ICAR is hiring 1,393 technical staff for its research institutes and farm advice centres, and you apply once, through one combined exam run by the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB). Technical Assistant (T-3) posts are in ICAR institutes. Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) posts are in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR’s farm advisory centres. The online form opens on 18.11.2026 and closes on 17.12.2026 at 11:59 PM.
⚡ QUICK FACTS
🎓 Eligibility
Degree in the matching subject
📌 Vacancies
1,393 (T-3 and T-4)
💰 Salary
Rs 29,200 to 1,12,400 a month
🗓️ Last Date
17.12.2026 (11:59 PM)
✔ Checked against the official notification on 12.11.2026 · Official notice
Quick Navigation
Recruitment Tracker
| Stage | Status | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification | Out | 11.11.2026 | Official notice |
| Online application | Awaited | Opens 18.11.2026, closes 17.12.2026 | – |
| Application correction window | Awaited | 18.12.2026 to 20.12.2026 | – |
| Prelims admit card | Awaited | About one week before the exam | – |
| Prelims exam | Awaited | February 2027 (exact date not announced) | – |
| Prelims result | Awaited | Not announced | – |
| Mains exam and final result | Awaited | Not announced | – |
Recruitment Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Technical Assistant (T-3) in ICAR Institutes; Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) in KVKs of ICAR |
| Organization | Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), Department of Agricultural Research and Education, New Delhi, for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Notification / Advertisement No. | F. No. 2(2)/2025-Exam dated 11.11.2026 |
| Location | All India / Central Govt (ICAR institutes and KVKs; the notice gives vacancies by trade group, not by place) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,393 (T-3 1,254; T-4 139) – UR 642, OBC 306, SC 178, ST 97, EWS 170. The notice calls the numbers tentative. |
| Qualification | Degree in the matching subject; a 3-year diploma is also accepted for the four Workshop Staff groups (see table below) |
| Age Limit | 21 to 30 years as on 17.12.2026 Check your age eligibility → |
| Selection Process | Prelims (computer test, qualifying) → Mains (computer test) → merit list. No interview. |
| Pay Scale | T-3: Pay Level 5 (Rs 29,200 to 92,300). T-4: Pay Level 6 (Rs 35,400 to 1,12,400). |
| How to Apply | Online only, at asrb.gov.in, from 18.11.2026 to 17.12.2026 |
| Official Notification | Download Notification PDF |
| Official Website / Apply Online | ASRB – asrb.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification dated | 11.11.2026 |
| Online application starts | 18.11.2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 17.12.2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last date to pay the fee online | 17.12.2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Application correction window (fee for correction also paid online) | 18.12.2026 to 20.12.2026 |
| Prelims (computer test) | February 2027. The exact date will be announced on the ASRB website. |
| Mains (computer test) | Date to be announced |
The notice says all dates are subject to change.
Application Fee
| Category | T-3 only (Rs) | T-4 only (Rs) | T-3 and T-4 both (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 300 | 300 | 600 |
| EWS / OBC | 150 | 150 | 300 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women / Transgender / Ex-Servicemen | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Pay through Bharatkosh. Bank or card charges are yours to bear. The fee is never refunded, and paying without submitting the form (by 17.12.2026, 11:59 PM) does not count.
