The ICAR Technical Assistant Syllabus 2026 is prescribed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for its centralised recruitment examination for Technical Assistant (T-3) posts in ICAR Institutes and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) posts in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
ICAR has issued a detailed syllabus covering the Preliminary Examination (Paper-I) and Mains Examination (Paper-II). The Preliminary exam includes General Knowledge, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and General Agriculture, while the Mains syllabus is based on the candidate’s selected functional group.
The ICAR Technical Assistant syllabus PDF 2026 also covers different technical and professional groups, including Agriculture, Animal Science, Fisheries Science, Home Science, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, Library Information Science and Information Technology.
Also, Read: ICAR Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026
ICAR Technical Assistant Syllabus 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Examination | Centralized Recruitment Examination |
| Post 1 | Technical Assistant (T-3) |
| Post 2 | Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) |
| Workplace | ICAR Institutes and KVKs |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Examination and Mains Examination |
| Preliminary Paper | Paper-I (Qualifying) |
| Mains Paper | Paper-II (Functional Group-Specific) |
| Preliminary Subjects | General Knowledge, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and General Agriculture |
| Mains Questions | 100 |
| Mains Marks | 300 |
| Mains Duration | 2 Hours |
ICAR Technical Assistant Syllabus PDF Download 2026
Candidates can download the official ICAR Technical Assistant and Senior Technical Assistant syllabus PDF to check the complete examination scheme and subject-wise topics. The syllabus document was issued through ICAR Office Memorandum No. TS-19(6)/2024-Estt.IV (E-332924), dated 28 September 2026.
ICAR Technical Assistant Syllabus 2026 PDF
ICAR Technical Assistant Exam Pattern 2026
The ICAR centralized examination consists of two papers:
- Preliminary Examination (Paper-I) – Qualifying paper
- Mains Examination (Paper-II) – Functional group-specific paper
The Preliminary examination tests general awareness, English, quantitative aptitude and general agriculture. The Mains examination evaluates the candidate’s subject-specific knowledge according to the selected functional group.
ICAR Technical Assistant Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The Preliminary Examination is an objective-type multiple-choice examination consisting of 100 questions for 100 marks.
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Knowledge | 25 | 25 |
| 2 | General English | 25 | 25 |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| 4 | General Agriculture | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Prelims Exam Details:
- Examination type: Objective-type multiple-choice questions.
- Total questions: 100.
- Total marks: 100.
- Duration: 1 hour.
- Question paper language: English and Hindi, except the General English section.
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.
- Paper-I is a qualifying examination for shortlisting candidates for the Mains examination.
ICAR Technical Assistant Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The Mains Examination is designed to test candidates’ domain-specific knowledge according to their selected functional group.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Paper | Paper-II |
| Examination Type | Objective-type MCQs |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Marks per Question | 3 |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | 1 mark for each incorrect answer |
| Syllabus | Functional Group-Specific |
Important Mains Examination Rules:
- Each correct answer carries 3 marks.
- One mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.
- The Mains examination is based on the candidate’s selected functional group or sub-group.
- Candidates are shortlisted for the Mains examination based on their Preliminary examination performance, in the ratio decided by ASRB.
- Final selection for Technical Assistant (T-3) and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) is based on Mains examination performance.
- No interview will be conducted for these posts, as specified in the examination scheme.
ICAR Technical Assistant Paper-I Syllabus 2026
The Preliminary Examination (Paper-I) is common to candidates appearing for Technical Assistant (T-3) and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4). It contains four subjects: General Knowledge, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and General Agriculture.
Each subject carries 25 questions and 25 marks.
1. ICAR Technical Assistant General Knowledge Syllabus
The General Knowledge section tests candidates’ awareness of their surroundings, current events and general knowledge of India and neighbouring countries.
Important topics include:
- Current events and national affairs
- International current affairs
- Indian History
- Indian Culture
- Indian Geography
- Economic Science
- General Policy
- Scientific Research
- General awareness of society and the environment
- Everyday observations and scientific developments
Candidates should focus on important national and international events, Indian history, geography, economy and developments in science and technology.
2. ICAR Technical Assistant General English Syllabus
The General English section evaluates candidates’ ability to understand correct English, basic comprehension and writing skills.
