plays a pivotal role in India’s agricultural innovation and food security initiatives.

The NTA, established by the Ministry of Education as an autonomous testing body, ensures transparency and efficiency in conducting these exams, aligning with international standards. However, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions on X, with some users expressing frustration over delays in other NTA-managed exams like CUET UG 2025 and JEE B.Arch, while others noted improvements in website functionality following earlier technical glitches.

As the application window progresses, candidates are advised to review the Information Bulletin carefully and prepare for the July 3, 2025, exam date. With scholarships, fellowships, and seats in premier institutions at stake, the ICAR AIEEA (PG) and AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) exams remain a critical stepping stone for India’s next generation of agricultural researchers and professionals, contributing to the country’s leadership in global agricultural production and innovation.

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