What is ICAR NET and what are its uses?

ICAR NET (National Eligibility Test) is conducted by ICAR for determining eligibility for appointment as Lecturers/Assistant Professors in agricultural universities and for awarding Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) for postgraduate research in agricultural sciences. Qualifying ICAR NET (Lectureship) certifies you as eligible to apply for assistant professor positions at State Agricultural Universities, Central Agricultural Universities, and ICAR institutes. Candidates who qualify in the top merit category receive ICAR JRF which provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 (plus HRA) for the first two years of M.Sc. programme, extendable to SRF at Rs. 42,000 for two more years.

What is the exam pattern and marking scheme for ICAR NET?

ICAR NET consists of 200 objective-type questions to be answered in 120 minutes. The paper has two parts: Part A has 60 questions on Research Methodology, Statistics, and Computer Application, and Part B has 140 questions on the specific agricultural science subject chosen by the candidate. There are 68 subject options ranging from Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology to Entomology, Agricultural Economics, Fisheries Science, Animal Science, and Agricultural Extension. Each correct answer gets +1 mark and each incorrect answer carries -0.5 marks (negative marking). Both parts must be attempted.

How many subject options are available in ICAR NET?

ICAR NET offers 68 distinct subject options covering all branches of agricultural sciences. The major subjects with maximum candidates include Agronomy, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Animal Nutrition, Animal Genetics and Breeding, Veterinary Medicine, Fisheries Science, Agricultural Engineering (multiple sub-disciplines), and Food Science & Technology. Candidates choose the subject matching their M.Sc. specialisation and are tested on advanced topics in that discipline.

What research methodology topics are covered in Part A of ICAR NET?

Part A covers Research Methodology, Statistics, and Computer Application. Research Methodology topics include scientific method, hypothesis formulation and testing, experimental designs (CRD, RBD, LSD, Factorial experiments, Split plot, Strip plot, Augmented design), research proposal writing, literature review methods, and ethical considerations in research. Statistics topics include descriptive statistics, probability distributions, parametric and non-parametric tests (t-test, ANOVA, chi-square, correlation, regression), multivariate analysis, and biometrical genetics. Computer topics include database management, statistical software (SPSS, SAS, R), and bioinformatics basics.

What is the JRF stipend and how many fellowships are awarded annually?

ICAR awards approximately 600–700 JRF fellowships annually through ICAR NET, allocated across different agricultural science subjects based on merit and subject demand. The ICAR JRF stipend is Rs. 37,000 per month for two years, extendable to SRF at Rs. 42,000 per month based on performance evaluation. The fellowship also covers a contingency grant of Rs. 15,000 per year for research expenses. Fellows can avail these stipends at any ICAR institute or State Agricultural University. Additionally, ICAR NET Lectureship qualification remains valid for 5 years for job applications but there is no fellowship for lectureship qualification.

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ICAR NET Preparation Guide

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi

Your Complete Preparation Guide for ICAR NET 2027 — strategy, study plan, tips & more.

DifficultyHard

Total Marks200

Duration120 min

Start Practising Now →Free Mock Tests

Exam Overview

Mode

Online (CBT)

Frequency

Annual (typically held in July–August)

Next Exam Date

August 2027

EEligibility Criteria

M.Sc. Agriculture or equivalent postgraduate degree in agricultural sciences with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC); or appearing in final semester of qualifying degree

ANumber of Attempts

No limit

Study Plan by Subject

Agricultural Science (Core)

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Research Methodology & Statistics

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Expert Preparation Tips

Divide your preparation between Part A (Research Methodology and Statistics — 60 questions) and Part B (Subject — 140 questions) proportionally, spending more time on Part B which carries higher weightage.

For Part A Statistics, master experimental designs (ANOVA tables for CRD, RBD, LSD), correlation and regression, and probability distributions as these fetch the maximum questions.

For Part B subject, study from standard university PG textbooks and ICAR publications rather than UG textbooks, as questions are at the M.Sc. level of complexity.

Practice -0.5 negative marking strategy by avoiding pure guesses and attempting questions only when at least 60% confident of the answer to ensure positive net score.

Exam Pattern at a Glance

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration (est.)
Agricultural Science (Core)	100	100	60 min
Research Methodology & Statistics	100	100	60 min
Total	200	200	120 min

Important Dates

Registration Opens

May–June 2027

Next Exam Date

August 2027

Conducted By

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi

Frequently Asked Questions

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