Important areas include:
- English grammar
- Basic sentence structure
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Correct usage of words
- Sentence formation
- Basic writing ability
- Understanding written English
Candidates should practise grammar, vocabulary and comprehension questions to improve accuracy.
3. ICAR Technical Assistant Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
The Quantitative Aptitude section tests numerical ability and the appropriate use of numbers.
The detailed syllabus includes the following topics:
Arithmetic and Number System
- Whole numbers
- Decimals and fractions
- Relationships between numbers
- Percentage
- Ratio and proportion
- Square roots
- Averages
- Interest
- Profit and loss
- Discount
- Partnership business
- Mixture and alligation
- Time and distance
- Time and work
Algebra
- Basic algebraic identities
- Elementary surds
- Graphs of linear equations
Geometry
- Triangles and their different centres
- Congruence and similarity of triangles
- Circle and its chords
- Tangents
- Angles subtended by chords
- Common tangents to two or more circles
- Quadrilaterals
- Regular polygons
Mensuration
- Right prism
- Right circular cone
- Right circular cylinder
- Sphere and hemisphere
- Rectangular parallelepiped
- Regular right pyramid with triangular or square base
Trigonometry and Data Interpretation
- Trigonometric ratios
- Degree and radian measures
- Standard identities
- Complementary angles
- Heights and distances
- Histogram
- Frequency polygon
- Bar diagram
- Pie chart
4. ICAR Technical Assistant General Agriculture Syllabus
General Agriculture is an important section of the Preliminary examination. It covers crop production, soil science, horticulture, animal science, agricultural engineering, farm management, agricultural extension and agricultural research.
The major topics are explained below.
A. Agro-Ecosystems and Agronomy
- Agronomic principles and practices
- Agro-meteorology
- Dryland farming
- Agroforestry
- Soil testing and fertility management
- Integrated farming systems
- Climate change and its impact on Indian agriculture
- Cereal crops
- Pulses and oilseeds
- Forage crops
- Horticultural crops
- Principles of plant breeding
- Seed production
- Tissue culture
- Plant propagation techniques
- Major diseases of rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, potato, citrus and papaya
- Weed management
B. Animal Science
- Animal breeding
- Animal cloning
- Basics of animal health
- Livestock production
- Poultry and duckery
- Small ruminants
- Beekeeping
- Freshwater and marine fisheries
C. Agricultural Engineering and Farm Management
- Farm machinery
- Agricultural energy
- Ergonomics
- Women-friendly agricultural equipment
- Post-harvest technology
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in agriculture
- Agribusiness
- Socio-economic aspects of agriculture
- Types and systems of farming
- Factors affecting farming systems
- Agricultural price policy
- Crop insurance
D. Agricultural Research and Rural Development
- Role of ICAR in Indian agriculture
- Role of NAARM
- Agricultural Universities
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Agriculture
- Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
- Agricultural technology dissemination
- NGOs and Self-Help Groups
- Rural development
- Human Resource Development in Agricultural Research
- Role of cooperatives in the agricultural economy
- National Education Policy 2020
E. Agricultural Laws and Regulations
- Seeds Act, 1966
- Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and its 2023 amendment
- Insecticides Act, 1968
- Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003
- National Biodiversity Authority
- Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority
- Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQ&S)
F. International Agricultural Organisations
- CIMMYT
- IRRI
- ICRISAT
- IITA
- CIAT
- IWMI
- ICARDA
ICAR Technical Assistant Mains Syllabus 2026: Functional Group-Wise Topics
The Mains Examination (Paper-II) is based on the candidate’s selected functional group. The official syllabus document covers ten functional groups or sub-groups.
Candidates should carefully select the functional group applicable to their educational qualification and recruitment application.
