ICAR SRF (Agronomy) & YP-I Recruitment 2026: 32 Posts, Apply by 13 May 2026

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has officially released the notification for the IARI Young Professional and Senior Research Fellow recruitment drive. A total of 32 vacancies are currently open across research and professional support roles. Eligible candidates with relevant agricultural, technical, or scientific backgrounds can submit their online applications on or before 13 May 2026 through the institute’s official portal.

Recruitment Overview

Before diving into the eligibility and preparation details, here is a quick snapshot of the key recruitment parameters. This table summarises the total vacancies, application deadline, pay scale, and the direct link to the official application portal.

About ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), widely known as the Pusa Institute, operates under the administrative control of ICAR and stands as one of India’s premier centres for agricultural education and research. Headquartered in New Delhi, the institute collaborates closely with state agricultural universities and research centres across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. This recruitment specifically targets fresh postgraduates and graduates for the Senior Research Fellow (Agronomy) and Young Professional-I roles, offering candidates a chance to contribute directly to crop improvement, sustainable farming practices, and agricultural policy research. Selected aspirants will typically be posted at the main campus in New Delhi or attached to regional ICAR projects, depending on their specialisation and project requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

This recruitment covers multiple posts, each with its own eligibility requirements. The table below summarises the qualification, age limit and number of vacancies for every post. Please note that academic credentials must be obtained from a university or institute recognised by the UGC or ICAR, and candidates should verify their specific branch requirements before applying.

Nationality

The applicant must be an Indian citizen. Candidates holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards or foreign nationality are not eligible for this recruitment.

Pay Scale & Salary

The pay scale for the post is Rs. 42,000 – Rs. 37,000 per month, in accordance with the official pay matrix. While the range appears unconventional, it reflects the specific grade pay and dearness allowance structure applicable to ICAR research and professional posts. Candidates should note that the final in-hand salary will also include standard government allowances such as House Rent Allowance (HRA), medical benefits, and leave travel concession, depending on the posting location and family status.

Application Fee

There is no application fee for this recruitment. All eligible candidates can apply free of cost, regardless of their category. The institute has waived the fee to encourage maximum participation from qualified agricultural graduates and postgraduates across the country. You will not be required to enter any payment details during the online submission process.

Selection Process

The selection of candidates will be done through the following stages:

• Shortlisting
• Online Interview
• Documents Verification

Since this is a research-oriented recruitment, the shortlisting phase will primarily evaluate your academic record, project work, and subject-specific knowledge. The online interview panel typically comprises senior scientists, ICAR subject experts, and administrative officers. They will focus on your understanding of agronomy fundamentals, research methodology, data interpretation, and your ability to articulate scientific concepts clearly. Candidates who clear the interview move on to the final document verification round, where original certificates and academic transcripts are cross-checked against the application details.

Preparation Tips

Here are practical tips to help you prepare effectively for the Senior Research Fellow (Agronomy) and Young Professional-I recruitment:

• Revise core agronomy and crop science concepts, including soil-plant relationships, nutrient management, weed science, and crop rotation systems, as these form the backbone of the interview questions.
• Prepare a concise summary of your final year research project or dissertation, focusing on objectives, methodology, key findings, and practical applications in Indian agriculture.
• Study recent ICAR initiatives, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, and current government policies related to crop insurance, PM-KISAN, and organic farming, as interviewers often ask about policy awareness.
• Practice explaining statistical tools and data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or Excel) used in your academic projects, since research roles require basic quantitative competence.
• Map your study plan to the selection rounds outlined in the notification: Shortlisting, Online Interview, Documents Verification.
• Read the full official notification PDF and the syllabus before starting structured preparation — it is the single source of truth on eligibility, syllabus and pattern.
• Bookmark the official application portal and check it daily during the application window for any corrigendum, syllabus update or admit-card release.
• Keep all original certificates and self-attested photocopies organised in a single labelled file ready for the document-verification round.
• Conduct mock interviews with peers or mentors, focusing on clear communication, confidence, and the ability to defend your research methodology under questioning.

Documents Required

Before starting the online application for the Senior Research Fellow (Agronomy) and Young Professional-I posts, candidates should keep the following documents ready in scanned format:

• M.Sc or B.Sc/B.Tech degree certificate and consolidated mark sheets from a recognised university or agricultural institute
• Final year project report or dissertation summary (if available), along with any publication list or conference presentations
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) issued by the competent authority, valid for the current financial year
• PwBD certificate issued by a recognised medical board, if claiming reservation benefits
• Recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature in the format specified on the application portal
• Government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar card / PAN card / Voter ID / Passport / Driving Licence
• Date-of-birth proof — 10th class certificate or Birth Certificate
• Educational qualification mark sheets and certificates relevant to the advertised post
• Caste / category / EWS / PwBD certificates issued by the competent authority (where applicable)
• Working email ID and active mobile number for OTP verification and admit-card download
• NOC or service certificate if currently employed in a government or private organisation

How to Apply

1. Visit the official website at https://iari.res.in.
2. Click on the recruitment / careers section and locate the current notification.
3. Read the official notification PDF carefully and confirm your eligibility.
4. Click the Apply Online link to register and create an account if required.
5. Fill the application form with personal, educational and contact details.
6. Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature and supporting documents in the prescribed format.
7. Review all entries carefully, submit the form before 13 May 2026, and download a copy of the confirmation page for future reference.

Important Links

• Apply Online: https://iari.res.in
• Notification PDF: Download Official Notification
• Official Website: https://iari.res.in

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the last date to apply?

The last date to submit the online application is 13 May 2026.

How many vacancies are open?

A total of 32 vacancies have been notified for Senior Research Fellow (Agronomy), Young Professional-I.

Who can apply for this recruitment?

Indian citizens who meet the eligibility (Bachelor’s degree) are eligible to apply. The detailed post-wise eligibility is listed in the table above.

Is the application process online?

Yes. Candidates must apply through the official online portal at https://iari.res.in.

What is the application fee?

The application fee for all categories, including general and reserved, is Nil. The recruitment is completely free of cost.

Where will candidates be posted?

Selected candidates will be posted in New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan as per the official notification.

Apply before 13 May 2026 on the official portal. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a reputed government organization and contribute to India’s agricultural research landscape.