ICAR-IARI Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for Research Associate, Young Professional Posts

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI) is recruiting for Research Associate and Young Professional positions across India. ICAR-IARI, headquartered in New Delhi, is India's premier national Institute for agricultural research, education and extension. These contractual positions are project-based appointments offering opportunities to work on cutting-edge agricultural research projects. Research Associates typically work on specialized research areas while Young Professionals assist in various research and development activities. The recruitment is conducted on a rolling basis for various ongoing and new projects under ICAR-IARI and its regional centres. Selected candidates will contribute to agricultural innovations, crop improvement, soil science, plant pathology, and related domains under the guidance of senior scientists.

Important Dates (Typical / Indicative)

Note: ICAR-IARI typically releases multiple recruitment notifications throughout the year for different projects. Exact dates vary by specific project notification.

Vacancy Details (Typical / Indicative)

Note: Actual vacancies vary by project and notification. Some positions may be unreserved based on project requirements.

Educational Qualification

Research Associate:

• PhD degree in Agricultural Sciences/Biological Sciences/Life Sciences or related disciplines from a recognized University/Institute
• For specific projects: Master's degree with 3 years research experience or NET/GATE qualification
• Specialization as per project requirement (Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Genetics, Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Horticulture, Biotechnology, etc.)

Young Professional-II:

• Master's degree in relevant Agricultural/Life Sciences discipline
• Good academic record with minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade

Young Professional-I:

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture/Horticulture/Life Sciences or related field
• Minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade
• Computer proficiency required

Age Limit

Age Relaxation:

Note: Age calculated as on the last date of application submission.

Nationality

Candidate must be a citizen of India. Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibetan refugees may apply as per Government of India norms with relevant documentation.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official ICAR-IARI website at www.iari.res.in and navigate to the 'Recruitment' or 'Career Opportunities' section
2. Download the specific project notification PDF containing detailed eligibility criteria and requirements
3. Register on the online application portal (if available) or download the prescribed application format
4. Fill the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and experience details
5. Upload scanned copies of required documents:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Educational certificates (10th, 12th, Graduation, Post-Graduation, PhD as applicable)
• Experience certificates (if required)
• Caste certificate (if claiming reservation)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)

1. Pay the application fee through online mode (Net Banking/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI)
2. Submit the application form and take a printout for future reference
3. For walk-in interviews, carry original documents along with one set of self-attested photocopies

Note: Some positions may require only offline applications sent by post or walk-in interviews without prior application.

Application Fees (Typical / Indicative)

Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, UPI)

Note: No application fee for certain project positions. Fee is non-refundable.

1. Screening of Applications: All received applications are screened based on eligibility criteria including educational qualifications, experience, and specialization matching project requirements. Only shortlisted candidates are called for interview.

1. Written Test/Presentation (if applicable): For certain Research Associate positions, candidates may be required to give a presentation on their research work or appear for a subject-specific written test to assess technical knowledge.

1. Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates appear before an expert committee/selection panel. Interview assesses subject knowledge, research aptitude, relevant experience, communication skills, and suitability for the project position. Typically carries 100 marks.

1. Document Verification: Candidates qualifying the interview undergo document verification where original certificates of educational qualifications, experience, caste certificate, PwD certificate, and identity proof are verified.

1. Medical Examination (if required): Selected candidates may need to submit a medical fitness certificate from a registered medical practitioner or undergo medical examination as per project requirements.

1. Final Selection: Merit list is prepared based on interview performance. Selected candidates receive offer letters with project details, duration, and consolidated remuneration.

Selection Pattern

ICAR-IARI positions are typically filled through interview/walk-in interview without a formal written examination. However, some projects may include assessments as follows:

Interview/Assessment Pattern

Written Test Pattern (if conducted for specific projects)

Negative Marking: Typically not applicable for interviews. If written test is conducted, 0.25 marks may be deducted for each wrong answer.

Minimum Qualifying Marks: Generally 50% for UR/EWS, 45% for OBC, 40% for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

Syllabus

The syllabus varies based on the specific position and project. Below are typical topics covered:

For Research Associate (Agricultural Sciences)

Agronomy & Crop Science:

• Principles of agronomy and crop production
• Crop physiology and growth analysis
• Tillage, seed, and sowing methods
• Irrigation and water management
• Integrated nutrient management
• Weed management
• Cropping systems and sustainable agriculture
• Climate-resilient agriculture

Plant Breeding & Genetics:

• Mendelian genetics and gene interactions
• Quantitative genetics and heritability
• Plant breeding methods (selection, hybridization, mutation)
• Heterosis and hybrid seed production
• Molecular markers and marker-assisted selection
• Biotechnology applications in crop improvement
• Genomics and bioinformatics basics

