ICAR AIEEA 2026: Application Form, Exam Dates, Syllabus, Eligibility

ICAR AIEEA is the All India Entrance Examination for Admission to agriculture and allied-science programmes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts it. For 2026-27, AIEEA-PG was held for Master’s admissions and ICAR-PG scholarships, and AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) was held for doctoral admissions and fellowships.

There is no separate AIEEA-UG exam. ICAR undergraduate admissions under the All India Quota go through CUET (UG), so UG candidates should read our CUET UG guide as well. Admission depends on the entrance exam, eligibility, merit, reservation rules, seats and counselling. Check the NTA and ICAR portals for the latest rules.

ICAR AIEEA 2026 key facts

ICAR AIEEA 2026 exam date and key dates

These dates have passed. The NTA ICAR page shows no 2027 notice yet, so follow it for the next cycle.

ICAR AIEEA-PG counselling dates 2026-27

The table follows the official PG and PhD counselling schedule on the ICAR counselling portal, checked on 26 October 2026.

The 2026-27 PG and PhD counselling schedule has now ended. ICAR’s revised mop-up notice confirms that the final round ran from 19 to 24 October 2026. The counselling portal lists no later deadline, so watch its notifications page for any notice.

ICAR UG counselling and AIEEA UG 2026

Undergraduate admission to ICAR agricultural universities under the All India Quota uses CUET (UG) scores and a separate CUET (ICAR-UG) counselling schedule. See the counselling portal’s UG brochure and ICAR’s UG counselling schedule. The older idea of one AIEEA exam for UG, PG and PhD no longer holds.

ICAR AIEEA-PG 2026 eligibility

Candidates need a relevant Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, and the qualifying degree, minimum marks or OGPA and other conditions depend on the Master’s programme and subject group. The NTA information bulletin and the admitting university’s rules decide eligibility, so check the programme-wise requirements before you apply.

ICAR AIEEA-PG courses

AIEEA-PG covers Master’s programmes across subject groups such as:

• Plant Biotechnology and Plant Sciences
• Physical Sciences, Statistical Sciences and Social Sciences
• Entomology and Nematology
• Agronomy and Horticulture
• Forestry, Agroforestry and Silviculture
• Agricultural Engineering and Technology
• Community Science
• Animal Biotechnology, Animal Science and Veterinary Science
• Fisheries Science
• Dairy Science and Dairy Technology
• Food Science and Technology
• Agri-Business Management

The programmes you can get through counselling depend on the participating universities, the seats and the eligibility for each programme.

ICAR AIEEA-PG 2026 exam pattern

Negative marking applies, so manage your time and avoid blind guesses. The questions depend on the subject group you choose.

ICAR AIEEA-PG syllabus

The syllabus is subject-specific, so prepare for your own subject group. NTA publishes the syllabus in the information bulletin for each cycle. The main areas are:

• Plant Biotechnology and Plant Sciences: genetics, molecular biology, tissue culture, plant physiology, breeding and botany.
• Entomology and Nematology: insect science, pest management and nematology.
• Agronomy: crop production and management, soil and water management and weed management.
• Horticulture: fruit, vegetable, floriculture and plantation crops.
• Forestry and Agroforestry: forest management, silviculture and agroforestry.
• Agricultural Engineering and Technology: farm machinery, processing, irrigation and engineering applications.
• Animal and Fisheries Sciences: animal science, veterinary science and fisheries.
• Food Science and Technology: food processing, chemistry, preservation and microbiology.
• Agri-Business Management: agricultural marketing, agribusiness and agricultural economics.

Use the syllabus for the admission year you are applying in, since ICAR can revise it.

ICAR AIEEA 2026 application form

NTA ran the AIEEA-PG registration on its ICAR portal from 8 May to 7 June 2026. The 2026 application window has closed, and the next one will open on the same portal. The steps were:

1. Open the NTA ICAR portal.
2. Register with a valid mobile number and email address.
3. Fill in your personal and academic details.
4. Choose your subject group and exam details.
5. Upload your photograph, signature and documents.
6. Pay the application fee online.
7. Check every detail and submit.
8. Download the confirmation page and payment receipt.