List of ICAR Technical Assistant Functional Groups
| Sl. No. | Functional Group / Sub-Group |
|---|---|
| 1 | Field/Farm Technician & Laboratory Technician (Agriculture) |
| 2 | Field/Farm Technician & Laboratory Technician (Animal Science) |
| 3 | Field/Farm Technician & Laboratory Technician (Fisheries Science) |
| 4 | Field/Farm Technician & Laboratory Technician (Home Science/Community Science) |
| 5 | Workshop Staff (Civil Engineering) |
| 6 | Workshop Staff (Agricultural Engineering) |
| 7 | Workshop Staff (Electrical Engineering) |
| 8 | Workshop Staff (Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering) |
| 9 | Library Information Science/Documentation Staff |
| 10 | Information Technology |
1. Agriculture Syllabus – Field/Farm Technician & Laboratory Technician
The Agriculture functional group covers advanced topics in agronomy, soil science, crop production, plant breeding, horticulture, agricultural extension and agricultural engineering.
Important topics include:
- Ecology and environmental science
- Natural resource management and conservation
- Agro-ecology and climate change
- Cropping patterns and farming systems
- Organic and precision farming
- Production practices for cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fibre and commercial crops
- Agroforestry and forestry
- Weed science and weed management
- Soil properties, soil fertility and nutrient management
- Soil testing and fertiliser recommendations
- Dryland agriculture and watershed management
- Irrigation, drainage and water-use efficiency
- Farm management and agricultural economics
- Agricultural extension and rural development
- Agricultural engineering and farm machinery
- Cell biology, genetics and heredity
- Plant breeding and crop improvement
- Seed production, certification and processing
- Plant physiology
- Horticulture and protected cultivation
- Plant pathology and agricultural entomology
- Food science and technology
- Food production, consumption and food security
- Biotechnology and genetic engineering
- Food microbiology and food processing
2. Animal Science Syllabus – Field/Farm Technician & Laboratory Technician
The Animal Science functional group covers livestock production, animal nutrition, physiology, reproduction, genetics, veterinary science, animal health and dairy technology.
Important topics include:
- Animal nutrition
- Energy and protein requirements
- Minerals, vitamins and feed additives
- Feed processing and fodder conservation
- Animal physiology
- Blood circulation and respiration
- Excretion and endocrine glands
- Animal growth and production
- Milk production and reproduction
- Animal reproduction and artificial insemination
- Livestock production and management
- Dairy farming
- Meat, egg and wool production
- Genetics and animal breeding
- Breeding systems and selection methods
- Agricultural and animal husbandry extension
- Animal anatomy and histology
- Pharmacology and therapeutics
- Veterinary hygiene
- Animal diseases and their diagnosis
- Veterinary public health
- Zoonotic diseases
- Milk and milk products technology
- Meat hygiene and technology
- Poultry products and processing
3. Fisheries Science Syllabus – Field/Farm Technician & Laboratory Technician
The Fisheries Science group covers aquaculture, fish breeding, fisheries management, fish biology, aquatic ecology, fish processing and fisheries economics.
Important topics include:
- Principles of aquaculture
- Freshwater and marine aquaculture
- Fish farming systems
- Fish breeding and seed production
- Hatchery management
- Ornamental fish farming
- Aquarium management
- Fish genetics and biotechnology
- Fish nutrition and feed management
- Fish health and disease management
- Inland fisheries
- Marine fisheries
- Aquatic ecology and ecosystems
- Soil and water chemistry
- Taxonomy of finfishes and shellfishes
- Fishery biology
- Fishing crafts and gears
- Fish processing and preservation
- Fish products and by-products
- Fisheries economics
- Fisheries extension and marketing
- Fisheries policies and trade
4. Home Science / Community Science Syllabus
This functional group includes agriculture-related fundamentals, human nutrition, child development, family resource management, clothing and textiles, and Home Science education.
Important topics include:
- Importance of agriculture in the national economy
- Basic principles of crop production
- Major crops and their cultivation
- Soil types and plant nutrients
- Cell structure and genetics
- Plant growth and development
- Photosynthesis and respiration
- Major crop pests and diseases
- Organic farming and biofertilisers
- Natural resources and ecosystems
- Biodiversity and environmental conservation
- Rural development programmes
- Human nutrition and food groups
- Nutritional value of food
- Food processing and preservation
- Meal planning and diet therapy
- Community nutrition and health
- Child and human development
- Prenatal and postnatal care
- Family dynamics and family welfare
- Home management and family finance
- Housing and home furnishing
- Clothing construction and textiles
- Textile fibres and traditional textiles
- Home Science education and communication
- Extension methods and women’s empowerment
5. Civil Engineering Syllabus – Workshop Staff
The Civil Engineering functional group includes engineering mathematics, construction materials, structural analysis, design, hydraulics, environmental engineering and transportation engineering.
