The Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), operating under the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE), Government of India, has released a landmark centralized recruitment notification (F. No. 2(2)/2025-Exam, dated 11 November 2026). The Board will conduct the Centralized Combined Examination – 2026 for direct recruitment to the posts of Technical Assistant (T-3) in Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across India.
This mega technical recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 1,393 vacancies, comprising 1,254 posts for Technical Assistant (T-3) and 139 posts for Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) across 10 specialized functional groups including Agriculture, Animal Science, Fisheries Science, Home Science, Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Library Science, and Information Technology. Graduates holding relevant Bachelor’s degrees or 3-year Engineering Diplomas can submit their online applications via the official ASRB website at www.asrb.gov.in from 18 November 2026 to 17 December 2026 (upto 11:59 PM).
Selection will be made strictly on the basis of Computer-Based Preliminary and Mains Examinations with NO Interview. Selected Technical Assistants (T-3) will be placed at 7th CPC Pay Level-5 (Rs. 29,200 – Rs. 92,300/-) and Senior Technical Assistants (T-4) at Pay Level-6 (Rs. 35,400 – Rs. 1,12,400/-). Below is the complete guide covering vacancy distributions, Bharatkosh fee guidelines, eligibility norms, exam pattern, official syllabus links, and application steps.
ASRB ICAR T-3 & T-4 Recruitment 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), New Delhi |
| Parent Department / Council | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) / DARE |
| Notification Reference | F. No. 2(2)/2025-Exam (Dated: 11 November 2026) |
| Posts Advertised | Technical Assistant (T-3) & Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,393 Posts (T-3: 1,254, T-4: 139) |
| Pay Scale (7th CPC) | T-3: Level-5 (Rs. 29,200 – 92,300/-) | T-4: Level-6 (Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400/-) |
| Selection Process | Preliminary CBT Exam + Mains CBT Exam (No Interview) |
| Preliminary Exam Schedule | February 2027 (Tentative) |
| Application Mode | Online Only (One Functional Group Per Candidate) |
| Application Fee | Rs. 300/- (Single Post) | Rs. 600/- (Both); SC/ST/PwBD/Women/ESM: Nil |
| Registration Window | 18 November 2026 to 17 December 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Official Website | www.asrb.gov.in |
ASRB Combined Examination 2026 Important Dates
| Event / Milestone | Scheduled Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Issued Date | 11 November 2026 |
| Starting Date for Online Application Form | 18 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application & Fee Payment | 17 December 2026 (Till 11:59 PM) |
| Application Form Correction Window (with Fee) | 18 December 2026 to 20 December 2026 |
| Combined Preliminary CBT Examination Date | February 2027 (Exact dates notified later) |
| Combined Mains CBT Examination Date | To be announced after Prelims results |
Application Fee & Bharatkosh Payment Structure
Candidates can apply for T-3 only, T-4 only, or both posts within a single Functional Group. Fees must be remitted exclusively via the Bharatkosh portal (bharatkosh.gov.in):
| Candidate Category | For Technical Assistant (T-3) Only | For Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) Only | For Both T-3 and T-4 Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) Candidates | Rs. 300/- | Rs. 300/- | Rs. 600/- |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) / OBC (NCL) | Rs. 150/- | Rs. 150/- | Rs. 300/- |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women / Transgender / Ex-Servicemen | NIL (Rs. 0/-) | NIL (Rs. 0/-) | NIL (Rs. 0/-) |
Age Limit & Relaxation Norms (As on 17/12/2026)
- Minimum Age Limit: 21 Years as on 17 December 2026.
- Maximum Age Limit: 30 Years as on the closing date of online applications (17/12/2026).
