All India Competitive Examination for the Award of ICAR s Senior Research Fellowship to pursue Ph.D. Degree Programmes AICE-SRF(PGS)-2014

Transcription

1 INFORMATION BULLETIN All India Competitive Examination for the Award of ICAR s Senior Research Fellowship to pursue Ph.D. Degree Programmes AICE-SRF(PGS)-2014 Examination Cell Education Division Indian Council of Agricultural Research Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-II, Pusa New Delhi

2 INDEX S. No. Description Page No. Important Information at a Glance 4 Directions for Candidates Introduction Discipline/Subject-wise Groups, Subject Code and Tentative Number of Senior 6 Research Fellowships 3.0 Conditions for the Award of SRF (PGS) Eligibility Requirements Age Reservation Procedure for Application General Instructions for Filling of Online Application Selection of the Candidates Value and Tenure of Fellowship Examination Procedure 11.1 General Scheme of Examination Checking/Changing Question Booklet Writing Answers on OMR Answer Sheet Changing an Answer Wrong/Incorrect Way of Marking Rough Work No Re-Checking/Re-Evaluation of OMR Answer Sheets Legal Jurisdiction 18 ANNEXURES I Syllabus for the Competitive Examination for the Selection of ICAR SRF(PGS) 19 II Examination City Centres and Nodal Officers' Contact Addresses 115 III Employment Status of In-service Candidates 116 IV Physically Challenged/Physical Disability Certificate 117 V Universities along with the Contact Details of Registrars for Seeking Admission 118 after the Award of SRF(PGS) VI Proforma of Caste Certificate for Scheduled Caste/Tribe Candidates 121 VII Proforma of Certificate for Other Backward Classes (OBC) Applying for Admission 123 to Central Educational Institutions (CEIs) under the Government of India VIII Sponsorship Certificatefor in-service candidates 125 IX Domicile State Codes for SRF(PGS) 126 X List of SAUs/DUs/CAU/CUs from Where Graduated/Postgraduated 127 XI A Stream in Post Graduate Degree 129 XII B College of Postgraduation Specimen Copy of OMR Answer Sheet OTHER ATTACHMENTS WITH THIS BULLETIN Admit Card (Office Copy and Candidate Copy) Syndicate Bank Challan Proforma NEFT Challan Proforma

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4 INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (EDUCATION DIVISION) KRISHI ANUSANDHAN BHAVAN-II PUSA, NEW DELHI The Deputy Director General (Education) Indian Council of Agricultural Research Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-II Pusa, New Delhi Assistant Director General (HRD)/ Controller of Examinations (Edn) - COE Education Division Indian Council of Agricultural Research R. No. 216, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-II Pusa, New Delhi Help Line No Fax No ALL CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING ALL INDIA COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR ICAR'S SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE CONTROLLER OF EXAMINATIONS (EDN), EDUCATION DIVISION, INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, R. No. 216, KRISHI ANUSANDHAN BHAVAN-II, PUSA, NEW DELHI (This information Bulletin should not be treated as a legal document) IMPORTANT INFORMATION AT A GLANCE Downloading Information Bulletin and Submission of Online 20 th December, 2013 Application. Candidates will apply ONLINE only (For details, to please refer to Information Bulletin uploaded on the ICAR 7 th February, 2014 website: Application Fee of Rs. 1,200/- for General/OBC and Rs. 600/- for SC/ST/PC categories will be chargeable. Except for payment through NEFT mode, additional ` 25/- per application will be payable as bank charges plus service tax, etc. IMPORTANT DATES (i) Last Date for Receipt of Online Application Including Computer 7 th February, 2014 Generated Confirmation Copy of Online Application (ii) Last Date for Receipt of Computer Generated Confirmation 14 th February, 2014 Copy of Online Application from Remote Areas (iii) Admit Card and Roll No. Query, if any (Please note that After 3 rd week of March, 2014 the admit card information will be uploaded on the ICAR website ( (iv) Date and Time of Examination (Sunday) 10:00 A.M. 01:00 P.M. (3 hrs.) (v) Likely Date of Declaration of Result After 3 rd week of May, 2014 All announcements including roll number, admit card information, declaration of result, general notices, etc. will be available at the ICAR website ( Candidates are advised in their own interest to keep in touch with the website or contact office of COE or Nodal Officer of the Examination City Centre for Examination Venue and Roll Number only. Note: Office of COE may be telephonically contacted on any working day at between A.M. to 5.00 P.M. 4

