With the ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 exam on July 1, 2026, you have exactly 30 days to sharpen your subject knowledge, revise core topics, and build test-taking confidence for this NTA-conducted PhD agriculture entrance.
ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 is conducted by NTA on behalf of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for admission to PhD programmes at ICAR-deemed universities and for the award of Junior and Senior Research Fellowships. The exam tests both general aptitude (Part A) and subject-specific knowledge (Part B) across streams including Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering, Veterinary Science, Fisheries, and more. A structured last-30-days plan helps you cover high-weightage topics, run timed practice, and revise systematically without burnout.
- Exam date: July 1, 2026 — 30 days from June 2 to exam day.
- Part A (General Aptitude) carries 40 marks (20 MCQs); Part B (Subject-specific) carries 160 marks (80 MCQs) — total 200 marks.
- Negative marking is –0.5 marks per wrong answer — accuracy matters as much as speed.
- Divide the 30 days into four strategic phases: foundation, deep dive, mock tests, and rapid revision.
- Download the official syllabus from exams.nta.nic.in/icar/ and cross-check your topic list before Day 1.
| Direct Link to ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 Official Portal (Active) |
ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 Exam Pattern at a Glance
Before you build your study plan, know exactly what the exam demands. The table below summarises the full structure.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 |
| Conducting Body | NTA (for ICAR) |
| Exam Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Part A — General Aptitude | 20 MCQs | 40 marks |
| Part B — Subject-Specific | 80 MCQs | 160 marks |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Correct Answer | +2 marks |
| Wrong Answer | –0.5 marks |
Part A is common for all streams; Part B varies by your subject group. Allocate at least 20% of your study time to Part A — it offers predictable, quick marks that many students under-prepare for.
30-Day Week-by-Week Study Plan
Phase the 30 days into four clear blocks so each week has a distinct goal and you do not drift into aimless reading.
| Phase | Days | Focus | Daily Target Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 — Foundation | Days 1–7 | Identify weak topics; complete Part A syllabus; begin core Part B chapters | 6–7 hrs |
| Week 2 — Deep Dive | Days 8–14 | Cover remaining Part B chapters; solve topic-wise previous year questions (PYQs) | 7–8 hrs |
| Week 3 — Mock Tests | Days 15–21 | One full-length mock test daily; error analysis; plug weak areas immediately | 7–8 hrs |
| Week 4 — Rapid Revision | Days 22–28 | Revise short notes, formula sheets, topic summaries; one mock every alternate day | 5–6 hrs |
| Days 29–30 — Final Prep | Days 29–30 | Light revision only; organise admit card and documents; early sleep on Day 30 | 3–4 hrs |
Week 1 tip: Use Day 1 to list your weakest topics — then schedule those first, not last. Most students leave hard topics to the end and never reach them.
Week 2 tip: Solve at least 10–15 PYQs per topic immediately after studying it. Recall is stronger when practice follows reading within 24 hours.
Week 3 tip: Take each mock under real exam conditions — no phone, strict 120-minute timer. Score below 70%? Drill that section the next morning before reading anything new.
Week 4 tip: Stop reading new content after Day 25. Revision of familiar material is far more productive than first-reads at this stage.
Subject-Wise Important Topics
The table below maps frequently tested topics for the major ICAR AICE JRF SRF subject streams. Prioritise these in Weeks 1 and 2 and use them as your revision checklist in Week 4.
| Stream | High-Priority Topics |
|---|---|
| Agronomy | Cropping systems, seed rate, tillage methods, weed management, irrigation scheduling, nutrient use efficiency |
| Plant Breeding and Genetics | Mendelian genetics, quantitative genetics, hybridisation methods, molecular markers, plant variety protection |
| Plant Pathology | Major diseases of rice, wheat, and pulses; disease cycles; integrated disease management; bio-control agents |
| Entomology | Insect classification, economic threshold levels, IPM, stored grain pests, pollinator biology |
| Soil Science | Soil pH, cation exchange capacity, nutrient availability, fertiliser calculations, micronutrient deficiencies |
| Agricultural Economics | Farm management, cost concepts, price policy, agricultural credit, market structure |
| Horticulture | Propagation methods, post-harvest physiology, protected cultivation, fruit and vegetable varieties |
| Agricultural Biotechnology | Recombinant DNA technology, PCR, tissue culture, GM crops, bioinformatics basics |
| Fisheries Science | Aquaculture systems, fish nutrition, disease management, capture fisheries, fisheries legislation |
| Veterinary Science | Animal physiology, livestock diseases, reproduction technology, animal nutrition, meat hygiene |
| Part A — General Aptitude | Number series, data interpretation, analogies, directions, basic statistics, research aptitude |
Always cross-check this list against the official ICAR AICE 2026 subject-wise syllabus PDF available at exams.nta.nic.in/icar/, as syllabi are revised between cycles.
