Agricultural Universities to Accept Agriculture as Intermediate Subject for BSc Admissions Under ICAR Quota

What's Happening?

Agricultural universities across India have agreed to admit students for the BSc Agriculture course with Agriculture as one of the intermediate subjects under the ICAR quota. This decision addresses a long-standing grievance of students who had cleared the ICAR All India Competitive Examination but were denied admission due to restrictive eligibility norms. The ICAR quota accounts for 20% of seats across 50 agricultural universities, offering 3,121 seats filled through the national-level exam conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Until now, most universities only admitted candidates with subject combinations such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics, excluding those with Agriculture at the intermediate level. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed that the revised criteria will come into effect from the 2025-26 academic year, ensuring uniform opportunities nationwide.

Why It's Important?

This change is significant as it makes BSc Agriculture admissions more inclusive and accessible for students from diverse educational backgrounds. By allowing Agriculture as an intermediate subject, the policy directly benefits approximately 3,000 students who previously faced barriers despite their success in entrance exams. The decision is expected to streamline the admission process and eliminate complexities related to eligibility criteria, thus promoting educational equity. It also highlights the importance of Agriculture as a subject, potentially encouraging more students to pursue careers in the agricultural sector, which is vital for the economy and food security.

What's Next?

Of the 50 universities, 42 have already accepted the ABC (Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry) subject combination, while three universities have approved the PCA (Physics, Chemistry, Agriculture) combination. The remaining five institutions are expected to include Agriculture as a subject in their eligibility from the 2026-27 session, though discussions are ongoing to implement it from the current academic year. This ongoing dialogue suggests a continued effort to make the admissions process more inclusive and responsive to student needs.

Beyond the Headlines

The decision to include Agriculture as an intermediate subject in BSc admissions under the ICAR quota may have broader implications for educational policy and curriculum development. It could lead to increased recognition of Agriculture as a critical field of study, influencing how educational institutions prioritize and integrate agricultural education into their programs. This shift may also encourage innovation and research in agricultural sciences, contributing to advancements in sustainable farming practices and food production.