The Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) has released the ICAR Technical Assistant Eligibility Criteria 2026 for 1,393 vacancies under Technical Assistant (T-3) and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) posts. Candidates planning to apply must meet the prescribed age limit, educational qualification, nationality and other eligibility conditions. While most eligibility requirements are common for both posts, the educational qualification varies depending on the Functional Group or Subgroup selected by the candidate.
What is the ICAR Technical Assistant Eligibility Criteria 2026?
ICAR Technical Assistant Eligibility Criteria 2026 requires candidates to be 21 to 30 years old as of 17 December 2026 and hold the relevant Bachelor’s Degree or prescribed Engineering Diploma/Degree for their selected Functional Group.
Candidates must also meet ASRB’s nationality requirements and possess the required qualification by the cut-off date. Eligible candidates can apply for T-3, T-4 or both posts but can select only one Functional Group/Subgroup.
| Eligibility Criteria | Technical Assistant (T-3) | Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years | 21 years |
| Maximum Age | 30 years | 30 years |
| Age Calculation Date | 17 December 2026 | 17 December 2026 |
| Educational Qualification | Relevant Bachelor’s Degree or prescribed Engineering Diploma/Degree | Qualification prescribed for the selected Functional Group |
| Nationality | As per ASRB nationality rules | As per ASRB nationality rules |
| Functional Group Selection | One Group/Subgroup | One Group/Subgroup |
| Qualification Cut-off Date | 17 December 2026 | 17 December 2026 |
| Selection Process | Preliminary CBT and Mains CBT | Preliminary CBT and Mains CBT |
What is the ICAR Technical Assistant Age Limit 2026?
The ICAR Technical Assistant Age Limit 2026 is 21 to 30 years for both Technical Assistant (T-3) and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) posts. Candidates must have completed 21 years of age and must not be older than 30 years as on 17 December 2026. This is the prescribed age calculation date for the recruitment. However, ASRB provides upper-age relaxation to candidates belonging to eligible reserved categories and other specified groups.
What is the ICAR Technical Assistant Age Relaxation 2026?
ASRB provides age relaxation to SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and eligible ICAR employees, among other specified categories. The relaxation depends on the candidate’s category and applicable Government of India rules.
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation | General Maximum Age* |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | No relaxation | 30 years |
| OBC – Non-Creamy Layer | 3 years | 33 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years | 35 years |
| PwBD | 10 years | 40 years |
| PwBD + OBC | Cumulative relaxation | 43 years |
| PwBD + SC/ST | Cumulative relaxation | 45 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deducting eligible military service from actual age | As per applicable rules |
| In-service ICAR Technical Employees (UR) | Upper age limit of 40 years | 40 years |
| Eligible ICAR Research Associates/Senior Research Fellows | Relaxation equivalent to eligible contractual engagement, up to 16 years and 3 months | Subject to prescribed conditions |
| Disabled Defence Services Personnel | As per applicable Government of India instructions | As per applicable rules |
Important conditions related to age relaxation: Some of the important condition details are as follows:
- OBC candidates: The three-year relaxation is available only to candidates belonging to the eligible Non-Creamy Layer category.
- SC/ST candidates: Eligible candidates can claim five years of upper-age relaxation.
- PwBD candidates: Eligible candidates can claim ten years of age relaxation. Additional relaxation may apply when combined with SC/ST or OBC-NCL category benefits, as permitted by the rules.
- Ex-Servicemen: The applicable relaxation is calculated after deducting the eligible period of military service from the actual age, followed by the prescribed additional three years.
- ICAR in-service employees: The special upper-age limit of 40 years for eligible unreserved ICAR technical employees does not automatically apply to employees of State Agricultural Universities or other government departments and public undertakings.
- ICAR Research Associates and Senior Research Fellows: Eligible candidates may receive relaxation based on their qualifying contractual engagement, subject to the maximum limit and continuity conditions prescribed in the notification.
- Disabled Defence Services Personnel: Age relaxation is provided according to the applicable Government of India instructions.
What is the ICAR Technical Assistant Educational Qualification 2026?
