ICAR T3 T4 Recruitment 2026: 1,393 Technical Assistant Vacancies, Apply Online

ICAR T3 T4 Recruitment 2026: 1,393 Technical Assistant Vacancies, Apply Online

Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) has announced the Centralized Combined Examination 2026 for direct recruitment to the posts of Technical Assistant (T-3) in ICAR Institutes and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) in ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). The notification is dated 11 November 2026.

This is a major technical recruitment opportunity for graduates and engineering diploma holders in agriculture, horticulture, veterinary science, fisheries, home science, community science, civil engineering, agricultural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, instrumentation, library science, computer applications, information technology and related disciplines.

Before starting the application, an aspirant should first identify the one Functional Group/Subgroup that matches the degree or diploma. Applying casually to multiple groups is not permitted. If you choose both T-3 and T-4, you must also give the order of post preferences, and that preference becomes final after submission.

ICAR T3 T4 Recruitment 2026 important dates

All dates are subject to change. ASRB will publish exact examination dates, admission certificates and later instructions on its official website. Candidates should regularly check asrb.gov.in and the email address used in the application.

What are T-3 and T-4 posts?

Technical Assistant (T-3) posts are for ICAR Institutes and fall under Pay Level 5 of the 7th Central Pay Commission, with a pay range of ₹29,200–₹92,300. Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) posts are for ICAR KVKs and fall under Pay Level 6, with a pay range of ₹35,400–₹1,12,400.

The recruitment is conducted through one centralized examination. A candidate can opt for T-3 only, T-4 only, or both posts. However, this flexibility does not allow a candidate to select several Functional Groups. Only one Functional Group/Subgroup may be chosen, even if the candidate has qualifications that appear to fit more than one group.

Vacancy summary: 1,393 posts

The official Annexure VII provides the detailed UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen distribution. The vacancy numbers are tentative and may change according to ICAR requirements. Candidates should use the functional-group table and the detailed Annexure VII before selecting preferences.

Educational qualification: choose the right Functional Group

Important qualification rule: The relevant degree or diploma must be completed by the last date for submission of the online application. Candidates awaiting final results of the prescribed qualification should not assume eligibility. Check the exact wording in Annexure VIII before applying.

Age limit and relaxation

A candidate must have attained 21 years and must not be more than 30 years of age as on the closing date for online applications, which is 17 December 2026. The notification provides the following upper-age relaxations, subject to the applicable rules and certificates:

OBC candidates must belong to the Central List and satisfy the OBC-NCL conditions. A state-only OBC certificate that does not meet the Central Government format will not provide the OBC-NCL benefit and may require the candidate to apply as General.

Application fee: decide your option before paying

Fee payment is made through Bharatkosh. The candidate must select the Agriculture Ministry purpose, use the specified PAO and DDO details, enter the correct fee description, make payment through card, net banking or UPI, print the receipt and upload it with the application.

Do not make the common mistake of paying first and assuming the application is complete. Mere Bharatkosh payment without successful submission of the ASRB application by the deadline will not be accepted. The fee will not be refunded or carried forward.

Selection process: no interview

The selection process consists of a qualifying Preliminary CBT followed by the Mains CBT. There is no interview. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of Mains performance, subject to qualifying marks, category rules, vacancies, preferences and document verification.

Preliminary CBT pattern

The Preliminary Examination is an objective Computer Based Test of 100 marks. It contains 100 questions to be solved in one hour. Each correct answer carries one mark and 0.25 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.

Preliminary minimum qualifying marks are 30% for UR, 25% for EWS/OBC and 20% for SC/ST/PwBD. Candidates who meet the minimum are not automatically guaranteed a Mains call. Shortlisting is done functional-group-wise and category-wise in a ratio of 1:15 of vacancies.

Mains CBT pattern

The Mains Examination is a domain-specific objective CBT. It contains 100 questions for 300 marks and must be completed in two hours. Each question carries three marks and one mark is deducted for every wrong answer.

