ASRB Notification 2026: ICAR Centralized Examination for Technical Assistant (T-3) & Senior Technical Assistant (T-4)

The Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) has announced a massive direct recruitment drive to fill 1,393 technical vacancies across Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). This article breaks down the official notification and syllabus to help Central Government employees and prospective candidates understand the examination structure, eligibility, and application rules.

Official Order Details

Quick Summary

• Vacancies: 1,393 total posts available (1,254 for T-3 and 139 for T-4) across 10 functional groups.
• Application Dates: Online registration opens on November 18, 2026, and closes on December 17, 2026.
• Selection Process: Candidates must clear a qualifying Preliminary Computer Based Test (CBT) in February 2027, followed by a Mains CBT. There is no interview stage.
• In-Service Benefits: Existing ICAR technical employees applying for these direct recruitment posts receive an age relaxation up to 40 years.
• Restriction: Candidates may apply for only one Functional Group, even if their qualifications make them eligible for multiple groups.

Detailed Explanation of the Examination

Important Dates

The application window opens on November 18, 2026. All applications and fee payments must be finalized by 11:59 PM on December 17, 2026. A brief window for application corrections will be open from December 18 to December 20, 2026. The Preliminary CBT is tentatively scheduled for February 2027, with the Mains examination date to be announced later.

Examination Scheme and Syllabus

The recruitment relies on a two-tier Computer Based Test (CBT) system:

• Preliminary Examination (Qualifying): A 1-hour test comprising 100 objective questions (25 marks each for General Knowledge, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Agriculture). Candidates lose 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. You must meet category-specific minimum marks (e.g., 30% for UR) to be shortlisted for the Mains at a 1:15 ratio.
• Mains Examination: A 2-hour, 300-mark test featuring 100 objective questions specific to the candidate's chosen functional group (domain knowledge). Each correct answer awards 3 marks, and 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. Final merit and selection are based exclusively on the normalized Mains score.

Eligibility, Age Limits, and Fees

Candidates must hold a relevant Bachelor's degree (or 3-year Diploma for specific Engineering workshop posts) corresponding to their selected functional group.

The standard age limit is 21 to 30 years as of the closing date for applications (December 17, 2026). Standard upper age relaxations apply: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and 10 years for PwBD.

The application fee structure depends on the candidate's category and the number of posts applied for:

• UR Candidates: ₹300 for one post, or ₹600 for both T-3 and T-4.
• EWS/OBC Candidates: ₹150 for one post, or ₹300 for both.
• SC/ST/PwBD/Women/Ex-SM Candidates: Exempted from application fees.

Practical Implications for Government Employees

If you are already employed by ICAR, a Central/State Government body, a Scientific Institution, or a University, you must secure and submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or an undertaking stating that you have informed your Head of Office before applying. Failure to declare existing employment can lead to disqualification.

For existing ICAR in-service technical employees wishing to upgrade through direct recruitment, the upper age limit is relaxed to 40 years for the Unreserved category, alongside standard category-based relaxations. This is a major opportunity for internal career advancement, provided the candidate clears the open competitive exam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Download Official PDFs

Read the complete official notification and detailed syllabi for all functional groups using the links below: