ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Animal Science chapter-wise weightage, based on previous year paper analysis, shows that Animal Nutrition and Animal Genetics and Breeding together account for nearly 37–41% of the 120-question paper — making these two sub-subjects the top priority for your preparation.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 is scheduled for July 4, 2026 and is conducted by NTA on behalf of ICAR. The Animal Sciences paper (Major Subject Group 14) tests knowledge across seven sub-subjects: Animal Genetics and Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Veterinary Physiology, Livestock Production and Management, Livestock Products Technology, Poultry Science, and Veterinary Extension Education. The paper has 120 MCQs worth 4 marks each, totalling 480 marks, with a penalty of 1 mark for incorrect answers. No official sub-subject-wise question distribution is published by NTA or ICAR; the weightage figures below are based on analysis of previous year papers.
- Total marks: 480 (120 MCQs × 4 marks; ?1 per wrong answer; 0 for unattempted).
- Exam date: July 4, 2026 (Saturday) as confirmed in the official NTA information bulletin.
- Animal Nutrition (14.2) and Animal Genetics and Breeding (14.1) are the two highest-weightage sub-subjects based on previous year paper trends.
- Veterinary Extension Education (14.7) carries the lowest weightage — cover key extension methods only; do not over-invest time here.
- The official syllabus is UG-level; revise graduation textbooks as the primary reference for all seven sub-subjects.
| Direct Link to ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Official Portal (Active) |
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Animal Science: Exam Overview
The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 exam is a single paper for each major subject group. Animal Sciences (Group 14) has seven sub-subjects drawn from the UG-level curriculum prescribed by ICAR. The table below gives a quick reference to the exam structure.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | July 4, 2026 (Saturday) |
| Conducting Body | NTA on behalf of ICAR |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 480 |
| Marking Scheme | +4 correct, ?1 incorrect, 0 unattempted |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Medium | English only |
| Major Subject Group Code | 14 — Animal Sciences |
| Number of Sub-Subjects | 7 |
Sub-Subject-Wise Chapter Weightage
The table below shows the expected distribution of questions across the seven Animal Sciences sub-subjects, based on analysis of previous year ICAR AIEEA PG papers. NTA does not publish an official sub-subject-wise breakup; actual distribution may vary by a few questions each cycle.
| Sub-Subject | Code | Expected Questions (out of 120) | Expected Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Nutrition | 14.2 | 22–25 | 18–21% |
| Animal Genetics and Breeding | 14.1 | 20–24 | 17–20% |
| Livestock Production and Management | 14.4 | 18–22 | 15–18% |
| Veterinary Physiology | 14.3 | 16–20 | 13–17% |
| Livestock Products Technology | 14.5 | 12–15 | 10–12% |
| Poultry Science | 14.6 | 10–12 | 8–10% |
| Veterinary Extension Education | 14.7 | 6–8 | 5–7% |
| Total | — | 120 | 100% |
Animal Nutrition: Most Important Topics
Animal Nutrition is the single highest-weightage sub-subject in the Animal Sciences paper. Proximate analysis, energy systems, rumen fermentation, and mineral metabolism are the most consistently tested topics based on previous year patterns.
| Topic / Chapter | Priority |
|---|---|
| Proximate (Weende) analysis of feeds and feed fractions | Very High |
| Nutrient classification, functions, and daily requirements | Very High |
| Rumen fermentation, VFA production, and microbial protein synthesis | Very High |
| Energy systems: TDN, ME, NE, and feeding standards for dairy cattle | Very High |
| Bypass protein and bypass fat technology | High |
| Macro- and micro-mineral metabolism; deficiency and toxicity symptoms | High |
| NPN utilisation in ruminants; urea toxicity | High |
| Feed additives: ionophores, enzymes, probiotics, growth promoters | High |
| Anti-nutritional factors in common feeds (trypsin inhibitors, gossypol, tannins) | Moderate |
| Ration formulation for dairy cows, buffaloes, and growing cattle | Moderate |
Animal Genetics and Breeding: Most Important Topics
Animal Genetics and Breeding is the second-highest contributor to the paper. Quantitative genetics concepts — heritability, selection response, and BLUP/EBV — are very frequently tested based on analysis of 2023 and 2024 papers. Numerical problems on heritability and selection differential appear regularly.
| Topic / Chapter | Priority |
|---|---|
| Heritability: types (narrow-sense, broad-sense), estimation methods (parent-offspring, half-sib) | Very High |
| Repeatability, genetic correlation, and phenotypic correlation | Very High |
| Selection: types of selection, selection differential, response to selection | Very High |
| Population genetics: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, gene and genotypic frequencies | High |
| Inbreeding: coefficient of inbreeding, inbreeding depression, and its measurement | High |
| Crossbreeding systems and heterosis: types, calculation, and commercial exploitation | High |
| BLUP and EBV: principles and application in sire evaluation | High |
| Molecular markers (RFLP, microsatellites, SNPs) and genomic selection | Moderate to High |
| Breed improvement programmes in India for cattle and buffalo | Moderate |
Veterinary Physiology: Most Important Topics
Veterinary Physiology contributes around 16–20 questions. Reproductive physiology and lactation together form the highest-yield chapters within this sub-subject, with hormonal pathway questions appearing in nearly every previous year paper.