The Mains paper tests subject-specific knowledge according to the selected Functional Group/Subgroup. A candidate preparing only general aptitude after qualifying Prelims will be at a serious disadvantage. Domain preparation should begin from the date of application, not after the Preliminary result.

How to apply through ASRB and Bharatkosh

1. Visit the official ASRB website at asrb.gov.in and open the Centralized Combined Examination 2026 application link.
2. Create or complete the online registration using your name, parents’ names, date of birth, email and mobile number exactly as recorded in your certificates.
3. Choose whether you want T-3 only, T-4 only, or both T-3 and T-4.
4. Select exactly one Functional Group/Subgroup for which you possess the required degree or diploma.
5. If applying for both T-3 and T-4, enter the descending order of post preferences carefully. The preference cannot be changed later.
6. Select the Preliminary and Mains examination centres carefully. The notification says that later requests to change the centre will not be entertained.
7. Upload a recent passport-size photograph against a white background. The photograph must be JPG, maximum 200 KB, without spectacles, with the face covering at least two-thirds of the space.
8. Upload a clear black or blue ink signature on white paper in JPG format, maximum 100 KB.
9. Keep scanned qualification, category and other certificates ready in the required JPG format.
10. Pay the correct fee through Bharatkosh. Select Individual, Ministry of Agriculture, the specified purpose, PAO 000001 and DDO 216968 as directed in Annexure I.
11. Enter the payment details and upload the Bharatkosh receipt in the ASRB application.
12. Review the complete form before final payment-detail submission. After payment details are uploaded, modifications are not permitted except through the officially announced correction window.
13. Submit the form successfully and save both the completed application and payment receipt.

Documents and certificates required

• Matriculation or secondary certificate and marksheet for name and date of birth.
• Bachelor’s degree, provisional degree certificate and transcript/marksheets.
• Valid SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwBD or Ex-Servicemen certificate, if applicable.
• Recent photograph and signature in the prescribed size and format.
• One photo identity document, such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport, Driving Licence or another Government-issued photo ID.
• Self-attested copies of documents when the Board opens the document-upload stage.
• No Objection Certificate or required undertaking for eligible candidates already working in ICAR, Central/State Government, scientific institutions or universities.

Certificates in a language other than Hindi or English will not be accepted unless accompanied by a duly attested translation. Candidates must use the prescribed Central Government formats for OBC-NCL, EWS, SC/ST, PwBD and Ex-Servicemen claims. A state-only OBC certificate is not sufficient for the Central OBC-NCL claim.

Preparation strategy for serious aspirants

1. Choose the functional group before choosing the books

The largest vacancy block is Agriculture, with 699 T-3 and 73 T-4 vacancies in the combined Agriculture functional group. However, vacancy size should not be the only deciding factor. Choose a group only if your degree matches Annexure VIII and you can prepare the domain syllabus confidently.

2. Treat Prelims as a speed-and-accuracy examination

Prelims gives equal weight to four sections: General Knowledge, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and General Agriculture. A candidate who is strong in technical subjects but ignores English or aptitude can lose 50 marks of the paper. Practise 100-question, 60-minute mock tests and track the effect of 0.25 negative marking.

3. Start Mains domain preparation immediately

The Preliminary test is only qualifying. The Mains carries 300 marks and determines final merit. Use the official ASRB/ICAR syllabus for your Functional Group and create a topic list. Agriculture candidates should cover crop science, soil science, horticulture, agricultural engineering, biotechnology, food science and allied areas according to the prescribed syllabus. Engineering candidates should follow the relevant engineering discipline rather than a general technical book.

4. Practise negative-marking decisions

In Prelims, four wrong answers can remove one full mark. In Mains, three wrong answers can remove one correct-answer equivalent because one mark is deducted for every wrong answer. Build a rule for when to attempt, when to eliminate options and when to leave a question.

5. Keep category documents ready before the form opens

Reservation benefits are not created by selecting a category in the online form. They depend on a valid certificate in the prescribed format. OBC-NCL candidates should verify their caste in the Central List and confirm that the certificate is valid for Government of India posts.