Vacancy Details
| Category | T-3 posts | T-4 posts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR | 558 | 84 | 642 |
| OBC | 281 | 25 | 306 |
| SC | 164 | 14 | 178 |
| ST | 91 | 6 | 97 |
| EWS | 160 | 10 | 170 |
| Total | 1,254 | 139 | 1,393 |
Group-wise vacancies (Annexure VII of the notice):
| Functional group | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-3: Field Farm Technician (Agriculture) | 195 | 108 | 69 | 29 | 75 | 476 |
| T-3: Laboratory Technician (Agriculture) | 108 | 41 | 32 | 18 | 24 | 223 |
| T-3: Field Farm Technician (Animal Science) | 23 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 50 |
| T-3: Laboratory Technician (Animal Science) | 27 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 65 |
| T-3: Field Farm Technician (Fisheries) | 16 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 57 |
| T-3: Laboratory Technician (Fisheries) | 10 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 33 |
| T-3: Field Farm Technician (Social Science – Home Science / Community Science) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| T-3: Laboratory Technician (Social Science – Home Science / Community Science) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| T-3: Workshop Staff (Civil Engineering) | 33 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 51 |
| T-3: Workshop Staff (Agricultural Engineering) | 17 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 42 |
| T-3: Workshop Staff (Electrical Engineering) | 14 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 35 |
| T-3: Workshop Staff (Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering) | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 25 |
| T-3: Library / Information / Documentation Staff | 31 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 59 |
| T-3: Information Technology | 71 | 29 | 15 | 7 | 11 | 133 |
| Total T-3 | 558 | 281 | 164 | 91 | 160 | 1,254 |
| T-4: Field Farm Technician (Agriculture) | 33 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 47 |
| T-4: Laboratory Technician (Agriculture) | 16 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 26 |
| T-4: Field Farm Technician (Animal Science) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| T-4: Laboratory Technician (Animal Science) | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| T-4: Field Farm Technician (Social Science – Home Science / Community Science) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| T-4: Laboratory Technician (Social Science – Home Science / Community Science) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| T-4: Laboratory Technician (Fisheries) | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| T-4: Information Technology | 24 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 48 |
| Total T-4 | 84 | 25 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 139 |
| Grand total (T-3 and T-4) | 642 | 306 | 178 | 97 | 170 | 1,393 |
Seats for persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) are all in T-3: 30 in total (VI 6, HI 11, LD 10, ID 2, MD 1, using the notice’s own codes). Ex-Servicemen have 74 seats, also all in T-3. The category columns already add up to 1,393, so these are not extra posts. The notice lists which groups suit which disabilities in Annexure VII.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen; or a citizen of Nepal or Bhutan; or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01.01.1962 to settle here; or a person of Indian origin who moved to India to settle from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam. The last four groups need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India. |
| Educational Qualification | The degree for your group (table below), completed on or before 17.12.2026, from an Indian university set up by law or an equivalent foreign university recognised by the Government of India |
| Age Limit | 21 to 30 years as on 17.12.2026 (the last date to apply) Check your age eligibility → |
| Which post you can choose | T-3 only, T-4 only, or both. You can apply for only one functional group, even if you qualify for more than one. |
| Application Restriction | One application per person. If you send several, only the latest is counted and no fee is adjusted or returned. |
| Health | Good mental and bodily health. Selected candidates may be sent for a medical exam and must pay its fee. |
| Marriage rule | A person who has a living spouse and marries again is not eligible, unless ICAR gives an exemption where personal law allows it |
| Functional group | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Field Farm Technician and Laboratory Technician (Agriculture) | Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering, Agro-forestry, Food Science, Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Home Science, Community Science or Natural Farming |
| Field Farm Technician and Laboratory Technician (Social Science – Home Science / Community Science) | Bachelor’s degree in Home Science or Community Science |
| Field Farm Technician and Laboratory Technician (Animal Science) | B.V.Sc and A.H. (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) |
| Field Farm Technician and Laboratory Technician (Fisheries Science) | B.F.Sc. (Bachelor of Fisheries Science) |
| Workshop Staff (Civil Engineering) | B.Tech / B.E. or 3-year Diploma in Civil Engineering |
| Workshop Staff (Agricultural Engineering) | B.Tech / B.E. or 3-year Diploma in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Textile Technology or Fiber Processing Engineering |
| Workshop Staff (Electrical Engineering) | B.Tech / B.E. or 3-year Diploma in Electrical Engineering |
| Workshop Staff (Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering) | B.Tech / B.E. or 3-year Diploma in Electronics Engineering or Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering |
| Library / Information Science / Documentation Staff | Bachelor’s degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science |
| Information Technology | Bachelor’s degree in Computer Application, Computer Science or IT; or B.Tech / B.E. in IT, Computer Science or Electronics and Communication Engineering |
| Category | Age relaxation (upper limit) |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | Up to 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer only – OBC families under the income limit, with a valid central-government certificate) | Up to 3 years |
| PwBD | Up to 10 years. If you are also SC, ST or OBC, both relaxations add up. |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years, counted after subtracting your military service from your actual age |
| Disabled Defence Services Personnel | As per Government of India instructions |
| ICAR’s own technical staff (in service) | Upper limit is 40 years for UR, with the SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen relaxations above. This covers ICAR employees only, not State Agricultural University, other government or PSU staff. |
| Research Associates (RAs) / Senior Research Fellows (SRFs) engaged on contract in ICAR institutes | Relaxation equal to the time actually served, up to 16 years 3 months. The engagement must be continuous, with no break over 6 months between ICAR projects. |
Not sure whether you are within the age limit?