The ICAR Technical Assistant Educational Qualification 2026 varies according to the Functional Group or Subgroup selected by the candidate. ASRB has prescribed relevant Bachelor’s Degrees for Agriculture, Animal Science, Fisheries Science, Home Science, Library Science and Information Technology groups. For certain Workshop Staff positions, candidates with a B.E./B.Tech degree or a three-year Engineering Diploma can also apply. Candidates must possess the required qualification on or before 17 December 2026.
What is the Functional Group-wise Qualification for ICAR T-3 and T-4 Posts?
Candidates must select their Functional Group carefully while filling out the application form. The required educational qualification and available vacancies differ across groups.
| Functional Group / Post | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Field Farm Technician (Agriculture) | Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering, Agro-forestry, Food Science, Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Home Science, Community Science or Natural Farming |
| Laboratory Technician (Agriculture) | Same as above |
| Field Farm Technician (Animal Science) | B.V.Sc. & A.H. (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) |
| Laboratory Technician (Animal Science) | B.V.Sc. & A.H. |
| Field Farm Technician (Fisheries Science) | B.F.Sc. (Bachelor of Fisheries Science) |
| Laboratory Technician (Fisheries Science) | B.F.Sc. |
| Field Farm Technician (Social Science – Home Science/Community Science) | Bachelor’s Degree in Home Science or Community Science |
| Laboratory Technician (Social Science – Home Science/Community Science) | Bachelor’s Degree in Home Science or Community Science |
| Workshop Staff (Civil Engineering) | B.Tech./B.E. or three-year Diploma in Civil Engineering |
| Workshop Staff (Agricultural Engineering) | B.Tech./B.E. or three-year Diploma in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Textile Technology or Fiber Processing Engineering |
| Workshop Staff (Electrical Engineering) | B.Tech./B.E. or three-year Diploma in Electrical Engineering |
| Workshop Staff (Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering) | B.Tech./B.E. or three-year Diploma in Electronics Engineering or Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering |
| Library / Information Science / Documentation Staff | Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science or Library & Information Science |
| Information Technology | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Applications, Computer Science or IT; or B.Tech./B.E. in IT, Computer Science or Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) |
What are the Important Educational Qualification Rules?
Candidates must follow the educational qualification conditions prescribed by ASRB before applying for the ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026.
- Qualification cut-off date: Candidates must possess the prescribed educational qualification on or before 17 December 2026.
- Recognised institution: The degree or diploma must be obtained from an institution recognised under the conditions specified in the recruitment notification.
- Foreign qualifications: Candidates holding foreign degrees or diplomas must fulfil the Government of India’s prescribed equivalence requirements.
- One Functional Group: Candidates can select only one Functional Group or Subgroup, even if they possess qualifications for multiple groups.
- Both posts: Candidates can apply for T-3 only, T-4 only or both posts, provided they meet the respective eligibility conditions.
- Subject selection: The selected Functional Group determines the subject-specific syllabus applicable to the Mains examination.
Candidates should carefully compare their degree or diploma with the prescribed qualification before selecting a Functional Group in the application form.
What are the Nationality Requirements for ICAR Technical Assistant posts?
Candidates applying for ICAR Technical Assistant (T-3) and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) posts must meet the nationality conditions set by ASRB. Indian citizens and certain other eligible nationality categories can apply, subject to the prescribed rules. Candidates in specific categories must obtain an eligibility certificate from the Government of India.
- Citizen of India: Candidates who are citizens of India can apply.
- Citizen of Nepal: Citizens of Nepal are eligible subject to the prescribed conditions.
- Citizen of Bhutan: Citizens of Bhutan can apply as per the applicable rules.
- Tibetan Refugees: Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1 January 1962, intending to settle permanently in India, are eligible.
- Persons of Indian Origin: Candidates who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam, intending to settle permanently in India, can apply subject to the prescribed conditions.
Important: Candidates belonging to nationality categories 2 to 5 must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Can candidates apply for both ICAR Technical Assistant T-3 and T-4 posts?
