Important Dates:

• Online application starts: 22nd April 2025 (1:00 PM)

• Last date for submission: 21st May 2025 (11:59 PM)

• Combined Computer Based Test (CBT) (NET, ARS Prelims, SMS/STO Prelims): 2nd – 4th September 2025

• Combined Mains (Descriptive) Exam (ARS, SMS, STO): 7th December 2025
  (Dates are subject to change.)

How to Apply

• Candidates must apply online at www.asrb.org.in

• Payment to be made via Bharatkosh (bharatkosh.gov.in)

• No documents required at the time of application; verification is done later.

Plan of Examination

The Combined Examination consists of three major exams:

• (A) National Eligibility Test (NET)

• (B) Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

• (C) Subject Matter Specialist (SMS-T6) & Senior Technical Officer (STO-T6)

(A) National Eligibility Test (NET)

Purpose

• Determines eligibility for Lecturer/Assistant Professor in State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and other Agricultural Universities (AUs).

• NET Certificate will be issued digitally via DigiLocker.

Eligibility

• Minimum Age: 21 years as on 01.01.2025

• No Upper Age Limit

• Educational Qualification: Master's degree in the relevant discipline (completed by 30.09.2025).

Exam Pattern

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

• Duration: 2 hours

• Questions: 150 MCQs

• Marks: 150

• Negative Marking: 1/3rd per incorrect answer

• Qualifying Marks:

  • UR: 75 (50%)

  • OBC/EWS: 67.5 (45%)

  • SC/ST/PwBD: 60 (40%)

(B) Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

Purpose

• Direct recruitment for entry-level Scientists in ICAR (Pay Level-10: ₹57,700 - ₹1,82,400).

Eligibility

• Age Limit: 21 - 32 years as on 01.08.2025

• Age Relaxation:

  • SC/ST: +5 years

  • OBC: +3 years

  • PwBD: +10 years

  • Ph.D. Holders: +3 years

  • ICAR Employees: up to 45 years

• Educational Qualification: Master's degree in the relevant discipline (completed by 30.09.2025).

Exam Pattern

1. Preliminary Exam (CBT) – Qualifying

   • Duration: 2 hours

   • Questions: 150 MCQs

   • Marks: 150

   • Negative Marking: 1/3rd per incorrect answer

   • Qualifying Marks:

     • UR: 67.5 (45%)

     • OBC/EWS: 60 (40%)

     • SC/ST/PwBD: 52.5 (35%)

2. Mains Exam (Descriptive)

   • Duration: 3 hours

   • Marks: 300

   • Question Types:

     • 25 questions (5 marks each, 50 words)

     • 10 questions (10 marks each, 100 words)

     • 5 questions (15 marks each, 150 words)

   • Medium: English/Hindi

3. Personal Interview

   • Marks: 45

(Final Merit List: Based on Mains + Interview)

Total ARS Vacancies:

Total - 458

SC - 68

ST - 34

OBC - 123

EWS - 46

UR -  187

(C) Subject Matter Specialist (SMS-T6) & Senior Technical Officer (STO-T6)

Purpose

• Direct recruitment of Specialists (SMS-T6) and Officers (STO-T6) in ICAR Institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) under ICAR.

Eligibility

• Age Limit: 21 - 35 years as on 01.08.2025

• Age Relaxation:

  • SC/ST: +5 years

  • OBC: +3 years

  • PwBD: +10 years

  • ICAR Employees: up to 45 years

• Educational Qualification: Master's degree in the relevant discipline (completed by 30.09.2025).

Exam Pattern

1. Preliminary Exam (CBT) – Qualifying

   • Duration: 2 hours

   • Questions: 150 MCQs

   • Marks: 150

   • Negative Marking: 1/3rd per incorrect answer

   • Qualifying Marks:

     • UR: 67.5 (45%)

     • OBC/EWS: 60 (40%)

     • SC/ST/PwBD: 52.5 (35%)

2. Mains Exam (Descriptive)

   • Duration: 3 hours

   • Marks: 300

   • Question Types:

     • 25 questions (5 marks each, 50 words)

     • 10 questions (10 marks each, 100 words)

     • 5 questions (15 marks each, 150 words)

   • Medium: English/Hindi

3. Personal Interview

   • Marks: 45

   • Final Merit List: Based on Mains + Interview

Total SMS (T6) Vacancies:

Total - 41

SC- 7

ST - 4

OBC- 7

EWS - 3

UR 20

Total SMS (T6) Vacancies:

Total - 83

SC - 5

ST - 3

OBC - 14

EWS -12

UR -49

Important Notes

• One single application for all exams (NET, ARS, SMS, STO).

• Choice of Exam Center is final and cannot be changed later.

• Syllabus for the examination is available on ASRB' s website. https://asrb.org.in/ars.

• Admit Card will be available one week before the exam at www.asrb.org.in.

• Candidates must bring original Photo ID uploaded in the application.

• NET Certificate will be issued digitally via DigiLocker.

This summary provides all necessary details for candidates preparing for NET, ARS, SMS-T6, and STO-T6 Exams 2025. Let me know if you need additional details.