ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 is a national-level Computer-Based Test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for admission to Master’s degree (M.Sc.) programmes in agriculture and allied sciences at ICAR-funded universities and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) across India. The exam is scheduled for July 4, 2026 (Saturday), and the admit card — the next major milestone — is expected to be released in the last week of June 2026. Registration for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 closed on June 10, 2026 after an extension from the original deadline of June 7. Registered candidates are now in the final preparation phase before the exam.
- ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 admit card is expected to be released around June 27, 2026 (last week of June). It has not been released yet as of June 22, 2026. In 2025, the admit card came out approximately 8 days before the July 3 exam. Download it from exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ using your application number and date of birth.
- The exam will be held on July 4, 2026 (Saturday) in CBT mode across approximately 122 cities in 32 states and Union Territories. The paper has 120 MCQs for 480 marks to be completed in 2 hours, with +4 marks per correct answer and −1 for each wrong answer.
Source: ICAR PG Brochure
- ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 result is expected in August 2026. In 2025, the result was declared on August 12, 2025 — about 40 days after the July 3 exam. A similar timeline after July 4 points to mid-August 2026 for the 2026 result.
- ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 counselling is expected to begin in September 2026 at icarcounseling.com for allotment of 11,000+ PG seats across 75+ agricultural universities. ICAR also awards the National Talent Scholarship (NTS) to eligible out-service candidates who secure admission through this process.
Also Check: ICAR AIEEA PG Counselling
| Table of Contents |
What is ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
ICAR AIEEA PG stands for All India Entrance Examination for Admission — Post Graduate. It is conducted every year by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, for admission to Master’s degree programmes in agriculture and allied sciences for the 2026–27 academic session.
ICAR AIEEA PG covers 20 major subject groups — spanning Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Horticulture, Veterinary Science, Fisheries, Dairy Technology, Food Science, Community Science, Agri-Business Management, and more. More than 11,000 PG seats at 75+ institutions are offered through this exam. ICAR fills 30% of PG seats at State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and 100% of seats at its four ICAR-Deemed Universities — IARI, IVRI, NDRI, and CIFE.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Exam at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 |
| Full Form | All India Entrance Examination for Admission — Post Graduate |
| Conducted By | National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of ICAR |
| Level | National — Post Graduate |
| Academic Session | 2026–27 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Total Questions | 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Marks | 480 |
| Marking Scheme | +4 (correct), −1 (wrong), 0 (unattempted) |
| Medium | English only |
| Exam Date | July 4, 2026 (Saturday) |
| Admit Card (Expected) | Last week of June 2026 (~June 27) |
| Number of Subject Groups | 20 major subject groups |
| Total PG Seats | 11,000+ across 75+ universities |
| Official Website | exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ |
Source: NTA ICAR Official Portal
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Important Dates
The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 application and correction windows have now closed. The next major event is the admit card release, expected in the last week of June 2026. Below are all key dates arranged with upcoming events first, followed by events already completed.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Admit Card Release | Last week of June 2026 (~June 27, 2026) | Upcoming |
| ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Exam Date | July 4, 2026 (Saturday) | Upcoming |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | July 2026 (Expected — within one week of exam) | Upcoming |
| Answer Key Objection Window | July 2026 (Expected) | Upcoming |
| Result Declaration | August 2026 (Expected ~August 12–15) | Upcoming |
| ICAR Rank Card Release | August–September 2026 (Expected) | Upcoming |
| Counselling Registration Opens | September 2026 (Expected) | Upcoming |
| Seat Allotment Rounds | September–November 2026 (Expected) | Upcoming |
| Application Form Opens | May 8, 2026 | (Over) |
| Application Form Last Date | June 7, 2026 (Original) / June 10, 2026 (Extended) | (Over) |
| Application Fee Payment Deadline | June 7, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) | (Over) |
| Application Correction Window | June 9–10, 2026 | (Over) |
Note: Dates marked as "Expected" are based on the 2025 exam timeline and are subject to official confirmation by NTA. Always verify the latest schedule at exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ before acting.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 are set by ICAR. Any mismatch discovered during document verification at counselling can lead to disqualification, so check all requirements below carefully.
