ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 Part A, B and C: Marks Distribution and Strategy

ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 is a Computer Based Test divided into three parts — Part A (General Aptitude, 30 marks), Part B (Subject-Specific JRF Level, 70 marks), and Part C (Advanced SRF Level, 60 marks) — with the exam scheduled for July 1, 2026.

Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the All India Competitive Examination (AICE) awards Junior Research Fellowships and Senior Research Fellowships across agricultural and allied sciences. Students appearing for JRF attempt Part A and Part B only. SRF aspirants additionally attempt Part C. Understanding how each part is structured, what it carries, and how to approach it is essential for building an effective preparation plan in the weeks ahead.

• The exam is a Computer Based Test (CBT) conducted in English only.
• Part A carries 30 marks for 30 General Aptitude questions common to all students.
• Part B carries 70 marks for 70 subject-specific JRF-level questions.
• Part C carries 60 marks for 30 advanced SRF-level questions at 2 marks each — for SRF aspirants only.
• Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer in all parts.
• Total exam duration is 3 hours (180 minutes).
• Total marks for JRF is 100 and for SRF is 160.

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ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 Exam Pattern Overview

The ICAR AICE 2026 exam is a fully online CBT in which all questions are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with four options and one correct answer. Students can navigate between questions and review marked responses within the allotted 3-hour window. The paper is offered only in English and spans more than 70 subject streams covering agriculture, fisheries, dairy technology, home science, horticulture, and allied disciplines.

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Part A: General Aptitude Section

Part A is mandatory for all students appearing in ICAR AICE 2026, regardless of whether they are targeting JRF or SRF. It tests reasoning ability, quantitative aptitude, and general awareness relevant to agricultural sciences. Since Part A is not subject-specific, you can prepare for it independently of your domain and build a reliable scoring base that holds across all streams.

Part A questions typically cover logical reasoning patterns, number series, data interpretation, basic statistics, and general awareness about agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and environmental sciences. A focused 2–3 week revision combined with daily practice of 20–30 MCQs is sufficient for most students to score 22–26 out of 30 in this section.

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Part B: Subject-Specific Section (JRF Level)

Part B is the highest-weightage section for JRF aspirants and carries 70 marks. Questions are drawn from the core curriculum of the subject stream you selected at the time of registration. ICAR AICE covers disciplines including Agronomy, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Soil Science, Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural Economics, Horticulture, Fisheries Science, and many more. Your Part B score is the primary differentiator on the JRF merit list.

The Part B syllabus spans UG-to-PG level concepts of your chosen discipline. Focus on high-frequency topics from ICAR AICE previous years’ question papers (2018 to 2025), the fundamental principles of your domain, and applied aspects of the curriculum. Aiming for 55–65 confident attempts out of 70 is a realistic target for a competitive JRF rank.

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Part C: Advanced Subject Section (SRF Level)

Part C is exclusively for SRF aspirants and carries 60 marks across 30 questions, with each correct answer worth 2 marks. This section tests higher-order analytical and research-oriented knowledge within the chosen discipline. Students who hold a JRF or a master’s degree in the relevant stream attempt this part. Because each question is worth twice as much as Part B questions, accuracy matters more here than volume of attempts.

Expect Part C questions to be conceptually deeper — covering experimental design, advanced molecular biology, bioinformatics, precision agriculture technologies, and specialised applied research topics. Since the negative marking remains 0.25 per wrong answer while the reward per correct answer is 2 marks, the risk-reward ratio strongly favours attempting only questions you are confident about.

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ICAR AICE JRF SRF 2026 Marks Distribution Table

The complete marks structure for both JRF and SRF in ICAR AICE 2026 is summarised below:

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ICAR AICE 2026 Negative Marking Rules

A deduction of 0.25 marks applies for every wrong answer in all three parts of ICAR AICE 2026. This rule applies equally to Part A (1-mark questions), Part B (1-mark questions), and Part C (2-mark questions). Unattempted questions carry no penalty, so skipping a question you are unsure about is always safer than a random guess.

In Part C specifically, a wrong answer costs 0.25 marks against a potential gain of 2 marks. However, four wrong guesses will cancel the gain from one correct answer. Maintain strict discipline in Part C and skip any question where you cannot confidently eliminate at least two of the four options.

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Section-Wise Preparation Strategy for ICAR AICE 2026

A targeted approach to each part can significantly improve your overall rank. Here is a practical plan for the remaining weeks before the July 1 exam:

Part A — General Aptitude:

1. Allocate 2–3 dedicated weeks to reasoning and aptitude — do not deprioritise Part A in favour of domain study.
2. Practise 20–30 MCQs daily from logical reasoning, numerical aptitude, and agriculture awareness topics.
3. Attempt Part A questions first on exam day to build momentum and bank easy marks early.
4. Target 22–27 correct answers out of 30 for a strong Part A contribution to your total.

Part B — Subject-Specific (JRF):

1. Map your preparation against the ICAR-prescribed UG and PG curriculum — this defines your exact scope.
2. Solve ICAR AICE previous years’ papers from 2018 to 2025 to identify recurring high-weightage topics.
3. Prioritise conceptual clarity over rote memorisation — many questions test application of core principles.
4. Aim for 55–65 confident attempts out of 70 and skip topics you have not covered at all.

Part C — Advanced Subject (SRF):

1. Begin Part C preparation only after you have solid command over Part B content — foundation first.
2. Study advanced research methodology, experimental design, and the latest developments in your discipline.
3. Since each question is worth 2 marks, 20–23 correct answers in Part C (40–46 marks) can be decisive in the SRF merit list.
4. Apply a strict skip-if-uncertain rule — never attempt a Part C question unless you can eliminate at least two options with confidence.

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