5 Directions for Candidates 1. Day and date of examination : (Sunday) 2. Duration : A.M. to P.M. (3 hrs) 3. (a) Please verify before mailing the Computer generated Confirmation copy of Online application that: (i) The application has been signed and Thumb Impression put at specified places (ii) Recent passport size (3.5x4.5 cm) colour photograph has been pasted in the specified space (iii) Candidate has made the declaration in his/her own handwriting (iv) Certificate of Postgraduation study (for candidates in the final semester of study) by the Registrar of the University with his seal has been included. (b) Documents to be enclosed with Confirmation copy of Online application: (a) Proof of payment of application fee (b) Office copy of the duly attested Admit Card (c) Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC - wherever applicable) (d) Certificate of Physically Challenged (PC) category, wherever applicable (e) Proof of date of birth/matriculation certificate (f) Sponsorship Certificate/Declaration by the Employer of the Candidate (for in- service candidates) (g) Attested photocopy of (i) PG Degree (ii) Final PG Mark Sheet 4. Candidates are advised Not to Fold the filled-in Computer Generated Confirmation Copy of Online Application and the accompanying documents. Documents sent along Should Not Be Stapled to the Application. Application and other documents contained in suitable-sized envelopes superscribed "APPLICATION FOR SRF(PGS)-2014" and mentioning Major Subject and Sub-subject Names with Code Nos. should be dispatched by Speed Post/Registered Post only well in advance so as to positively reach on or before 7 th February, In case of remote areas, as specified in the Information Bulletin, the applications should reach on or before 14 th February, 2014 to the office of COE (Edn). No application through any other mode like Fax, or courier service will be accepted. 5. A candidate is allowed to submit only one Application. If a candidate submits more than one Application, his/ her candidature shall be cancelled. 6. Incomplete application, without accompanying documents indicated above, will be rejected. Incomplete/Unsigned/Mutilated Application without Photograph/with unclear Photograph/having overwriting/without requisite fee amount or amount lesser than prescribed fee shall be summarily rejected and no correspondence shall be entertained in this regard. 7. Request for change in any particular in the Application shall not be entertained under any circumstances. 8. Admission of a candidate to the examination is provisional subject to his/her being found otherwise eligible for the grant of Fellowship. 9. Use or attempt to use unfair means of any kind for this examination including impersonation will automatically lead to the cancellation of candidature at any stage besides attracting legal action as deemed fit against the candidate. 10. Candidates are advised to retain a copy of (i) Computer generated confirmation copy of online application (ii) Candidate copy of admit card (iii) Three identical copies of recent passport size (3.5 x 4.5 cm) colour photographs as pasted on confirmation copy of online application (iv) Copy of proof of payment of application fee and (v) Proof of postal dispatch of application. 11. Changes, if any, in the scheme of examination will be notified on ICAR website ( 12. Candidate is required to seek any information as per scheduled date and time only. Please Note: i) ICAR shall not be held responsible for non-receipt of applications within time schedule due to postal delay or any other reasons. ii) Applications received after the due date will not be considered. iii) The records of the SRF (PGS) Competitive Examination shall be preserved for a period of six months only from the declaration of results. Controller of Examinations (Edn) - COE Education Division Indian Council of Agricultural Research R. No. 216, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-II Help Desk Phone No Pusa, New Delhi Tel Fax No

6 ALL INDIA COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION, SRF (PGS) 2014, FOR ICAR S SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP TO PURSUE Ph.D. DEGREE PROGRAMMES IN AGRICULTURE & ALLIED SCIENCES 1.0 INTRODUCTION Agricultural education plays an important role in the overall development of the country. Considering the importance of agricultural education, the Education Commission in 1948 recommended the establishment of Rural Universities in the country. As a result of the recommendation made under the Chairmanship of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the first State Agricultural University was established in 1960 at Pantnagar on the pattern of the Land Grant Colleges of the United States. Today, the country has 56 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), 5 Deemed-to-be-Universities (DUs), 4 Central Universities (CUs) having faculty of agriculture and a Central Agricultural University. Thus, the National Agricultural Research and Education System of India is one of the largest in the world, admitting more than 15,000 graduates, 11,000 post-graduates, and 2,500 Ph.Ds annually, in different disciplines of agricultural and allied sciences. The growth achieved in agricultural sector has been attributed to the concerted efforts of skilled human resource developed through Agricultural Education System (AES). After independence, from the state of deficiency, country has attained the stage of self-sufficiency in food grain production. It has enabled the country to increase production of food grains by 4-fold, horticultural crops by 6-fold, fish by 9-fold (marine 5-fold and inland 17-fold), milk by 6-fold, and eggs by 27-fold since In order to make the National Agricultural Research and Education System more effective, to improve standards of education and to develop human resources to meet the requirements of 21 st century, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) awards 202 Senior Research Fellowships to the candidates who are selected through this Competitive Examination, conducted in 16 Major subject groups comprising 56 subsubjects/disciplines, and take admission in Ph.D. Degree programmes with partial course work in universities under ICAR-AU system. The Competitive examination is conducted at 17 centres in the country to enable a large number of students to appear for this examination in different disciplines of Agriculture and Allied Sciences. 2.0 DISCIPLINE/SUBJECT-WISE GROUPS, SUBJECT CODES AND TENTATIVE NUMBER OF SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS Based on compatibility with their subject area at postgraduation level, the candidates are advised to select one Major Subject and one Sub-subject for Ph.D. from the following Table for appearing in the examination. Major Major Subject Subject Group Code 01 Crop Sciences-I Subsubject Code Sub- subject for Ph.D. Total No. of Fellowships(SRF) General / OBC SC ST PC* Total 1.1 Genetics & Plant Breeding Economic Botany & Plant Genetic Resources 1.3 Seed Science & Technology Crop 2.1 Plant Pathology Sciences-II 2.2 Nematology Agricultural Entomology Agricultural Chemicals Crop 3.1 Plant Biochemistry Sciences-III 3.2 Plant Physiology Agricultural Biotechnology Agricultural Microbiology Horticulture 4.1 Vegetable Science Fruit Science Floriculture & Landscaping 4.4 Spices, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants 6