Enter your date of birth, the cut-off date 17.12.2026 and your category relaxation to see instantly whether you fall inside the 21 to 30 year band.
Open the Age Calculator🧮 CAN I APPLY? THREE QUICK EXAMPLES
- A General candidate born on 15.06.2000. On 17.12.2026 this person is 26 years 6 months old, inside the 21 to 30 limit. ✅ Eligible (with the right degree).
- An OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidate born on 20.08.1994, with a valid certificate. On 17.12.2026 this person is 32 years 3 months old. The limit is 30 plus 3 years of OBC relaxation, which is 33. ✅ Eligible, because of the 3-year relaxation (with the right degree).
- A General candidate born on 20.12.2005. On 17.12.2026 this person is 20 years 11 months old and turns 21 three days after the last date. ❌ Not eligible – three days short of the minimum age.
These are made-up examples that apply the rules in the tables above. Ages are counted on 17.12.2026, the last date to apply. Use the Age Calculator above to check your own date of birth.
Who Should Apply
- One form covers two kinds of job: T-3 posts in ICAR research institutes (Pay Level 5) and T-4 posts in KVKs (Pay Level 6). You can ask for T-3, T-4 or both, and rank your choices on the form.
- Your degree decides your group. Only the four Workshop Staff groups accept a 3-year diploma. Animal Science needs a veterinary degree and Fisheries needs a fisheries degree.
- If you hold an agriculture-side degree, your group is by far the biggest one (see the numbers below).
- Women, SC, ST, PwBD, transgender candidates and Ex-Servicemen pay no fee. The notice does not set aside a separate share of posts for women.
Who should skip this:
- Your degree result will come after 17.12.2026. The degree must be completed on or before the last date.
- You want to apply for two functional groups. Only one is allowed.
- You are over 30 and none of the relaxations in the table above applies to you.
Other jobs open right now that you may fit
- Indian Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 1500 Posts – Last date 25.11.2026
- SBI Fire Engineer Recruitment 2026 – 17 Posts – Last date 25.11.2026
What the Numbers Say
| Group | Posts | Share of 1,393 |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture (Field Farm and Laboratory Technician, T-3 and T-4) | 772 | 55.4% |
| Information Technology (T-3 and T-4) | 181 | 13.0% |
| Workshop Staff (Civil, Agricultural, Electrical, Electronics) | 153 | 11.0% |
| Animal Science (T-3 and T-4) | 124 | 8.9% |
| Fisheries (T-3 and T-4) | 97 | 7.0% |
| Library / Information / Documentation | 59 | 4.2% |
| Social Science – Home Science / Community Science | 7 | 0.5% |
From Annexure VII of the notice: T-3 is 1,254 of the 1,393 posts (90.0%) and T-4 is 139 (10.0%). By category, UR has 642 (46.1%), OBC 306 (22.0%), EWS 170 (12.2%), SC 178 (12.8%) and ST 97 (7.0%). T-4 posts exist in only five of the ten groups: Agriculture, Animal Science, Social Science, Fisheries (laboratory technician only) and IT. There are no T-4 posts in the workshop or library groups.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Prelims (preliminary exam) | One computer-based paper, 100 multiple-choice questions, 100 marks, 1 hour, in Hindi and English. Four sections of 25 marks each: General Knowledge, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and General Agriculture. A wrong answer costs 0.25 marks. The notice calls this a qualifying paper. Minimum marks: UR 30%, EWS/OBC 25%, SC/ST/PwBD 20%. Candidates are called to Mains in the ratio 1:15 of the vacancies of each functional group, category-wise. |
| Answer key | A tentative key goes online after the exam. You can object online, at Rs 50 per question that is not refunded. Other modes (letter, email) are not accepted. A final key comes with the result. |
| 2. Mains (main exam) | One computer-based paper, 100 multiple-choice questions, 300 marks, 2 hours, testing your subject knowledge for your functional group. A wrong answer loses one-third of the marks of a question (the notice words this as 1/3 marks (i.e. 1 marks)). Minimum marks: UR 30%, EWS/OBC 25%, SC/ST/PwBD 20%. The real cut-off may be higher, and passing the minimum does not guarantee selection. |
| Normalisation | If a test runs in several sessions, marks are adjusted (normalised) so every session is fair. These adjusted marks decide shortlisting and merit. |
| Merit list and posting | Candidates are ranked by Mains marks, group-wise and category-wise. Posts are given as per the preference order you gave in the form, if vacancies exist. There is a reserve panel for candidates who do not join. |
| If two candidates tie | The higher Prelims score wins. If still tied, the higher Quantitative Aptitude score in Prelims wins. If still tied, the older candidate wins. |
| Interview | None. Selection is on the Mains exam only. |
| Document check | ICAR checks your documents after the final result. Candidature is cancelled if you do not meet the conditions. |
In short: the Prelims decides who gets to write the Mains, and your Mains marks alone decide your rank. Prelims marks matter again only to break a tie. Reserved-category candidates who use any age or marks relaxation can be considered only for seats kept for their own category.
