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Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), popularly known as the Pusa Institute, is India’s premier agricultural research and education institution. Established in 1905 at Pusa, Bihar, the institute relocated to New Delhi in 1936 and now operates from the Pusa Campus, New Delhi - 110012. IARI functions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and holds the status of a Deemed University with UGC recognition.
As per NIRF Ranking 2025, IARI is ranked #1 in the Agriculture and Allied Sectors category, #24 Overall, and #16 in the University category. IARI has held the top Agriculture NIRF rank for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025).
The Pusa Campus spans approximately 500 hectares (1,250 acres) in New Delhi, making it one of the largest agricultural research campuses in Asia. The campus hosts six disciplinary schools, advanced research laboratories designated as Labs of National Importance, experimental farms, and a student residential township.
IARI admits students at three levels through its Post Graduate School:
- B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture - 4-year degree, 75 seats. Also offered: B.Sc. (Hons.) Community Science, B.Tech Agricultural Engineering, and B.Tech Biotechnology.
- M.Sc. - 2-year research-oriented postgraduate programme across 20+ specialisations including Agronomy, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, and Molecular Biology. Total intake: approximately 158 seats.
- Ph.D. - Doctoral programme across all disciplinary departments. Primarily through ICAR Junior Research Fellowships (ICAR-JRF).
The total fees for the B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture programme is INR 51,850 for the entire 4-year duration. M.Sc. fees are INR 52,600 in total. Hostel accommodation is available for both men and women.
ICAR National Talent Scholarships and ICAR-JRF fellowships provide financial support to eligible M.Sc. and Ph.D. students.
Campus placements reported a median package of INR 8 LPA for M.Sc. graduates in 2025. Recruiting sectors include seed companies, agrochemical firms, food processing, biotech, and ICAR-affiliated research institutes.
IARI Admission Dates 2027
IARI admissions for the 2026 batch have concluded. B.Sc. admissions used CUET UG 2026 scores, while M.Sc. admissions were based on ICAR-AIEEA PG 2026 (application: 8 May 2026 to 7 June 2026, exam: July 2026). The 2027 admission cycle follows the same pattern.
| Event | 2026 Cycle (Concluded) | 2027 Cycle (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| CUET UG Application (for B.Sc.) | February to March 2026 | February to March 2027 |
| CUET UG Exam | May 2026 | May 2027 |
| ICAR-AIEEA PG Application (M.Sc.) | 8 May 2026 to 7 June 2026 | April to June 2027 (Tentative) |
| ICAR-AIEEA PG Exam | 4 July 2026 | July 2027 (Tentative) |
| ICAR-JRF Exam (Ph.D.) | July 2026 | July 2027 (Tentative) |
| Counselling and Admissions | August 2026 | August 2027 (Tentative) |
| Session Commencement | August 2026 | August 2027 (Tentative) |
The table below shows the entrance examination required for each programme level at IARI.
| Programme Level | Entrance Exam | Conducted By |
|---|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture | CUET UG | NTA |
| B.Tech Agricultural Engineering / Biotechnology | CUET UG | NTA |
| M.Sc. (all specialisations) | ICAR-AIEEA PG | NTA (on behalf of ICAR) |
| Ph.D. | ICAR-JRF / ICAR-NET | NTA (on behalf of ICAR) |
IARI Courses and Fees
IARI offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes through its Post Graduate School. Fees are nominal, reflecting the institute’s central government status. All programmes are research-integrated, with students contributing to ongoing IARI projects from the first year.
| Course | Duration | Seats | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture | 4 years | 75 | 10+2 (PCB/PCM/PCBiologyChem) + CUET UG | INR 51,850 |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Community Science | 4 years | Limited | 10+2 + CUET UG | INR 51,850 |
| B.Tech Agricultural Engineering | 4 years | Limited | 10+2 (PCM) + CUET UG | INR 51,850 |
| B.Tech Biotechnology | 4 years | Limited | 10+2 (PCB) + CUET UG | INR 51,850 |
| M.Sc. (20+ specialisations) | 2 years | ~158 | B.Sc. (Agriculture) or equivalent + ICAR-AIEEA PG | INR 52,600 |
| M.Tech (multiple specialisations) | 2 years | Limited | B.Tech (Agriculture) or equivalent + ICAR-AIEEA PG | INR 40,000 to 52,600 |
| Ph.D. (20+ disciplines) | 3 to 5 years | Varies | M.Sc./M.Tech + ICAR-JRF or ICAR-NET | INR 75,200 |
M.Sc. specialisations span Agronomy, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural Economics, Food Science and Post Harvest Technology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Horticulture, and 10 more disciplines. Each specialisation is mapped to a dedicated division staffed by IARI’s national-level subject specialists.