7 Major Major Subject Subject Group Code 05 Veterinary and Animal Sciences-I 06 Veterinary and Animal Sciences-II 07 Veterinary and Animal Sciences-III 08 Dairy Science, Dairy Technology & Food Technology 09 Agricultural Engineering and Technology 10 Home Sciences 11 Fishery Sciences 12 Natural Resource Management- I 13 Natural Resource Management II Subsubject Code Sub- subject for Ph.D. Total No. of Fellowships(SRF) General / OBC SC ST PC* Total 5.1 Animal Genetics & Breeding 5.2 Animal Nutrition Livestock Production Management 5.4 Livestock Products Technology 5.5 Poultry Science Animal Physiology Veterinary Parasitology Veterinary Public Health Animal Biochemistry Animal Biotechnology Veterinary Microbiology Veterinary Pathology Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Pharmacology Animal Reproduction & Gynaecology 7.4 Veterinary Surgery Veterinary Anatomy Dairy Chemistry Food Technology Dairy Microbiology Dairy Technology Farm Machinery and Power 9.2 Agricultural Structures and Environmental Management 9.3 Land and Water Management Engineering 9.4 Agricultural Process Engineering Home Sciences Aquaculture Fisheries Resource Management 11.3 Fish Process Technology Fish Nutrition Fish Health Fish Genetics & Breeding Forestry/ Agroforestry Agricultural Meteorology Environmental Sciences Agronomy Soil Sciences

8 Major Major Subject Subject Group Code 14 Agricultural Economics & Agri- Business Management 15 Agricultural Extension 16 Agricultural Statistics Subsubject Code Sub- subject in Ph.D. Total No. of Fellowships(SRF) General / OBC SC ST PC* Total 14.1 Agricultural Economics Agricultural Business Management 15.1 Agricultural Extension Agricultural Statistics Total * 3% reservation in ICAR SRF(PGS) for Physically Challenged (PC) category will be horizontal across all categories, i.e. such candidates would draw SRF from the GEN/SC/ST category to which they belong Note: Eligibility qualification is Master's degree in the relevant subject 3.0 CONDITIONS FOR THE AWARD OF SRF(PGS) (i) ICAR-SRF (PGS) will be awarded on the basis of merit secured in the All India Competitive Examination for ICAR-SRF (PGS) leading to admission in Ph.D. degree programme in State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Deemed-to-be-Universities of ICAR (IARI New Delhi, IVRI Izatnagar, NDRI Karnal and CIFE Mumbai), SHIATS (Allahabad), Central Agricultural University (Imphal, Manipur), and Central Universities having faculty of agriculture, viz. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Viswa Bharati, and Nagaland University (School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development), hereinafter referred to as the Agricultural Universities (AUs). The fellowship will NOT be available for admission in any university other than the AUs as mentioned above. (ii) The fellowship will be admissible to persons of Indian Nationality as defined in the Constitution of India or persons domiciled in India. (iii) Fellowship would be granted only when the candidate gets eventually admitted and pursues Ph.D. degree from an Agricultural University (AU) other than the Agricultural University (AU) of completing M.Sc./M.V.Sc./M.F.Sc./M.E./M.Tech. degree, except for ICAR Deemed-to-be-Universities. (iv) ICAR-SRF (PGS) will be effective from the date of registering in the Ph.D. programme in any AU or effective from the date of awa rd of ICAR- SRF (PGS), whichever is later. The award of ICAR-SRF (PGS) can be availed within a period of one year from the date of issue of the award letter for seeking admission in Ph.D. programme in the qualifying subject at any AU as per Annexure-V. It will not be extended under any circumstances. (v) If already registered as a full time Ph.D. Scholar, he/she should not have completed two years on the date of examination. The onus of verification shall lie with the candidate and the admitting University. (vi) Duration of ICAR-SRF (PGS) will be for three years and in no case it will be extended beyond the period of three years. (vii) SRF will be awarded subject to verification of credentials by the University/Institute where the candidate seeks admission. (viii) No TA and DA will be paid to the candidate for appearing in the Examination at the Centres or for joining the University. (ix) For admission, eligibility conditions of the admitting University/Institute will be applicable. (x) In case of in-service candidates, the fellowship will be awarded provided the awardee joins the University/Institute other than where he/she is working. For such candidates, in receipt of full/partial leave salary from their parent organization, the amount of ICAR-SRF shall be limited to Rs. 3,000/- p.m. in addition to the research contingency as applicable to fresh candidates. (xi) The fellowship will be tenable only at the University/Institute where Ph.D. programme consists of both course and research work. 8

