Revised Guidelines for ICAR-National Professor: Pay, Eligibility & Service Benefits

For the attention of scientific personnel and Central Government Employees within the agricultural research sector, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has officially released the revised guidelines for the prestigious ICAR-National Professor positions.

Approved during the 265th Governing Body meeting on February 28, 2026 , these updated regulations come into immediate effect starting April 22, 2026, superseding all previous guidelines. The primary objective of this scheme is to promote scientific excellence, recognize outstanding outputs, and nurture a novel school of thought within the National Agricultural Research, Education and Extension System (NAREES).

Key Highlights of the Revised Orders

The total number of ICAR National Professor positions is capped at ten (10) at any given time.
The positions include designated chairs such as the B.P. Pal Chair, Norman Borlaug Chair, and M.S. Swaminathan Chair.
Appointees will receive a fixed monthly salary of Rs. 2,10,000/- along with admissible allowances.
The tenure is initially for 5 years and can be extended based on performance assessment, up to the age of 65 years.

Detailed Summary of Eligibility & Conditions

1. Eligibility Criteria:

Nominees must be Indian nationals.
They must have occupied the position of Professor, Principal Scientist, or an equivalent role for a minimum of 8 years.
The maximum age limit for nomination is 60 years as on the specified date.

2. Service Conditions & Autonomy:

National Professors are expected to devote their full time to the approved research project.
They are granted total academic freedom in planning and executing their approved projects and maintain administrative control over their project staff.
They are permitted to accept foreign assignments in international organizations for up to six months per five-year term.
Annual progress reports must be submitted, and mandatory presentations must be made before the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) or Academic Council.

Budgetary Provisions and Allowances

The entire cost of the approved project is borne by the ICAR, which includes provisions for contractual staff, contingencies, and equipment. Additionally, a redeployed staff comprising 2 Scientists, 2 Technical Staff, and 2 Administrative Staff will be provided by the sponsoring institution. The annual budgetary ceilings (excluding the main salary component) are as follows:

Budget Head	Annual Provision Ceiling
Research Contingency	Rs. 25.00 lakhs
TA / DA	Rs. 2.00 lakhs
Capital (Equipment)	Rs. 8.00 lakhs

Conclusion

These revised guidelines by the ICAR introduce a robust framework to empower leading agricultural scientists with adequate funding, academic freedom, and administrative support. Central Government Employees in the agricultural research sector are encouraged to review the complete circular to understand the detailed Search-cum-Selection Committee (SSC) procedures and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) mandates.

For complete details, download the official official PDF notification below:

📥 Download Official PDF Circular

⚠️ Disclaimer

Educational Purpose Only: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.

Accuracy & Mistakes: While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, human errors or omissions may occur.

No Liability: Under no circumstances shall the author or this website be held liable for any loss arising from the use of this information.

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Revised Guidelines for ICAR-National Professor: Pay, Eligibility & Service Benefits