Sample Daily Study Schedule
A structured daily routine prevents the last-30-days grind from becoming disorganised. Adjust timings to your own rhythm, but keep the three-block study structure and the mandatory afternoon break.
| Time Slot | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 – 7:00 AM | Quick recall — revisit notes from the previous day |
| 7:00 – 9:30 AM | Deep study — new chapter or PYQ drill on a specific topic |
| 9:30 – 10:00 AM | Break and light exercise |
| 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Second subject block — continue Part B or switch to Part A practice |
| 1:00 – 2:30 PM | Lunch and rest (no study — recovery is part of the plan) |
| 2:30 – 5:30 PM | Mock test section or weak-area focus drills |
| 5:30 – 6:00 PM | Break |
| 6:00 – 8:30 PM | Revision and short-note writing for the day’s topics |
| 8:30 – 9:30 PM | Dinner and wind-down |
| 9:30 – 10:00 PM | Light reading — previous year cut-off data or FAQ review |
| 10:00 PM | Sleep — minimum 7 hours is non-negotiable |
On mock test days in Week 3, replace the 10 AM–1 PM block with the full test and use the afternoon for error analysis. Never take a full mock late at night — fatigue skews results and wastes the analysis session.
Last 7 Days Revision Strategy
The final week is about consolidation, not new learning. Follow this day-by-day approach for Days 24–30 to peak at exactly the right moment.
| Day | Focus Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 24 | Revise your stream’s foundational chapters; review formula sheets and key definitions |
| Day 25 | Revise genetics, pathology, or stream-equivalent chapters; complete a 40-question Part B quiz |
| Day 26 | Full mock test under exam conditions; error log review in the evening |
| Day 27 | Revise Part A aptitude topics; go through all short notes written in Weeks 1–3 |
| Day 28 | Flash revision using bullet notes; solve 50 mixed PYQs from the last 5 years |
| Day 29 (June 30) | Read exam day instructions; keep admit card and ID proof ready; light reading only — no new topics |
| Day 30 (July 1 — Exam Day) | Light breakfast; reach the centre 60 minutes early; review your 1-page summary notes; stay calm |
Exam day essentials: Carry your ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 admit card and one valid photo ID. Biometric verification is conducted at entry — arrive early. During the test, attempt Part A first for quick reliable marks, then move to Part B with your remaining time.
On negative marking: Skip any question where you are less than 60% confident. In a 200-mark paper with –0.5 per wrong answer, four wrong responses cancel two correct ones. Guessing at low confidence erodes your score faster than leaving questions unattempted.
ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 Study Plan FAQs
Ques. Is 30 days enough to prepare for ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026?
Ans. Yes, 30 days is sufficient if you have already covered the basic syllabus. This phase works best for revision, mock tests, and strengthening weak areas rather than first-time reading of the entire syllabus.
Ques. How many hours should I study daily in the last 30 days for ICAR AICE?
Ans. Aim for 6–8 hours of focused study per day during Weeks 1–3. In Week 4 and the final two days, reduce to 4–5 hours and prioritise revision and rest over new reading.
Ques. Which part — A or B — should I prioritise in ICAR AICE JRF SRF preparation?
Ans. Part B carries 160 out of 200 marks, so give it 75–80% of your study time. Do not neglect Part A (40 marks) — its aptitude topics are quickly scorable with regular daily practice.
Ques. How many mock tests should I take in the last 30 days for ICAR AICE 2026?
Ans. Aim for at least 7–10 full-length mock tests — roughly one daily in Week 3 and one every alternate day in Week 4. Always analyse errors after every test; a mock without analysis gives you only half the benefit.
Ques. What is the negative marking rule in ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026?
Ans. Each wrong answer carries a deduction of 0.5 marks. There is no penalty for unattempted questions, so skip any question where your confidence is below 60%.
Ques. Where can I find the official ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 syllabus?
Ans. The official subject-wise syllabus is available on the NTA ICAR portal at exams.nta.nic.in/icar/. Download the information bulletin PDF and use the syllabus section to verify your topic list before finalising your study plan.
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