9 4.0 ELIGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS Indian nationals having passed Master s Degree programme securing an Overall Grade Point Average (OGPA) of at least 6.50/10.00 scale, 3.25/5.00 scale, 2.60/4.00 scale for General and OBC Categories and 5.50/10.00, 2.75/5.00, 2.20/4.00 scale for SC/ST/Physically Challenged (PC) categories, respectively from any recognized University in India and abroad would be eligible. In other cases, where grade-points are not awarded and only marks are awarded, the candidate must have secured at least 60% marks for General/OBC Category. For SC/ST/PC candidates, the minimum percentage of marks will be 50%. The equivalence of OGPA to percent marks, where needed, will be certified by the Registrar of the concerned University and must be produced by the candidates. Candidates appearing in the final semester would also be eligible provided they complete the Postgraduate degree in all respects by the date of examination, i.e. 13 th April, 2014 and produce the degree-completion certificate from the Registrar to this effect latest by 30 th April, The candidates who have already joined Ph.D. should not have completed two years as on the date of examination. The above eligibility conditions will also apply to in-service candidates. It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to check his/her eligibility for SRF(PGS) examination and seeking subsequent admission before applying. ICAR will not be held responsible for refusing ICAR-SRF(PGS) to any ineligible candidate. The candidates kindly note that: (i) Senior Research Fellowship is a financial assistance given by ICAR for pursuing Ph.D. degree in the field of Agriculture and Allied sciences. (ii) Merely qualifying the examination will not guarantee SRF. Only thos e candidates will be eligible for SRF who come in the merit list and join the University within stipulated time. (iii) Candidates will have to take admission on their own and there will not be any responsibility of ICAR in securing admission for the candidates. (iv) For many courses, the Universities have diversified eligibility conditions. The candidate has to meet the prescribed eligibility conditions of the University where admission is sought. (v) The in-service candidates qualifying for SRF will arrange for study leave/leave of the kind due from their respective organizations themselves and ICAR will not intervene in this regard. (vi) The in-service candidates must be working in ICAR Institutes, DUs, SAUs, CAU, CUs having faculty of agriculture, Central Government/State Government Departments dealing in Agriculture and Allied Sectors and Public Sector Undertakings dealing with Agriculture and Allied Sectors (Annexure III). In-service candidates seeking admission to ICAR-DUs should see respective University s website for the details. Eligibility qualifications at Master s level for the award of SRF(PGS) in different subjects/disciplines in Ph.D. are as under: Major Subject Group Code Major Subject Sub-subject in Ph.D. 01 Crop Sciences-I Genetics & Plant Breeding 02 Crop Sciences- II Economic Botany & Plant Genetic Resources Seed Science & Technology Plant Pathology Nematology Agricultural Entomology Agricultural Chemicals Eligibility Qualifications for SAU/CAU, etc. (Master s Degree in) Master s degree in Agriculture/ Agricultural Botany/Botany/Plant Breeding/Genetics/Genetics and Plant Breeding. Master s degree in Agriculture/ Botany/ Horticulture with specialization in Agricultural Botany/ Economic Botany/ Plant Genetic Resources. Master s degree in Agriculture/ Seed Science/ Seed Technology or Seed Science and Technology. Master s degree in Agriculture/ Botany/ Life Sciences/ Plant Protection with specialization in Plant Pathology/ Mycology. Master s degree in Agriculture /Nematology/ Entomology/ Plant Pathology/ Zoology/ Plant Protection with specialization in Nematology. Master s degree in Agriculture/ Entomology/ Zoology/Sericulture/ Apiculture/ Plant Protection with specialization in Agricultural Entomology. Master s degree in Agriculture/ Agricultural Chemicals/ Organic Chemistry with specialization in Agricultural Chemicals. 9

10 Major Major Subject Subject Group Code 03 Crop Sciences- III Sub-subject in Ph.D. Eligibility Qualifications for SAU/CAU, etc. (Master s Degree in) Plant Biochemistry Master s degree in Plant Biochemistry/ Agricultural Biochemistry/ Biochemistry with specialization in plants. Plant Physiology Master s degree in Agriculture/ Plant Physiology/ Botany with specialization in Plant Physiology. Agricultural Biotechnology Master s degree in Agriculture/ Biotechnology/ Molecular Biology &Bio-Technology/ Genetic Engineering/ Botany/ Plant Sciences/Life Sciences with specialization in Plant Biotechnology. Agricultural Master s degree in Agricultural Microbiology/ Microbiology. Microbiology 04 Horticulture Vegetable Science Master s degree in Olericulture/ Vegetable Sciences/ Agriculture or Horticulture with specialization in Vegetable Sciences/Post Harvest Technology (Horticulture). 05 Veterinary and Animal Sciences-I 06 Veterinary and Animal Sciences-II 07 Veterinary and Animal Sciences-III Fruit Science Floriculture Landscaping & Master s degree in Pomology/ Agriculture or Horticulture with specialization in Fruit Sciences/ Post harvest Technology(Horticulture). Master s degree in Floriculture/ Agriculture or Horticulture with specialization in Floriculture and Landscaping/Post Harvest Technology (Horticulture). Spices, Plantation & Master s degree in Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Botany with Medicinal & specialization in Spices/ Plantation Crops and/ or in Aromatic Plants Medicinal and Aromatic Plants/ Post Harvest Technology (Horticulture). Animal Genetics & Master s degree in Veterinary/Animal Sciences with Breeding specialization in Animal Genetics and Breeding. Animal Nutrition Master s degree in Veterinary/Animal Sciences with specialization in Animal Nutrition. Livestock Master s degree in Veterinary/Animal Sciences with Production specialization in Livestock Production Management/Animal Management Husbandry. Livestock Products Master s degree in Veterinary/Animal Sciences with Technology specialization in Livestock Products Technology. Poultry Science Master s degree in Poultry Sciences/ Veterinary/Animal Sciences with specialization in Poultry Sciences. Animal Physiology Master s degree in Veterinary/Animal Sciences with Veterinary Parasitology Veterinary Public Health Animal Biochemistry Animal Biotechnology Veterinary Microbiology Veterinary Pathology Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Pharmacology specialization in Animal Physiology. Master s degree in Veterinary Parasitology. Master s degree in Veterinary Public Health/ Epidemiology. Master s degree in Veterinary/Animal Sciences/ Dairy/ Fishery Science with specialization in Biochemistry. Master s degree in Veterinary/ Animal/ Fishery Science with specialization in Biotechnology. Master s degree in Veterinary Sciences with specialization in Microbiology/Bacteriology/Virology/ Mycology/Immunology. Master s degree in Veterinary Pathology. Master s degree in Veterinary Medicine/ Veterinary Preventive Medicine/ Veterinary Clinical Medicine. Master s degree in Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology/Veterinary Pharmacology. 10

