🧬 ICAR AIEEA PG 2026 COUNSELLING GUIDE

Seat Matrix + Fee details + University Preference list for
ICAR PG Plant Biotechnology 2026

Complete authentic breakdown of category-wise ICAR seats (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD, UPS), annual fee matrix, and expert-recommended preference lists across Bio-Chemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, and Plant Physiology.

📊 Total Seats: 149 🏛️ 3 Major Disciplines 🎯 Official 2026 Counseling Matrix

ICAR PG Plant Biotechnology 2026: Seat & Fee Overview

The Plant Biotechnology major subject group in ICAR AIEEA PG is one of the most competitive academic streams, encompassing cutting-edge research in genetics, tissue culture, metabolic pathways, stress physiology, and functional genomics.

Candidates qualifying the examination can opt for Master's degree programmes across three specialized disciplines: Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (MBB), Agricultural Biochemistry / Bio-Chemistry, and Plant Physiology. Selecting the right combination of institute rank, research infrastructure, laboratory facilities, faculty expertise, and fee affordability is critical when locking choices during ICAR counselling.

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Bio-Chemistry

23 Universities offering a total of 54 ICAR Seats across national institutes and state agricultural universities.

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Mol. Biology & Biotech

36 Participating Universities offering 95 ICAR Seats with top research hubs at IARI New Delhi, IIAB Ranchi, and PAU Ludhiana.

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Plant Physiology

31 Universities offering 68 ICAR Seats spanning central institutes, BHU Varanasi, and accredited state agricultural universities.

Counselling Advisory: The preference orders listed below are curated based on National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) standings, ICAR accreditation status, research output, laboratory sophistication, international collaboration, and historical cut-offs.

Bio-Chemistry: Seat Matrix, Fee & University Preference List

Agricultural Biochemistry focuses on plant metabolism, enzymology, seed storage proteins, secondary metabolites, and nutritional biochemistry. Below is the complete university-wise seat distribution across categories along with the fee matrix.

Pref. University Name Fee (₹) ICAR Seats UR SC ST OBC EWS PwBD UPS
1 ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi ₹72,400 5 211111—
2 ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal ₹46,800 6 2112111
3 Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana ₹1,23,170 3 2——1———
4 University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru ₹1,13,500 1 1——————
5 Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar ₹36,235 3 11—1———
6 University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad ₹1,19,900 1 1——————
7 G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar ₹90,356 2 1——1———
8 Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya (UBKV), Cooch Behar ₹26,200 2 1——1———
9 Anand Agricultural University (AAU), Anand ₹39,200 2 1——1———
10 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Pusa ₹53,485 3 11—11——
11 Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), Mohanpur ₹29,400 1 1——————
12 Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU), Junagadh ₹35,200 1 1——————
13 Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat ₹68,780 3 11—1———
14 Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur ₹69,300 3 11—1———
15 Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Navsari ₹39,200 1 1——————
16 Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri ₹75,835 3 11—1———
17 Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU) ₹39,200 2 1—1————
18 Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture & Tech (ANDUAT), Ayodhya ₹76,900 4 1111—1—
19 Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal ₹22,000 1 1——————
20 Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University (RLBCAU), Jhansi ₹97,440 2 1——1———
21 Banda University of Agriculture & Technology (BUAT), Banda ₹73,655 1 1——————
22 SKUAST Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar ₹68,200 2 2——————
23 SKUAST Jammu, Chatha Campus ₹84,112 2 1——1———

Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MBB): Seat Matrix & Fee Details

Molecular Biology & Biotechnology is the flagship specialization with the highest student demand, offering state-of-the-art exposure to recombinant DNA technology, gene editing, genomics, and transgenic research.

Pref. University Name Fee (₹) ICAR Seats UR SC ST OBC EWS PwBD UPS
1 ICAR–IARI, New Delhi ₹72,400 14 7114111
2 ICAR–IARI (IIAB) Ranchi Hub ₹57,860 6 211111—
3 Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana ₹1,23,170 7 211211—
4 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore ₹88,305 2 1——1———
5 UAS GKVK, Bengaluru ₹1,24,140 2 1——1———
6 UAS Dharwad ₹1,19,900 2 1——1———
7 Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Thrissur ₹87,960 10 5112111
8 CCS HAU, Hisar ₹36,235 1 1——————
9 Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) ₹1,58,010 1 1——————
10 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Pusa ₹53,485 6 211111—
11 Anand Agricultural University, Anand ₹39,200 2 1——1———
12 Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari ₹39,200 4 1111———
13 Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan ₹99,970 4 1111———
14 Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Guntur ₹95,000 1 1——————
15 Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri ₹95,835 2 1——1———
16 Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur ₹22,516 3 11—1———
17 Jawahar Lal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur ₹81,515 2 1——1———
18 Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar ₹60,200 3 11—1———
19 University of Horticultural Sciences (UHS), Bagalkot ₹1,51,372 4 11—11——
20 CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur ₹96,578 1 1——————
21 Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour ₹12,500 2 1——1———
22 Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur ₹57,170 2 1——1———
23 Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University (SKRAU), Bikaner ₹73,300 1 1——————
24 Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani ₹62,935 2 2——————
25 Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola ₹75,835 4 21—1———
27 Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agri & Tech (ANDUAT), Ayodhya ₹1,08,900 4 21—1———
29 Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh ₹35,200 1 1——————
30 Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU) ₹39,200 3 11—1———
31 Keladi Shivappa Nayaka Univ of Agri & Horti Sciences, Shivamogga ₹1,08,500 1 1——————
32 University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur ₹96,000 1 1——————
33 University of Agricultural Sciences, Mandya ₹1,24,140 1 1——————
34 Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth (DBSKKV), Dapoli ₹82,835 1 1——————
35 Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), Mohanpur ₹29,400 1 1——————
36 Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal ₹22,000 3 1——11——
37 Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat ₹68,780 2 11—————
38 Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University (RLBCAU), Jhansi ₹97,440 4 1111———

