ICAR PG Exam: Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Colleges, Admission Process & Preparation Tips
The ICAR PG exam, officially known as the ICAR AIEEA PG (All India Entrance Examination for Admission – Postgraduate), is one of the most important national-level entrance exams for students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in Agriculture and Allied Sciences. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of ICAR, this exam opens doors to 75+ top agricultural universities in India, including IARI, ICAR Deemed Universities, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Central Universities, and affiliated institutions.
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Students who want to build careers in agricultural sciences, horticulture, plant breeding, soil science, agronomy, food technology, biotechnology, veterinary sciences, and allied fields appear for this exam every year. ICAR PG offers admission to 25% All India Quota Seats, making the competition intense and the opportunities vast.
This simplified and SEO-friendly 2000-word blog covers everything you need to know about the ICAR PG exam—its syllabus, pattern, eligibility, registration, counselling, top colleges, seat matrix, and preparation advice.
What is ICAR PG (AIEEA PG) Exam?
The ICAR AIEEA PG is a national entrance exam conducted to offer admission into Master’s degree programs in agriculture and allied streams. These include:
- M.Sc Agriculture
- M.Sc Horticulture
- M.Sc Forestry
- M.Sc Plant Biotechnology
- M.Sc Food Science & Technology
- M.Sc Community Science
- M.V.Sc (Veterinary Science)
- M.Tech Agricultural Engineering
- M.Sc Fisheries Science
- M.Sc Entomology
- M.Sc Agronomy
- And many more postgraduate specializations
ICAR PG exam is crucial for students aiming for higher studies in agriculture, research, and academic careers.
Courses Offered Through ICAR PG Exam
ICAR PG offers admission to 20+ major disciplines and 95+ specializations. The main categories include:
1. Agriculture
- Agronomy
- Plant Pathology
- Plant Breeding & Genetics
- Agricultural Economics
- Soil Science
- Seed Science & Technology
- Agricultural Extension
- Entomology
2. Horticulture
- Fruit Science
- Vegetable Science
- Floriculture
- Spices & Plantation Crops
3. Forestry
- Agroforestry
- Silviculture
- Forest Products
4. Animal & Veterinary Sciences
- Veterinary Anatomy
- Animal Nutrition
- Poultry Science
- Livestock Products
- Veterinary Pathology
5. Agricultural Engineering
- Farm Machinery
- Soil & Water Engineering
- Renewable Energy
6. Fisheries Science
- Aquaculture
- Fish Genetics
- Fish Nutrition
7. Community Science
- Food Science
- Nutritional Science
- Human Development
8. Biotechnology & Life Sciences
- Molecular Biology
- Agricultural Biotechnology
These courses open excellent career opportunities in government, private sector, research labs, and agribusiness companies.
Eligibility Criteria for ICAR PG
Students must meet the following requirements to appear for the ICAR PG exam.
1. Educational Qualification
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or related fields from a recognized university
- Minimum 60% marks for General/OBC/EWS
- Minimum 50% marks for SC/ST/PC candidates
- Final-year students can apply
2. Age Limit
- Minimum age: 19 years
- No upper age limit
3. Nationality
- Must be an Indian citizen
Each PG discipline has its own eligibility criteria based on the UG degree major. Students must carefully check the ICAR official brochure before applying.
ICAR PG Exam Pattern
The ICAR AIEEA PG exam is conducted online (CBT) and includes a mix of objective questions.
Exam Highlights
- Mode: Computer-Based Test
- Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Total Questions: 120
- Total Marks: 480
- Duration: 2 hours
- Negative Marking: -1 for each wrong answer
- Correct answer: +4 marks
Question Distribution
- Subject-specific questions
- Each discipline has its own syllabus and set of questions
Some programs also include General Agriculture questions.
ICAR PG Syllabus (Subject-Wise)
The syllabus varies for each specialization. Below is a simple overview of major topics covered in the exam.
