ICAR Emeritus Scientist Scheme

What is the ICAR Emeritus Scientist Scheme?

ICAR Emeritus Scientist Scheme is run by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which functions under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The scheme is a structured way of tapping the knowledge and skills of outstanding superannuated scientists of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS); letting them complete work in hand, teach specialised courses, and advise on nationally important policy questions after formal retirement.

According to ICAR guidelines, a selected Emeritus Scientist receives an honorarium of Rs 50,000 per month, paid over and above their pension, along with an annual contingency grant of Rs 2,00,000 and support to engage a research fellow. The honorarium is not a salary; it recognises continued scientific contribution by a senior researcher who no longer holds a regular post.

This is a targeted research position, not a welfare benefit. It exists to keep experienced agricultural scientists productive and to pass their expertise to the next generation of researchers.

Who is eligible for the ICAR Emeritus Scientist Scheme?

You can apply if:

• You are an outstanding superannuated scientist or faculty member of the National Agricultural Research System.
• You have one year of service left, or have superannuated within one year before the notification (June or December cycle).
• You have a strong recent record; at least 5 research papers in the last five years, or significant national or international awards or recognition.

You cannot apply if:

• You are not a scientist of ICAR or the wider NARS, the scheme is closed to the general public.
• You are a farmer, student or member of the public seeking a personal benefit. This scheme provides no citizen entitlement.
• You do not meet the publication or recognition threshold, or fall outside the retirement window defined for the cycle.

Because the eligibility is narrow and merit-based, only a small number of senior agricultural scientists qualify in any cycle, and selection is competitive.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the ICAR Emeritus Scientist Scheme

1. Confirm you fall in the eligible retirement window — retiring within the next 12 months, or recently superannuated, and meet the publication or awards threshold.
2. Identify a host institution within the National Agricultural Research System where you will carry out research, teaching and extension, and obtain its recommendation.
3. Prepare the application in the prescribed proforma with your research proposal and publication record. The guidelines require 15 copies.
4. Submit through the executive authority of the host institution to the Deputy Director General (Education), ICAR, in the June or December cycle.
5. Wait for ICAR's evaluation and sanction. The award letter sets out the honorarium, contingency, research fellow support and tenure.

Because this is an institutional research route rather than an online citizen application, there is no self-service portal; the proposal moves through the host institution and ICAR's Education Division.

How much benefit does the scheme provide?

Per ICAR guidelines, a selected Emeritus Scientist receives:

• Honorarium: Rs 50,000 per month, over and above pension.
• Contingency grant: Rs 2,00,000 per year for the research work.
• Research fellow: support to engage a fellow to assist the project.

The exact tenure and the detailed terms are specified in the ICAR guidelines and the individual sanction. Applicants should read the current notification for the cycle, as figures and conditions can be revised.

Help and where to check details

The scheme is administered by ICAR's Education Division in New Delhi and by the host research institutions, not through a public helpline. The authoritative references are the ICAR guidelines for the Emeritus Scientist Scheme and the HRD-section scheme page on icar.org.in. ICAR has not published a dedicated public phone helpline for this scheme; queries are handled by the Education Division and the host institution. Because eligibility is limited to senior agricultural scientists, prospective applicants should confirm the amount, tenure and cut-off dates against the current ICAR circular before applying.