Agricultural science is a dynamic field and closely related to food security and sustainable farming. Agricultural scientists and engineers are constantly researching to grow crops in a way that protects the environment and ensures steady food production without compromising nutrient quality. They are also exploring ways to improve food processing, storage techniques and scientific practices of livestock management.
Now, India, being the second most populated country in the world, has been trying to strengthen its agriculture-dependent economy since independence through several policy interventions. As part of the several coordinated efforts to introduce scientific farming practices across Agri-production processes, the Government of India established a model recruitment platform for agricultural scientists – Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board. Since its inception, the Board has judiciously maintained the standard of agricultural science education, research and its application in the field through a cadre of academically qualified, professionally trained scientists. The result is evident. We no longer depend on other countries to feed our people. So, do you want to learn more about the Board and Agriculture Research Services? Read on
It is an independent recruitment agency that was established in 1973 with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers. Initially, it worked in close association with ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research); however, recently, in 2018, the Board was delinked from its former association with ICAR and brought under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. At the same time, it also got associated with the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE).
The ICAR Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board currently conducts entrance tests to recruit entry-level junior agricultural scientists, under the Agricultural Research Services all India cadre.
The current chairman of the Board is Prof (Dr) Anil Kumar Srivastava.
Organisation chart of the ASRB -
Mandates (ASRB responsibility) to the Board
Along with the recent restructuring in the ASRB, the Government of India has also renewed specific mandates that the Board is responsible for delivering.
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Managing recruitment process to the posts in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the ICAR and recruitment to other posts and related services specified by the President, ICAR.
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Rendering other assistance related to personnel management, including promotion, as specified by the President, ICAR.
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Advising the ICAR on disciplinary matters relating to recruited personnel through ASRB or appointed in consultation with the Board by the Council.
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Recruitment to entry-level agricultural scientist positions of the Agricultural Research Services through an All-India Competitive Examination.
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Assessment for merit-based promotion and granting advance increments to agricultural scientists of the Services.
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Conducting NET or National Eligibility Test for the initial recruitment to Assistant Professor/Lecturer positions in various State Agricultural Universities.
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Recruiting the combined cadres of Administrative Officers (AO)/Finance & Accounts (F&A) Officers of the Council.
Agricultural Research Services
Agricultural Research Services can be an excellent gateway for anyone willing to build a career in agricultural research in India, especially in state agricultural universities, research institutes and other government-recruited agricultural science research positions.
The ARS examination consists of these 3 levels - Preliminary, Main and Interview.
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Preliminary is the qualifying examination consisting of a single paper of 150 marks with negative marking. For every correct answer, you get 1 mark, while 1/3rd is deducted for every incorrect response. The duration is 2 hours and the mode of examination is computer-based.
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Main examination is for candidates who have passed the qualifying Prelims exam. It consists of 240 marks, segregated into Part A, B and C; the duration of the Main exam is 3 hours.
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Viva-voce or Interview is for candidates who have successfully qualified in the Main. It carries 60 marks and tests the suitability of candidates through direct, natural and purpose-driven conversations.
Career Progression Scheme (CAS)
An entry-level agricultural scientist recruited through ARS can get promoted up to the rank of Secretary to the Government of India based on seniority in the cadre, higher academic qualifications (PhD, Post-Doc) and qualifying in open examinations. Junior agricultural researchers in the ARS cadre also get study leaves to pursue PhD and other higher studies.
ASRB Recruitment 2022
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Release of notification: 30th March 2022.
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Starting date of online form submission: 5th April 2022
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Last date of form submission: May 2022
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Admit card release timeline: June 2022
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Prelims ARS Exam: 21st to 27th July 2022
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Main ARS Exam: 19th September 2022
How can you join ARS?
If you are interested in government jobs and wish to pursue your interests in agricultural science research, Agricultural Research Services is a perfect choice. It is an all-India cadre competitive exam, just like the Indian Administrative Services.
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Age criteria: Minimum 21 years and maximum 32 years
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Academic qualification: Masters in disciplines related to agricultural science like - Agricultural Biotechnology, Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural Microbiology, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Plant Biochemistry and more
Suitable academic qualifications for appearing in the ARS
In case you are pursuing BSc (Hons) Agriculture, BSc Biotechnology or similar bachelor programmes, you must already know a lot about how to be ready to appear in the ARS after your post-graduation.
If you are in class 10 or class 12, you should keep the following pointers in mind.
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First, you need to have Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) or Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) or Agriculture Science in Class 12 exam to join any BSc programme in agriculture science and related subjects.
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Second, post-graduation is the minimum qualifying degree for the Agricultural Research Services. And it isn't easy to pursue any MSc programme without good marks in bachelor courses.
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As per the revised ARS qualification, candidates need a PhD as minimum qualification for recruitment to Pay Band-3 positions with revised grade pay. So, it is always helpful to join a PhD programme while appearing in the ARS exam. It can offer better value at the Interview level.
Best courses to pursue after class 12 science for ARS
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BSc (Hons) Agriculture
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BSc (Biotechnology)
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BTech (Biotechnology Engineering)
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Integrated BSc (Agriculture) + MBA (Agribusiness)
Finally
Now, you have a basic understanding of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board and their flagship examination – the ARS. The agricultural industry is a vast field with tremendous career growth opportunities. Studying agricultural science in your bachelor's and master’s cannot go wrong, as we have a sizeable private farming sector in India to absorb students skilled in agricultural science research. Just make sure you choose a reputed institute that has the faculty and infrastructure needed for succeeding in this field. You can consider RNB Global University for instance, as ours is a UGC-approved top-of-the-line institute of higher education for studying agricultural science in undergraduate, post-graduate and doctorate programmes. You can
get in touch with our friendly academic counsellors for more guidance.