ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026: The Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) has released the notification for the Centralized Combined Examination 2026 to recruit Technical Assistants (T-3) for ICAR institutes and Senior Technical Assistants (T-4) for Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). A total of 1,393 vacancies are on offer: 1,254 T-3 posts and 139 T-4 posts.
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The notification (F. No. 2(2)/2025-Exam) is dated 11 November 2026. Online applications will open on 18 November 2026 and close on 17 December 2026 (11:59 PM) at asrb.gov.in. Graduates in agriculture, veterinary science, fisheries, engineering, IT, library science and related fields aged 21 to 30 years can apply.
ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026: Overview
Selection will be through a qualifying Preliminary CBT in February 2027, followed by a Mains CBT. There is no interview, and the final merit is based only on the Mains. T-3 posts carry Pay Level-5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300) and T-4 posts Pay Level-6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400). Below are all the details of the ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting body | Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) |
| Organisation | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Exam | Centralized Combined Examination 2026 |
| Posts | Technical Assistant (T-3), Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) |
| Total vacancies | 1,393 (T-3: 1,254; T-4: 139) |
| Notification No. | F. No. 2(2)/2025-Exam, dated 11 November 2026 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application dates | 18 November – 17 December 2026 |
| Age limit | 21 – 30 years |
| Selection | Preliminary CBT (qualifying) + Mains CBT; no interview |
| Pay | T-3: Level-5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300); T-4: Level-6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400) |
| Official website | asrb.gov.in |
ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 11 November 2026 |
| Online application starts | 18 November 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 17 December 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last date for fee payment | 17 December 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Application correction window | 18 – 20 December 2026 |
| Admit card | About one week before the exam |
| Preliminary CBT | February 2027 (exact date to be announced) |
| Mains CBT | To be announced |
ICAR Technical Assistant Vacancy 2026
Technical Assistant (T-3) – ICAR Institutes
| Functional group | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Farm Technician (Agriculture) | 195 | 108 | 69 | 29 | 75 | 476 |
| Laboratory Technician (Agriculture) | 108 | 41 | 32 | 18 | 24 | 223 |
| Field Farm Technician (Animal Science) | 23 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 50 |
| Laboratory Technician (Animal Science) | 27 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 65 |
| Field Farm Technician (Fisheries) | 16 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 57 |
| Laboratory Technician (Fisheries) | 10 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 33 |
| Field Farm Technician (Home / Community Science) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Laboratory Technician (Home / Community Science) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Workshop Staff (Civil Engineering) | 33 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 51 |
| Workshop Staff (Agricultural Engineering) | 17 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 42 |
| Workshop Staff (Electrical Engineering) | 14 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 35 |
| Workshop Staff (Electronics & Instrumentation) | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 25 |
| Library / Information / Documentation | 31 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 59 |
| Information Technology | 71 | 29 | 15 | 7 | 11 | 133 |
| Total T-3 | 558 | 281 | 164 | 91 | 160 | 1,254 |
ICAR Technical Assistant Notification 2026 PDF
ASRB has published the detailed notification on its website. It contains the functional group-wise vacancies, eligibility, exam plan, centres and certificate formats.
Check ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 Official Notice PDF Here
Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) – ICAR KVKs
| Functional group | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Farm Technician (Agriculture) | 33 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 47 |
| Laboratory Technician (Agriculture) | 16 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 26 |
| Field Farm Technician (Animal Science) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Laboratory Technician (Animal Science) | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| Field Farm Technician (Home / Community Science) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Laboratory Technician (Home / Community Science) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Laboratory Technician (Fisheries) | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Information Technology | 24 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 48 |
| Total T-4 | 84 | 25 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 139 |
ICAR Technical Assistant Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification (Functional Group-Wise)
Candidates need a relevant bachelor’s degree or diploma, completed on or before 17 December 2026.