IARI Admission Process
B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture and B.Tech Programmes
B.Sc. and B.Tech admissions at IARI are based on CUET UG scores. Candidates must have passed Class 10+2 with relevant science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics). No separate IARI entrance test is required. Merit list is prepared on CUET UG scores and category-wise seat allocation follows central government reservation norms.
The B.Sc. Agriculture intake of 75 seats is distributed as: 32 Unreserved, 18 OBC-NCL, 10 SC, 5 ST, 7 EWS, and 3 PwD seats. CUET UG cutoff scores vary by year and category. The typical General Category cutoff for B.Sc. Agriculture at IARI reflects the institute’s #1 NIRF rank in Agriculture.
M.Sc. Programmes
M.Sc. admissions use ICAR-AIEEA PG scores, conducted by NTA on behalf of ICAR. Candidates must hold a B.Sc. (Agriculture) or equivalent degree. Seat matrix and specialisation allotment is centrally managed by ICAR across all deemed agricultural universities. IARI holds the largest M.Sc. seat share among ICAR institutions. A valid ICAR-AIEEA PG National Merit position is required for final admission.
Ph.D. Programme
Ph.D. admission is through the ICAR-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) examination or ICAR-NET qualification. ICAR-JRF selection provides both admission and a monthly fellowship. Candidates who clear ICAR-NET without JRF may apply for sponsored or institutional Ph.D. slots. Each Ph.D. scholar is supervised by an IARI faculty member from the relevant division.
IARI Placements and Career Outcomes
IARI graduates from the Post Graduate School have strong placement outcomes given the institute’s national standing. Campus placements for M.Sc. graduates in 2025 reported a median package of INR 8 LPA, up from a median of INR 6.96 LPA in 2024. Recruiting sectors include seeds, agrochemicals, food processing, agricultural biotech, and government research organisations.
Career pathways vary significantly by level of study and specialisation. Research-track graduates with ICAR-JRF fellowships typically pursue postdoctoral roles in ICAR institutions or international agricultural research organisations (CGIAR, IRRI, CIMMYT, FAO). Industry-track graduates enter:
- Seeds and Crop Science companies - Research and development, product management (INR 5 LPA to INR 10 LPA for M.Sc. freshers at major companies)
- Agrochemical and Fertiliser industry - Technical marketing, field research (INR 4 LPA to INR 8 LPA)
- Food processing and post-harvest technology - Quality assurance, R&D roles (INR 3.5 LPA to INR 7 LPA)
- Agricultural biotech startups and MNCs - Molecular biology and plant biotechnology roles (INR 5 LPA to INR 12 LPA)
- Government and PSU sector - Agricultural officer, soil scientist roles through UPSC and state PSC
Ph.D. graduates receiving ICAR-JRF fellowships earn a stipend of INR 31,000 per month (JRF, Years 1 to 2), upgradable to INR 35,000 per month (SRF, Years 3 onwards), with House Rent Allowance where applicable.
IARI Rankings
IARI leads the national rankings in the Agriculture and Allied Sectors category. It has retained the #1 NIRF Agriculture rank for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025), underscoring its position as India’s top agricultural research and education institution.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Agriculture and Allied Sectors | 1 |
| NIRF | Overall | 24 |
| NIRF | University | 16 |
| NIRF | Research Institutions | 29 |
| NIRF | SDG Institutions | 2 |
IARI Scholarships and Fellowships
IARI students are supported through ICAR-administered national fellowships and central government scholarship schemes. The fellowship support is one of the most comprehensive among Indian research institutions.
| Scholarship / Fellowship | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| ICAR-JRF | Qualified ICAR-JRF exam scorers pursuing Ph.D. at ICAR institutes | INR 31,000 per month (Years 1 to 2) + HRA |
| ICAR-SRF (Senior Research Fellowship) | ICAR-JRF holders progressing to Year 3 of Ph.D. | INR 35,000 per month + HRA |
| ICAR-National Talent Scholarship (NTS) | Top ICAR-AIEEA PG rankers joining M.Sc. at ICAR deemed universities | INR 3,000 to 4,000 per month (stipend during M.Sc.) |
| Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC) | Students from reserved categories with qualifying parental income | As per central government scheme rates |
IARI Ph.D. scholars may also apply for competitive research fellowships from DST, DBT, and CSIR (NET-JRF). ICAR project-linked research associateships offer additional fellowship support to students working on externally funded projects.
