ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 expected cutoff for General Category is predicted between 280 and 330 marks out of 480, based on previous year trends across streams.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Examination for Admission (ICAR AIEEA) PG 2026 is conducted by NTA for admissions to Master’s programs at ICAR deemed universities. The cutoff for General Category students is released stream-wise after result declaration, expected in July 2026. Understanding past cutoff patterns helps students set a realistic target score well before the exam.

  • Total marks in ICAR AIEEA PG 2026: 480 (120 questions × 4 marks each, with ?1 for each wrong answer).
  • The General Category cutoff is higher than OBC, SC, and ST category cutoffs.
  • Based on 2023–2025 trends, General Category students should aim for at least 280 marks for a realistic chance at most streams.
  • Popular streams like Plant Sciences and Animal Sciences carry higher cutoffs than Fishery Sciences or Home Sciences.
  • The official ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 cutoff will be released on the NTA ICAR portal after result declaration in July 2026.

What is ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Cutoff?

The ICAR AIEEA PG cutoff is the minimum marks a student must secure to qualify for centralised counselling and seat allotment at ICAR deemed universities. NTA releases the cutoff after the ICAR AIEEA PG result is declared. For 2026, the cutoff is expected to be announced in July 2026 on the NTA ICAR portal at exams.nta.nic.in/icar.

The cutoff is stream-wise and category-wise. Students scoring at or above the cutoff are eligible for the counselling process. General Category students face the highest minimum threshold, while SC, ST, and OBC students qualify at lower marks as per reservation norms. The cutoff also serves as the basis for merit rank preparation within each stream.


ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Expected Cutoff for General Category

The table below provides the stream-wise expected cutoff for General Category in ICAR AIEEA PG 2026, predicted on the basis of 2023–2025 cutoff trends. These are not official figures.

Stream Expected 2026 Cutoff — General Category (Out of 480)
Plant Sciences (Stream 1) 290–330
Animal Sciences (Stream 2) 275–315
Fishery Sciences (Stream 3) 250–285
Agricultural Engineering (Stream 4) 260–295
Home Sciences (Stream 5) 230–265
Horticulture (Stream 6) 270–305
Forestry (Stream 7) 245–280

All figures above are expected cutoffs based on 2023–2025 trends. Official 2026 cutoffs may differ once declared by NTA.


Previous Year ICAR AIEEA PG Cutoff Trends (General Category)

Tracking the cutoff movement from 2023 to 2025 reveals a steady upward pattern. The table below shows General Category marks for key streams across the last three cycles:

Stream 2023 Cutoff (Marks) 2024 Cutoff (Marks) 2025 Cutoff (Marks)
Plant Sciences 272–308 280–318 287–326
Animal Sciences 256–292 263–300 270–310
Fishery Sciences 232–265 239–273 246–282
Agricultural Engineering 242–278 249–286 256–293
Home Sciences 212–248 219–255 225–262

The data shows a consistent upward movement of 6–10 marks per year across most streams, reflecting a growing applicant base and increasing competition for limited PG seats at ICAR deemed universities.


Factors Affecting ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Cutoff

Several factors determine whether the 2026 General Category cutoff moves higher or lower compared to 2025:

  • Number of applicants: A larger pool of students appearing for the exam pushes the effective cutoff upward for General Category.
  • Exam difficulty level: A tougher question paper lowers average scores, which can pull the cutoff down slightly.
  • Total seats available: Any increase in PG seat intake at ICAR deemed universities eases the cutoff threshold.
  • Stream popularity: High-demand streams consistently record higher General Category cutoffs than less sought-after streams.
  • Score normalisation: If the exam is conducted in multiple shifts, NTA applies normalisation, which adjusts effective marks and can shift the final cutoff.

What is a Good Score for General Category in ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?

A score of 300 or above out of 480 is considered a strong performance for General Category students and significantly improves the chances of securing a preferred stream at a top ICAR university. The table below provides a quick reference:

Score Range (Out of 480) Expected Outcome — General Category
335–480 Excellent — Top stream and university very likely
295–334 Good — Competitive for most popular streams
260–294 Moderate — Eligible for select streams
Below 260 May not qualify in General Category for most streams

Students targeting top ICAR agricultural universities should aim to score above 62–65% of total marks, which translates to approximately 298–312 marks based on past cutoff trends.

ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Expected Cutoff FAQs

Ques. What is the expected ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 cutoff for General Category?

Ans. Based on 2023–2025 trends, the expected ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 cutoff for General Category is between 280 and 330 marks out of 480, depending on the stream. Plant Sciences and Animal Sciences streams have the highest expected cutoffs.

Ques. What is the total marks for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?

Ans. The total marks for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 is 480. The exam has 120 multiple choice questions, each carrying 4 marks, with a penalty of 1 mark deducted for every wrong answer.

Ques. When will the official ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 cutoff be released?

Ans. The official ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 cutoff is expected to be released in July 2026 on the NTA ICAR portal at exams.nta.nic.in/icar, following result declaration.

Ques. Does the cutoff vary by stream in ICAR AIEEA PG?

Ans. Yes, the ICAR AIEEA PG cutoff is released stream-wise and category-wise. Popular streams like Plant Sciences and Animal Sciences record higher General Category cutoffs than less competitive streams such as Home Sciences or Forestry.

Ques. How much should a General Category student score to be safe in ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?

Ans. General Category students should target at least 280–290 marks out of 480 as a safe minimum. Scoring 300 or above significantly improves the chances of securing a preferred stream and ICAR deemed university.

Ques. Is the ICAR AIEEA PG cutoff different for OBC and SC/ST students?

Ans. Yes, OBC, SC, and ST students qualify at lower cutoffs as per reservation norms. General Category students must meet the highest minimum threshold among all categories in ICAR AIEEA PG.