Career opportunities after studying from ICAR

Pursuing agricultural research at ICAR can open doors to rewarding careers in both the Central and State governments. Here in this Shiksha article, we will discuss some of the crucial points to understand the scope of ICAR for those who wish to pursue it as a career. 

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and with modern techniques being put to use, an Undergraduate (UG) or a Postgraduate (PG) degree in Agriculture and allied sciences have become a career option for many young ones. Not just farming, these courses have helped individuals work at high work profiles in both corporate and government offices.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an institution with high regard for aspiring agricultural scientists. As the renowned institute for agricultural research and education in India, ICAR plays an important role in advancing the country's agricultural sector. With a vast network of 101 institutes and 71 agricultural universities, ICAR is known as one of the largest agricultural research systems globally. 

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The ICAR colleges offer various undergraduate (UG), post-graduate (PG) and doctoral courses. Admission to these courses is through the All India Entrance Examination for Admission (ICAR AIEEA) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The state universities and ICAR-deemed universities accept the scorecard of AIEEA every year. Candidates from all the state boards, CBSE and ICSE can appear for the exam.

Also read: All about ICAR: Entrance exam, courses offered, colleges

Studying agricultural research at ICAR makes a candidate eligible for Central and state government jobs. Here is a list of job opportunities available for those studying or studied at ICAR:

Career Opportunities after Agricultural Studies at ICAR College

Indian Forest Service (IFS)

The Indian Forest Service (IFS) is one of India's most prestigious government services. As an IFS officer, one can work in different roles within the forest departments of both the Central and State governments. At the Central level, one gets the opportunity to get promoted to senior positions such as Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, and Secretary to the Government of India. In state governments, the roles may include Quality Assurance Officer, Farm Manager, Field Officer, Agricultural Officer, Production Manager, Operations Manager, and many more. 

Banking

In the Banking sector, those who have studied at ICAR deal with agricultural finance and related issues. They can be posted as an agriculture loan officer, agriculture extension officer, specialist officer, etc., The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) also recruits agricultural graduates and postgraduates for key positions.

Research

Agricultural Scientists work in laboratories, conduct research and experiments that allow production methods to be improved, and find pesticides and other chemicals that reduce the detrimental impact of pests on crops. Besides, research scientists might examine animal diseases and find cures, treatments, and solutions that might help veterinarians.

Engineering

Agricultural engineers work on the mechanical side of agriculture, designing, developing, installing and maintaining agricultural machinery that improves the efficiency of farm work and food production. They might work in laboratories or fields with their clients.

Consultation

The role of an Agricultural consultant is to give expert advice, support and guide farmers. They can give suggestions on the business and financial aspects of the functioning of a farm or offer technical expertise which will assist them to reduce their emissions, improve their land management, and refine their operational processes. They may work for independent agricultural consultancies.

IBPS Specialist Officer

IBPS SO exam is a yearly entrance exam conducted for the selection of candidates for the profile of Agricultural Field Officer. Apart from agricultural graduates, this exam is open for graduates of similar fields like Horticulture, Veterinary Science, Animal Husbandry, etc.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) 

NABARD is one of the most prominent financial institutions which has several open vacancies every year for the post of Agricultural experts who work towards the Rural and Agricultural Development of India. Aspired candidates can enter the organization and can choose profiles like Assistant Officer, Office Attendant, Agricultural Officer, etc.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) 

The FCI avails a bunch of alluring jobs after a degree in agriculture field. You can take the online exam conducted by FCI for technical or non-technical positions. Frequently the profiles that are offered are Technical Managers, Technical Officers, Assistant Officers, etc. 

Corporate

This includes monitoring and administrative jobs in fertilizer manufacturing companies, agriculture product marketing companies, food processing units, agriculture machinery industries, etc.

Read More: 

• All about ICAR: Entrance Exam, Courses & List of Colleges
• List of ICARs in India- Courses, Fee, Admission Process