ICAR UG Counselling Delay Leaves Students Anxious, Over 7,300 Agriculture Seats Await Allotment

Even after two months of CUET-UG 2025 results were announced, ICAR UG counselling for B.Sc Agriculture, Horticulture and allied courses are yet to begin. Students from Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Haryana share their ordeal as over 7,300 All India Quota seats remain vacant.

Nearly two months after the CUET-UG 2025 results were declared on July 4 by the NTA, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is yet to announce the schedule for undergraduate counselling for various courses under its ambit. The delay has left thousands of aspirants worried about their academic future, as admissions to B.Sc. Agriculture, Horticulture and allied sciences (excluding veterinary) courses under the All India Quota (AIQ) are on hold.

As the ICAR information bulletin, a total of 7,325 AIQ seats across 12 disciplines are to be filled this year through the centralised counselling process. These seats are spread across 74 universities including central agricultural universities, state agricultural universities, and deemed universities.

Last year, ICAR opened registrations just 10 days after the CUET results, but this year the delay has gone beyond 50 days. ICAR officials have attributed it to the “streamlining of admission mechanisms” and maintained that the process will begin in early September. For students, however, the wait has been frustrating.

In Rajasthan, one of the aspirant, Ishwar Chaudhary speaking to Shiksha.com said he feels left behind as peers move ahead through state-level admissions. "When ICAR will announce counselling, we dont know, can only wait."

“It’s been almost two months since results, yet we have no clarity on counselling. My friends are already attending classes in state universities. I fear losing precious time and opportunities,” he added.

From Jharkhand, Surjya Kar expressed similar concerns. “I prepared for CUET to study agriculture at a reputed central university. But without counselling dates, everything is uncertain — from admissions to planning for hostel and fees. The delay is mentally exhausting.”

In Haryana, aspirant Priya Malik said the uncertainty is creating pressure at home. “Every day my family asks me about admission. I check the ICAR website constantly but there is no update. It’s stressful because the academic calendar is shrinking.”

Counselling Likely From Early September

As per reports, ICAR is expected to launch the online counselling process in early September. Registration is likely to open this week, followed by a rank list in the third week of September. The first round of allotment and college reporting is tentatively scheduled between September 15 and 17.

Courses and Seats

ICAR counselling is the gateway for admission into 12 undergraduate programmes, including:

B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture

B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture

B.Sc. Forestry, Fisheries, Community Science, Sericulture, Natural Farming

B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Technology, Food Technology, Biotechnology

The process covers 7,325 All India Quota (AIQ) seats across central universities, deemed universities, and state agricultural universities (20% quota). The highest availability is in B.F.Sc. Fisheries (2,159 seats), while B.Sc. (Hons.) Sericulture has the least with just 17 seats.

Teachers at agricultural universities have also warned that prolonged delays in counselling will cut down the academic calendar, affecting both classroom teaching and practical exposure. While ICAR has assured that admission formalities will be completed within September, students say the delay is already taking a toll.