ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) & Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) 2026–27 – Full Details
The ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) are highly competitive merit-based research fellowships administered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for eligible doctoral students in agriculture and allied sciences.
The fellowships are awarded based on performance in the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) national-level entrance examination. For the 2026–27 academic cycle, eligible candidates admitted through the prescribed ICAR All India Quota counselling process can claim the fellowship through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), subject to academic, admission, and verification requirements.
💰 Fellowship Benefits
Selected research scholars receive monthly financial assistance along with research-related support.
| Benefit | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| JRF Stipend – Years 1 & 2 | ₹37,000 per month |
| SRF Stipend – Year 3 | ₹42,000 per month |
| Contingency Grant | ₹10,000 per year |
| HRA | As per applicable Central Government rates, where eligible and hostel accommodation is unavailable |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the eligible scholar’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account |
The fellowship is designed to support scholars during their doctoral studies and research activities, including expenditure on academic books, research materials, and other permitted academic requirements.
House Rent Allowance
Eligible scholars may receive House Rent Allowance (HRA) according to the applicable Central Government rates when institutional hostel accommodation is not available. The applicable rate depends on the classification of the city in which the scholar's institution is located.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the prescribed conditions to qualify for the ICAR JRF/SRF fellowship.
1. Qualification in the ICAR Entrance Examination
The candidate must qualify and secure a fellowship-eligible rank in the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
2. Admission Through ICAR All India Quota
The fellowship applies to candidates admitted through the prescribed ICAR All India Quota (AIQ) online counselling into the eligible ICAR-AU system.
Candidates admitted through independent local entrance examinations conducted by State Agricultural Universities or through admission routes outside the prescribed ICAR counselling framework are not eligible under the stated conditions.
3. Minimum Marks in Master's Degree
Applicants must meet the prescribed minimum academic qualification in their Master's degree, such as M.Sc., M.Tech., M.V.Sc., or an applicable equivalent postgraduate qualification.
| Category | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | 60% marks or 6.60/10.00 OGPA |
| SC / ST / PwBD | 50% marks or 5.50/10.00 OGPA |
4. Age Requirement
The candidate must be at least 20 years of age as on August 31, 2026.
There is no upper age limit specified for fresh doctoral students under the stated eligibility conditions.
5. Full-Time Research
The scholar must pursue the Ph.D. programme on a full-time basis and comply with the applicable fellowship conditions.
6. No Concurrent Financial Benefits
Candidates receiving the ICAR JRF/SRF fellowship cannot draw prohibited concurrent salary, fellowship, stipend, or other financial assistance from another agency.
📚 Eligible Research Areas
The fellowship is intended for eligible doctoral programmes in agriculture and allied sciences offered through institutions covered under the applicable ICAR framework.
The exact discipline and programme must correspond with the candidate's qualifying entrance examination, counselling allotment, and doctoral admission.
📂 Documents Required
Applicants should keep the relevant documents ready for online submission and institutional verification, including:
ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 score/rank details
ICAR All India Quota counselling allotment/admission letter
Master's degree marksheets and academic transcripts
Proof of qualifying percentage/OGPA
Aadhaar Card
Aadhaar-seeded bank account details
Joining report and proof of admission to the Ph.D. programme
Bonafide/host institution certificate, where required
Any declaration relating to non-receipt of another prohibited fellowship or financial assistance
Other documents required by the National Scholarship Portal or the concerned university
Candidates should ensure that the information entered on NSP matches their official examination, counselling, admission, and academic records.
💻 How to Apply for ICAR JRF/SRF 2026–27
The fellowship claim is processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Step 1: Complete One-Time Registration
Create or complete the required One-Time Registration (OTR) on the NSP portal, including the prescribed identity authentication process.
Step 2: Log In to NSP
After completing OTR, log in to the National Scholarship Portal and search for the ICAR Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowships (SRF) scheme.
Step 3: Enter Academic and Admission Details
Provide the required personal, academic, postgraduate qualification, doctoral admission, and institutional details.
Step 4: Enter Entrance Examination Details
Enter the relevant AICE Ph.D. roll number and rank details under the competitive examination section as required by the portal.
These details are used for eligibility and merit verification.
Step 5: Submit the Application
Review the complete application carefully and submit it before the prescribed deadline.
Step 6: Complete Institutional Verification
After submission, the application is verified by the concerned university/institute. Students should monitor the application status regularly and respond promptly if a defect or correction is raised.
Step 7: Higher-Level Verification
Applications that pass institutional verification are forwarded for verification by the designated DNO/SNO/MNO authorities.
🗓️ Important Dates
The important dates for the ICAR JRF/SRF 2026–27 scholarship processing are:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Student Application Last Date | October 31, 2026 |
| Defective Application Correction / Verification Deadline | November 15, 2026 |
| Institute / University Verification Deadline | November 15, 2026 |
| DNO / SNO / MNO Verification Deadline | November 30, 2026 |
Candidates should complete their application well before the deadline to allow sufficient time for correction and institutional verification.
