Netaji Subhas - ICAR International Fellowship (NS-ICAR IF)

What is the Netaji Subhas - ICAR International Fellowship?

The Netaji Subhas - ICAR International Fellowship (NS-ICAR IF) is a doctoral research fellowship administered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. According to ICAR's guidelines, its objective is to strengthen global agricultural research capacity by supporting high-quality PhD study in agriculture and allied sciences.

The fellowship has two components:

1. Indian candidates pursuing a PhD at identified overseas universities and institutions.
2. Overseas candidates pursuing a PhD at Indian Agricultural Universities within the ICAR-AU system.

This guide focuses on the first component, the fellowship for Indian students going abroad, which is what most Indian readers are searching for. Up to 30 fellowships are available, each for a maximum of three years, and the research must fall within ICAR-identified priority areas.

This is a competitive, high-level academic fellowship with a small annual intake. It is not a general scholarship and not a benefit that any individual can simply claim.

Who is eligible for the NS-ICAR International Fellowship?

You can apply if:

• You are an Indian candidate with a Master's degree in agriculture or an allied science.
• You meet the academic bar of an Overall Grade Point Average (OGPA) of 6.60 out of 10.0, or 65% marks or equivalent.
• Your proposed PhD research falls within an ICAR-identified priority area.
• You meet the age limit specified in the year's notification.

You cannot apply if:

• You do not hold a Master's degree in agriculture or allied sciences — undergraduates and school students are not eligible.
• Your academic record is below the OGPA / percentage threshold.
• Your intended research is outside the ICAR-identified priority areas.
• You do not meet the age or other conditions set out in the annual notification.

Because the priority areas and the exact age limit are fixed afresh in each year's notification, always check the current ICAR notice before applying rather than relying on a previous year's list.

How much does the fellowship pay?

For Indian fellows going abroad, the ICAR guidelines provide:

• About US $2,000 per month as the fellowship stipend.
• A lump-sum preparatory and contingency grant of about US $1,000 per year.
• An economy-class return air ticket for international travel.

These amounts are as stated in the ICAR fellowship guidelines. Because the fellowship is denominated in US dollars and set against the annual notification, confirm the exact figures in the current notice before applying. The fellowship runs for a maximum of three years, with continuation each year subject to satisfactory academic progress.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the NS-ICAR International Fellowship

1. Watch for the annual notification from ICAR, published on icar.org.in and circulated by Indian embassies abroad, which lists the priority areas, age limit and last date.
2. Confirm your eligibility. The Master's degree, the OGPA/percentage bar, and that your intended research is in a priority area.
3. Prepare your application with your degree proof, marksheets, research details, passport and age proof.
4. Submit the application to ICAR's HRD Division in the manner specified in the notification: typically by email to the address given in the notice, using the prescribed subject line such as "Application for NSIF: Name of Applicant and contact number".
5. Submit before the last date announced in the notification. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
6. Await selection by ICAR, which assesses candidates against the eligibility and priority-area criteria and awards up to 30 fellowships.

Once selected, an Indian fellow proceeds to the identified overseas university to pursue the PhD, drawing the monthly stipend and contingency support for up to three years.

Where to get help

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), HRD Division, administers the fellowship; details and the fellowship list are at icar.org.in/en/fellowships.
• Indian embassies and missions abroad publish the annual notification and can guide overseas-bound and overseas applicants.

There is no application fee. Because the fellowship is a competitive, notification-driven scheme with a fixed number of seats, meeting the eligibility criteria makes you eligible to apply but does not guarantee an award. Always rely on the current year's official ICAR notification for exact amounts, priority areas and deadlines.