Salary and Benefits
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Technical Assistant (T-3), ICAR Institutes | Pay Level 5 of the 7th Central Pay Commission Pay Matrix (the government pay grade table): Rs 29,200 to 92,300 a month. Category-II of the ICAR Technical Services. |
| Senior Technical Assistant (T-4), KVKs | Pay Level 6 of the same Pay Matrix: Rs 35,400 to 1,12,400 a month |
| Allowances and other benefits | Not specified in notification |
In plain terms, a T-3 starts at Rs 29,200 a month and a T-4 at Rs 35,400. The notice gives only the pay level, so it does not say what allowances come on top.
How to Apply
- From 18.11.2026, go to asrb.gov.in and open the online application link. First register with your name, parents’ names, email and date of birth. You get an email and an SMS.
- Choose T-3 only, T-4 only or both. Pick one functional group and rank your post choices. Once saved, the ranking cannot be changed.
- Fill in every part. Upload your photograph, signature, certificates and photo ID. You can edit until you upload the payment details.
- Pay the fee on Bharatkosh (details below) and upload the receipt with the other details.
- Check that a success message appears. If it does not, the form was not submitted, so repeat the step. Keep a printout or soft copy of the form.
Note: offline or paper applications are not accepted. Centre, discipline, name, father’s name, date of birth, gender, email, mobile number, category and medium cannot be changed on request.
| Bharatkosh field | What to select or enter |
|---|---|
| Website | bharatkosh.gov.in, then Quick Payment / Non-Registered Users |
| Depositor category | Individual |
| Ministry | Agriculture |
| Purpose | Examination/Certificate fee for ARS/NET/SMS/STO/FAO/AO |
| PAO | 000001 – PAO (Sectt)-I |
| DDO | 216968 – Add. ASRB, Chayan Bhavan |
| Remarks | Fee for TA(T-3) – 2026, or Fee for STA(T-4) – 2026, or Fee for TA(T-3) and STA(T-4) – 2026, matching your choice |
Photograph or signature rejected by the upload form?
The ASRB form takes only JPG files: up to 200 KB for the photograph and up to 100 KB for the signature. Resize yours to the exact size the form will accept.
Open the Photo and Signature ResizerDocuments Required
| Document | Format / Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport-size photograph | JPG only, maximum 200 KB, recent, white background, face covering at least two-thirds of the frame, no spectacles Resize your photo and signature → |
| Signature | JPG only, maximum 100 KB, black or blue ink on white paper |
| Class 10 (Matriculation) certificate and marksheet | Your name and date of birth are taken from this |
| Bachelor’s degree or provisional certificate, with marksheets | For the degree or diploma of your group |
| Category certificates (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen) | In the formats the notice gives in Appendices I to VI, valid on the day you apply. JPG, maximum 100 KB each. Documents in any language other than Hindi or English need a Hindi or English copy, or a translation attested by a Notary Public. |
| Photo ID | Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport, Driving Licence or any other photo ID from the State or Central Government. Enter its details and upload a scan. |
| No Objection Certificate | For those already working for ICAR, the Central or a State Government, a scientific institution or a university (permanent, temporary or work-charged). Format in Appendix V. |
| Email ID and payment method | A valid email you check regularly, and a debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI for the fee |
After you apply, ASRB will announce dates for uploading self-attested copies of these documents on its website. A certificate in the wrong format is not given a second chance.