11 Major Subject Group Code Major Subject 08 Dairy Science, Dairy Technology & Food Technology 09 Agricultural Engineering and Technology Sub-subject in Ph.D. Animal Reproduction & Gynaecology Veterinary Surgery Veterinary Anatomy Dairy Chemistry Food Technology Dairy Microbiology Dairy Technology Farm Machinery and Power Agricultural Structures and Environmental Management Land and Water Management Engineering Agricultural Process Engineering 11 Eligibility Qualifications for SAU/CAU, etc. (Master s Degree in) Master s degree in Veterinary/Animal Sciences with specialization in Animal Reproduction and Gynaecology. Master s degree in Veterinary Surgery. Master s degree in Veterinary Anatomy. Master s degree in Dairy Chemistry/ Veterinary/ Animal Sciences with specialization in Dairy Chemistry. Master s degree in Food Science/ Food Technology/Food Science and Technology/ Post Harvest Technology/Dairy Technology. Master s degree in Dairy Microbiology/ Veterinary/ Animal Sciences with specialization in Dairy Microbiology. Master s degree in Dairy Technology or Dairy Science/Dairy Engineering/ Animal Products Technology/Food Technology with specialization in Dairy Technology. Master s degree in Agricultural Engineering/Mechanical Engineering with specialization in Farm Machinery and Power/Bioenergy/Renewable energy. Master s degree in Agricultural Engineering with specialization in Agricultural Structures/Aquaculture Engineering. Master s degree in Agricultural Engineering/ Civil Engineering with specialization in Soil and Water Conservation/ Irrigation and Drainage/ Water Resources/Hydrology/ Aquatic Engineering/Water Science and Technology. Master s degree in Agricultural Engineering with specialization in Agricultural Process Engineering/ Food Process Engineering/ Dairy Engineering/Post Harvest Technology. 10 Home Sciences Home Sciences Master s degree in Home Science with specialization in Family Resource Management/ Textile and Clothing/ Child Development/ Foods and Nutrition. 11 Fishery Sciences Aquaculture Fisheries Resource Management Fish Process Technology Fish Nutrition Fish Health Fish Genetics & Breeding Master s degree in Aquaculture/ Fishery Sciences/Marine Biology/ Aquatic Biology with specialization in Mariculture/ Aquatic Environmental Management/Aquatic Ecology/ Inland Aquaculture. Master s degree in Fishery Sciences/Fisheries Resource Management/ Marine Biology/Aquatic Environmental Management/ Aquatic Biology with specialization in Fisheries Resource Management/ Fish Population Dynamics/ Fishery Hydrography/Ecosystem Management/ Aquatic Ecology. Master s degree in Fishery Sciences/ Fish Processing Technology/Post Harvest Technology/ Industrial Fisheries with specialization in Fish Harvest and Processing/Fish Quality Assurance and Management Master s degree in Fishery Sciences with specialization in Fish Nutrition and Fish Physiology/ Feed Technology/ Fish Nutrition and Biochemistry. Master s degree in Fishery Science with specialization in Fish Health/ Fish Pathology /Microbiology. Master s degree in Fishery Science with specialization in Fish Genetics and Breeding/ Fish Biotechnology.

12 Major Major Subject Subject Group Code 12 Natural Resource Management-I 13 Natural Resource Management-II 14 Agricultural Economics & Agri-Business Management 15 Agricultural Extension 16 Agricultural Statistics Sub-subject in Ph.D. Eligibility Qualifications for SAU/CAU, etc. (Master s Degree in) Forestry/ Master s degree in Forestry/ Agroforestry/ Botany/ Agroforestry Agronomy/Horticulture with specialization in Agroforestry. Agricultural Meteorology Master s degree in Agricultural Meteorology/ Agricultural Physics with specialization in Agricultural Meteorology. Environmental Master s degree in Environmental Science/ Sciences Agroforestry/Agricultural Physics/Agriculture with specialization in Environmental Science. Agronomy Master s degree in Agriculture with specialization in Agronomy/Soil Water Management/ Conservation Agriculture/ Farming Systems Management/ Forage Production/ Water Science and Technology. Soil Sciences Master s degree in Agriculture/ Soil Sciences/ Agricultural Chemistry/ Agricultural Physics with specialization in Soil Physics and Soil and Water Conservation/ Soil Fertility/Soil Microbiology/ Soil Chemistry/ Water Science and Agricultural Economics Agricultural Business Management Agricultural Extension Agricultural Statistics Technology. Master s degree in Agricultural Economics/Dairy Economics/ Veterinary Economics/ Fisheries Economics. Master s degree in Agricultural Business Management/Agricultural Marketing/ Business Management with specialization in Agriculture/ Fisheries Business Management. Master s degree in Agricultural Extension/ Veterinary Extension/ Dairy Extension/ Fisheries Extension/Home Science Extension/Extension Education/Agriculture Communication in Agricultural Sciences/ Rural Development/ Rural Management. Master s degree in Agricultural Statistics/ Statistics with specialization in Agriculture/ Computer Application in Agriculture/Bioinformatics/Agri-informatics. 5.0 AGE The minimum and maximum age limit shall be 21 years and 30 years, respectively for candidates from General Category. Relaxation in upper age limit by 5 years will be admissible to candidates from SC/ST/Women/PC/OBC(Non-creamy layer as per the Central list of OBC). For in-service candidates, the maximum age limit shall be 45 years in all cases. The crucial date for determining the minimum and maximum age limit for all categories will be the date of examination. Candidates seeking age relaxation should submit an attested copy of the Caste Certificate as per proforma given in the Information Bulletin at Annexure VI (for SC/ST candidates), Annexure VII ( for OBC candidates) and Sponsorship Certificate/Declaration by the Employer of the Candidate (for in-service candidates, Annexure VIII) along with the computer generated confirmation copy of online application. 6.0 RESERVATION The 15% of the total SRFs are reserved for SC, 7.5% for ST and 3% for PC candidates, subject to their being otherwise eligible. The responsibility of verification of the genuineness of SC/ST/OBC and PC certificates will be of the concerned AU where the candidate has been granted admission. If suitable candidates are not found for reserved fellowships for PC category, the same will be filled as per merit from respective category. In case, sufficient number of candidates of a category in a particular sub-subject under Major Subject Group are not available, the fellowships will not be awarded/transferred to another category. A Physically Challenged (PC) person seeking to apply for this examination should submit an attested copy of certificate of being Challenged from a Government Hospital/Medical Board as per Annexure-IV along with 12