Plant Physiology: Seat Matrix, Fee & University Preference List

Plant Physiology deals with photosynthesis, mineral nutrition, source-sink dynamics, drought/salinity stress biology, and plant growth regulators. Explore the exact seat matrix and fee details below.

Pref. University Name Fee (₹) ICAR Seats UR SC ST OBC EWS PwBD UPS
1 ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi ₹72,400 6 2112—11
2 ICAR–IARI Bengaluru Hub ₹41,560 2 1——1———
3 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore ₹88,305 2 1——1———
4 University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru ₹1,13,500 2 1——1———
5 University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad ₹1,19,900 1 1——————
6 Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, Varanasi ₹50,000 4 11111——
7 G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar ₹90,356 1 1——————
8 SKUAST Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar ₹68,200 1 1——————
9 Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar ₹36,235 2 1——1———
10 Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur ₹87,960 4 1111—1—
11 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa ₹53,485 3 11—11——
12 Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi ₹97,440 2 1——1———
13 Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur ₹95,000 1 1——————
14 Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri ₹75,835 2 2——————
15 Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur ₹22,516 4 1111—1—
16 Jawahar Lal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur ₹67,105 2 1——1———
17 Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar ₹60,200 3 11—1———
18 Palli Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan ₹18,000 2 1——1———
19 Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour ₹12,500 1 1——————
20 Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner ₹47,720 1 1——————
21 SKUAST Jammu, Chatha Campus ₹84,112 2 2——————
22 Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur ₹69,300 3 11—1———
23 Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture & Technology, Ayodhya ₹76,900 3 11—1———
24 Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani ₹79,335 2 2——————
25 Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola ₹75,835 3 11—1———
26 Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli ₹72,835 2 2——————
27 University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur ₹96,000 1 1——————
28 Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari ₹39,200 1 1——————
29 Anand Agricultural University, Anand ₹39,200 1 1——————
30 Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur ₹29,400 1 1——————
31 Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat ₹68,780 3 —111———

Key Highlights: Fee Range & Choice Filling Strategy

Counselling Dimension Key Facts & Recommendations
Lowest Fee Universities Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour (₹12,500), Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan (₹18,000), CAU Imphal (₹22,000), and IGKV Raipur (₹22,516). Ideal for students seeking top accredited education with minimal financial load.
Premium / High Fee SAUs PJTSAU Hyderabad (₹1,58,010), UHS Bagalkot (₹1,51,372), UAS Mandya / GKVK Bengaluru (₹1,24,140), and PAU Ludhiana (₹1,23,170). Ensure your budget aligns before locking these institutes.
Deemed & Central Institutes ICAR-IARI New Delhi (₹72,400) and ICAR-NDRI Karnal (₹46,800) offer world-class central instrumentation, national priority project exposure, and highest placement/scholarship prestige.
Special Reservation Seats PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) and UPS (Underprivileged States) seats are specifically allocated at IARI New Delhi, NDRI Karnal, KAU Thrissur, RPCAU Pusa, and IGKV Raipur. Check eligibility criteria before claiming.
Choice Filling Tip: Always fill choices in descending order of actual preference without worrying about your rank. ICAR's automated allocation algorithm tests your top choices first. Never place an institute higher on your list simply because you feel your rank matches its past cut-off.

Lock Your Choices Wisely for ICAR PG 2026

Counselling choice filling is a high-stakes step that determines your research trajectory, mentorship quality, laboratory exposure, and career opportunities for the next two years. Verify the fee matrix, category reservation eligibility, and campus location before locking choices.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes. If you appeared for the ICAR AIEEA PG entrance examination in the Plant Biotechnology subject group, you are eligible to opt for Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Agricultural Biochemistry, and Plant Physiology during preference filling, subject to university-specific bachelor's degree eligibility.
ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi offers the highest number of ICAR seats in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology with 14 seats, followed by Kerala Agricultural University (10 seats) and Punjab Agricultural University (7 seats).
Students admitted through ICAR AIEEA PG counselling into accredited agricultural universities outside their home state are eligible for the ICAR National Talent Scholarship (PG) or JRF stipend, provided they meet the domicile and reservation criteria set by ICAR.
Central Agricultural Universities (like CAU Imphal, RPCAU Pusa) and subsidized State Agricultural Universities (like BAU Sabour, IGKV Raipur) maintain heavily subsidized government fee slabs. In contrast, certain universities in Karnataka, Telangana, and Punjab reflect higher institutional development, laboratory, and non-subsidized operational charges.
UPS stands for Underprivileged States/UTs. These seats are specially reserved to provide representation to students belonging to states and Union Territories with limited agricultural higher educational infrastructure (e.g., Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, and specific North-Eastern states).
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