Nationality
You must be a citizen of India. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and foreign nationals are not eligible.
Age Limit
You must be at least 19 years old as of August 31, 2026. There is no upper age limit. Working professionals can also apply, provided they meet the educational qualification.
Educational Qualification
You must hold a Bachelor’s degree of 4, 5, or 6 years duration in a relevant agriculture or allied sciences discipline from a recognised university. The minimum marks required vary by category:
| Category | Minimum Marks (% or equivalent OGPA) |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved / OBC-NCL / EWS / UPS | 60% or 7.50 OGPA (out of 10) / 3.75 out of 5 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | 50% or 6.60 OGPA (out of 10) / 3.30 out of 5 |
Subject Group Eligibility
Each of the 20 subject groups requires a matching UG degree. You can appear for only one subject group, and it must correspond to your undergraduate discipline. For example, a B.Sc. (Agri) candidate can apply under Agronomy or Plant Sciences, not under Veterinary Science or Fisheries. The official Information Bulletin lists the specific UG degrees accepted under each group.
Final-Year Candidates
Final-year Bachelor’s students can appear for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026. If you qualify and get a seat in counselling, your admission will be provisional. You must complete your degree with the required minimum marks and submit certificates before joining the university. Failing to meet the marks criterion will cancel your provisional admission.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Application Process and Fee
The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 application window is now closed. The registration was open from May 8, 2026 to June 10, 2026 (extended from June 7). The correction window (June 9–10, 2026) has also ended. Candidates who completed all application steps are now eligible to appear in the July 4 exam.
Step-by-Step Application Process (For Reference)
- Step 1 — Register: Create a new login on exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ with your email ID, mobile number, and date of birth to get your Application Number and password.
- Step 2 — Fill the Form: Enter personal, academic, and subject group details. Choose up to four preferred exam cities in order of preference.
- Step 3 — Upload Documents: Upload passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format and size.
- Step 4 — Pay the Fee: Pay online through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable.
- Step 5 — Submit and Save: Submit the form and download the confirmation page. Keep your Application Number safe — you will need it to download the admit card.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | Rs. 1,300/- |
| OBC-NCL / EWS / UPS | Rs. 1,255/- |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | Rs. 675/- |
Note: Additional GST and bank processing charges applied. All fees paid are non-refundable under any circumstances.
The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 application and correction windows are both now closed. If you have applied successfully, focus on downloading your admit card when it releases in the last week of June 2026.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Admit Card
The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 admit card is expected to be released in the last week of June 2026, around June 27, 2026. As of June 22, 2026, the admit card has not been released yet. NTA will publish it on the official portal at exams.nta.nic.in/icar/. The exam city intimation slip — which reveals your allotted city before the formal admit card — has already been made available on the portal for candidates to check.
Note: The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 admit card will NOT be sent by post or email. You must download it online from the official NTA portal. No candidate will be allowed into the exam hall without a valid printed admit card and a government-issued photo ID.
How to Download ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Admit Card
Once NTA releases the admit card (expected ~June 27), follow these steps:
- Visit exams.nta.nic.in/icar/
- Click on the "Download Admit Card — ICAR AIEEA (PG) 2026" link on the homepage.
- Enter your Application Number and your date of birth or password.
- Your admit card will display on the screen — verify all details carefully.
- Download and print at least two copies on A4-size paper.
Details on the Admit Card
The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 admit card will contain:
- Candidate’s name, roll number, and application number
- Date of birth and category
- Major subject group name and code
- Exam date (July 4, 2026), reporting time, and gate-closing time
- Allotted exam centre name and full address
- Candidate’s photograph and signature
- Exam-day instructions from NTA
Documents to Carry on July 4, 2026 — Exam Day
You must bring all three of these to the exam centre:
- Printed copy of ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 admit card (mandatory)
- One original government-issued photo ID: Aadhaar card, PAN card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
- One passport-size photograph (same as uploaded in the application)
Admit Card: Previous Year Reference
| Year | Admit Card Release (Approx.) | Exam Date | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ~June 27, 2026 (Expected) | July 4, 2026 | ~7–8 days |
| 2025 | ~June 25, 2025 | July 3, 2025 | ~8 days |
In 2025, NTA released the ICAR AIEEA PG admit card about eight days before the exam. The same window is expected in 2026 — keep checking the official portal from June 25 onwards.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Exam Pattern
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) held in English. There are 120 MCQs for 480 marks to be completed in 120 minutes. Every candidate appears for a subject-specific paper — all 120 questions are from your chosen major subject group. There is no general section common across all candidates.