13 his/her confirmation copy of online application. A visually challenged (blind) candidate, can request for the services of amanuensis (Scribe) who must be one grade junior in academic qualification, i.e. not more than graduate in the present case, and should not be related to the candidate. For amanuensis, the candidate must submit a separate request letter, at least one week in advance, to the concerned Nodal Officer of the Examination City Centre (Annexure-II) giving a copy of the Physical Disability/PC Certificate issued by Govt. Hospital/Medical Board (Annexure-IV). The services of amanuensis (Scribe) who should be from academic discipline other than that of the candidate, shall be provided free of cost by the Nodal Officer. The scribe will have to give a suitable undertaking, confirming that the scribe fulfils all the stipulated eligibility criteria for a scribe as mentioned above. In case, later on, it is proved that the candidate has suppressed material facts, the candidature of the applicant will stand cancelled, irrespective of the outcome of result of the written test. Such candidates who use a scribe shall be eligible for extra time of one hour during examination. 7.0 PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION Application will be allowed to be submitted ONLINE only. No application in any other form will be accepted and summarily rejected. Online Application and downloadable Information Bulletin will be available on ICAR website from 20 th December, 2013 to 7 th February, A Demo Online Application Form will also be available on the website for practice by the candidates before final online submission of application. The candidate has to visit and click the option of filling online application for SRF (PGS) The candidate should download and carefully study the Information Bulletin before filling the form online. During filling of prescribed online form, candidate can either opt for making fee payment through Bank Challan of Syndicate Bank or Credit/Debit card using Payment Gateway of Syndicate Bank/NEFT. a. Making payment through Bank Challan After filling the Online Application, candidate has to take a print-out of the computer generated confirmation copy of application and bank challan (in 3 copies) through which he/she has to deposit prescribed fee in the nearest Syndicate Bank branch. Bank will return two copies of duly stamped challan. Candidate will retain his/her copy of the challan. He/she will enclose the ICAR's copy (duly stamped by the bank) with his/her filled in computer generated confirmation copy of application and send it to COE (Edn.) by post at the given address along with other documents. b. Making payment through Credit/Debit card using Payment Gateway of Syndicate Bank During online filling of the form, candidate can also opt for making fee payment through Credit/Debit card using Payment Gateway of Syndicate Bank. In this case, the candidate can make payment directly without visiting the bank. Receipt of such payment/application is confirmed immediately. While filling the Online form, candidate can upload soft copy of his/her clear, recent, passport size colour photograph, signature and thumb impression. If unable to do so, then he/she has to paste a recent passport size (3.5 x 4.5 cm) colour photograph, put the signature and thumb impression on the computer generated copy of application at specified places and send to COE (Edn.) by post at the given address. c. Making payment through NEFT While filling the form, the candidate may also opt for 'Payment through NEFT'. When candidate has selected this option, after filling the form, a NEFT Challan shall be generated. The candidate can take a print-out of this Challan and send NEFT remittance through any branch of any Scheduled Bank. In such cases, the candidate must fill the information as available in the NEFT Challan generated through ICAR website. The candidate must obtain the Unique Transaction Reference (UTR) number from the Bank through which they have sent NEFT remittance. The candidate is required to enclose a photocopy of the Bank s challan bearing the UTR number along with the application without fail. After obtaining the UTR number, the candidate is required to visit the ICAR website again and upload the UTR number details on the website. Candidate should ensure that only correct UTR details are entered in the Online Application on website, as incorrect details shall lead to rejection of the application without entertaining any further correspondence in the matter. No Bank charges are payable for Payment through NEFT mode. 13