| Functional group | Required qualification |
|---|---|
| Field Farm / Laboratory Technician (Agriculture) | Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering, Agro-forestry, Food Science, Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Home Science, Community Science or Natural Farming |
| Field Farm / Laboratory Technician (Home / Community Science) | Bachelor’s degree in Home Science or Community Science |
| Field Farm / Laboratory Technician (Animal Science) | B.V.Sc & A.H. |
| Field Farm / Laboratory Technician (Fisheries Science) | B.F.Sc. |
| Workshop Staff (Civil Engineering) | B.Tech / B.E. or 3-year Diploma in Civil Engineering |
| Workshop Staff (Agricultural Engineering) | B.Tech / B.E. or 3-year Diploma in Agricultural / Mechanical Engineering, Textile Technology or Fibre Processing Engineering |
| Workshop Staff (Electrical Engineering) | B.Tech / B.E. or 3-year Diploma in Electrical Engineering |
| Workshop Staff (Electronics & Instrumentation) | B.Tech / B.E. or 3-year Diploma in Electronics or Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering |
| Library / Information / Documentation | Bachelor’s degree in Library Science or Library & Information Science |
| Information Technology | BCA, B.Sc. in Computer Science / IT, or B.Tech / B.E. in IT, CS or ECE |
Only one functional group: A candidate can apply for only one functional group, even if eligible for more than one.
Age Limit
Candidates must be 21 to 30 years old as on 17 December 2026 (the closing date).
| Category | Upper age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years (cumulative with SC/ST/OBC) |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deducting military service |
| ICAR in-service technical employees (UR) | Upper age limit 40 years, plus category relaxation |
| ICAR RAs / SRFs on contract | Up to the period of engagement (max. 16 years 3 months) |
Nationality
Candidates must be Indian citizens, or citizens of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who came before 1 January 1962, or persons of Indian origin from specified countries. The last four groups need an eligibility certificate from the Government of India.
ICAR Technical Assistant Application Fee 2026
Candidates can apply for T-3 only, T-4 only, or both. The fee depends on this choice.
| Category | T-3 only | T-4 only | T-3 and T-4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | ₹300 | ₹300 | ₹600 |
| EWS / OBC | ₹150 | ₹150 | ₹300 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women / Transgender / Ex-Servicemen | Nil | Nil | Nil |
The fee is paid only through Bharatkosh (bharatkosh.gov.in). Paying the fee without submitting the application by the last date does not count, and the fee will not be refunded.
ICAR Technical Assistant Salary
| Post | Pay level (7th CPC) | Pay scale |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Assistant (T-3), ICAR Institutes | Level-5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
| Senior Technical Assistant (T-4), ICAR KVKs | Level-6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
ICAR Technical Assistant Selection Process
- Preliminary Exam (CBT, qualifying): Candidates are shortlisted for the Mains at a ratio of 1:15 of vacancies in each functional group, category-wise.
- Mains Exam (CBT): Final merit is based only on Mains marks.
There is no interview. Scores are normalised where the CBT runs in multiple sessions.
ICAR Technical Assistant Exam Pattern 2026
Preliminary Exam (Qualifying)
| Section | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Knowledge | 25 |
| 2 | General English | 25 |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 |
| 4 | General Agriculture | 25 |
| Total | 100 |
- 100 objective questions, 1 mark each
- Duration: 1 hour
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
- Language: Hindi and English
Mains Exam
- 100 objective questions on domain / subject-specific topics of the chosen functional group
- Total marks: 300 (3 marks per question)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Negative marking: 1 mark (one-third) per wrong answer
Minimum Qualifying Marks (Prelims and Mains)
| Category | Minimum marks |
|---|---|
| UR | 30% |
| EWS / OBC | 25% |
| SC / ST / PwBD | 20% |
Answer key objections: A tentative answer key will be released after the Preliminary CBT. Objections cost ₹50 per question (non-refundable).
Tie-breaking: If Mains marks are equal, the candidate with higher Prelims marks ranks higher, then higher Prelims Quantitative Aptitude marks, then the older candidate.
How to Apply for ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026
- Visit asrb.gov.in from 18 November 2026.
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) with your name, parents’ names, email ID and date of birth. You will receive an email or SMS on successful registration.
- Log in and open the application form for the Centralized Combined Examination 2026.
- Choose T-3 only, T-4 only, or both, and select one functional group. If you choose both posts, set your order of preference. It cannot be changed later.