IARI Campus and Infrastructure
The Pusa Campus of IARI spans approximately 500 hectares (1,250 acres) in central New Delhi, making it the largest agricultural research campus in the Delhi NCR region. The campus integrates research farms, experimental plots, advanced laboratories, and a student residential township.
Research infrastructure includes Labs of National Importance in plant genomics, proteomics, nanotechnology, and remote sensing. The campus also houses a Central Instrument Facility, a national gene bank, and a library with access to ONOS (One Nation One Subscription) e-resources covering major international scientific journals.
Student accommodation is available in separate Boys and Girls Hostels on campus. Hostel fees range from INR 10,000 to INR 1,80,000 per year depending on room type and facilities. The campus has a hospital, sports complex, indoor stadium, and a student canteen. IARI’s location in central New Delhi provides students with easy access to the city’s research ecosystem and government ministries.
IARI vs NDRI Karnal vs PAU Ludhiana
Agricultural research aspirants at the postgraduate level typically compare IARI New Delhi with NDRI Karnal and PAU Ludhiana, the second and third NIRF-ranked institutions in the Agriculture and Allied Sectors category in 2025. All three are premier central or state agricultural research institutions admitting students through ICAR-AIEEA PG.
| Parameter | IARI, New Delhi | NDRI, Karnal | PAU, Ludhiana |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF Agriculture 2025 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Type | ICAR Deemed University (Central) | ICAR Deemed University (Central) | State Agricultural University |
| Location | Pusa, New Delhi | Karnal, Haryana | Ludhiana, Punjab |
| Campus Area | ~500 hectares | ~500 hectares | ~1,500 acres |
| Research Focus | Crop sciences, plant breeding, agri-engineering, soil science | Dairy science, animal nutrition, livestock products | Crop improvement, farm mechanisation, agri extension |
| M.Sc. Admission | ICAR-AIEEA PG | ICAR-AIEEA PG | ICAR-AIEEA PG and state counselling |
| Total M.Sc. Fees | INR 52,600 | Contact institute | Contact institute |
IARI’s advantage lies in its location in New Delhi, proximity to ICAR headquarters, and the widest range of disciplinary specialisations. NDRI dominates dairy and animal sciences, making it the preferred choice for students with a dairy technology or animal nutrition focus. PAU Ludhiana is the largest agricultural university by student intake and offers a broader undergraduate programme portfolio across the Green Revolution belt.
IARI FAQs
Ques. What is the NIRF ranking of IARI in 2025?
Ans. IARI, New Delhi is ranked #1 in Agriculture and Allied Sectors in NIRF 2025, retaining the top spot for three consecutive years. In the Overall NIRF 2025 rankings, IARI is ranked 24th. It is also ranked 16th in the University category and 29th among Research Institutions.
Ques. What entrance exam is needed for admission to IARI?
Ans. B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture and B.Tech admissions at IARI require a valid CUET UG score. M.Sc. admissions require a valid ICAR-AIEEA PG score, conducted by NTA on behalf of ICAR. Ph.D. admissions require the ICAR-JRF or ICAR-NET qualification.
Ques. What is the total fee for B.Sc. Agriculture at IARI?
Ans. The total fee for the 4-year B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture programme at IARI is INR 51,850 for the entire duration. The M.Sc. total fee for 2 years is INR 52,600. Fees are nominal given IARI’s status as a central government institution.
Ques. Does IARI provide fellowships for research students?
Ans. Yes. IARI Ph.D. scholars with ICAR-JRF receive INR 31,000 per month (Years 1 to 2), upgradable to INR 35,000 per month (Year 3 onwards as SRF), plus House Rent Allowance. M.Sc. students qualifying in the top ICAR-AIEEA PG merit list receive the ICAR National Talent Scholarship of INR 3,000 to 4,000 per month.
Ques. What are the career options after M.Sc. from IARI?
