Merit·cum·Means Scholarships For Under Graduate Studies In Various Branches Of Agriculture And Animal Science Subjects
₹1,000/month scholarship for agriculture UG students · family income below ₹1 lakh
ICAR's Merit-cum-Means Scholarship supports undergraduate students from low-income families studying Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Home Science, Dairy, or Animal Husbandry with a monthly stipend for the full duration of their degree. The scheme targets merit students whose parents earn under ₹1 lakh per year. Apply offline through your university or college.
About This Scheme
ICAR's Merit-cum-Means Scholarship supports undergraduate students from low-income families studying Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Home Science, Dairy, or Animal Husbandry with a monthly stipend for the full duration of their degree. The scheme targets merit students whose parents earn under ₹1 lakh per year. Apply offline through your university or college.
Full official description
The "Merit-cum-Means Scholarships for Undergraduate Studies in Agriculture and Animal Science" is a prestigious scheme introduced by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE). The objective of this scholarship is to attract meritorious students to pursue undergraduate studies in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Home Science, Dairy, and Animal Husbandry.
The scholarship is awarded annually based on merit-cum-means criteria. To be eligible, students must meet the 'Means Test' condition and secure at least 60% marks or equivalent grade points in the qualifying examination. Each selected student will receive ₹1,000 per month, and the scholarship will be tenable for the entire duration of the degree course in the relevant subject.
Benefits
- Monthly scholarship of ₹1,000 per month
- Tenable for the full duration of the undergraduate degree
- Students with family income above ₹1,00,000 who are meritorious may receive a national prize of ₹500 and a merit certificate (no monthly scholarship)
💡 Why Startups Should Care
ICAR scholarship recipients are top agriculture students from low-income rural families — if you're building agri-EdTech or student finance products, this is your target segment for both users and future agriculture professionals who'll use your platform.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be domiciled in India
- Pursuing undergraduate studies in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Home Science, Dairy, or Animal Husbandry
- Secured at least 60% marks in the qualifying examination
- Parents' annual income must not exceed ₹1,00,000 (Means Test)
- In case of a tie in marks, preference is given to candidates with higher science subject scores
Exclusions
- Not available if family's annual income exceeds ₹1,00,000 (students above this income may receive a ₹500 national prize and merit certificate instead)
- No provision for a half scholarship under this scheme
How to Apply
- Visit your ICAR-recognized agricultural university or college and request the prescribed application form (Proforma: education.icar.gov.in/pdf/format-MCM-2017.pdf)
- Fill in all mandatory fields, paste your passport-sized photograph (signed, if required), and attach self-attested copies of all required documents
- Submit the duly filled and signed form within the prescribed period to the authority
- Request a receipt with date, time, and a unique identification number as proof of submission
Frequently Asked Questions
What would happen in case the student is unable to Take Examination Due to Illness?
If a scholar is unable to appear for the annual examination within a continuous course of study owing to illness or is not allowed to appear in the examination owing to prolonged illness extending over a long period which has resulted in a shortage in the required attendance as per University regulations the scholarship may be renewed for the next year on the recommendation of the Head of the Institution who while making the recommendations will take into consideration the medical certificate submitted by the scholar and the fact that the progress of his study during the year was such that had he not become unable to sit for the examination he would have qualified in the examination obtaining 50% of the aggregate marks. ThIS conceSSIOn can be availed of by the scholar not more than once during the whole length of the course.
Is the Scholarship Admissible For Absence On Grounds Of Maternity?
For married women, the scholarship will be admissible at the full rate for upto three months for absence on grounds of maternity. No scholarship will be paid for a period exceeding three months due to absence on grounds of maternity.
How will the Payment of Scholarship be done in case of Leave?
(1) The scholarship will be admissible as follows if the absence is due to illness supported by Medical Certificate from a Registered Medical Practitioner:- (i) Full scholarship, if the absence does not exceed two months. (ii) Half scholarship, if absence exceeds two months but not four months. For the first two months the scholarships will be paid at full rates and only for the period exceeding two months, the scholarship is to be paid at half the rates. (iii) No scholarship, if absence exceeds four months. For the first four months, however, the scholarship will be paid as per (i) and (ii).
What will be the Value Of The Scholarships For Undergraduate Studies?
The value of the scholarships for undergraduate studies in Agriculture (including Agricultural Engineering & Home Science) and Animal Science subjects will be [?] 1,000/- per month per student. The scholarship will be tenable for the full duration of the degree course in the concerned subject.
Which subjects of the Graduation Level are covered in this scheme?
Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Home Science, Dairy & Animal Husbandry subjects up to graduation level.
Are the scholarships awarded monthly or annually?
The scholarships are awarded annually on the basis of merit-cum-means.
Is there a minimum marks that is to be secured in the qualifying examination in order to be eligible for this scholarship?
Only those students who have secured not less than 60% marks or grade points equivalent thereof in the aggregate in the qualifying examination will be considered eligible for consideration.
How will the Inter-Se Merit Of Candidates Having Secured Equal Marks In The Qualifying Examination Will Be Determined?
The inter-se merit of candidates having secured equal marks in the qualifying examination will be determined on the basis of marks obtained by such candidates in the science subjects in that examination.
Are foreign nationals also eligible to apply to this scheme?
The Scholarship will ordinarily be admissible to the person of Indian Nationality as defined in the constitution of India.
Can transgenders apply to this scheme?
Yes, The Scholarship Will Ordinarily Be Admissible Irrespective Of Sex, Race Or Religion.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Identity proof
- Marksheets of previous educational qualifications
- Aadhaar number
- Income certificate issued by the designated State/UT authority (family income must be below ₹1,00,000/year)
- Bank account details (in student's name or joint account with mother or father)
- Proof of admission to an ICAR-recognized agricultural university