Exam centres and admission certificate

The notification provides a wide list of tentative Preliminary CBT centres, including Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal, Raipur, Lucknow, Patna, Guwahati and many other cities. Mains centres are also listed separately. Candidates must select centres carefully because requests for change will not be entertained later.

Admission Certificates are expected to become downloadable from the ASRB website about one week before the examination. No separate admission certificate communication will be sent through another channel. Before going to the exam, candidates must carry the admission certificate, the original photo ID uploaded in the application and two passport-size colour photographs.

Smartphones, pagers, smart devices and other electronic gadgets are prohibited at the examination premises. Candidates should not carry valuable items because safe-keeping arrangements cannot be assured.

PwBD scribe and compensatory-time rules

Eligible PwBD candidates may receive a scribe facility according to the disability category and the prescribed certificate. Candidates in the categories specified by the notification must request the ASRB scribe facility or intimate the Board about their own scribe at least ten days before the examination by emailing t3t42026@asrb.gov.in. Eligible candidates may receive compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of the examination. The original PwBD and writing-limitation certificates must be produced as required.

Common mistakes that can cancel candidature

• Selecting more than one Functional Group/Subgroup.
• Assuming that eligibility for several disciplines permits several group choices.
• Choosing a qualification that does not match Annexure VIII.
• Paying Bharatkosh but not completing final ASRB form submission.
• Uploading a blurred photograph, an oversized file or an unclear signature.
• Using an OBC certificate that is not valid for the Central List or OBC-NCL.
• Entering a name or date of birth different from the matriculation certificate.
• Failing to indicate post preferences in descending order when applying for both T-3 and T-4.
• Assuming that an admission certificate guarantees appointment. Eligibility is verified later by ICAR.
• Bringing a mobile phone or smart device to the examination venue.

Frequently asked questions

How many ICAR T3 and T4 vacancies are advertised?

The notification announces 1,393 tentative vacancies: 1,254 Technical Assistant (T-3) vacancies in ICAR Institutes and 139 Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) vacancies in ICAR KVKs.

What is the last date to apply?

The last date for online application and fee payment is 17 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. A correction window is scheduled for 18–20 December 2026.

Can I apply for both T-3 and T-4?

Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements. You may choose T-3 only, T-4 only or both. If you choose both, you must give the order of post preferences. You may still apply for only one Functional Group/Subgroup.

Is there an interview?

No. The notification states that there is no interview. Selection is based on Preliminary CBT shortlisting, Mains CBT performance, document verification and ICAR suitability checks.

What is the age limit?

The basic age range is 21 to 30 years as on the closing date. Relaxations are available for SC/ST, OBC-NCL, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and eligible in-service ICAR technical employees under the stated rules.

What is the Preliminary exam pattern?

It is a 100-question, 100-mark CBT of one hour. General Knowledge, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and General Agriculture carry 25 marks each. There is 0.25 negative marking for every wrong answer.

What is the Mains exam pattern?

The Mains is a domain-specific CBT of 100 questions, 300 marks and two hours. One mark is deducted for every wrong answer. Mains marks determine the final merit.

Final checklist before submitting the ICAR application

• Confirm that your degree or diploma matches one Functional Group/Subgroup.
• Decide whether you want T-3 only, T-4 only or both.
• Check age on 17 December 2026 and calculate applicable relaxation.
• Keep degree, marksheets, category certificates and photo ID ready.
• Prepare the photograph and signature in the prescribed JPG sizes.
• Select Preliminary and Mains centres carefully.
• Pay the correct fee through Bharatkosh and print the receipt.
• Upload the payment receipt and complete final application submission.
• Save the application, registration number and email confirmation.
• Begin both Prelims and Mains preparation; do not wait for the Prelims result.

Official update reminder: Check ASRB’s official website for the application link, syllabus, centre updates, admission certificate, answer key, correction window and results. The official notification and later corrigenda remain final.

Source: Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, Centralized Combined Examination 2026 notification for Technical Assistant (T-3) in ICAR Institutes and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) in ICAR KVKs, dated 11 November 2026. This article is an aspirant-friendly summary; the official notification, Annexures and later corrigenda remain final.