NTA ICAR AIEEA PG & AICE JRF/SRF Ph.D Answer Key 2026
National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the ICAR AIEEA (PG) and AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) entrance examinations for admission and fellowship opportunities in agriculture and allied sciences. The 2026 examinations were conducted in Computer Based Test mode on 04 July 2026.
The NTA ICAR AIEEA PG & AICE JRF/SRF Ph.D Answer Key 2026 is an important document for candidates who appeared in the examination. The provisional answer key allows students to compare their recorded responses, estimate their probable score and raise objections if they find an answer that appears incorrect.
NTA announced that the provisional answer keys for ICAR AIEEA (PG) and AICE (Ph.D.) 2026 were to be made available on 16 August 2026. Candidates should use the official NTA ICAR portal for the latest answer key, response sheet and objection instructions.
National Testing Agency (NTA)
ICAR AIEEA (PG) & AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026
04 July 2026
Provisional Answer Key scheduled for 16 August 2026
1. AGE LIMIT
The age requirement differs between the postgraduate and doctoral examinations. The official information specifies a minimum age of 19 years for AIEEA (PG) and 20 years for AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.), calculated as prescribed in the 2026 information bulletin.
| Examination | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIEEA (PG) 2026 | 19 Years | No upper age limit specified | No relaxation in minimum age limit |
| AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 | 20 Years | No upper age limit specified | No relaxation in minimum age limit |
2. EDUCATION QUALIFICATION
The eligibility requirement depends on whether the candidate is applying for a postgraduate programme or the doctoral-level AICE-JRF/SRF examination. The qualification must be in the relevant discipline prescribed for the selected programme or subject.
| Examination / Programme | Minimum Qualification | Details |
|---|---|---|
| AIEEA (PG) 2026 | Relevant Bachelor’s Degree | Applicants must possess the prescribed bachelor’s-level qualification in the relevant agricultural or allied discipline as specified in the information bulletin. |
| AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 | Relevant Master’s Degree | Applicants must hold a master’s degree in the relevant subject and satisfy the prescribed percentage/OGPA or equivalent academic requirement. |
For Ph.D. applicants: The academic requirement is particularly important because eligibility can vary according to the selected subject. Candidates should match their postgraduate subject and marks/OGPA with the subject-specific conditions in the official bulletin.
3. IMPORTANT DATES
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Notification / Application Start | 08 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 07 June 2026 up to 05:00 PM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 07 June 2026 up to 11:50 PM |
| Application Correction Window | 09 June to 10 June 2026 |
| Examination Date | 04 July 2026 |
| Admit Card | Released before the examination |
| Provisional Answer Key | 16 August 2026 |
| Final Answer Key | To be announced |
| Result | To be announced |
Dates may be revised by the examination authority. Always verify the latest notice on the official NTA website.
4. APPLICATION FEES
The 2026 examination fee is different for AIEEA (PG) and AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.). Candidates applying for both examinations were required to follow the separate application and fee requirements applicable to each examination.
| Examination | Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| AIEEA (PG) 2026 | General / Unreserved | ₹1,300/- |
| OBC-NCL / EWS / UPS | ₹1,255/- | |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹675/- | |
| AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026 | General / Unreserved | ₹2,000/- |
| OBC-NCL / EWS / UPS | ₹1,955/- | |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹1,075/- |
5. EXAM PATTERN, ANSWER KEY & OBJECTION PROCESS
The ICAR examinations are conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode with objective-type multiple-choice questions. The 2026 examination duration was 120 minutes.
| Particular | AIEEA (PG) | AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test | Computer Based Test |
| Duration | 120 Minutes | 120 Minutes |
| Question Type | Objective / MCQ | Objective / MCQ |
| Medium | English | English |
How the 2026 Answer Key Helps Candidates
- Compare answers recorded during the examination with NTA’s provisional answers.
- Identify questions where the official key may need review.
- Estimate the probable score using the applicable marking scheme.
- Submit a challenge within the objection period if the portal permits it.
- Keep the response sheet and objection-related documents safely for future reference.
6. FELLOWSHIP, ADMISSION & CAREER VALUE
Unlike a regular recruitment examination, the ICAR AIEEA (PG) and AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) examinations are designed around higher education, admission and research opportunities. Successful candidates can progress toward advanced study and research in agriculture and allied sciences.
For Ph.D. aspirants, the JRF/SRF route can support a research-focused career involving university research, agricultural institutes, laboratories, teaching and scientific work. The exact fellowship amount, continuation conditions and benefits should always be checked in the current ICAR rules.
Useful Preparation Areas
- Revise the core concepts of your selected subject.
- Give priority to previous examination questions and standard textbooks.
- Prepare short revision notes for formulas, definitions, processes and important facts.
- Practice full-length MCQ papers within the 120-minute time limit.
- After the answer key, compare your expected score carefully rather than relying on unofficial social-media claims.
7. IMPORTANT LINKS
🔗 NTA ICAR Official Portal 🔗 NTA Official Website 📄 NTA Documents / NoticesHow to check the NTA ICAR AIEEA PG & AICE Ph.D. Answer Key 2026:
- Visit the official NTA ICAR portal.
- Open the relevant answer-key or candidate-activity link for PG or Ph.D.
- Log in using the required application credentials.
- Open the provisional answer key and recorded response sheet.
- Match your answers carefully and calculate your probable score.
- If permitted, submit an objection within the notified deadline and keep the acknowledgement safely.
8. FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)
The 2026 ICAR AIEEA (PG) and AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) examination was conducted on 04 July 2026 in computer-based mode.
NTA announced that the provisional answer keys for ICAR AIEEA (PG) and AICE (Ph.D.) 2026 would be published on 16 August 2026. Candidates should confirm availability through the official NTA ICAR portal.
Yes, eligible candidates can challenge provisional answers through the official objection facility when it is activated. The applicable objection fee, deadline and supporting-document requirements should be checked in the NTA notice.
For AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) 2026, the fee was ₹2,000 for General/Unreserved, ₹1,955 for OBC-NCL/EWS/UPS, and ₹1,075 for SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender candidates.
No. AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) is an entrance and competitive examination connected with doctoral admission and JRF/SRF opportunities. It should not be treated as a conventional government recruitment examination.
The answer key and related candidate activity should be accessed through the official NTA ICAR portal. Candidates should avoid relying on unofficial PDFs or social-media screenshots when calculating their expected score.
After checking the NTA ICAR AIEEA PG & AICE JRF/SRF Ph.D. Answer Key 2026, candidates should preserve their response sheet and objection acknowledgement, if applicable. The provisional answer key can be changed after valid challenges are reviewed, so the final answer key and official result should be treated as the final basis for evaluation.
All information provided in this article is for informational and reference purposes only. This website is not affiliated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) or the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Candidates should verify the latest answer key, objection schedule, eligibility, fees, dates and other information from the official notification and official website before taking any action.