Exam Pattern at a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (4 options, 1 correct answer) |
| Total Marks | 480 |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +4 |
| Negative Marking (Wrong Answer) | −1 |
| Unattempted Questions | 0 (no penalty) |
| Medium | English only |
| Paper Structure | Subject-specific — all 120 questions from one chosen group |
| Number of Subject Groups | 20 (candidates appear for one group only) |
How Marks Are Calculated
Each correct answer gets +4 marks. Each wrong answer deducts 1 mark. Skipping a question costs nothing. If you attempt 100 questions and get 80 right and 20 wrong, your score is (80 × 4) − (20 × 1) = 300 out of 480. This means guessing randomly on questions you do not know will hurt your score more than it helps — always skip a question you have no idea about.
Do not confuse ICAR AIEEA PG with ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF, which is the PhD-level entrance exam. Both are conducted by NTA for ICAR, but they are separate exams with different dates, patterns, and eligibility.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Syllabus and Subject Groups
The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 syllabus is based entirely on the undergraduate course content of your chosen subject group. ICAR publishes a detailed subject-wise syllabus PDF on its website. Download it for your specific group and use it as a checklist — every question in your 120-MCQ paper will come from within this syllabus.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026: 20 Major Subject Groups
| Group No. | Major Subject Group | Key Sub-Subjects / Programmes |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Plant Biotechnology | Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering, Tissue Culture |
| 02 | Plant Sciences | Genetics & Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Seed Technology |
| 03 | Physical Sciences | Soil Science, Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural Physics |
| 04 | Entomology & Nematology | Agricultural Entomology, Nematology, Pest Management |
| 05 | Agronomy | Crop Production, Weed Science, Cropping Systems, Dryland Agriculture |
| 06 | Horticulture | Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, Floriculture, Post-Harvest Management |
| 07 | Forestry & Agroforestry | Tree Improvement, Forest Management, Silviculture, Watershed Management |
| 08 | Social Sciences | Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Rural Development |
| 09 | Statistical Sciences | Agricultural Statistics, Biometrics, Operations Research |
| 10 | Agricultural Engineering & Technology | Farm Machinery, Irrigation Engineering, Post-Harvest Technology |
| 11 | Water Science & Technology | Soil and Water Conservation, Watershed Management, Irrigation Systems |
| 12 | Community Science | Human Development, Nutrition, Textile & Apparel Design |
| 13 | Animal Biotechnology | Animal Cell Biology, Genetic Engineering in Animals, Reproductive Biotechnology |
| 14 | Veterinary Science | Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Veterinary Microbiology |
| 15 | Animal Sciences | Animal Nutrition, Genetics & Breeding, Livestock Production Management |
| 16 | Fisheries Science | Aquaculture, Fish Biology, Fisheries Management, Limnology |
| 17 | Dairy Science | Dairy Microbiology, Dairy Chemistry, Animal Products Technology |
| 18 | Dairy Technology | Milk Processing, Dairy Engineering, Quality Control |
| 19 | Food Science & Technology | Food Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Food Processing Engineering |
| 20 | Agri-Business Management | Farm Management, Agricultural Marketing, Supply Chain, Entrepreneurship |
Source: ICAR Official Website (icar.org.in)
The ICAR AIEEA PG syllabus is rooted in standard ICAR-approved UG textbooks. Download the official syllabus PDF from the ICAR website for your specific subject group and use it as a revision checklist. Do not refer to advanced research literature — the exam tests undergraduate-level understanding, not research-level knowledge.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Exam Centers
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 will be conducted in approximately 122 cities across 32 states and Union Territories of India. The exam city intimation slip has already been released — registered candidates can check their allotted exam city on the official portal. The full exam centre details (building name and address) will appear on the admit card when it is released in the last week of June.
