The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has announced a major reform in agricultural education. From the 2025–26 academic year, 20% of undergraduate seats in agricultural universities will be filled through the all-India competitive examination conducted by ICAR, ensuring uniform eligibility criteria across the country.
ICAR B.Sc Agriculture 2025 Eligibility Update
The ministry has standardized subject group requirements to include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, or Agriculture for Class 12 students. This reform aligns with the spirit of “One Nation–One Agriculture–One Team” and simplifies the admission process for agriculture aspirants.
Subject Combinations Accepted by Agricultural Universities
Of the 50 agricultural universities providing ICAR quota seats for B.Sc. Agriculture, the majority have already implemented the new eligibility norms. This ensures that students with relevant Class 12 subjects can access seats in a transparent and straightforward manner.
Overall, about 2,700 seats (85%) out of 3,121 ICAR quota seats in 2025–26 are now accessible to students with Agriculture/Inter-Agriculture background.
Impact of the ICAR Reform on Students
Previously, varying state rules and inconsistent eligibility criteria prevented many deserving students from securing B.Sc. Agriculture admissions. This reform addresses the longstanding hurdle, benefiting nearly 3,000 students nationwide in the upcoming academic session. Shri Chouhan acknowledged the prompt action by ICAR Director General Dr. Mangi Lal Jat and the cooperation of agricultural universities. He emphasized that the reform ensures a direct, transparent, and streamlined admission process for students, reducing confusion and enhancing fairness.
