ICAR Emeritus Professor

What is the ICAR Emeritus Professor scheme?

The ICAR Emeritus Professor scheme is an academic award of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the apex agricultural research body under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. According to ICAR, the scheme enables superannuated (retired) agricultural scientists and university teachers of proven standing to continue active research and to guide postgraduate students after their formal service has ended.

The scheme exists to retain the country's most experienced agricultural researchers in productive work beyond retirement. Instead of their expertise being lost at superannuation, selected scientists are attached to an ICAR institute or a State/Central Agricultural University as an "Emeritus Professor" (in the research stream this is often referred to as the Emeritus Scientist scheme), where they pursue an approved research programme and mentor younger scholars.

Is this a benefit citizens can apply for?

No. This is the single most important thing to understand about the ICAR Emeritus Professor scheme: it is not a citizen welfare benefit and has no public individual application. It is a competitive, merit-based academic award open only to retired agricultural scientists and teachers of standing, hosted by a recognised institution. Students, farmers and the general public cannot apply for a personal benefit under it.

Who is eligible for the ICAR Emeritus Professor scheme?

Who can apply:

• Superannuated (retired) agricultural scientists and university teachers of recognised academic standing, with a strong record of research and publications.
• Applicants who have a host institution, an ICAR institute or an agricultural university: willing to provide facilities for the proposed work.
• Applicants within the upper age limit set by ICAR under the current guidelines.

Who cannot apply / is not eligible:

• The general public, students and farmers, there is no personal benefit to claim.
• Serving employees who have not superannuated, as a routine entitlement; the scheme is specifically for post-retirement engagement.
• Retired professionals without a host institution or without a research proposal that meets ICAR's academic standards.

Exact eligibility, including the upper age limit and any restriction on concurrent awards, is fixed by ICAR and should be confirmed against the current scheme guidelines before applying.

What does an ICAR Emeritus Professor receive?

A selected emeritus professor receives an honorarium and a research contingency fixed by ICAR, together with access to institutional facilities — laboratory, library and field resources, to carry out the approved programme. Because ICAR periodically revises these financial terms, this guide does not quote a rupee figure that could not be confirmed against a current official notification. Confirm the current honorarium and contingency with the ICAR Education Division.

How long is the award?

The award is for a fixed tenure, generally up to three years under the scheme, during which the emeritus professor carries out the sanctioned research. The exact tenure, and whether any extension is possible, is decided by ICAR under the guidelines in force at the time of the award.

How to apply for the ICAR Emeritus Professor scheme

There is no online public form. The route runs through the academic system:

1. Secure a host institution, an ICAR institute or an agricultural university willing to host you as an emeritus professor and provide research facilities.
2. Prepare a detailed research proposal setting out the scientific programme you will pursue during the emeritus tenure, with your bio-data and list of publications.
3. Submit the proposal through the host institution to ICAR, following the call and format prescribed by the ICAR Education Division.
4. Await evaluation and sanction, ICAR assesses the proposal and your academic standing competitively before issuing the award, its tenure and its financial terms.

For the current guidelines, eligibility age and financial terms, contact the ICAR Education Division at Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan, New Delhi, through icar.org.in.

A note on scope and verification

The ICAR Emeritus Professor scheme is a narrow, institutional award. Its exact honorarium, contingency, upper age limit and tenure are set by ICAR and revised from time to time; this guide deliberately does not state figures that could not be confirmed against a current official source. Retired scientists considering the scheme should obtain the latest guidelines directly from ICAR before applying.