Important Points About Exam Centers
- The allotted exam centre address will be printed on your admit card, expected around June 27, 2026.
- City preferences submitted during the application cannot be changed — the correction window closed on June 10.
- Reach the exam centre at least 30–45 minutes before the reporting time on your admit card.
- Latecomers may be denied entry after the gate-closing time. Check this time carefully on your admit card.
Coverage Across India
ICAR AIEEA PG exam cities cover all regions of India, including remote and hilly areas:
- North India: New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Dehradun, Meerut, Hisar, Solan, Palampur
- South India: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Vijayawada, Tirupati
- East India: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Ranchi, Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Siliguri
- West India: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Bhopal, Raipur, Indore
- Northeast India: Imphal, Agartala, Shillong, Gangtok, Itanagar, Aizawl, Kohima
- Union Territories / Hilly Areas: Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Shimla, Port Blair
The full official list of 122 exam cities is in the ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Information Bulletin on the NTA portal.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Result and Rank Card
The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 result is not declared yet — the exam itself is scheduled for July 4, 2026. Based on the 2025 timeline, the result is expected in August 2026. In 2025, NTA declared the scorecard on August 12, 2025 (40 days after the July 3 exam), and ICAR released the rank card separately on September 13, 2025. A similar gap places the 2026 result around mid-August 2026.
NTA Scorecard vs ICAR Rank Card: What Is the Difference?
There are two separate documents released after the exam, and you need both for counselling:
- NTA Scorecard (Result): Released by NTA on exams.nta.nic.in/icar/. It shows your total marks, percentile score, and qualifying status. Download using your Application Number.
- ICAR Rank Card: Released separately by ICAR on icarcounseling.com. It shows your All India Merit Rank and category rank, which are used during seat allotment. In 2025, this was released on September 13, 2025 — about a month after the NTA scorecard.
What the NTA Scorecard Contains
- Total marks obtained (out of 480)
- Subject-wise performance
- Overall NTA percentile score
- Qualifying or non-qualifying status for counselling
Year-wise Result Timeline
| Year | Exam Date | NTA Scorecard | ICAR Rank Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | July 4, 2026 | August 2026 (Expected) | August–September 2026 (Expected) |
| 2025 | July 3, 2025 | August 12, 2025 | September 13, 2025 |
Before the final result, NTA typically releases a provisional answer key with the question paper for candidate review. You can raise objections if you believe an answer is wrong. ICAR reviews all objections before releasing the final answer key and result.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Cutoff
The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 cutoff will be released after the result declaration in August 2026. There are two types of cutoffs: the qualifying cutoff (minimum percentile to be eligible for counselling) and the admission cutoff (closing rank at each participating university for a specific subject). The qualifying cutoff is set by ICAR; admission cutoffs emerge from the counselling process itself and vary by university, subject, and category.
Qualifying Cutoff — Minimum to Be Eligible for Counselling
| Category | 2025 Qualifying Cutoff | Expected 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC-NCL / EWS / UPS | 50th Percentile | ~50th Percentile |
| SC / ST / PwBD | 40th Percentile | ~40th Percentile |
Crossing this threshold makes you eligible for counselling. It does not guarantee a seat. Your actual admission depends on your rank relative to all qualified candidates and available seats at your preferred universities.
University-Wise Admission Cutoff: 2025 Trends
Admission cutoffs are much tighter at ICAR-Deemed Universities compared to State Agricultural Universities. Based on 2025 trends:
| University | Approximate Closing Rank (2025 Trend) |
|---|---|
| IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute), New Delhi | Top 100–200 (varies by subject group) |
| IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute), Bareilly | Top 200 (Veterinary Science group) |
| NDRI (National Dairy Research Institute), Karnal | Top 200 (Dairy Science and Dairy Technology groups) |
| BHU — Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Varanasi | Around Rank 150 |
| PAU (Punjab Agricultural University), Ludhiana | Around Rank 390 |
| GBPUA&T, Pantnagar | Around Rank 400–600 (varies by subject) |
| State Agricultural Universities (general) | Rank 500 and beyond for most disciplines |
Note: These are indicative figures from 2025 data. Official 2026 cutoffs will be released after counselling completes. The actual figures depend on exam difficulty, number of qualified candidates, and seat availability.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Marks vs Rank
ICAR AIEEA PG rank is determined using the NTA percentile score, not raw marks alone. If the exam is held in multiple shifts, raw marks are normalized across shifts before the percentile is calculated. Since the 2026 result is not yet available, the table below provides an estimated marks-to-rank mapping for the General category based on 2025 exam trends.