Soil Science:

• Soil formation, classification, and survey
• Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties
• Soil fertility and nutrient management
• Soil microbiology and biochemistry
• Soil conservation and watershed management
• Problem soils and their reclamation
• Fertilizers and organic manures

Plant Pathology:

• Fundamentals of plant diseases
• Disease diagnosis and management
• Fungal, bacterial, viral, and nematode diseases
• Integrated pest management
• Biological control of plant diseases
• Epidemiology and disease forecasting
• Post-harvest diseases

Agricultural Entomology:

• Insect morphology and taxonomy
• Major insect pests of crops
• Pest biology and ecology
• Insect pest management strategies
• Pesticides and their application
• Integrated pest management
• Beneficial insects and biocontrol agents

Horticulture:

• Cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals
• Propagation techniques
• Post-harvest management
• Protected cultivation
• Landscaping and floriculture
• Organic horticulture
• Value addition and processing

For Young Professional Positions

Basic Agricultural Sciences:

• Fundamentals of agriculture
• Crop production practices
• Soil and water management
• Plant protection basics
• Agricultural economics and extension

Research Methodology:

• Experimental designs (RBD, LSD, Factorial)
• Data collection and analysis
• Statistical methods in agriculture
• Scientific writing and communication
• Use of statistical software (SPSS, R, SAS basics)

Computer Applications:

• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Database management
• Internet and email usage
• Data entry and management
• Basic statistical software

General Awareness:

• Current developments in Indian agriculture
• Government schemes and programs
• ICAR institutes and their mandates
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Agricultural policies

Note: Candidates should focus on their specialization area as per the project requirement mentioned in the notification.

Salary & Remuneration (Typical / Indicative)

Research Associate

Young Professional-II

Young Professional-I

Additional Benefits:

• Leave entitlement as per project norms (typically 1.5 days per month)
• Access to ICAR facilities and research infrastructure
• Learning and skill development opportunities
• Certificate of experience upon completion
• Some projects may provide accommodation or accommodation allowance
• Medical facilities as per institute norms

Note: These are purely contractual positions with consolidated remuneration. No DA, HRA, TA, or other allowances are separately paid. Remuneration may vary based on project funding and specific requirements.

ICAR-IARI Research Associate and Young Professional positions are contractual and project-based, typically for 1-3 years duration. While these positions do not offer direct promotion within the project structure, they provide valuable research experience, networking opportunities, and skill development. Experienced Research Associates can apply for Scientist positions in ICAR institutes through ICAR-AIEEA/ASRB examinations or direct recruitment. The experience gained is highly valued for pursuing higher education, applying for regular scientific positions in government research organizations, and transitioning to academic roles in agricultural universities.

ICAR-IARI typically conducts walk-in interviews or interview-based selections for Research Associate and Young Professional positions, hence formal admit cards are generally not issued. Shortlisted candidates are informed via email or phone call about the interview date, time, and venue. Candidates must bring the interview call letter (if provided), original documents, and self-attested photocopies for verification. For positions requiring written tests, admit cards are released 7-10 days before the exam date on the official website, downloadable using registration number and date of birth.

Results are typically declared within 2-4 weeks after the interview process. The final selection list is published on the ICAR-IARI official website (www.iari.res.in) under the recruitment section. Selected candidates are individually informed via email or phone regarding their selection, project details, joining date, and formalities. The merit list may include names of selected candidates along with waitlisted candidates. No separate result notification is sent by post; candidates must regularly check the official website for updates.

ICAR-IARI does not typically publish numerical cutoff marks for interview-based selections. Selection depends on the candidate's performance in the interview, research aptitude, subject knowledge, and suitability for the specific project. Generally, candidates scoring 50% or above in the interview (45% for OBC, 40% for SC/ST/PwD) are considered for selection. For Research Associate positions requiring PhD, publication record, research experience, and quality of doctoral work significantly influence selection. Actual selection depends on the number of applicants, project requirements, and overall performance of candidates appearing for interviews.

Exam/Interview Centres

Interviews and selections are typically conducted at ICAR-IARI campuses and regional centres:

North India: New Delhi (Pusa Campus - Main Centre), Karnal (Regional Station), Shimla (Hill Campus), Jharkhand (Hazaribagh)

South India: Wellington (Tamil Nadu), Katrain (Kullu Valley)

East India: Ranchi, Shillong

West India: Pune (Off-season Nursery)

Northeast India: Shillong, Umiam

Note: Most interviews are conducted at ICAR-IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi. For project-specific positions at regional centres, local interviews may be arranged. Walk-in interviews are announced with specific venue details in the notification.