ICAR Senior Research Fellowship For Post-Graduate Studies In Agricultural Sciences
₹8,640/month fellowship for Ph.D. in agriculture · merit-based exam · ICAR SRF scheme
ICAR's Senior Research Fellowship funds PhD students in agriculture and allied sciences, selected through an all-India competitive entrance exam. Fellows receive a monthly stipend and contingency grant while pursuing their doctoral degree at a recognized Agricultural University. Apply online through the ICAR education portal during the annual application window.
About This Scheme
ICAR's Senior Research Fellowship funds PhD students in agriculture and allied sciences, selected through an all-India competitive entrance exam. Fellows receive a monthly stipend and contingency grant while pursuing their doctoral degree at a recognized Agricultural University. Apply online through the ICAR education portal during the annual application window.
Full official description
ICAR awards a certain number of Senior Research Fellowships for Ph.D. in an Agricultural University (AU), in different disciplines of agriculture and allied sciences. This is done to encourage talented students to undertake higher agricultural education.
In order to address the emerging challenges of agricultural research and education, the ICAR supports specific time-bound schemes/projects. The schemes/projects generally have provisions for time-bound/non-regular/ contractual engagement of manpower, contingencies, and limited need-based traveling allowance (TA), besides other specifically needed provisions for a particular scheme/project. In supersession of all previous guidelines, the following guidelines are formulated to regulate all aspects relating to engagement, emoluments, and terms and conditions of Senior Research Fellows and Research Associates working in ICAR schemes.
Benefits
- Veterinary Sciences: ₹12,000/month stipend + ₹6,000/year contingency grant
- All other agriculture disciplines: ₹8,640/month stipend + ₹6,000/year contingency grant
- Duration: covers the PhD programme at the host Agricultural University
💡 Why Startups Should Care
If your agri-tech startup is planning research partnerships with agricultural universities, Ph.D. fellows under this scheme are a pipeline of talent funded through ICAR — worth engaging early.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must have a Master's degree with minimum 55% marks (or 5.5/10 OGPA); SC/ST/PH: 50% minimum
- Must pursue PhD at an Agricultural University (AU) different from where you completed your Master's degree
- Upper age limit: 30 years (relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST/PH, 3 years for OBC, 45 years for in-service AU candidates)
- Selection through the All India Competitive Entrance Examination (AICE-SRF) conducted by ICAR
- Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PH as per Government of India rules
How to Apply
- Register online at education.icar.gov.in with a unique email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, contact, and academic details.
- Upload photograph, signature, and thumb impression.
- Pay the application fee online.
- After submission, receive your system-generated application number.
- Send a hard copy of the application and fee proof to COE (Agril. Edn.) by post.
- Use the NTA correction window if you need to fix any errors in your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ICAR release the application forms for PhD courses?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted ICAR AICE and ICAR AIEEA on behalf of ICAR. Candidates had to visit the official website of ICAR-NTA to apply online
What are different modes to apply for SRF(PhD)]?
Application Forms can only be submitted online mode on the website https://icar.nta.ac.in. The Application Form other than online mode will not be accepted
Can a person submit more than one application form for the exam
NO. Only ONE application is to be submitted by a candidate for appearing in the exam.
What documents or certificates do I need to upload along with the Application Form
Candidates need to upload scanned images of their photograph, signature and thumb impression, with the Application Form. No certificates are required to be uploaded along with the Application Form at the time of online submission
How can I pay Application Fee ?
Fee can be paid using SBI/Canara /HDFC/ICICI Bank Payment Gateway through Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking/UPI/Paytm. Candidates need to keep proof of fee paid.
If I have made any mistake(s) while registering/applying, can I make changes later in the Application Form?
Once the 'Final Submit' button has been clicked, the candidate's details cannot be edited/changed. However, NTA shall open the "Correction Window" as per the schedule and the Correction in particulars of the Application Form can be incorporated on the website only during the "Correction Window".
No corrections shall be allowed after the closure of the correction window and all particulars entered by the candidate would be considered as final.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Candidate photograph (10–200 KB)
- Candidate signature (4–30 KB)
- Thumb impression (3–30 KB)
- Government ID (Aadhaar / Election Card / PAN / Passport)
- Three passport-size photographs
- Proof of application fee payment
- Post office receipt
- Bank account details