- Upper Age Limit Relaxations:
- SC / ST Candidates: +05 Years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates: +03 Years
- PwBD Candidates: +10 Years (Cumulative with SC/ST/OBC relaxations)
- Ex-Servicemen: Military service rendered + 03 Years
- ICAR In-Service Regular Technical Employees: Upper age limit up to 40 Years (plus category relaxation)
- ICAR Contractual RAs / SRFs: Relaxation equal to continuous contractual spell served in ICAR projects (maximum up to 16 years 3 months)
ASRB T-3 & T-4 Vacancy Details 2026 (Functional Group-Wise)
A total of 1,393 vacancies (UR: 642, OBC: 306, SC: 178, ST: 97, EWS: 170, including 30 PwBD & 74 Ex-SM slots) are distributed across ICAR Institutes and KVKs as follows:
| S.No. | Name of the Functional Group / Post | TA (T-3) ICAR Institutes | STA (T-4) ICAR KVKs | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Field Farm Technician & Laboratory Technician (Agriculture) | 699 (FPT: 476, Lab Tech: 223) | 73 (FPT: 47, Lab Tech: 26) | 772 |
| 2. | Field Farm Technician & Laboratory Technician (Animal Science) | 115 (FPT: 50, Lab Tech: 65) | 09 (FPT: 01, Lab Tech: 08) | 124 |
| 3. | Field Farm Technician & Laboratory Technician (Fisheries Science) | 90 (FPT: 57, Lab Tech: 33) | 07 (Lab Tech: 07) | 97 |
| 4. | Field Farm Technician & Lab Technician (Home / Community Science) | 05 (FPT: 02, Lab Tech: 03) | 02 (FPT: 01, Lab Tech: 01) | 07 |
| 5. | Workshop Staff (Civil Engineering) | 51 | — | 51 |
| 6. | Workshop Staff (Agricultural Engineering) | 42 | — | 42 |
| 7. | Workshop Staff (Electrical Engineering) | 35 | — | 35 |
| 8. | Workshop Staff (Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering) | 25 | — | 25 |
| 9. | Library / Information / Documentation Staff | 59 | — | 59 |
| 10. | Information Technology (IT) | 133 | 48 | 181 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,254 Posts | 139 Posts | 1,393 Posts | |
Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualifications (Annexure-VIII)
Important Rule: A candidate is permitted to apply for ONLY ONE Functional Group/Subgroup regardless of possessing eligibility in multiple groups. Qualifying degrees must be completed on or before 17 December 2026:
| Functional Group | Required Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| 1. Agriculture (Field Farm / Lab Tech) | Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture / Horticulture / Agriculture Engineering / Agro-forestry / Food Science / Biotechnology / Environmental Science / Home Science / Community Science / Natural Farming. |
| 2. Social Science – Home / Community Science | Bachelor’s Degree in Home Science / Community Science. |
| 3. Animal Science | B.V.Sc. & A.H. (Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry). |
| 4. Fisheries Science | B.F.Sc. (Bachelor of Fisheries Science). |
| 5. Workshop Staff (Civil Engg) | B.Tech / B.E. OR Three-Year Diploma in Civil Engineering from a recognized University/Institute. |
| 6. Workshop Staff (Agricultural Engg) | B.Tech / B.E. OR Three-Year Diploma in Agricultural Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Textile Technology / Fiber Processing Engineering. |
| 7. Workshop Staff (Electrical Engg) | B.Tech / B.E. OR Three-Year Diploma in Electrical Engineering. |
| 8. Workshop Staff (Electronics & Instru. Engg) | B.Tech / B.E. OR Three-Year Diploma in Electronics Engineering / Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering. |
| 9. Library / Documentation Staff | Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science / Library & Information Science (B.Lib / B.LISc). |
| 10. Information Technology | Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Application (BCA) / Computer Science / IT, OR B.Tech / B.E. in IT / CS / ECE (Electronics & Communication Engineering). |
Pay Scale & 7th CPC Salary Structure
- Technical Assistant (T-3) – ICAR Institutes (Category-II): Placed at Pay Level-5 (Rs. 29,200 – Rs. 92,300/-) of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix plus Central Government DA, HRA, and TA allowances.
- Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) – ICAR KVKs: Placed at Pay Level-6 (Rs. 35,400 – Rs. 1,12,400/-) of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix plus standard Central Government allowances.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern (Prelims & Mains)
There shall be NO Personal Interview. Selection is determined purely by merit in the Mains CBT Examination following a two-tier CBT process:
1. Stage-I: Combined Preliminary CBT Examination (Qualifying)
| Section | Subject | Questions | Max Marks | Duration & Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | General Knowledge | 25 | 25 | Total Time: 01 Hour (60 Minutes) Medium: Bilingual (Hindi & English) Negative Marking: 1/4 mark (0.25 marks) deducted for each wrong answer. Shortlisting Ratio: 1:15 for Mains. |
| 2. | General English | 25 | 25 | |
| 3. | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | |
| 4. | General Agriculture | 25 | 25 | |
| Total Prelims Exam | 100 Qs | 100 Marks | Qualifying in Nature | |
2. Stage-II: Combined Mains CBT Examination (Final Merit)
| Paper Type | Total Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration & Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain / Subject-Specific Paper (Based on chosen Functional Group) | 100 Objective MCQs | 300 Marks (3 Marks per Question) |
Total Time: 02 Hours (120 Minutes) Negative Marking: 1/3 marks (1.0 mark) deducted for each incorrect answer. |
Minimum Qualifying Marks (Both Prelims & Mains):
- Unreserved (UR): 30% Marks
- EWS / OBC Candidates: 25% Marks
- SC / ST / PwBD Candidates: 20% Marks
Exam Centres for Prelims & Mains CBT
- Preliminary CBT Centres: Tentatively scheduled across 62 Cities nationwide (including Delhi NCR, Patna, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Bhopal, Indore, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Guwahati, etc.).
- Mains CBT Centres: Scheduled across 31 Major State Capital / Metro Cities nationwide.
How to Apply Online for ASRB T-3 & T-4 Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates can submit their online applications between 18 November and 17 December 2026 by following these instructions:
- Visit Official ASRB Website: Open www.asrb.gov.in and click on the online application link for “Centralized Combined Examination-2026 for TA (T-3) / STA (T-4)”.
- One Time Registration (OTR): Complete Part-I OTR registration using your Name, Father’s Name, Mother’s Name, Date of Birth, active Email ID, and Mobile Number.
- Select Functional Group & Post Option: Choose your single eligible Functional Group/Subgroup and specify whether applying for T-3 only, T-4 only, or both (and set order of post preference in descending order).
- Select Exam Centres & Enter Educational Data: Choose your Prelims and Mains exam centres carefully and fill in Matriculation and Graduation/Diploma details.
- Upload Scanned Documents:
- Recent colour passport photograph against white background without spectacles (max 200 KB, .jpg format, face covering 2/3rd frame).
- Signature in blue/black ink on white paper (max 100 KB, .jpg format).
- Scanned Photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter ID/PAN/Passport/DL) and separate certificates (max 100 KB each, .jpg format).
- Pay Application Fee via Bharatkosh: Visit bharatkosh.gov.in → Quick Payment → Depositor: Individual → Ministry: Agriculture → Purpose: ‘Examination/Certificate fee for ARS/NET/SMS/STO/FAO/AO’ → PAO: 000001 (PAO Sectt-I) → DDO: 216968 (Add. ASRB, Chayan Bhavan) → Enter payment remarks, complete payment, and upload the payment receipt in your ASRB form.
- Final Submission & Print: Verify every field carefully (no modification is allowed post fee upload) and submit before 17 December 2026 (11:59 PM). Print the application form for future document verification.
Important Links
| Resource / Document | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| ASRB Online Application Portal (Active from 18 Nov 2026) | Apply Online Link |
| Download Official ASRB T-3 & T-4 Notification PDF (2026) | Download Notification PDF |
| Latest Government Job Updates | Visit Placement Store |
Conclusion
The ASRB ICAR Technical Assistant (T-3) & Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) Recruitment 2026 represents one of the most comprehensive national technical openings in agricultural research, veterinary sciences, fisheries, engineering, library sciences, and IT. With 1,393 permanent Group ‘B’ positions offering Level-5 and Level-6 7th CPC pay scales and merit selection strictly through CBT exams with zero interview bias, eligible graduates and engineering diploma holders have a transparent pathway into ICAR Institutes and KVKs.
Prospective applicants should carefully select their single eligible functional group, complete fee payment via Bharatkosh, and submit their online forms on www.asrb.gov.in between 18 November 2026 and 17 December 2026 (11:59 PM) ahead of the February 2027 Preliminary Examination.
Disclaimer: This recruitment article is compiled on the basis of official Notification F. No. 2(2)/2025-Exam issued by the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) for informational guidance. Candidates are strictly advised to consult the official ASRB portal (asrb.gov.in) for exact functional group vacancies, official appendices, syllabus details, and exam date announcements prior to applying.
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