ICAR Issues Revised Transfer Guidelines for ARS Scientists — Effective from 2026
Summary: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has issued a consolidated Office Memorandum on 6 October 2025 containing revised transfer guidelines for ARS Scientists. These rules supersede prior instructions and take effect prospectively from the calendar year 2026.
Objective of the Guidelines
The guidelines aim to streamline inter-institutional (between ICAR institutes) and intra-institutional (within an institute or regional centres) transfers of scientists. All transfer requests must be submitted once a year, in physical mode, and through the proper channel beginning with the scientist’s Institute Director. Direct applications to ICAR Headquarters are not accepted.
Types of Transfers
The guidelines classify transfers into two categories:
- Administrative Grounds: Initiated by ICAR management for organizational needs (cadre corrections, priority projects, specialist deployment). These may occur any time and require DG, ICAR approval.
- Own Request: Initiated by scientists for personal reasons; subject to eligibility criteria and a fixed annual timeline.
Eligibility & Conditions for ‘Own Request’ Transfers
Eligibility conditions include:
- Minimum retention period: 5 years at a Category ‘A’ station or 3 years at a Category ‘B’ station.
- Relaxation: May be granted for differently-abled scientists, working-spouse cases (priority where both spouses are in ICAR), serious medical ailments (Annexure II), and mutual transfers between two scientists of same cadre/discipline.
General Conditions
- Efforts will be made to ensure not more than 50% of scientists in any discipline are from the state where the institute is located (to preserve national character).
- Transfers must not reduce an institute’s scientific strength below 50% of sanctioned capacity.
- Scientists with two years remaining before superannuation may request a transfer; requests from those retiring within one year will not be considered.
Transfer Committees & Process
Two committees adjudicate transfers:
- Headquarters Transfer Committee (HTC) — chaired by the DG, ICAR; handles inter-institutional transfers.
- Institute Transfer Committee (ITC) — chaired by the Institute Director; handles intra-institutional transfers.
Process: Scientist → Institute Director (with comments) → Concerned DDG → Personnel Division (ICAR HQ) → HTC for consideration.
Annual Timelines for ‘Own Request’ Transfers
| Activity | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Submission of requests by scientists | October 1 – October 15 |
| Forwarding by Institute Directors & DDGs | October 16 – November 30 |
| Meeting of HTC & issue of transfer orders | February 1 – March 15 (next year) |
| Relieving of transferred scientists | On or before April 30 (next year) |
Conclusion
The revised policy brings greater transparency and procedural clarity to transfers, balancing institutional requirements with scientists’ personal needs.
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