Merit-cum-Means Scholarships for Under Graduate Studies in Agriculture and Animal Science Subjects

What is the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship?

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship is a student-support scheme of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. According to ICAR, the scheme awards a monthly scholarship to needy but meritorious undergraduate students studying agriculture and animal-science subjects, so that a shortage of money does not force a capable student out of professional education.

The scheme combines two tests. The merit test requires the student to have secured at least 60% marks (or the equivalent grade point average) in the qualifying examination. The means test restricts the benefit to students whose family income is within a ceiling notified by ICAR. Only a student who clears both conditions receives the scholarship, hence the name "merit-cum-means."

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship is a modest, targeted award rather than a large open scholarship. It supports students in undergraduate degree programmes in agriculture, agricultural engineering, veterinary and animal husbandry, dairy technology, fisheries science and home science at ICAR-recognised agricultural universities and colleges.

Main features

• A monthly scholarship, commonly cited as about Rs 1,000 a month in the ICAR guidelines, paid to eligible students.
• Restricted to undergraduate students of agriculture and allied subjects.
• Two qualifying conditions: 60% marks and a family-income ceiling.
• Administered through the student's own agricultural university / college.

Who is eligible for the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship?

You can apply if:

• You are enrolled in an undergraduate degree in agriculture or an animal-science subject: agriculture, agricultural engineering, veterinary and animal sciences, dairy, fisheries or home science, at an ICAR-recognised institution.
• You have scored at least 60% marks (or equivalent OGPA) in the qualifying examination.
• Your family income is within the ceiling set for the means test.

You cannot apply if:

• Your marks are below 60%, even if your family income is low.
• Your family income exceeds the ceiling notified by ICAR, even if your marks are high.
• You are a postgraduate or research student — this scheme is only for undergraduate studies; postgraduate students are supported through separate ICAR fellowships.
• Your programme or institution is not covered under the ICAR-recognised list.

Because both a merit and a means condition apply, the scholarship is deliberately narrow. A student who is bright but not needy, or needy but below the marks threshold, is not eligible.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship

The scholarship is administered through your institution, so the application does not go directly to ICAR. Follow these steps:

1. Ask your college / university, the dean of students' welfare or the scholarship section, for the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship application form and the current income ceiling.
2. Fill the form and attach your income certificate, the marksheet showing at least 60% marks, your bonafide/admission certificate and bank passbook.
3. Submit the application within the institution's deadline. The college screens applicants against the merit and means conditions.
4. Selection and disbursement are handled by the institution, which forwards eligible cases and credits the scholarship to your bank account.

Because the exact amount, income ceiling and number of scholarships are revised by ICAR from time to time, confirm the current figures with your university's scholarship section before applying.

Note on figures

ICAR revises the rate and number of Merit-cum-Means scholarships periodically, and different agricultural universities publish slightly different amounts in their prospectuses. The commonly cited figure is about Rs 1,000 per month, but the authoritative current rate is whatever ICAR and your institution notify for the running academic year. Treat the amount above as indicative and verify locally before you rely on it.

Help and information

• Your agricultural university / college. The scholarship or students' welfare section is the first point of contact for forms, eligibility and payment queries.
• ICAR portal: icar.org.in, for the Council's education schemes and current guidelines.

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship is a genuinely niche award that is best understood alongside ICAR's wider student-support schemes for agricultural education rather than as a standalone mass scholarship.