- Select your exam centres for the Prelims and Mains.
- Upload your documents (see the table below).
- Pay the fee through Bharatkosh: Quick Payment → Individual → Ministry: Agriculture → Purpose: “Examination/Certificate fee for ARS/NET/SMS/STO/FAO/AO” → PAO 000001 and DDO 216968 (Add. ASRB, Chayan Bhavan).
- Submit the form by 17 December 2026 (11:59 PM) and save a copy.
Documents and Upload Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Photograph | Recent, white background, without spectacles, face covering 2/3 of the space; JPG, max 200 KB |
| Signature | Black or blue ink on white paper; JPG, max 100 KB |
| Certificates | Each uploaded separately; JPG, max 100 KB |
| Photo ID | Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN, passport, driving licence or other government photo ID |
| Other details | Class 10 certificate, bachelor’s degree or provisional certificate, and transcript |
Correction window: 18 – 20 December 2026 (a correction fee may apply). After that, no changes to the centre, discipline, name, date of birth, category or other fields will be allowed.
In-service candidates (ICAR, central or state government, universities) must submit an NOC or undertaking in the prescribed format.
ICAR Technical Assistant Exam Centres 2026
Preliminary Exam Centres (62 Cities)
| State / UT | Cities |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar | Port Blair / Sri Vijaya Puram |
| Andhra Pradesh | Kurnool, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam |
| Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat |
| Bihar | Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Patna |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh / SAS Nagar |
| Chhattisgarh | Bilaspur, Durg / Bhilai, Raipur |
| Delhi | Delhi NCR |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad / Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kangra, Shimla |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu, Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Jamshedpur, Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Hubballi, Mangaluru, Mysuru |
| Kerala | Ernakulam / Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Odisha | Balasore, Bhubaneswar |
| Puducherry | Puducherry |
| Punjab | Bathinda, Ludhiana |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli |
| Telangana | Hyderabad / Secunderabad, Warangal |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Roorkee |
| West Bengal | Kolkata, Siliguri |
Mains Exam Centres (31 Cities)
Port Blair, Vijayawada, Guwahati, Patna, Chandigarh / Mohali, Raipur, Delhi NCR, Anand / Vadodara, Ahmedabad / Gandhinagar, Shimla, Jammu, Bengaluru, Ernakulam / Kochi, Bhopal, Indore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Barapani / Shillong, Bhubaneswar / Cuttack, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Dehradun and Barrackpore / Kolkata.
Centres are tentative. Choose carefully, as no change of centre will be allowed later.
FAQs: ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026
Q1. How many vacancies are there in ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026?
There are 1,393 vacancies: 1,254 Technical Assistant (T-3) posts in ICAR institutes and 139 Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) posts in KVKs.
Q2. When does the ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 online application start?
The online application starts on 18 November 2026 at asrb.gov.in.
Q3. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to apply and pay the fee is 17 December 2026 (11:59 PM).
Q4. What is the age limit?
21 to 30 years as on 17 December 2026, with relaxation for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years) and PwBD (10 years).
Q5. What is the ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 educational qualification?
A relevant bachelor’s degree, or a 3-year diploma for engineering workshop posts, in the chosen functional group.
Q6. Can I apply for both T-3 and T-4?
Yes. You can apply for T-3, T-4 or both, but only in one functional group, and you must set your order of preference.
Q7. What is the ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 application fee?
₹300 per post for UR candidates and ₹150 for EWS/OBC. There is no fee for SC, ST, PwBD, women, transgender candidates and ex-servicemen.
Q8. Is there an interview?
No. Final selection is based only on Mains exam marks.
Q9. When is the Preliminary exam?
The Preliminary CBT is scheduled for February 2027. The exact date will be announced on the ASRB website.
Q10. Is there negative marking?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted per wrong answer in the Prelims, and 1 mark per wrong answer in the Mains.
Q11. What is the salary of an ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026?
T-3 is in Pay Level-5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300), and T-4 in Pay Level-6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400).
Q12. How many candidates will be called for the Mains?
Candidates are shortlisted at a ratio of 1:15 of the vacancies in each functional group, category-wise.