Expected ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Marks vs Rank (General Category)
| Marks (out of 480) | Expected Percentile | Expected AIR (Approx.) | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 420–480 | 99.5+ percentile | Top 50 | Top ICAR-Deemed University (IARI, NDRI) accessible |
| 380–419 | 98–99.5 percentile | 51–200 | Strong ICAR Deemed University chance |
| 340–379 | 95–98 percentile | 201–600 | Good SAU options; BHU and PAU accessible |
| 300–339 | 88–95 percentile | 601–2,000 | Most SAUs accessible |
| 260–299 | 75–88 percentile | 2,001–6,000 | Moderate rank; many SAU seats available |
| 220–259 | 50–75 percentile | 6,001–15,000 | Near qualifying threshold; limited options |
| Below 220 | Below 50th percentile | Not qualifying (General) | Below ICAR qualifying cutoff for General/OBC |
Note: These are estimated figures based on 2025 trends. Final marks vs rank data will be available after the August 2026 result declaration.
Tie-Breaking Criteria
When two candidates have the same percentile score, ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 resolves the tie in this order:
- Fewer wrong answers (less negative marking applied)
- Higher age (older candidate ranked higher)
- Higher percentage in the Bachelor’s degree
- Higher percentage in Class 12 (if tie still persists)
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Counselling Process
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 counselling is expected to begin in September 2026 at icarcounseling.com. It is a fully online process. Only candidates who qualify the exam and cross the category-wise percentile threshold are eligible. Both the NTA scorecard and the ICAR rank card are needed to participate.
Step-by-Step Counselling Process
- Step 1 — Register on the Counselling Portal: Visit icarcounseling.com and register using your ICAR rank card details. A counselling registration fee may apply.
- Step 2 — Choice Filling and Locking: Fill in your preferred universities and programmes in order of priority. Lock your choices before the deadline. The more choices you fill, the better your chances.
- Step 3 — Seat Allotment: ICAR releases round-wise seat allotment based on merit rank, category, filled choices, and available seats.
- Step 4 — Accept the Allotted Seat: Log in and accept your allotted seat within the given time. Not accepting will forfeit the allotment.
- Step 5 — Document Upload and Verification: Submit scanned copies of academic certificates, category certificates, photograph, and identity proof online.
- Step 6 — Report to University: After online verification, report to the allotted university within the joining deadline with original documents.
Rounds of Counselling
| Round | Expected Timeline (2026) |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 2026 |
| Round 2 | October 2026 |
| Round 3 | October–November 2026 |
| Mop-up Round (if applicable) | November–December 2026 |
In-Service vs Out-Service Candidates
ICAR AIEEA PG counselling covers two streams. Out-service candidates are regular students or fresh graduates — the large majority of applicants. In-service candidates are government employees in agriculture-related departments who are sponsored by their organization for higher education. Seats are allocated separately for both streams. The ICAR-PG National Talent Scholarship applies only to out-service candidates who meet the scholarship criteria.
Note: The final counselling schedule, fee, and participating university list will be announced by ICAR after the result. Verify all details at icarcounseling.com closer to September 2026.
ICAR AIEEA PG Scholarship (National Talent Scholarship)
One of the most important benefits of qualifying ICAR AIEEA PG is the ICAR-PG National Talent Scholarship (NTS). This financial support significantly reduces the cost burden for out-service candidates who secure M.Sc. admission through ICAR counselling at participating universities.
What Is the ICAR-PG NTS?
The NTS is a monthly stipend paid to eligible out-service candidates from the date they join their Master’s programme. The scholarship covers the full duration of the M.Sc. (typically 2 years). Along with the monthly stipend, a contingency grant is provided for books, chemicals, and research expenses.
- The scholarship is available at ICAR-Deemed Universities (IARI, IVRI, NDRI, CIFE) and selected other ICAR-designated universities.