| Topic / Chapter | Priority |
|---|---|
| Reproductive cycle: estrus detection, ovulation, fertilisation, implantation | Very High |
| Hormonal control of reproduction: GnRH, LH, FSH, progesterone, estrogen | Very High |
| Lactation physiology: milk synthesis, let-down reflex, galactopoiesis, oxytocin role | Very High |
| Semen quality parameters: motility, morphology, concentration; cryopreservation | High |
| Growth and development: growth curves (Brody, Gompertz), body composition changes | High |
| Blood composition, haemostasis, and erythropoiesis | Moderate |
| Digestive physiology: compartments of ruminant stomach, monogastric digestion | Moderate |
Livestock Production and Management: Most Important Topics
Livestock Production and Management covers dairy cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and pig production. Dairy and buffalo management questions form the bulk of this sub-subject based on previous year papers, though sheep, goat, and swine topics appear consistently across cycles.
| Topic / Chapter | Priority |
|---|---|
| Dairy cattle breeds and selection criteria for milk production | High |
| Feeding and milking management of lactating cows; dry period management | Very High |
| Buffalo production: breeds, reproductive management, milking, and housing | Very High |
| Calf rearing: colostrum management, weaning, and early nutrition | High |
| Heifer management and first-calf heifer programme | High |
| Sheep and goat production systems, important breeds, and wool production | High |
| Swine production: major breeds, farrowing management, feeding phases | High |
| Livestock housing: space requirements, ventilation systems, and types | Moderate |
| Milk recording, performance testing, and dairy herd management records | Moderate |
Livestock Products Technology and Poultry Science: Key Topics
These two sub-subjects together contribute about 22–27 questions. Post-mortem meat quality changes and poultry nutrition are particularly high-yield areas within their respective sub-subjects based on previous year analysis.
| Sub-Subject | Topic / Chapter | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Livestock Products Technology (14.5) | Post-mortem changes in meat: rigor mortis, PSE and DFD meat causes | High |
| Meat quality attributes: pH, water-holding capacity, tenderness, colour | High | |
| Milk processing: pasteurisation, homogenisation, standardisation | High | |
| Dairy products technology: butter, cheese, ghee, yoghurt | Moderate | |
| Meat preservation: curing, smoking, freezing, canning | Moderate | |
| Poultry Science (14.6) | Poultry breeds: commercial layer, broiler, and dual-purpose strains | High |
| Poultry nutrition: energy, protein, amino acid (lysine, methionine) requirements | Very High | |
| Egg production and egg quality parameters: Haugh unit, specific gravity, shell quality | High | |
| Broiler production: FCR, feed conversion, growth targets, liveability | Moderate |
Preparation Strategy for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Animal Science
Use the sub-subject-wise weightage data to build a focused, time-efficient study plan before the July 4, 2026 exam:
- Start with Animal Nutrition and Animal Genetics and Breeding — these two sub-subjects account for nearly 37–41% of the paper. Mastering them first gives the highest marks-per-study-hour return.
- Livestock Production and Management is your third priority — the strong overlap with your graduation syllabus makes revision faster than starting from scratch.
- Cover Veterinary Physiology with a reproductive physiology and lactation focus — these two chapters alone can yield 8–10 marks within this sub-subject, based on previous year trends.
- For Livestock Products Technology, prioritise meat quality and milk processing; skip rare by-product chapters unless you have spare time in the last week.
- Veterinary Extension Education carries the lowest weightage (5–7%) — cover key extension methods (farm visit, demonstration, Kisan Mela) and communication models only.
- Solve at least five previous year ICAR AIEEA PG Animal Sciences papers under timed, exam-like conditions. Given the ?1 negative marking, attempt only questions you are confident about to avoid score loss.
- Refer to the official ICAR-prescribed UG textbooks as your primary reference and check the full syllabus at the NTA ICAR portal for any updates before your final revision.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Animal Science Chapter Weightage FAQs
Ques. Which sub-subject has the highest weightage in ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Animal Sciences?
Ans. Animal Nutrition (sub-subject code 14.2) has the highest expected weightage, contributing approximately 22–25 questions out of 120 (18–21% of the paper), based on analysis of previous year papers. Animal Genetics and Breeding (14.1) follows closely at 17–20%.
Ques. What is the total marks for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans. The total marks for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 is 480. The paper has 120 MCQs worth 4 marks each. A penalty of 1 mark applies for each incorrect answer, and unattempted questions carry 0 marks.
Ques. What is the ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 exam date?
Ans. ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 is scheduled for July 4, 2026 (Saturday) in Computer-Based Test mode across 122 cities, as confirmed in the official NTA information bulletin.
Ques. How many sub-subjects are in the ICAR AIEEA PG Animal Sciences paper?
Ans. The Animal Sciences major subject group (code 14) comprises seven sub-subjects: Animal Genetics and Breeding (14.1), Animal Nutrition (14.2), Veterinary Physiology (14.3), Livestock Production and Management (14.4), Livestock Products Technology (14.5), Poultry Science (14.6), and Veterinary Extension Education (14.7).
Ques. Does NTA officially publish chapter-wise weightage for ICAR AIEEA PG?
Ans. No. NTA and ICAR do not publish an official chapter-wise or sub-subject-wise weightage for ICAR AIEEA PG. The question paper covers the entire UG-level syllabus prescribed by ICAR. The weightage figures in this article are estimated based on previous year paper analysis and should be used as a preparation guide only.
Ques. Which Genetics and Breeding topics are most important for ICAR AIEEA PG?
Ans. The most important topics in Animal Genetics and Breeding for ICAR AIEEA PG are heritability estimation methods, repeatability, response to selection, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, inbreeding coefficient and its effects, crossbreeding systems and heterosis, and BLUP/EBV concepts, based on previous year paper analysis.
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