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ICAR AIEEA (PG)ICAR All India Entrance Examination for Admission to Master's Degree Programmes (AIEEA-PG / ICAR-JRF)

Conducting body
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
Level
National (postgraduate entrance)
Frequency
Once a year
Mode
Computer-based test (CBT)
Duration
2 hr
Negative marking
Yes — 1 mark deducted per incorrect answer; 0 for unattempted

About ICAR AIEEA (PG)

ICAR AIEEA (PG), often referred to alongside the ICAR-JRF, is the flagship national entrance for master's admission in the agricultural sciences. Unlike undergraduate admission — which moved to CUET-UG — postgraduate admission still runs through ICAR's own examination conducted by the NTA. It is a computer-based test of 120 MCQs carrying 480 marks over two hours, with +4/−1 marking, and candidates sit the paper for one major subject-group aligned to their intended M.Sc discipline.

The exam does two things at once: it allocates seats and it awards fellowships. ICAR reserves an All-India Quota (indicatively around 25%) of master's seats in participating universities and all seats in its four Deemed universities, and a strong rank additionally secures an ICAR Junior Research Fellowship stipend that supports the two-year M.Sc. This combination makes AIEEA (PG) the most competitive and most rewarding PG route in Indian agriculture.

Eligibility requires a relevant Bachelor's degree of four, five or six years after 10+2 in agriculture or an allied science, with 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD). Aspirants should confirm the current subject-group list, seat-quota split and the exact eligible-degree table in the official ICAR AIEEA (PG) Information Bulletin, since details are refined each cycle.

Accepted by: An All-India Quota (indicatively around 25%) of master's seats across participating agricultural universities and 100% of seats in ICAR Deemed universities; a good rank also carries an ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) stipend

Official website

ICAR AIEEA (PG) eligibility

A relevant Bachelor's degree of 4, 5 or 6 years' duration after 10+2 in agriculture or allied sciences (B.Sc Agriculture/Horticulture/Forestry/Fisheries, B.Tech Agricultural Engineering, BVSc & AH, etc.), typically with 60% marks or equivalent OGPA for General category (50% for SC/ST/PwBD)

ICAR AIEEA (PG) exam pattern

Questions
120 multiple-choice questions
Total marks
480 (4 marks per correct answer)
Duration
2 hr

Sections

  • One major subject-group chosen by the candidate from the ICAR PG subject groups (e.g. Plant Sciences, Physical Sciences, Animal Sciences, Social Sciences)
  • Multiple-choice questions, including cross-matching type items

Marking scheme: Yes — 1 mark deducted per incorrect answer; 0 for unattempted

ICAR AIEEA (PG) syllabus outline

  • The chosen major subject-group at Bachelor's level (per ICAR PG subject-group syllabus)
  • Core discipline fundamentals (agronomy, soil science, genetics, entomology, plant pathology, animal/fisheries sciences, economics, as applicable)

Find colleges that accept ICAR AIEEA (PG)

Compare agriculture colleges across India — fees, placements, accreditation, and courses — and shortlist the right fit for your score.

Other agriculture entrance exams

Sources & official references