- Only out-service candidates who secure seats through ICAR AIEEA PG counselling and meet the performance criteria are eligible.
- The scholarship is discontinued if academic performance falls below the required standard.
- In-service candidates (sponsored by government departments) are not eligible for the NTS.
Why the Scholarship Matters
Agriculture students often relocate far from home for their Master’s, and living costs at premier universities can be significant. The ICAR-PG scholarship covers a large part of this expense and makes studying at IARI or NDRI financially viable even without family support. Combined with the research environment and placement outcomes at ICAR universities, this scholarship is one of the biggest incentives to score well in ICAR AIEEA PG rather than opting for a state-level PG admission.
Check the official ICAR Information Bulletin for the exact scholarship amount for 2026–27 — stipend values are revised periodically by ICAR.
Top Colleges Accepting ICAR AIEEA PG Score
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 score is accepted by more than 75 agricultural universities across India, including four ICAR-Deemed Universities, three Central Agricultural Universities, four Central Universities with agriculture faculties, and 64 State Agricultural Universities. Here are the most competitive and well-regarded institutions:
| University | Location | Type | Notable Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARI – Post Graduate School | New Delhi | ICAR Deemed University | 40+ disciplines; Plant Sciences, Agronomy, Genetics, Soil Science |
| IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute) | Izatnagar, Bareilly, UP | ICAR Deemed University | Veterinary Science, Animal Biotechnology |
| NDRI (National Dairy Research Institute) | Karnal, Haryana | ICAR Deemed University | Dairy Science, Dairy Technology, Animal Nutrition |
| CIFE (Central Institute of Fisheries Education) | Mumbai, Maharashtra | ICAR Deemed University | Fisheries Science, Aquaculture, Limnology |
| BHU – Institute of Agricultural Sciences | Varanasi, UP | Central University | Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant Pathology |
| RLBCAU (Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University) | Jhansi, UP | Central Agricultural University | Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry |
| GBPUA&T (G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology) | Pantnagar, Uttarakhand | State Agricultural University | Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Agricultural Engineering |
| PAU (Punjab Agricultural University) | Ludhiana, Punjab | State Agricultural University | Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Agricultural Extension |
| TNAU (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University) | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | State Agricultural University | Horticulture, Plant Biotechnology, Food Science |
| ANGRAU (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University) | Lam, Andhra Pradesh | State Agricultural University | Agronomy, Entomology, Agricultural Extension |
| UAS Bengaluru / UAS Dharwad | Karnataka | State Agricultural University | Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry |
| SKUAST-K | Srinagar, J&K | State Agricultural University | Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary Science |
The four ICAR-Deemed Universities (IARI, IVRI, NDRI, CIFE) fill 100% of their PG seats through ICAR AIEEA PG and are the most competitive. IARI’s Post Graduate School in New Delhi — with programmes in more than 40 disciplines and strong research infrastructure — is consistently the top choice for agricultural PG aspirants. State Agricultural Universities like GBPUAT Pantnagar and PAU Ludhiana offer excellent faculty and placements, often with broader seat availability across disciplines.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 Preparation Tips
With the exam on July 4, 2026 — just 12 days away as of today — your preparation must be focused on revision, targeted practice, and exam-day readiness. Here are preparation strategies that work specifically for ICAR AIEEA PG.
1. Start with the Official Syllabus and Tick Off Topics
Download the ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 syllabus PDF from the ICAR website for your specific subject group. Print it and mark topics you have covered. This prevents spending time on out-of-syllabus content and gives you a measurable sense of progress. At this stage — 12 days before the exam — focus entirely on topics already in your syllabus, not new material.
2. UG Textbooks Are All You Need
ICAR AIEEA PG tests undergraduate-level knowledge. Standard ICAR-approved textbooks from your B.Sc. programme are sufficient. Do not buy advanced references or coaching material at this stage. Questions are conceptual and application-based — they do not demand research-level depth. If you have revised your UG course material thoroughly, you are already well-prepared.