Exam Centres
These centres are tentative. Choose carefully: a centre change is not allowed later.
| State / UT | Prelims centres (62) | Mains centres (31) |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar | Port Blair / Sri Vijaya Puram | Port Blair / Sri Vijaya Puram |
| Andhra Pradesh | Kurnool, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam | Vijayawada |
| Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat | Guwahati |
| Bihar | Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Patna | Patna |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh / Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar | Chandigarh / Mohali |
| Chhattisgarh | Bilaspur, Durg / Bhilai Nagar, Raipur | Raipur |
| Delhi | Delhi NCR | Delhi NCR |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad / Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara | Anand / Vadodara; Ahmedabad / Gandhinagar |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kangra, Shimla | Shimla |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Jammu, Srinagar | Jammu |
| Jharkhand | Jamshedpur, Ranchi | – |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Hubballi (Hubli), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Mysuru (Mysore) | Bengaluru |
| Kerala | Ernakulam / Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram | Ernakulam / Kochi |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur | Bhopal, Indore |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune | Mumbai, Nagpur |
| Manipur | Imphal | – |
| Meghalaya | Shillong | Barapani / Shillong |
| Odisha | Balasore (Baleshwar), Bhubaneshwar | Bhubaneshwar / Cuttack |
| Puducherry | Pondicherry | – |
| Punjab | Bhatinda, Ludhiana | Ludhiana, Bhatinda |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur | Jaipur, Jodhpur |
| Sikkim | Gangtok | – |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli / Trichy | Chennai, Coimbatore |
| Telangana | Hyderabad / Secunderabad, Warangal | Hyderabad |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj / Allahabad, Varanasi | Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Roorkee | Dehradun |
| West Bengal | Kolkata, Siliguri | Barrackpore / Kolkata |
Important Links
| Link | Where |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification (PDF) | Open the notification |
| Apply Online / Official Website | asrb.gov.in |
| Syllabus for Prelims and Mains (English) | Open the English syllabus |
| Syllabus for Prelims and Mains (Hindi) | Open the Hindi syllabus |
| Join Telegram Channel | Join Telegram Channel |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Join WhatsApp Channel |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for more than one functional group. Only one is allowed, and if you send several forms, only the latest counts.
- Treating the post preference order as editable. Once saved on the form, it is final.
- Counting on a correction. A correction window runs from 18.12.2026 to 20.12.2026, but the notice does not say which fields it covers, so fill the form as if it is final.
- Paying the fee and forgetting to submit the form, or the other way round. Both must be done by 17.12.2026, 11:59 PM, and the fee is not refunded or kept for another exam.
- Applying as OBC without a Non-Creamy Layer certificate for central government posts. In that case you must choose General.
- Taking a phone or smart device to the exam centre. It can lead to disqualification. Carry the original photo ID you uploaded and two passport photos with your admit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for ICAR T-3 and T-4?
You can apply online from 18.11.2026 until 17.12.2026, 11:59 PM, and the fee must be paid by the same time.
How many posts are there?
There are 1,393 posts: 1,254 for Technical Assistant (T-3) and 139 for Senior Technical Assistant (T-4), and the notice says the numbers are tentative.
What qualification do I need?
You need a degree in the subject of your functional group, completed by 17.12.2026, but the four Workshop Staff groups also accept a 3-year diploma.
What is the age limit?
You must be at least 21 and not more than 30 on 17.12.2026, with 5 years extra for SC/ST, 3 for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and up to 10 for PwBD.
How much is the application fee?
UR candidates pay Rs 300 for one post type or Rs 600 for both, EWS and OBC pay Rs 150 or Rs 300, and SC, ST, PwBD, women, transgender candidates and Ex-Servicemen pay nothing.
Is there an interview?
No, you take a Prelims and a Mains computer test, and your Mains marks decide the final merit list.
Can I apply for both T-3 and T-4?
Yes, you can choose both and rank your preferences, but you can pick only one functional group, and UR candidates then pay Rs 600.
When is the Prelims exam?
It is planned for February 2027, and the exact date will be put on the ASRB website.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
Update Log
| Date | What changed |
|---|---|
| 12.11.2026 | Post published |
More from ICAR