The fee is category-wise and is set in the NTA information bulletin for the cycle. Enter your academic details exactly as they appear on your certificates, because mistakes can cause problems at counselling or document verification. NTA opens a correction window after registration, but not every field can be edited.

Documents to keep ready

• Recent passport-size photograph and signature
• Class 10 and Class 12 certificate details
• Bachelor’s degree and marks information, for PG applicants
• Category certificate, if applicable
• PwBD certificate, where applicable
• Valid identity details
• Active mobile number and email address
• Online payment details

Check the file format and size limits in the current NTA bulletin.

Admit card, answer key and result

NTA issues the admit card online. Check your name, photograph, roll number, exam date, centre and reporting time, and carry the admit card and a valid ID. After the exam, NTA releases a provisional answer key with the question paper and recorded responses, and candidates can challenge answers during the stated window. NTA then publishes the final answer key and the result and scorecard on its ICAR portal. The 2026 result was declared in August 2026.

ICAR AIEEA cutoff

There is no single cutoff for every course and university. The cutoff depends on the score, subject group, category, seats, university, programme and counselling round. The counselling portal publishes the previous year’s cutoffs, so see the AIEEA-PG 2025 cutoff and the PhD 2025 cutoff. Do not treat last year’s cutoff as a guarantee for the next cycle.

ICAR counselling and admission process

The order is: application, entrance exam, answer key, result, counselling registration, choice filling, seat allotment, document verification, seat acceptance fee and reporting to the university. Clearing the exam alone does not guarantee admission, because you must take part in counselling and meet the allotted university’s requirements. Seat allotment depends on merit, category, seats and your choices. The 2026-27 PG and PhD counselling had four rounds and a mop-up round.

ICAR AIEEA preparation tips

• Know the syllabus: download the current syllabus for your subject group and split it into topics.
• Revise your Bachelor’s subjects: AIEEA-PG questions are closely tied to your degree discipline.
• Practise MCQs: regular practice builds speed and accuracy, and it helps you learn when to skip a question.
• Make short notes: keep definitions, classifications and facts that are hard to remember.
• Take mock tests: they show your speed and weak areas.

ICAR AIEEA FAQs

What is ICAR AIEEA?

It is the All India Entrance Examination for Admission to agriculture and allied-science programmes. AIEEA-PG covers Master’s admission and ICAR-PG scholarships.

Is there an ICAR AIEEA UG exam in 2026?

No. ICAR undergraduate admissions under the All India Quota use CUET (UG), followed by CUET (ICAR-UG) counselling.

Who conducts ICAR AIEEA PG?

The National Testing Agency conducts it on behalf of ICAR.

What was the ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 exam date?

4 July 2026, in computer-based test mode.

What is the duration of AIEEA-PG?

Two hours (120 minutes).

Is there negative marking?

Yes. A correct answer earns 4 marks and a wrong answer loses 1 mark.

What is the AIEEA-PG application fee?

It is category-wise. The amounts are in the NTA information bulletin for the cycle.

What subjects does AIEEA-PG cover?

Subject groups such as Plant Sciences, Agronomy, Horticulture, Forestry, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Science, Fisheries, Dairy, Food Science and Agri-Business Management.

How is ICAR counselling conducted?

Eligible candidates register on the ICAR counselling portal, fill in their university and programme choices and take part in seat allotment rounds. Admission depends on merit, category, preferences and seat availability.

Can I use the old syllabus for the next cycle?

It is safer to use the syllabus published for the relevant admission year, since ICAR can change exam details and admission rules.

Sources: NTA ICAR portal, ICAR counselling portal (both checked 26 October 2026) and ICAR’s revised mop-up notice.