3. Solve at Least 5 Years of Previous Year Papers
Previous year ICAR AIEEA PG papers are the best indicator of the actual question pattern and difficulty. Many topics repeat across years, often in paraphrased form. Solve them under timed conditions — 120 questions in exactly 120 minutes. This reveals your weaker areas and builds your speed and accuracy before the actual exam.
4. Handle Negative Marking Strategically
The −1 penalty per wrong answer is significant. Four wrong answers wipe out the gain from one correct answer. During your practice, develop a habit of categorizing questions into three buckets: (a) confident — attempt, (b) partially sure, can eliminate 2 options — attempt carefully, (c) no idea — skip. On exam day, applying this habit will protect your score from avoidable deductions.
5. Focus on High-Yield Topics in Your Group
In Agronomy, crop production principles, soil-water management, and cropping systems dominate the paper. In Plant Sciences, genetics, plant breeding methods, and plant pathology are frequently tested. In Horticulture, fruit crop management, post-harvest technology, and propagation techniques carry heavy weightage. In Veterinary Science, anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology are core areas. Use your previous paper analysis to confirm the high-yield topics for your specific group.
6. Practice CBT Time Management
With exactly 1 minute per question on average, time management is critical in ICAR AIEEA PG. In the first 75 minutes, attempt all questions you are confident about and flag the rest. In the next 30 minutes, revisit flagged questions and attempt those where you can eliminate 2 of 4 options. Use the last 15 minutes for final review. Never spend more than 90 seconds on a single question — move on and come back.
7. Admit Card and Exam Day Preparation
- Keep your application number and login credentials ready — admit card is expected around June 27, 2026.
- Once the admit card is out, note your exam centre address and plan your travel route in advance.
- Prepare a folder with: printed admit card, original photo ID, and passport-size photograph.
- Reach the exam centre at least 45–60 minutes before the gate-closing time on your admit card.
- Do a mock CBT test on any available online platform to get comfortable with the interface before July 4.
FAQs on ICAR AIEEA PG 2026
Ques. What is the full form of ICAR AIEEA PG?
Ans. ICAR AIEEA PG stands for Indian Council of Agricultural Research — All India Entrance Examination for Admission — Post Graduate. It is conducted every year by NTA on behalf of ICAR for admission to M.Sc. programmes in agriculture and allied sciences at 75+ universities across India. The exam also facilitates the award of ICAR-PG National Talent Scholarships to eligible out-service candidates.
Ques. When is the ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 exam date?
Ans. ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 is scheduled for July 4, 2026 (Saturday). The exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) lasting 2 hours with 120 MCQs for 480 marks. It will be conducted across approximately 122 cities in India.
Ques. When will the ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 admit card be released?
Ans. The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 admit card is expected to be released around June 27, 2026, in the last week of June. As of June 22, 2026, it has not been released. In 2025, the admit card was released approximately 8 days before the July 3 exam. Download it from exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ using your application number and date of birth. NTA does not send admit cards by post.
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans. You must be an Indian citizen, at least 19 years old as of August 31, 2026, and hold a Bachelor’s degree (4/5/6 years) in agriculture or allied sciences. General, OBC-NCL, EWS, and UPS candidates need at least 60% marks (7.50 OGPA out of 10). SC, ST, and PwBD candidates need at least 50% marks (6.60 OGPA out of 10). There is no upper age limit.
Ques. What is the exam pattern and marking scheme for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans. ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 has 120 MCQs for a total of 480 marks to be completed in 120 minutes. Each correct answer gives +4 marks. Each wrong answer deducts 1 mark. Unattempted questions carry 0 marks — there is no penalty for skipping. The paper is entirely in English and covers only your chosen major subject group.
Ques. How many seats are available through ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans. More than 11,000 PG seats are available through ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 across 75+ universities. ICAR fills 100% of PG seats at its four Deemed Universities (IARI, IVRI, NDRI, CIFE) and about 30% of seats at 64 State Agricultural Universities through this merit list. Seats at Central Agricultural Universities and select Central Universities are also included.
Ques. How many subject groups are there in ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans. There are 20 major subject groups in ICAR AIEEA PG 2026. These include Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Plant Biotechnology, Physical Sciences (Soil Science), Horticulture, Entomology & Nematology, Forestry & Agroforestry, Social Sciences, Statistical Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, Water Science, Community Science, Animal Biotechnology, Veterinary Science, Animal Sciences, Fisheries Science, Dairy Science, Dairy Technology, Food Science & Technology, and Agri-Business Management. Each candidate applies for one group only.