1. Agronomy
- Principles of Crop Production
- Field Crops
- Weed Management
- Irrigation & Water Management
- Soil Fertility
2. Soil Science
- Soil Chemistry
- Soil Fertility & Nutrient Management
- Soil Physics
- Soil Classification
- Remote Sensing in Soil Studies
3. Plant Breeding & Genetics
- Mendelian Genetics
- Plant Improvement Techniques
- Hybridization
- Mutation Breeding
- Biotechnology in Plant Breeding
4. Plant Pathology
- Plant Diseases
- Pathogen Biology
- Disease Management
- Mycology & Bacteriology
5. Entomology
- Insects & Arthropods
- Pest Management
- Toxicology
- Economic Importance of Pests
6. Horticulture
- Fruit Crops
- Vegetable Crops
- Plantation Crops
- Floriculture
- Post-Harvest Technology
7. Agricultural Economics
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Farm Management
- Agricultural Marketing
- WTO & Agricultural Trade
8. Agricultural Extension
- Rural Development
- Communication Skills
- Extension Approaches
- Program Planning
9. Food Technology
- Food Chemistry
- Food Microbiology
- Preservation Methods
- Nutrition Science
10. Fisheries Science
- Aquaculture Systems
- Fish Physiology
- Fish Breeding
- Fish Nutrition
11. Agricultural Engineering
- Farm Machinery
- Soil & Water Conservation
- Renewable Energy
- Irrigation Planning
12. Veterinary Science
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- Nutrition
Since ICAR PG covers vast topics, students must read the official syllabus PDF carefully for their applied discipline.
ICAR PG Registration Process
The registration is done online through the official NTA ICAR website.
Steps to Apply
- Visit the official ICAR PG application portal
- Register with email & mobile number
- Fill the application form
- Choose preferred PG discipline
- Upload scanned documents
- Pay application fee
- Download the confirmation page
Candidates must keep all documents ready before applying.
ICAR PG Counselling Process
After the declaration of the results, students must participate in ICAR online counselling.
Counselling Steps
- Register on ICAR counselling website
- Pay counselling fee
- Select program and university preferences
- Lock choices
- First Round Seat Allotment
- Document verification
- Reporting to college
- Upgradation option (if desired)
There are usually 3 rounds of counselling.
Top Colleges Under ICAR PG
More than 75 universities accept ICAR PG scores. Some top institutes include:
1. Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
2. National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal
3. Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI)
4. Central Agricultural University, Imphal
5. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)
6. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)
7. GBPUAT, Pantnagar
8. CCS Haryana Agricultural University
9. Bihar Agricultural University
10. Kerala Agricultural University
11. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
12. SKUAST, Kashmir / Jammu
These universities offer high-quality education and excellent research facilities.
ICAR PG Seat Matrix
ICAR allocates 25% PG seats in participating universities under All India Quota.
Approximate PG seats:
- Agriculture: 1,500+
- Horticulture: 550+
- Forestry: 150+
- Food Technology: 200+
- Animal Sciences: 600+
- Veterinary Sciences: 500+
- Engineering: 300+
- Biotechnology: 250+
Total seats: ~ 4,000+ PG seats through ICAR.
Career Opportunities After ICAR PG
After completing postgraduate studies in agricultural sciences, students can choose from multiple career paths.
Government Jobs
- Agricultural Officer
- Horticulture Officer
- Soil Conservation Officer
- Food Safety Officer
- Veterinary Officer
- Forest Officer
- Scientist (via ICAR/CSIR Exams)
Private Sector
- Food processing industries
- Dairy companies
- Seed & fertilizer companies
- Agritech startups
- Biotech labs
- Export companies
Research Careers
- ICAR Research Labs
- IARI / NDRI / IVRI
- Central research institutions
- Assistant Scientist roles
Teaching Jobs
- Lecturer / Assistant Professor in universities
Entrepreneurship
- Organic farming
- Nursery business
- Food processing units
- Agri consultancy
Students with ICAR PG degrees are highly respected in both government and private sectors.
ICAR PG Preparation Tips (Easy & Effective)
1. Start with the Official Syllabus
Each discipline has a detailed syllabus—download and study it carefully.
2. Use ICAR Recommended Books
Refer to standard textbooks used in agricultural universities.
3. Solve Previous Year Papers
This builds confidence and reveals exam trends.
4. Take Online Mock Tests
Practice improves speed and accuracy.
5. Prepare Notes for Revision
Short notes help revise large topics quickly.
6. Strengthen Basic Concepts
PG entrance focuses heavily on fundamentals and applied knowledge.
7. Practice Numerical & Conceptual Questions
Especially important for Agronomy, Engineering, and Food Technology students.
8. Keep a Daily Study Schedule
Consistency is key for cracking ICAR PG.
Conclusion
The ICAR PG (AIEEA PG) exam is one of India’s most important entrance exams for students wishing to pursue postgraduate studies in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Food Technology, Veterinary Science, Biotechnology, and Allied Sciences. The exam provides access to some of the country’s best agricultural universities, world-class research labs, and excellent career opportunities.
With a clear understanding of the exam pattern, eligibility, syllabus, seat matrix, top colleges, and preparation strategy, students can prepare effectively and secure admission into their preferred PG specialization.
