ICAR exam to decide 20% UG seats in Agri Universities: Shivraj Singh

Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has announced a key reform in agricultural education aimed at easing the admission process for students across India. Starting from the 2025–26 academic year, 20 per cent of undergraduate seats in agricultural universities will be filled through an all-India competitive examination conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Under the new system, eligibility and subject groups for agricultural admissions have been standardized nationwide in line with the vision of “One Nation–One Agriculture–One Team.” Students who studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, or Agriculture in Class 12 will now be able to apply for admission through the CUET-ICAR national entrance exam, ensuring transparency and uniformity.

Chouhan noted that for years, students faced hurdles due to inconsistent eligibility rules across states and universities. Many deserving candidates, despite studying Agriculture or related subjects, were unable to secure admission in B.Sc. Agriculture programs. The issue was recently highlighted on social media and by several state representatives.

Responding swiftly, Chouhan directed ICAR Director General Mangi Lal Jat to coordinate with agricultural universities and vice chancellors to resolve the matter. He appreciated ICAR and university leaders for implementing the reform promptly.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, 42 of the 50 agricultural universities offering ICAR quota seats have already accepted the Agriculture, Biology, and Chemistry (ABC) combination as eligible, while three more have approved the Physics, Chemistry, and Agriculture (PCA) group. This change makes about 2,700 of the 3,121 ICAR quota seats accessible to students with Agriculture backgrounds. The remaining universities are expected to adopt the revised criteria by the 2026–27 session.

This streamlined admission system will simplify access and benefit nearly 3,000 students nationwide.