Ques. When will ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 result be declared?
Ans. The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 result is expected in August 2026. Based on the 2025 timeline — result on August 12, 2025 (40 days after July 3 exam) — a similar gap places the 2026 result around mid-August. NTA releases the scorecard on exams.nta.nic.in/icar/. The separate ICAR Rank Card (needed for counselling) is released later on icarcounseling.com — in 2025 this came on September 13, about a month after the NTA scorecard.
Ques. What is the cutoff for ICAR AIEEA PG 2026?
Ans. The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 cutoff has not been released yet — it will be declared with the result in August 2026. Based on 2025 trends, the qualifying cutoff is expected to be around the 50th percentile for General/OBC-NCL/EWS candidates and 40th percentile for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. For admission to ICAR-Deemed Universities, a top-200 rank is typically required. SAU admissions generally start from Rank 400–500 and beyond, depending on the subject group.
Ques. When will ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 counselling begin?
Ans. ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 counselling is expected to begin in September 2026 at icarcounseling.com. It is a fully online process with 2–3 rounds of seat allotment followed by a mop-up round. Only candidates who qualify the exam (meet the category-wise percentile cutoff) and have the ICAR rank card are eligible to register for counselling.
Ques. What is the ICAR-PG National Talent Scholarship?
Ans. The ICAR-PG National Talent Scholarship (NTS) is a monthly stipend paid to eligible out-service candidates who secure M.Sc. admission through ICAR counselling at participating universities. It covers the full 2-year duration of the Master’s programme. Along with the monthly stipend, a contingency grant is also provided for books and research expenses. In-service candidates (sponsored government employees) are not eligible for the NTS. The scholarship amount for 2026–27 is specified in the official ICAR Information Bulletin.
Comments
Found 8 Comments
You can visit the National Testing Agency (NTA) ICAR exam archive page on the official Exams NTA website, look for the ICAR AIEEA PG question paper section, choose the year and stream (Agricultural Engineering), and click the PDF download link to save it to your device for offline practice. These PDFs include past year question papers and answer keys published by the exam authority.
You can officially download ICAR AIEEA (PG) sample papers and previous year question papers from the National Testing Agency (NTA) / ICAR exam portal by visiting the ICAR AIEEA section on the official NTA exam site (exams.nta.ac.in/ICAR/) and looking under Downloads, Previous Year Question Papers / Sample Papers for PDFs. These include past years’ solved papers and practice sets released for candidate preparation, which are the official source for sample papers.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will conduct the ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 in a computer-based format (CBT) across India in July 2026. The ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 will provide admission to postgraduate programs in agriculture and allied sciences at over 75 universities, including State Agricultural Universities, ICAR-Deemed Universities, Central Agricultural Universities, and the renowned NDRI in Karnal.
With an ICAR PG AIR 1774 and EWS category rank 151 in Horticulture, you are eligible for counselling. Your chances of getting a seat depend on seat availability, college preferences, and cutoff trends. You may secure admission in lesser-demand colleges or remaining vacancies during later counselling rounds.
Ghaziabad is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It lies in the northern part of the country and is part of the National Capital Region (NCR). Ghaziabad shares its border with Delhi and is an important industrial, residential, and educational hub of Uttar Pradesh.
With a score of 95 out of 480 in ICAR AIEEA PG, admission to M.Tech programs will be unlikely, as cutoff scores are much higher. Eligibility depends on rank, category, and seat availability, and lower scores do not meet the merit requirements for most ICAR-affiliated postgraduate engineering programs.
ICAR AIEEA PG 2023 Result has been released on August 22, 2023. You can download your scorescard from the official website of ICAR AIEEA. The counseling dates for ICAR AIEEA PG 2023 are yet to be released. But it is expected that the counseling process will begin in September 2023.
If you have scored only 104 marks in ICAR AIEEA PG 2023, then you have not qualified for this examination. You will not be offered admission in M.Sc Agriculture programs on the basis of this entrance test.