Useful Articles

ICAR Fellowships for Agricultural Education and Research

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1. ICAR fellowships: Indian Council of Agricultural Research offer Post Matric Scholarships for SC/ST candidates. There will be 240 scholarships per year. SC/ST candidates pursuing Undergraduate degree programs in Agricultural Universities (State Agricultural Universities, Allahabad Agricultural Institute Deemed University, Central Agricultural University, Central Universities having Agriculture faculty and ICAR Institute based Deemed to be Universities) are eligible for these fellowships. Selected candidates will get an amount of Rs. 300/- pm + Rs. 750/- annual grant for the entire duration of the program. Complete details of ICAR fellowships available on www.icar.org.in

2. ICAR Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) for pursuing Master’s degree: There are 475 fellowships under this scheme. Students studying Masters Degree in Agricultural Universities are eligible. Selected students will get an amount of Rs. 8640/- per month + Contingency grant of Rs. 6000/- per year. Veterinary Students will get Rs. 12000/- per month + Contingency grant of Rs. 6000/- per year.

3. ICAR Senior Research Fellowships (SRF) for pursuing Ph. D. degree: There will be 202 Fellowships under this program. Students pursuing Ph.D. courses in Agricultural Universities can apply for these fellowships. They will get an amount of Rs. 12000/- pm for 1st and 2nd year of the course and Rs. 14000/- pm for 3rd year along with Contingency grant of Rs. 10000/- per year. Those pursuing research in Veterinary Science will get Rs. 14000/- pm for 1st and 2nd year of the program and Rs. 15000/- pm for 3rd year along with Contingency grant of Rs. 10000/- per year.

4. Merit cum Means (MCM) Scholarships: ICAR also offer MCM scholarships for students pursuing Undergraduate degree programs and having Parents Annual Income below Rs. 1 Lakh. They must be studying in Agricultural Universities. They will get an amount of Rs. 500/- pm for the duration of the entire program.

5. National Talent Scholarships (NTS): These are also for UG programs in Agriculture and allied subjects. Those studying Undergraduate degree program in Agricultural Universities and not located in the domicile State of the student are eligible. Candidates should have been selected through ICAR/ VCI All India Entrance Examination for admission to UG programs. Selected candidates will get Rs. 1000/- per month for the duration of the program.

6. Internships for Veterinary students: These is a internship facility for veterinary students. Candidates pursuing B.V.Sc and AH and equivalent degree program in Agricultural Universities are eligible for these internships. Selected candidates will get Rs. 400/- per month for 6 months along with a travel grant of Rs. 200/- for the duration of internship.

Sciences as an alternative for Engineering and Medicine

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With general stream specifically Bioscience related subject takes a lot of time to settle down for a person, more often to settle down the candidate with excellent performance touches the age mark of 34 or more, where as a fellow with professional courses settle down at the age of 25 or so. There is lots of difference in terms of financial benefit too. But it is believed that proper planning and better financial support at the initial stage of the career will aid fast settlement in career and near 40 years both the fellow (professionally educated and general stream student) may be place them in equivalent position both professionally and financially.

Integrated M.Sc. followed by PhD with the support of CSIR, DBT or DST fellowship, later post doc exposure is enough to get into a good R and D lab to become a scientist. Integrated Ph.D. after graduation might be the best option as it will save the age and provide more exposure to the candidate and help to settle down with a better prospect.

To summarize the answer it is up to the candidate and parents to choose whether he / she will opt for science as a career. We suggest them to go for science since India need more number of scientists in all fields as its number is not crossing 1.3 lakhs against the number of 8 lakhs in China. Sky is the limit to Indian scientist with all fringe benefits. For short term benefits students need not look at the above options.

The career route is not smooth always, be it professional or general stream. In both the cases competition is too much and little bit failure at any point of time may spoil the whole career. Therefore, caution should be taken at every step. But there is a scope for the above mentioned route is a person can get security in his life once he receives some permanent position but obtaining a permanent position in a professional career and in corporate world is nearly impossible though monthly or annual earning may be much better. So it’s a personal decision whether to opt for more and quick money or long term secure profession with the freedom to do your own research. Undoubtedly UG, PG Doctoral and Post doc is the golden pathway. Even if the candidate is average level he can certainly pick up once he enter into stream.