14 A candidate can apply for ICAR-SRF for one Major Subject Group only. No change would be allowed thereafter. The print-out of the computer generated confirmation copy of online application along with the above mentioned documents should be sent by Registered/Speed-Post only so as to reach positively by 7 th February, 2014 to: Controller of Examinations (Edn) Education Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Room No. 216, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-II, Pusa, New Delhi Computer generated confirmation copy of online application from remote areas such as Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, J&K, Lahaul and Spiti District and Pangi Subdivision of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep must reach by 14 th February, 2014 to the office of COE (Edn). Applications sent through Courier service shall not be accepted. Hard copy of the application sent without the accompanying documents indicated above will not be considered. Council shall not be responsible for any postal delay/loss in transit in respect of submission of hard copy of Online Application. Candidates appearing in the final semester of study, who must complete the Postgraduate degree in all respects by the date of examination, i.e. 13 th April, 2014 should send the Degree-completion Certificate/PDC from the Registrar to the COE(Edn) latest by 30 th April, Admit Cards for the Examination will not be sent separately by Post. The same will be uploaded on the ICAR website, ( after 3 rd week of March, 2014, from where the candidate can either download and get it attested as specified or note down the relevant details (venue of examination, Roll Number, etc.) and fill it in the Candidate copy of Admit Card for appearing in the examination. For any future correspondences, the Major Subject Group Code ( MSGC) a nd the Sub-subject ( with code) to which the admission is sought must be quoted along with the examination city centre. The records of the SRF (PGS) Competitive Examination shall be preserved for a period of six months only from the declaration of results. 8.0 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OF ONLINE APPLICATION FORM The Online Application has to be filled up carefully by the candidate after thoroughly reading the instructions given in the Information Bulletin uploaded on ICAR website. Each item has to be attended and carefully filled up before final submission of the Online Application. After filling the requisite information and successful submission, the candidate has to take a print-out of the computer generated confirmation copy of his/her application. If unable to upload, recent passport size (3.5 x 4.5 cm) colour photograph, signatures (in running hand and NOT IN CAPITALS) and thumb impression (LTI for males and RTI for females) should be put in the specified boxes. The candidate must not forget to reproduce the underlined part of declaration "I agree to abide by the rules and regulations governing the examination as contained in the Information Bulletin which I have duly studied and understood completely" in his/her own handwriting in the space provided for the purpose. It is mandatory to send (i) proof of payment of application fee (ii) Office Copy of the duly attested Admit Card (iii) Proof of date of birth/matriculation certificate (iv) Sponsorship Certificate/Declaration by the Employer of the Candidate (for in-service candidates)-annexure-viii (v) Attested photocopy of PG Degree Certificate (vi) Attested photocopy of Final PG Marksheet (vii) Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC) and (viii) Disability/PC Certificate, if applicable, issued by a Govt. Hospital/Medical Board along with the confirmation copy of online application. The candidates should neither fold nor staple the computer generated confirmation copy of application and the accompanying documents and send those in a suitable-sized envelope superscribed "APPLICATION FOR SRF(PGS)-2014" mentioning Major Subject and Sub-subject Name with Code No., through SPEED/REGISTERED POST ONLY so as to positively reach The Controller of Examinations (Edn), Education Division, R. No. 216, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-II, Pusa, New Delhi on or before (from non-remote areas) and (from remote areas as specified in the Information Bulletin). The candidates are advised to retain a copy each of the (i) Computer 14

15 generated confirmation copy of application (ii) proof of payment of application fee (iii) candidate copy of admit card (iv) three identical copies of recent passport size (3.5 x 4.5 cm) colour photographs as uploaded on website/pasted on computer generated confirmation copy of application (v) Proof of postal dispatch of application. If a candidate furnishes wrong information or suppresses any relevant information regarding his name, age, category, examination city centre, state of domicile, major and sub-subject code, OGPA/CGPA/Percent of marks, etc., no subsequent request for any correction(s) will be entertained. 9.0 SELECTION OF THE CANDIDATES Candidates will be selected on the basis of merit in this Competitive Examination. The question paper of all the candidates will be evaluated and based on a decided cut-off, with the approval of the Competent Authority (DDG,Edn.), the merit list of candidates with and without SRF will be prepared for the award of fellowship. In the event of candidates getting equal marks in the examination, relative merit will be determined on the basis of OGPA/CGPA/Percent marks obtained in the qualifying Master s Degree examination. In the event of tie again, the ratio of positive and negative marks will be decided. Candidates with higher absolute value of the ratio will be given better rank. In the event of tie again, a candidate, higher in age, would be rated higher in merit. Final ranking for SRF would be drawn Sub-subject-wise and Category-wise on the basis of marks obtained by a candidate in the examination. Candidates in their final semester of study, who fail to produce attested copies of their degree (completed in all respects on or before ) and final mark sheets by 30 th April, 2014 will not be considered at all for evaluation/award of fellowship. The in-service candidates will be awarded SRF, only if they come in the overall merit list of their concerned Sub-subject. A list of those candidates who qualify as per cut-off marks, but do not come in the merit list for award of SRF will also be prepared and circulated to the AUs to facilitate their admission in Ph.D. without grant of SRF. Candidates qualified in SRF(PGS) examination with or without Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) may be considered for admission to Ph.D. programme against 25 % ICAR quota prescribed by the Universities. However, the candidate may have to adhere to the additional criteria/procedure, if any, of admission as prescribed by the concerned University. No separate intimation will be made to those candidates who fail to qualify in ICAR SRF(PGS) examination. No queries in this regard, whatsoever, will be entertained from such candidates VALUE AND TENURE OF FELLOWSHIP The Fellowship will be awarded to the candidates seeking admission in the listed State Agricultural Universities, ICAR Deemed-to-be Universities, Central Universities having faculty of agriculture, Central Agricultural University or any other approved University/Institute under ICAR-AU system where Ph.D. Degree programme consists of course work with definite credit hours and research work with thesis. The fellowship will be at the following rates: Postgraduate other than in Veterinary Science Postgraduate in Veterinary Science Rs. 12,000/- p.m. (fixed) for 1 st & 2 nd year Rs. 14,000/- p.m. (fixed) for 3 rd year Rs. 14,000/- p.m. (fixed) for 1 st & 2 nd year Rs. 15,000/- p.m. (fixed) for 3 rd year Contingent grant of Rs. 10,000/- per year for procurement of essential chemicals, books, and travel connected with research work will be unif ormly paid to all the awardees including in-service candidates. In case of in-service candidates, the fellowship will be awarded provided the awardee joins the University/Institute other than where he/she is working. For such candidates, in receipt of full/partial leave salary from their parent organization, the amount of ICAR-SRF shall be limited to Rs. 3,000/- p.m. in addition to the research contingency as applicable to fresh candidates. 15

