NSP ICAR Agriculture Scholarships 2026-27: Complete Guide to NTS-UG, NTS-PG, PGS & JRF/SRF

NSP ICAR Agriculture Scholarships: If you’re studying agriculture or an allied science in India, the Department of Agriculture Research and Education has opened four merit-based scholarship and fellowship schemes on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for the 2026-27 academic year. Together, these NSP agriculture students scholarships cover every stage of an agricultural education — from undergraduate study to postgraduate research and PhD-level fellowships — and are run by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

All four schemes opened on 1 June 2026 and share a common student application deadline of 31 October 2026, though the eligibility, benefit amount and academic level differ for each. Here’s a complete, easy-to-follow breakdown of all four schemes, so you can quickly identify which one applies to you.

NSP ICAR Agriculture Scholarships: Quick Overview

All four dates above were verified directly on the National Scholarship Portal (Academic Year 2026-27, Department of Agriculture Research and Education listing) in August 2026. Every scheme also shares the same downstream timeline: defective application verification and institute verification run till 15 November 2026, and DNO/SNO/MNO-level verification till 30 November 2026.

Read More: JK Lakshmi Vidya Scholarship 2026-27

1. National Talent Scholarship — Undergraduate (NTS-UG)

NTS-UG rewards meritorious undergraduate students who take admission to an ICAR-recognized Agricultural University located outside their state of domicile. Selected scholars receive Rs. 3,000 per month for the duration of their course.

Eligibility: Secure admission to an approved UG agriculture course outside your home state; maintain merit and good conduct as certified by your institution; remain enrolled full-time (no part-time job allowed); don’t discontinue the course within one month of admission.

Documents: Identity proof and academic certificates.

2. National Talent Scholarship — Postgraduate (NTS-PG)

NTS-PG follows the same structure as NTS-UG but for students pursuing a Master’s degree. Selected candidates receive Rs. 5,000 per month, provided they are studying at an Agricultural University outside their state of domicile.

Eligibility: Secure admission to an approved PG agriculture course outside your home state; maintain merit and good conduct; pursue studies full-time without taking up any job; don’t leave the course within one month of joining.

Documents: Identity proof and academic certificates.

3. ICAR Post Graduate Scholarship (PGS / JRF for Master’s)

The ICAR PGS scheme is aimed at students entering Master’s-level programs in agriculture and allied disciplines through the All India Competitive Entrance Examination. Unlike NTS-UG/PG, this scheme is based purely on your rank in the entrance exam and doesn’t require studying outside your home state. Selected candidates receive a fellowship plus a contingency grant, at rates prescribed by ICAR, for a maximum of two years.

Eligibility (minimum marks/OGPA):

• General, OBC, and Under Privileged States (UPS) categories: 60% marks, or OGPA of 6.60/10.00, 3.25/5.00, or 2.6/4.00.
• SC/ST/Physically Challenged (PC) categories: 55% marks, or OGPA of 5.5/10.00, 2.75/5.00, or 2.20/4.00.

This fellowship also enables concurrent admission to Master’s programs at State Agricultural Universities, ICAR-Deemed Universities (IARI, IVRI, NDRI, CIFE, AAU), Central Agricultural University, and Central Universities with agriculture faculties such as BHU, AMU, Visva-Bharati, and Nagaland University.

4. Junior Research Fellowship & Senior Research Fellowship (JRF/SRF) — PhD

This is ICAR’s flagship PhD-level fellowship, awarded on the basis of the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF entrance score. It’s designed to support doctoral research in agriculture and allied sciences, with selected scholars receiving a fellowship and contingency grant as per ICAR norms, disbursed directly to their account.

Eligibility:

• Admission to the PhD program must be based on your ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF score.
• Upper age limit: 30 years.
• Minimum 60% marks (or equivalent OGPA) at the Master’s level.
• The PhD must be pursued at an Agricultural University different from the one where you completed your graduation or postgraduation.

Exact fellowship amounts follow ICAR’s prescribed norms and are best confirmed on the scheme’s “Specifications” page on NSP, since rates are periodically revised.

How to Apply: Common Steps for All Four Schemes

All four ICAR schemes are applied for through the same National Scholarship Portal process:

1. Visit the NSP portal and locate your relevant scheme under “Department of Agriculture Research and Education.”
2. Register: Click ‘Register’ and fill in your details, or log in if you already have an account via Gmail, mobile number, or Email ID.
3. Go to the Students section on your dashboard.
4. Complete OTR login: Click ‘Login’ under the One-Time Registration (OTR) option — mandatory for every NSP application.
5. Accept terms by ticking the checkbox and clicking ‘Next’.
6. Verify your mobile number with the OTP sent to your registered number.
7. Complete eKYC using your (or your parent’s/guardian’s) Aadhaar/EID number, verify the OTP, and click ‘I Agree’.
8. Finish OTR by filling in remaining details and clicking ‘Finish’. You’ll also need the OTR mobile app for face authentication.
9. Apply for your scheme by navigating to ‘Apply for Scholarship’ and logging in again.
10. Submit carefully — fields cannot be edited after submission, and multiple applications for the same scheme lead to disqualification.

Example: Choosing the Right Scheme

Consider Rohit, who just finished his B.Sc. Agriculture with 68% marks and is preparing to join a Master’s program through the ICAR entrance exam. Since he’s applying based on his entrance rank rather than moving outside his home state, the PGS scheme fits his situation — he’d apply for the fellowship and contingency grant rather than NTS-PG. His classmate Ananya, on the other hand, is joining the same Master’s program at a university outside her home state and qualifies for NTS-PG’s Rs. 5,000/month benefit instead. Knowing the difference between these overlapping-sounding schemes helps students apply for the one that actually matches their situation.

Contact Details

Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan II, Pusa, New Delhi 110012
Email: adghrd1.icar@gmail.com
Contact Number: (528) 23382375

Important Links

FAQs: NSP Agriculture Scholarship

What is the deadline for all four ICAR NSP scholarships in 2026-27?

All four schemes — NTS-UG, NTS-PG, PGS, and JRF/SRF — have a student application deadline of 31 October 2026.

What is the difference between NTS-PG and PGS?

NTS-PG requires studying at an Agricultural University outside your state of domicile and pays a fixed Rs. 5,000/month. PGS is awarded purely on your rank in the ICAR entrance exam, doesn’t require studying outside your home state, and provides a fellowship plus contingency grant instead of a fixed monthly amount.

Can I apply for JRF/SRF at the same university where I did my Master’s?

No. Your PhD must be pursued at an Agricultural University different from the one where you completed your graduation or postgraduation.

Is there an age limit for the JRF/SRF fellowship?

Yes, the upper age limit is 30 years.

What happens after the 31 October 2026 deadline?

Defective application verification and institute-level verification continue till 15 November 2026, followed by DNO/SNO/MNO-level verification till 30 November 2026.

Can I apply for more than one ICAR scheme at once?

You should apply only for the scheme matching your current level and eligibility. Submitting multiple applications for the same scheme leads to disqualification, so review eligibility carefully before applying.

Conclusion

Whether you’re entering UG, PG, or PhD studies in agriculture, ICAR’s NSP scholarships offer real financial support. Identify your matching scheme, gather documents early, and apply well before 31 October 2026.

Menka Singh

Menka Singh is an education researcher and scholarship consultant with over 5 years of experience helping Indian students navigate central, state and private scholarship programmes. Having personally applied for and received scholarships during her own education, she brings firsthand understanding to every guide she writes. She specialises in Bihar, UP, Maharashtra and all India scholarship schemes and has helped thousands of students find verified funding opportunities. Read More: Click Here