Ans. M.Sc. graduates from IARI pursue careers in seeds and crop science companies, agrochemicals, food processing, agricultural biotech, and government research organisations (ICAR, CGIAR). The 2025 campus placement median package stood at INR 8 LPA. Research-oriented graduates proceed to Ph.D. programmes at IARI, IITs, or international agricultural research institutions.
Ques. How many seats does IARI have for B.Sc. Agriculture?
Ans. IARI has 75 seats for B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture. These are distributed as 32 Unreserved, 18 OBC-NCL, 10 SC, 5 ST, 7 EWS, and 3 PwD seats, as per central government reservation norms. Admissions are based on CUET UG scores.
Ques. Is IARI hostel available?
Ans. Yes. IARI has separate Boys and Girls Hostels on the Pusa Campus. Hostel fees range from INR 10,000 to INR 1,80,000 per year depending on room type. The campus is fully residential with a hospital, sports complex, and canteen within the campus township.
Comments
Found 33 Comments
As of now, admissions at IARI closed for undergraduate courses at IARI’s main New Delhi campus
IARI Fees 2025-2026 is INR 43,150 - 75,200 depending upon the course. The UG Fees for IARI is INR 51,850. IARI M.Sc Fees 2025-2026 is INR 52,600 for the entire duration
No, there are no other ways to get admission. The application form is provided online by the institute, and it has to be submitted to the Academic Council before the due date with all the required documents
The admission process for the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) for the academic year 2025-26 is closed. The last date for submission of online applications was July 28, 2025
Steps to apply for Indian Agricultural Research Institute Admission:
The application process is common for MSc. /M.Tech/Ph.D. program. The application form is provided online by the institute and it has to be submitted to the Academic Council before the due date with all the required documents.
Steps to apply for Indian Agricultural Research Institute Admission:
IARI B.Sc {Hons.} Agriculture is offered as 4 Years Full Time program. The total number of seats is 32. The fees for IARI B.Sc {Hons.} Agriculture 2025 is INR 51,850 for the entire duration.
IARI B.Sc {Hons.} Agriculture detailed fees is mentioned below.
IARI Hostel Fee is INR 10,000 to 1.8 Lakhs.
Yes, the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi offers a Ph.D. program in Agricultural Extension, which encompasses Agricultural Extension Education. Admissions are based on the All India Entrance Examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the Education Division of ICAR.
You can register and download the brochure for detailed information about the courses. You can check here for the Indian Agricultural Research Institute - [IARI], New Delhi - Course & Fees Details
There is no BRS and MRS course available in Indian agriculture research institute.
Unfortunately, IARI New Delhi doesn’t offer B.Sc Agriculture course to the students.
To know more about colleges that you can receive based on 200 marks in ICAR exam, you can check out the page ICAR AIEEA 2023 cut-off colleges.
You can apply online from the official website of the IARI, which at present offers MSc, M.Tech & Ph.D. degrees in 26 different disciplines to the aspirants. IARI conducts separate entrance examinations for Postgraduate and Ph.D. courses. Admission to M.Sc & M.Tech courses is given on the basis of the entrance examination merit list. Whereas admission to the Ph.D. course is given on the basis of the candidate’s performance in the entrance examination (80% weightage) + academic score (10% weightage) + interview (10% weightage).
IARI conducts separate entrance examinations for Postgraduate and Ph.D. courses. Admission to M.Sc & M.Tech courses is given on the basis of the entrance examination merit list. Whereas admission to the Ph.D. course is given on the basis of the candidate’s performance in the entrance examination (80% weightage) + academic score (10% weightage) + interview (10% weightage).
Yes, you can apply for government colleges on the basis of the score obtained in CUET.
The admission is based on the entrance examinations. IARI conducts separate entrance examinations for Postgraduate and Ph.D. courses. Admission to M.Sc & M.Tech courses is given on the basis of the entrance examination merit list.
The fee ranges between INR 27,250 to 43,150 depending on the course. Check here for Indian Agricultural Research Institute Courses and Fees.
Admission to M.Sc & M.Tech courses is given on the basis of entrance examination and merit list. Whereas admission to the Ph.D. course is given on the basis of the candidate’s performance in the entrance examination
The fee structure depends on the course you want to opt for at Indian Agricultural Research Institute. check here for the detailed fee structure.
The fee structure depends on the course you want to opt for at Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Check here for the detailed fee structure.