ICAR AIEEA UG: Eligibility, Registration, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Colleges, Seat Matrix & Preparation Tips (Complete Guide)
The ICAR AIEEA UG (Indian Council of Agricultural Research – All India Entrance Examination for Admission for Undergraduate Courses) is one of the most important national-level entrance exams for students seeking admission to agriculture and allied science programs in India. Conducted previously by ICAR and now through NTA (National Testing Agency), the exam offers admission to BSc Agriculture, BTech Agriculture Engineering, BTech Biotechnology, BSc Horticulture, BSc Forestry, BTech Food Technology, BSc Community Science, and many other UG courses.
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ICAR AIEEA UG is the gateway to more than 75+ agricultural universities, including Central Agricultural Universities, State Agricultural Universities, Deemed Universities, and ICAR-affiliated colleges. It offers 15% All India Quota Seats, making it a highly competitive and important exam for students wanting to build a career in agriculture, farming, food science, veterinary science, and allied fields.
This detailed 2000-word blog covers everything you need to know about ICAR AIEEA UG—exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility, application process, preparation strategy, best colleges, seat matrix, and more.
What is ICAR AIEEA UG?
The ICAR AIEEA UG exam is a national-level entrance test for admission to undergraduate programs in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food technology, dairy science, home science, fisheries, and agricultural engineering.
From 2023 onwards, ICAR announced major changes:
- ICAR AIEEA UG admissions are now based on CUET-UG (Science subjects).
- ICAR no longer conducts a separate AIEEA UG exam.
- Students must appear in CUET-UG (PCB/PCM/PCMB) and participate in ICAR counselling.
However, the admission process, eligibility rules, seat matrix, and program offerings remain the same.
Courses Offered Through ICAR AIEEA UG
The exam offers admission to multiple UG programs in agricultural and allied sciences.
B.Sc Programs (4 years)
- B.Sc Agriculture
- B.Sc Horticulture
- B.Sc Forestry
- B.Sc Fisheries Science
- B.Sc Community Science (Home Science)
- B.Sc Sericulture
B.Tech Programs (4 years)
- B.Tech Agricultural Engineering
- B.Tech Dairy Technology
- B.Tech Food Technology
- B.Tech Biotechnology
- B.Tech Agricultural Marketing & Co-operation
Additional Allied Courses
- Food Nutrition
- Veterinary-related foundation courses
- Natural Resource Sciences
These programs prepare students for government jobs, agribusiness roles, research careers, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Eligibility Criteria for ICAR AIEEA UG
Students applying for ICAR AIEEA UG must meet the following requirements:
Educational Qualification
- Must have passed Class 12 with Science stream.
- Subjects required depending on the course:
- PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Math)
- PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- PCMB (Physics, Chemistry, Math & Biology)
- Minimum 50% marks for General/OBC category
- Minimum 40% marks for SC/ST/PC categories
Age Limit
- Minimum age: 16 years
- No upper age limit
Nationality
- Must be an Indian citizen
Students must ensure they select the right subject combination in CUET-UG to qualify for ICAR counselling.
Exam Pattern for ICAR AIEEA UG
Since admissions now depend on CUET-UG, here is the exam pattern relevant to ICAR aspirants.
CUET-UG Exam Pattern (Applicable for ICAR Admissions)
Section 1 (Language)
- English/Hindi or other regional languages
Section 2 (Domain Subjects)
Candidates must appear for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Agriculture (as required by the course).
Section 3 (General Test)
- Logical reasoning
- General knowledge
- Quantitative aptitude
Exam Format
- Mode: Online (CBT)
- Question Type: MCQ
- Duration: 45–60 minutes per section
- Negative Marking: Yes (-1)
To get admission via ICAR, students must score well in the domain subjects.
ICAR AIEEA UG Syllabus
The syllabus is based on Class 11 and 12 NCERT subjects.