16 11.0 EXAMINATION PROCEDURE 11.1 General Scheme of Examination The format for the single paper of 3 hrs duration having MCQs (4 options) carrying 200 marks will be as under: Section A This section, common to all the major subjects, will comprise 20 MCQs (10 % of the total questions) of one mark each on General aptitude/reasoning ability, carrying a total of 20 marks. Section B This section will comprise of 180 MCQs, of one mark each, on specific subject chosen by the candidate, carrying a total of 180 marks. The OMR answer sheets will be evaluated through computer (optical) scanning. There will be negative marking of (-)0.25 marks for each wrong answer. No candidate will be permitted to enter the examination hall 30 minutes after the actual time of start of examination and no extra time will be given to the candidates entering examination hall after the actual time of start of examination Checking/Changing Question Booklet Candidate will not open the Question Booklet until asked to do so by the invigilator. Before attempting questions, the candidate must check Question Booklet for any defect in printing/number of pages, serial order of the questions, etc. and ensure that Question Booklet given to him/her is numbered and contains pages as written on top of the first page. In case of any discrepancy/defect, the candidate should immediately report to the Invigilator concerned and get the Question Booklet changed. Change of question booklet would not be permitted after 30 minutes from the start of examination. The candidate shall not remove any page(s) from the Question Booklet and if any page(s) is/are found missing from his/her Question Booklet, it will be treated as use of unfair means and shall render him/her liable for action/cancellation of candidature. The candidate will hand over Question Booklet and OMR answer sheet to the invigilator(s) on duty before leaving the examination hall. If the candidate fails to do so, it will be treated as use of unfair means and he/she will stand disqualified from the examination besides inviting further necessary action Writing Answers on OMR Answer Sheet OMR Answer Sheet used in the examination will be of special type amenable to scanning through Optical Scanner. There will be two sides of the OMR Answer Sheet, Side-I, containing particulars of candidate instructions and Side-II, containing circles/bubbles, Major subject Code, Sub-subject Code, Question Booklet No., Roll No., Category, Examination City Centre Code and Answer Column, etc. which are to be filled only using black/blue ball-point pen. The candidate should bring his/her own good quality black/ blue ball-point pen for the examination. Candidates are advised to go through the specimen copy of OMR Answer Sheet (Annexure-XII) very carefully and be conversant with the requirements of filling various particulars and marking the answers. OMR Answer Sheet used in the examination will be of special type amenable to scanning through Optical Scanner. There will be two sides of the OMR Answer Sheet, Side-I, containing particulars of candidate instruction and Side-II, containing circles/bubbles. Side - I Item No. 1 4: Write Full Name, Father s Name, Roll Number and Examination City Centre Code in column 1 to 4 exactly as given in the admit card. Item No. 5 & 6: Fill-in Major Subject Group name (in full) and Sub-subject Group name (in full) Item No. 7& 8 : Fill in Major Subject Code No. and Sub-subject Code No. Item No. 9: Item No. 10: Put your signature in full in the given box, which must match with the signature as recorded in the computer generated confirmation copy of application and the Admit Card (Office Copy) This box must be signed by the invigilator otherwise OMR answer sheet will not be evaluated. 16

17 Side - II Item No : Fill-in the numeric Major Subject Code and Sub-subject Code No. (e.g. for Fish Health having Sub-subject Code 11.5, darken bubbles corresponding to 1 and 1 in Item No. 11 and 5 in Item No. 12). Item No. 13: Item No. 14: Item No. 15: Fill-in the Question Booklet Number and correctly darken the corresponding bubbles as indicated on the Question Booklet. Fill in your Roll number, writing one digit in each box and also darken the corresponding circle/bubble in the vertical columns underneath. Fill in and darken the circle/bubble for Reservation Category being claimed. (a) (b) NOTE: In case columns 11 (Major Subject Code No.) & 12 ( Sub-subject Code No.) are left blank or filled wrongly, the candidate would expose himself/herself to the risk of evaluation under wrong Major Subject-Group for which candidate himself/herself would be responsible. ICAR would not entertain any correspondence in this regard. In the event of leaving column 15 (Category) of OMR Answer sheet blank or filling wrongly, the candidate would be evaluated under General Category. Item No. 16: In every question booklet, there are multiple-choice objective type questions numbering from 001 to 200. Section A, common to all the major subjects, will comprise of 20 MCQs on General aptitude/reasoning ability, while Section B will comprise of 180 MCQs on specific subject chosen by the candidate. There is a corresponding answer-row on the Side-II of OMR Answer sheet, comprising of four circles/bubbles for recording correct answer to the question by darkening the appropriate circle/bubble marked with options A, B, C and D using only black/blue ball point pen. Only one of these four options is the most appropriate and correct. The candidate is required to indicate his/her answer to the question by darkening the appropriate circle/bubble completely. For example, the Question No.004 in the Question Booklet may read as follows: Q. No. 004.The unit of velocity is: (A) ms-2 (B) ms-1 (C) ms2 (D) ms If the correct answer to this question is (B) i.e. ms-1, the candidate will locate question No. 004 in the answer sheet and darken the circle/bubble marked (B) as shown below: Q. No. 004 A B C D If the candidate does not want to attempt a question or is not absolutely sure of the answer, he/she should not mark any of the circles/bubbles given against that question. The candidates should note that there will be negative marking (-0.25 marks) for each wrong answer in the paper Changing an Answer The candidate will answer on the OMR Answer sheet by darkening the appropriate circle/bubble with black/blue ball-point pen and once marked, the answer will not be allowed to change as the computer processing will automatically discredit marking of more than one answer to a question during evaluation. Candidate must also ensure that he/she does not leave any visible mark in answer column/bubble, otherwise the answer may be treated as wrong Wrong/Incorrect Way of Marking If more than one circle/bubble is darkened or if the answer is marked in any manner other than the one as shown above, it shall be treated as wrong. A lightly/faintly darkened circle/bubble or otherwise marked circle/bubble will also be read by the Optical Scanner during scanning and the answer whether right or wrong shall not be the responsibility of the Council and the onus will lie on the candidate on account of incorrect way 17