Creating a new paradigm in agriculture

Updated on: Friday, April 15, 2011

There has been substantial growth in agricultural productivity in India after the dawn of Independence.

We adopted diverse methods of scientific agriculture for achieving this progress. Many strategies were based on the fruits of agricultural research undertaken under the auspices of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

The stories of Indian famines are a thing of the past. The saga of the Green Revolution is a matter of pride for us. But we have to go further ahead.

It is often said that the share of agriculture in the economic growth of the country shows a downward trend, despite the fact that the majority of our work force is engaged in agriculture. We have to improve our agricultural productivity, maintaining the environment for sustainable development.

Given the fixity of land, research in agriculture is the key factor for enhancing productivity.

Efforts have to be participatory, since the implementation of research findings depends to a large extent on the approach of farmers. ‘Farmer First' is the vibrant slogan in any activity related to agriculture.

ICAR plays a major role in facing the complex challenges in the field. It keeps a committed drive for positive steps including R&D, and technological innovations.

ICAR awards a number of junior and senior research fellowships for postgraduate studies in different

disciplines of agriculture and allied sciences.

These fellowships are usually referred to as “ICAR-JRF (PGS)” and “ICAR-SRF (PGS)”. The number and subjects of study for the award of the fellowships are announced from time to time.

ICAR-JRF (PGS) are awarded for postgraduate study (course and research work) leading to a Master's degree. ICAR-SRF (PGS) are awarded for postgraduate study (course and research work) leading to a Ph.D. degree.

ICAR-JRF (PGS): These are awarded on the basis of merit in the All India Competitive Entrance Examination for

ICAR-JRF (PGS) and

Admission to Master's degree programme at State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Deemed Universities viz. IARI (New Delhi) / IVRI (Izatnagar) / NDRI (Karnal) / CIFE (Mumbai) / AAU (Allahabad), Central Agricultural University (Imphal, Manipur), and Central Universities having faculty of agriculture viz. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Visva Bharti and Nagaland University, collectively referred to as the Agricultural Universities (AUs).

ICAR-JRF (PGS) will not be available for admission in any university other than the agricultural universities as mentioned above.

Candidates who have passed their Bachelor's degree or are appearing in the final examination of the Bachelor's degree in the concerned field, under 10+2+5, 10+2+4 or 10+2+3 (only for basic science subjects) are eligible to apply for admission.

They should have obtained 60 per cent marks or overall grade point average (OGPA) of 6.60/10.00 or 3.25/5.00 or 2.6/4.00. For SC / ST / physically challenged categories, 55 per cent marks or an OGPA of 5.5/10.00 or 2.75/5.00 or 2.20/4.00 is adequate.

For admission to M.V.Sc. courses, candidates must have completed B.V.Sc. & A.H. and the prescribed internship before the date of registration in the university. The duration of ICAR-JRF (PGS) is two years. No extension would be granted.

ICAR-SRF (PGS): These are awarded on the basis of merit obtained in the All India Competitive Examination conducted by ICAR. The candidates should have secured admission only in the agricultural universities (AUs) listed above.

Candidates who have completed their Master's degree programme with a minimum of 55 per cent marks or an OGPA of 5.5/10.00 or 2.75/5.00 or 2.20/4.00 or an equivalent OGPA from any recognised university are eligible for the award. For SC / ST and physically challenged candidates, 50 per cent marks or an equivalent OGPA is adequate.

Fellowship would be granted only when the candidate gets admitted and pursues Ph.D. degree in an agricultural university other than the university from which the candidate completed M.Sc./ M.V.Sc./ M.E. / M.Tech.

The upper age-limit would be 30 years as on the date of the examination.

For SC/ST and physically challenged categories the upper age-limit is 35 years.

For OBC the upper age is 33 years. In-service candidates of agricultural universities will be considered up to 45 years. The duration of ICAR-SRF (PGS) will be three years. No extension would be granted.

Other conditions

common to ICAR-JRF (PGS) and ICAR-SRF (PGS)

The fellowships are admissible to persons of Indian nationality and persons domiciled in India.

The fellow should work under a recognised guide on the faculty of an agricultural university.

The fellowship will take effect from the date the fellow joins the course or the commencement of the academic session for which fellowship has been offered whichever is later.

The candidate should take admission for the relevant degree programme within a period of one year from the date of issuance of award letter.

A fellow will not be allowed to avail himself of any other fellowship/ scholarship during the tenure of fellowship of the council.

The candidate should maintain satisfactory progress with respect to the time schedule and the terms of OGPA.

The candidate will have to execute a surety bond of appropriate amount at the time of registration.

He should not leave the course before its completion without prior approval of the Council.

ICAR will have the intellectual property rights/proprietary right on research outputs.

Creating a new paradigm in agriculture

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