🔍 Selection and Fellowship Allocation
The fellowship is linked to performance in the national-level ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) examination and the prescribed ICAR admission process.
The process involves:
Qualifying the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) examination.
Securing a fellowship-eligible merit position.
Participating in ICAR All India Quota counselling.
Obtaining admission to an eligible doctoral programme and institution.
Completing the scholarship application through NSP.
Verification by the host institution.
Verification by the designated higher authorities.
Processing of the fellowship through the applicable DBT system.
The fellowship allocation is merit-based and subject to the availability of the sanctioned fellowship positions and fulfilment of all applicable conditions.
📈 JRF to SRF Upgradation and Renewal
The fellowship progresses from Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) according to the prescribed doctoral progression requirements.
JRF Stage
During the first two years, eligible scholars receive ₹37,000 per month.
SRF Stage
At the beginning of the third year, the fellowship may be upgraded to the SRF stage, under which the monthly fellowship becomes ₹42,000, subject to the applicable evaluation and continuation requirements.
Research Progress Evaluation
The transition from JRF to SRF is subject to assessment of the scholar's:
Ph.D. coursework progress
Research progress
Research synopsis and related work
Overall academic performance
Recommendation of the appropriate institutional/university committee
Academic Performance
Scholars must successfully complete the prescribed doctoral coursework and satisfy the academic requirements of their university.
Institutional Conduct
The host institution is required to certify satisfactory conduct, attendance, academic progress, and research engagement for continuation of the fellowship.
📌 Important Points to Remember
The fellowship is for eligible Ph.D. students in agriculture and allied sciences.
Candidates must qualify the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) examination.
Admission must be through the prescribed ICAR All India Quota counselling process.
Independent admission through local university entrance examinations does not qualify under the stated conditions.
The minimum postgraduate qualification is 60% / 6.60 OGPA for General/OBC/EWS and 50% / 5.50 OGPA for SC/ST/PwBD categories.
The candidate must be at least 20 years old as on August 31, 2026.
There is no upper age limit under the stated conditions.
JRF assistance is ₹37,000 per month for Years 1 and 2.
SRF assistance is ₹42,000 per month for Year 3, subject to successful upgradation.
A ₹10,000 annual contingency grant is provided under the stated fellowship benefits.
HRA may be available according to applicable Central Government rules where hostel accommodation is unavailable.
Students cannot receive prohibited concurrent salary, fellowship, stipend, or other financial assistance.
The NSP student application deadline is October 31, 2026.
Institute verification must be completed by November 15, 2026, followed by DNO/SNO/MNO verification by November 30, 2026.
🔗 Official Application Portal
National Scholarship Portal (NSP):
https://scholarships.gov.in/
ICAR Official Website:
https://icar.org.in/
NTA ICAR Examination Portal:
https://exams.nta.nic.in/icar/
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICAR JRF/SRF fellowship?
The ICAR Junior Research Fellowship and Senior Research Fellowship are merit-based research fellowships for eligible doctoral students pursuing Ph.D. studies in agriculture and allied sciences through the prescribed ICAR admission framework.
How much is the ICAR JRF stipend?
The JRF stipend is ₹37,000 per month during the first two years, subject to the applicable fellowship conditions.
How much is the ICAR SRF stipend?
The SRF stipend is ₹42,000 per month during the third year after the required upgradation and evaluation.
What is the annual contingency grant?
Eligible scholars receive a stated ₹10,000 per year contingency grant for permitted academic and research-related expenses.
Is ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) qualification mandatory?
Yes. The stated eligibility requires qualification and a fellowship-eligible rank in the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) examination.
Can a student admitted through a State Agricultural University entrance test receive the fellowship?
Under the stated eligibility conditions, admission must be through the prescribed ICAR All India Quota counselling process. Candidates admitted through independent local admission routes are not eligible.
What is the minimum age for ICAR JRF/SRF 2026–27?
The candidate must be at least 20 years old as on August 31, 2026.
What is the last date to apply?
The student application deadline is October 31, 2026.
Where is the fellowship application submitted?
The application is processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at https://scholarships.gov.in/ after completing the required OTR process.
Conclusion
The ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) 2026–27 provide substantial financial support to meritorious doctoral researchers in agriculture and allied sciences. With a JRF stipend of ₹37,000 per month, SRF support of ₹42,000 per month, and an annual contingency grant, the scheme offers valuable assistance to eligible Ph.D. scholars.
Candidates should carefully verify their ICAR entrance rank, postgraduate qualification, counselling route, age, institutional eligibility, and fellowship conditions, and complete the NSP application before October 31, 2026.
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