Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Scholarships & Eligibility

The ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), popularly known as the Pusa Institute, is India’s premier institute for agricultural research, education, and extension. Recognized as a Deemed-to-be-University, IARI offers postgraduate (M.Sc./M.Tech.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) programs across diverse disciplines in agricultural sciences.

To support academic excellence and attract top-tier scientific talent, ICAR and IARI provide a robust financial assistance framework. Financial aid at IARI is merit-driven and covers a significant portion of tuition and living expenses.

Key Types of Scholarships and Fellowships

1. ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) & Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)

Granted to Ph.D. scholars who clear the national-level competitive exam.

• Institutional JRF (Years 1 & 2): INR 31,000 per month.
• Institutional SRF (Year 3 onwards): INR 35,000 per month.
• Project-Linked JRF/SRF: Up to INR 37,000 per month (JRF) and INR 42,000 per month (SRF) for sponsored research projects.
• Allowances: House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per Government of India norms (if hostel accommodation is not availed) and an annual contingency grant of INR 10,000 for research expenses.

2. ICAR PG Scholarship (M.Sc. / M.Tech.)

Awarded to high-ranking candidates admitted into Master's degree programs via the ICAR AIEEA (PG) entrance examination.

• Stipend: INR 12,640 per month.
• Contingency Grant: INR 6,000 per annum for study tours, books, and thesis preparation.

3. IARI Institutional Junior & Senior Fellowships

For students admitted through the General Open Competition Scheme who do not secure an ICAR JRF/SRF.

• Sc. Scholarship: INR 7,500 to INR 10,500 per month (plus annual contingency grant).
• D. Scholarship: INR 13,125 per month (plus annual contingency grant).

4. National Talent Scholarship (NTS)

• NTS (PG): INR 5,000 per month granted to PG students pursuing their degree in an Agricultural University outside their domicile state through ICAR quota.

5. Government Special Category Fellowships

Scholarships administered by Central Ministries for reserved category scholars pursuing higher education at IARI:

• National Fellowship for Scheduled Castes (NFSC)
• National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students (NFST)
• Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) / OBC Fellowship

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies based on the program level and fellowship type:

For Master’s Programs (M.Sc. / M.Tech.)

• Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Agricultural Engineering, or allied sciences under a 10+2+4 or 10+2+3 system from an ICAR-recognized institution.
• Minimum Marks: At least 60% aggregate marks or an OGPA of 6.60 out of 10.00 (55% or OGPA of 6.00 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates).

For Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.)

• Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in the relevant discipline of Agriculture or Allied Sciences.
• Minimum Marks: 60% aggregate or an OGPA of 6.60 out of 10.00 (55% or OGPA of 6.00 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates).
• Age Limit: Minimum 20 years of age as of the specified cut-off date.

Selection and Application Process

Admission Gateway

Admission and scholarship allocation are governed through national entrance examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of ICAR:

1. ICAR AIEEA (PG): For Master’s degree admission and ICAR PG Scholarships.
2. ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.): For Ph.D. admission and JRF/SRF awards.

Step-by-Step Application Steps

1. Online Registration: Register on the official NTA ICAR portal (nta.ac.in) during the open application window.
2. Document Upload: Upload photograph, signature, thumb impression, and academic qualifying certificates.
3. Application Fee Payment: Pay the fee online via UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit Card.
4. Entrance Examination: Appear for the Computer-Based Test (CBT) covering subject-specific multiple-choice questions.
5. Counseling & Allotment: Based on merit rank, participate in ICAR online counseling and choose ICAR-IARI New Delhi.
6. Institutional Registration: Upon physical reporting at IARI, register on the PG School portal (iasri.res.in) to complete administrative fellowship enrollment.

Additional Financial Aid Options

Beyond institutional and ICAR scholarships, IARI scholars can access several alternative financial aid channels:

• Sponsored Research Projects: Students can join funded research schemes (funded by DST, DBT, CSIR, or BIRAC) as Project Fellows or Research Assistants.
• International Fellowships: Foreign and national candidates can utilize Netaji Subhas - ICAR International Fellowships, ASEAN-India Fellowships, or ICCR Scholarships.
• Earn-While-You-Learn Schemes: Opportunities in campus labs, field data collection, and university library management.
• Educational Loans: IARI admission letters are accepted by major public sector banks (such as SBI) for low-interest education loans under government guarantee schemes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Are all admitted students at IARI guaranteed a scholarship?

Most candidates admitted to full-time M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs at IARI receive financial support through ICAR fellowships, institutional IARI scholarships, or project funding.

Q2. Can a scholar receive two scholarships simultaneously at IARI?

No. A candidate is entitled to receive only one scholarship or fellowship at any given time. If selected for multiple awards, the candidate must surrender one.

Q3. Is House Rent Allowance (HRA) provided along with the fellowship amount?

Yes. If campus hostel accommodation is not available or not allotted, scholars receiving ICAR JRF/SRF or project fellowships are eligible for HRA as per central government rates applicable to New Delhi.

Q4. What is the fellowship amount for a Ph.D. scholar clearing ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF?

Scholars allocated an institutional JRF get INR 31,000 per month for the first two years, which increases to INR 35,000 per month (SRF) in the third year upon performance evaluation. Project-linked fellowships pay up to INR 37,000 (JRF) and INR 42,000 (SRF) per month.

Q5. Do international students at IARI get ICAR scholarships?

No. ICAR/IARI institutional scholarships are generally reserved for Indian nationals. International students usually join through government-sponsored channels like ICCR, ASEAN-India Fellowships, or foreign embassy funding.