The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducts the All India Entrance Examination for Admission to Postgraduate Programmes (AIEEA PG) to facilitate admissions into various agricultural universities across India. This examination is pivotal for candidates aspiring to pursue Master's degrees in fields such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary Science, Fisheries, and more.
Overview of ICAR AIEEA PG
- Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Frequency: Annually
- Mode of Examination: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Number of Questions: 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Marking Scheme: +4 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect answers
- Medium: English
ICAR AIEEA PG Syllabus 2025
The syllabus for the ICAR AIEEA PG examination is extensive and varies based on the chosen subject group. Below is a detailed breakdown of the major subject groups and their respective topics:
1. Plant Biotechnology
- Unit I: Importance of agriculture in the national economy; basic principles of crop production; cultivation of rice, wheat, chickpea, pigeon-pea, sugarcane, groundnut, tomato, and mango; major soils of India; role of NPK and their deficiency symptoms; general structure and function of cell organelles; mitosis and meiosis; Mendelian genetics; elementary knowledge of growth, development, photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration; elements of economic botany; general structure and function of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, and vitamins; major pests and diseases of rice, wheat, cotton, chickpea, sugarcane and their management; organic farming; bio-fertilizers; bio-pesticides; recombinant DNA technology; transgenic crops; important rural development programmes in India; organizational setup of agricultural research, education, and extension in India; elements of statistics.
- Unit II: Importance of biochemistry in agriculture; acid-base concept and buffers; pH; heterosis; general application of biotechnology; molecular and immunological techniques; concept of bioinformatics, genomics, and proteomics.
- Unit III: Plant Physiology/Crop Physiology: Plant physiology–importance in agriculture; seed germination, viability and vigour; photosynthesis- significance of C-3, C-4 and CAM pathway; photorespiration and its implications; translocation of assimilates; dry matter partitioning; harvest index of crops; growth and development; growth analysis; crop-water relationship; plant nutrients and their functions; phytohormones and their physiological role; photo-periodism, vernalisation; pollination/fertilization in flowering plants; post-harvest physiology and its significance.
2. Plant Sciences
- Unit I: Importance of agriculture in the national economy; basic principles of crop production; cultivation of rice, wheat, chickpea, pigeon-pea, sugarcane, groundnut, tomato, potato, and mango; major soils of India; role of NPK and their deficiency symptoms.
- Unit II: Structure and function of cell organelles; mitosis and meiosis; Mendelian genetics; elementary knowledge of photosynthesis; respiration, and transpiration; structure and functions of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids.
3. Animal Sciences
- Unit I: Livestock production systems; animal nutrition; animal breeding and genetics; dairy production and management; poultry production and management; meat and wool production; animal health and disease management; livestock extension education.
- Unit II: Animal physiology; endocrinology; reproduction and lactation; immunology; biotechnology in animal production; environmental physiology; livestock products technology.
4. Agricultural Engineering
- Unit I: Agricultural mechanization; farm power and machinery; soil and water conservation engineering; irrigation and drainage engineering; post-harvest technology; renewable energy in agriculture; food processing and engineering.
- Unit II: Agricultural structures; farm structures; engineering properties of agricultural materials; farm electrification; precision farming technologies; automation in agriculture.
5. Horticulture
- Unit I: Production technology of fruit crops; vegetable crops; plantation crops; spices; medicinal and aromatic plants; floriculture; landscaping; post-harvest technology of horticultural crops.
- Unit II: Plant propagation techniques; nursery management; protected cultivation; soil and water management in horticultural crops; pest and disease management in horticultural crops.
6. Veterinary Science
- Unit I: Veterinary anatomy; veterinary physiology; veterinary biochemistry; veterinary microbiology; veterinary pathology; veterinary pharmacology and toxicology; veterinary public health; veterinary epidemiology.
- Unit II: Animal diseases; diagnosis and treatment; veterinary surgery and radiology; veterinary obstetrics and gynaecology; veterinary medicine; veterinary surgery; veterinary parasitology.
7. Fisheries Science
- Unit I: Aquaculture; fish biology; fish genetics and breeding; fish nutrition and feed technology; fish health management; fish processing and preservation; fisheries extension education.
- Unit II: Inland and marine fisheries; fishery resources; fishery economics; fishery management; fishery policy and legislation.
8. Forestry and Environmental Science
- Unit I: Forest ecology; forest management; silviculture; agroforestry; forest products; forest policy and legislation; wildlife conservation; biodiversity.
- Unit II: Environmental science; environmental pollution; environmental impact assessment; environmental laws and policies; climate change and its impact on forests.
9. Agricultural Economics and Extension
- Unit I: Principles of agricultural economics; farm management; agricultural marketing; agricultural finance; rural development; agricultural policy.
- Unit II: Extension education; communication methods; extension programmes; rural sociology; participatory rural appraisal.
10. Community Science (Home Science)
- Unit I: Human development; family studies; nutrition and health; clothing and textiles; housing and interior design; resource management.
- Unit II: Extension education; communication techniques; community development; women and child development.
Subject-Wise Syllabus Overview
Subject Group | Key Topics |
Plant Biotechnology | Crop production, biochemistry, molecular biology, plant physiology |
Plant Sciences | Crop production, genetics, plant pathology, seed technology |
Animal Sciences | Livestock management, animal nutrition, breeding, health management |
Agricultural Engineering | Farm machinery, irrigation, post-harvest technology, renewable energy |
Horticulture | Fruit and vegetable production, floriculture, post-harvest technology |
Veterinary Science | Animal anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology |
Fisheries Science | Aquaculture, fish biology, nutrition, health management |
Forestry and Environmental | Forest ecology, management, biodiversity, environmental science |
Agricultural Economics | Farm management, marketing, finance, rural development |
Community Science | Human development, nutrition, textiles, extension education |
Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly review the syllabus to identify key topics and areas of focus.
- Create a Study Plan: Develop a structured study schedule allocating time to each subject based on its weightage.
- Refer to Standard Textbooks: Utilize recommended textbooks and study materials for in-depth understanding.
- Practice ICAR AIEEA PG Previous Year Papers: Solve ICAR AIEEA PG previous year papers to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and question types.
- Take Mock Tests: Regularly attempt mock tests to assess your preparation level and improve time management skills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the duration of the ICAR AIEEA PG exam?
A1: The examination lasts for 2 hours.
Q2: How many questions are asked in the ICAR AIEEA PG exam?
A2: A total of 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are asked.
Q3: What is the marking scheme for the ICAR AIEEA PG exam?
A3: Each correct answer awards 4 marks, while each incorrect answer deducts 1 mark.
Q4: In which language is the ICAR AIEEA PG exam conducted?
A4: The examination is conducted in English.
Q5: How can I download the ICAR AIEEA PG syllabus?
A5: The syllabus can be downloaded from the official ICAR website.