Yes, candidates can apply for both Technical Assistant (T-3) and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) posts through a single online application. However, they can select only one Functional Group or Subgroup and must provide their preferred order of posts while filling out the form. Once submitted, the post preference cannot be changed.
- Candidates can apply for T-3 only, T-4 only or both posts.
- Only one Functional Group or Subgroup can be selected in a single application.
- Candidates applying for both posts must provide their preferred order of posts.
- The preference order becomes final after the application is submitted.
- Candidates applying for both posts must pay the applicable combined examination fee.
- Final selection depends on Mains examination merit, post preferences and available vacancies.
Example: A candidate holding an eligible Agriculture degree can apply for both T-3 and T-4 posts under the Agriculture Functional Group. However, the candidate cannot select Information Technology as another Functional Group in the same application, even if they possess the required IT qualification.
What are the reservation eligibility Rules for ICAR Technical Assistant 2026?
ASRB provides reservation benefits and applicable age relaxations to eligible SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates. Candidates claiming these benefits must submit valid category certificates issued by the competent authority in the prescribed format. These documents may be verified during the recruitment process.
| Category | Eligibility Requirements |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | Valid caste or tribe certificate in the prescribed format |
| OBC | Valid Central OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate |
| EWS | Valid Income and Asset Certificate in the prescribed format |
| PwBD | Applicable disability certificate issued by the competent medical authority |
| Ex-Servicemen | Required Ex-Servicemen certificate or undertaking |
| In-service Candidates | Applicable employment certificate, NOC or prescribed undertaking |
What are the Important Reservation Conditions?
Candidates claiming reservation benefits must follow the category-specific conditions prescribed by ASRB.
- OBC-NCL candidates: Applicants must belong to a community included in the Central OBC List and satisfy the Non-Creamy Layer conditions.
- OBC category selection: Candidates who do not fulfil the prescribed OBC-NCL requirements must apply under the General category.
- EWS candidates: Applicants must meet the prescribed income and asset conditions and produce a valid certificate.
- PwBD candidates: Reservation and age relaxation are subject to the disability categories identified as suitable for the relevant Functional Group or Subgroup.
- Reserved-category candidates: Candidates who qualify after availing age relaxation or relaxed qualifying standards are generally considered against their respective reserved vacancies rather than unreserved vacancies, subject to the applicable rules.
- Certificate verification: All candidates must submit valid category certificates in the format prescribed by ASRB.
Candidates should check the certificate format and validity requirements before submitting their ICAR Technical Assistant application form.
What are the other eligibility conditions for ICAR Technical Assistant 2026?
Apart from age, educational qualification and nationality, candidates must meet ASRB’s other conditions related to medical fitness, document verification, employment status and appointment. They must provide correct details in the application form and keep all required documents ready. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee final selection or appointment.
- Medical Fitness: Candidates must meet the physical and medical fitness requirements applicable to their respective posts. Selected candidates may be required to undergo a medical examination.
- Document Verification: Original educational certificates, category certificates, age proof and other relevant documents will be verified by ICAR or the recruiting institute.
- Correct Information: Candidates must provide accurate details about their age, educational qualifications, nationality and reservation category. Providing false or misleading information may result in the cancellation of candidature.
- Employment Conditions: Candidates already employed in specified government departments or institutions must submit the applicable No Objection Certificate (NOC) or prescribed undertaking.
- Provisional Eligibility: Admission to the Preliminary and Mains examinations is provisional. The recruiting authority will verify the candidate’s final eligibility before appointment.
- Marital Eligibility: The notification includes restrictions relating to candidates whose spouse is living, subject to the specified exemption provisions.
FAQs
The age limit is 21 to 30 years as of 17 December 2026.
Candidates must hold a relevant Bachelor’s Degree or prescribed Engineering Diploma/Degree, depending on the selected Functional Group.
Candidates must possess the relevant qualification prescribed for their selected Functional Group.
Yes, eligible candidates can apply for both posts through a single online application.
Candidates must possess the prescribed qualification on or before 17 December 2026.
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