1. Physics
- Motion, Work, Energy
- Gravity
- Kinetic Theory
- Thermodynamics
- Laws of Motion
- Electromagnetic Waves
- Optics
- Dual Nature of Matter
- Atoms & Nuclei
2. Chemistry
- Atomic Structure
- Chemical Bonding
- Thermodynamics
- Equilibrium
- Redox Reactions
- Organic Chemistry Basics
- Alcohols & Phenols
- Coordination Compounds
- Polymers
- Biomolecules
3. Biology
- Plant Physiology
- Genetics
- Human Physiology
- Ecology
- Cell Biology
- Reproduction
- Microbes in Human Welfare
- Biotechnology
4. Mathematics
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Coordinate Geometry
- Statistics
- Vector Algebra
- Probability
5. Agriculture (Optional)
- Crop Production
- Soil Science
- Horticulture
- Plant Nutrition
- Animal Husbandry
- Agronomy
- Plant Breeding
- Agricultural Economics
- Organic Farming
ICAR AIEEA UG Application Process
The application process happens through CUET-UG registration, followed by ICAR counselling.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Visit the NTA CUET-UG official website
- Register using email & mobile
- Fill the online form
- Select subjects (PCB/PCM/Agriculture)
- Upload required documents
- Pay application fee
- Download the confirmation page
After results, students must register separately for ICAR counselling.
ICAR Counselling Process
Students must participate in the ICAR Online Counselling through the official ICAR portal.
Counselling Steps:
- Register on the ICAR counselling portal
- Pay counselling fee
- Fill choices of universities & programs
- Lock choices
- Seat Allotment Round 1
- Accept seat / Upgrade option
- Document verification
- Final admission at allotted university
There are usually 3 rounds of counselling.
Top Colleges Through ICAR AIEEA UG
Here are the top agricultural universities accepting ICAR AIEEA UG scores:
1. Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
2. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)
3. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)
4. GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology
5. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University
6. Assam Agricultural University
7. Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University
8. CCS Haryana Agricultural University
9. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
10. Kerala Agricultural University
More than 75+ universities participate in ICAR admission.
ICAR AIEEA UG Seat Matrix
ICAR provides 15% All India Quota Seats in all state and central agricultural universities.
Approximate seats:
- B.Sc Agriculture: 4,500+
- B.Tech Agri Engineering: 1,200+
- B.Sc Horticulture: 800+
- B.Sc Forestry: 300+
- B.Tech Food Technology: 600+
- B.Tech Biotechnology: 500+
Overall, ICAR allots around 8,000–10,000 seats to UG students.
Career Opportunities After ICAR Courses
Agriculture and allied sciences offer diverse career options.
Government Jobs
- Agricultural Officer
- Horticulture Inspector
- Soil Conservation Officer
- Food Safety Officer
- Forest Range Officer
Private Sector Jobs
- Food industries
- Fertilizer companies
- Seed production companies
- Agri-tech startups
- Dairy & poultry farms
Research Careers
- ICAR research institute roles
- Lab assistant
- Field researcher
Entrepreneurship
- Organic farming
- Agri startups
- Nursery & greenhouse business
- Food processing units
Higher Studies
- MSc Agriculture
- MTech Food Technology
- MBA Agribusiness
ICAR AIEEA UG Preparation Tips
1. Study NCERT Books Thoroughly
Most questions come from NCERT Class 11 & 12.
2. Make a Study Schedule
Plan a realistic timetable for each subject.
3. Solve Previous Year Papers
This helps understand difficulty level and patterns.
4. Take Regular Mock Tests
Boosts confidence and improves time management.
5. Focus on Agriculture Optional (if chosen)
Agriculture subject gives an advantage to students who studied Agriculture in Class 12.
6. Use Short Notes for Revision
Quick revision is important before the exam.
7. Practice Numerical Questions
Physics, Chemistry, and Math sections require strong calculation speed.
Conclusion
The ICAR AIEEA UG is one of India’s most important entrance exams for students who want to build careers in agriculture, farming, food science, biotechnology, horticulture, dairy science, and many allied fields. Through the CUET-UG system, the admission process has become even more streamlined and student-friendly.
With over 75+ top agricultural universities, excellent career opportunities, and strong demand for professionals in the agriculture sector, ICAR AIEEA UG opens doors to a bright and stable future. By understanding the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and preparation strategy, students can confidently prepare and secure admission to their dream agricultural university.
