ICAR JRF/SRF (AIEEA-PG) cheat sheet

AIEEA (PG) is a single computer-based test of 120 minutes; the paper carries 120 questions of 4 marks each (480 marks total), with 1 mark deducted per wrong answer, so a blind guess has expected value 4×0.25 − 1×0.75 = +0.25 marks only when the candidate can eliminate at least one option.

The paper has two components: a Subject-specific paper of 60 questions in the candidate's chosen discipline and an Aptitude/General paper of 60 questions covering general awareness, reasoning, numerical ability and agriculture-linked current affairs.

Eligibility for PG is a bachelor's degree in the relevant field from a recognised university with at least 60% marks or an equivalent OGPA (55% for SC/ST/PwD candidates), and the qualifying degree must match the subject opted for the test.

Minimum pass marks are 25% for General/OBC and 20% for SC/ST/PwD; merit lists are prepared subject-wise, and no candidate can be considered for a subject other than the one written in the test.

For admission to ICAR-Deemed Universities, the AIEEA (PG) score is combined with undergraduate academic performance in the ratio 70:30 (entrance:academic) for most disciplines; the exact weightage is stated in that year's information bulletin.

The 60 subject questions follow the ICAR postgraduate syllabus for that discipline; for plant sciences this means genetics, breeding, physiology, pathology, entomology, agronomy and statistics, whereas for social sciences it means agricultural economics, extension and statistics.

Negative marking applies uniformly to both components, so a candidate attempting 85 questions with 70 correct and 15 wrong scores 70×4 − 15 = 265 marks; unanswered questions earn zero.

The test is offered in English and Hindi; the language chosen at application cannot be changed later, and the printed question paper language prevails in case of any dispute.

AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) is a 120-minute computer-based test of 120 questions (480 marks) with 4 marks per correct answer and 1 mark deducted per wrong answer; there is no separate aptitude section - the paper is entirely subject-specific at the master's level.

Eligibility requires a master's degree in the concerned discipline with at least 60% marks or equivalent OGPA (55% for SC/ST/PwD), and the candidate must have completed or be completing the degree in the subject opted for the test.

The fellowship streams are distinct: JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) is awarded to candidates who have not yet registered for a Ph.D., while SRF (Senior Research Fellowship) is for candidates already registered or who have completed at least two years of a Ph.D. programme.

Qualifying marks are 30% for General/OBC and 25% for SC/ST/PwD; only candidates crossing the cut-off enter the merit list used for counselling and fellowship allocation.

Fellowship award is subject to the candidate securing admission to a Ph.D. programme in an ICAR-recognised institution; the test score alone does not confer the fellowship without admission.

The subject paper follows the ICAR master's-level syllabus; for a genetics candidate this includes quantitative genetics, molecular markers, biometrical methods and plant breeding systems, while agronomy covers soil-plant-water relations, nutrient management and cropping systems.

Because negative marking is 1 mark, the expected value of a random 4-option guess is 4×0.25 − 1×0.75 = +0.25; guessing is mildly positive in expectation, but only if all four options are genuinely plausible.

Counselling is conducted online by ICAR; seat and fellowship allocation depends on rank, category, state quota and availability, and a candidate who does not participate in counselling forfeits the claim for that year.