Important topics include:
- Engineering Mathematics
- Building Materials
- Solid Mechanics
- Structural Analysis
- Design of Steel Structures
- Design of Concrete and Masonry Structures
- Construction Practice, Planning and Management
- Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines
- Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Foundation Engineering
- Surveying and Geology
- Transportation Engineering
- Building Information Modelling (BIM)
- Geographic Information System (GIS)
- Drones and UAVs in civil engineering
- Smart Sensors and IoT
- Green Building Concepts
- Sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure
- Agricultural structures and rural infrastructure
6. Agricultural Engineering Syllabus – Workshop Staff
The Agricultural Engineering group focuses on farm machinery, agricultural power, irrigation, soil and water engineering, food processing and renewable energy.
Important topics include:
- Elementary Statistics and Probability
- Differential and Integral Calculus
- Linear Algebra and Fourier Series
- Differential Equations
- Vector Algebra and Vector Calculus
- Numerical Analysis
- Electric Motors and Measuring Instruments
- Computer Fundamentals and Power Distribution
- Thermodynamics
- Fluid Mechanics
- Theory of Machines
- Soil Mechanics
- Soil Classification and Compaction
- Engineering Mechanics
- Strength of Materials
- Farm Machinery and Mechanisation
- Farm Engines, Tractors and Power Tillers
- Repair and Maintenance of Farm Equipment
- Renewable Energy and Bioenergy
- Solar, Wind and Biogas Systems
- Agricultural Produce Processing
- Drying, Milling and Storage
- Food Preservation and Refrigeration
- Surveying and Levelling
- Hydrology and Water Resources
- Irrigation and Drainage Systems
- Water Harvesting and Soil Conservation
7. Electrical Engineering Syllabus – Workshop Staff
The Electrical Engineering group covers electrical circuits, machines, measurements, power systems, control systems, electronics and agricultural automation.
Important topics include:
- Engineering Mathematics
- Electrical Engineering Materials
- Electric Circuits and Fields
- Network Theorems
- Electrical and Electronic Measurements
- Computer Fundamentals
- Basic Electronics Engineering
- Analog and Digital Electronics
- Systems and Signal Processing
- Control Systems
- Electrical Machines
- Transformers and Motors
- Power Systems
- Power Generation and Transmission
- Power Electronics and Drives
- Semiconductor Devices
- Agricultural Instrumentation and Automation
- Sensors and Data Acquisition Systems
- PLCs and SCADA
- Automation in Irrigation and Agricultural Facilities
8. Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering Syllabus – Workshop Staff
This group covers electronics, digital systems, instrumentation, control engineering, microcontrollers, measuring instruments and emerging technologies.
Important topics include:
- Engineering Mathematics
- Electrical Engineering Fundamentals
- Network Theorems and Electrical Machines
- Electronic Components and Devices
- Analog Electronics
- Digital Electronics
- Boolean Algebra and Logic Gates
- Process Instrumentation
- Transducers and Sensors
- Temperature, Pressure, Flow and Level Measurement
- Control Engineering
- PID Controllers
- Linear Integrated Circuit Applications
- Operational Amplifiers
- Microcontrollers
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
- SCADA and Distributed Control Systems
- Electronic Measuring Instruments
- Digital Multimeters and Oscilloscopes
- Analytical and Biomedical Instrumentation
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Instrumentation
- Cyber-Physical Systems
- Industry 4.0
9. Library Information Science / Documentation Staff Syllabus
The Library Information Science group focuses on library management, knowledge organisation, information services, library automation and research methodology.
Important topics include:
- Library and Society
- History and development of libraries in India
- Five Laws of Library Science
- Types of libraries
- Library legislation
- Professional ethics
- Library associations and organisations
- Knowledge Organisation
- Library classification schemes
- Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
- Universal Decimal Classification (UDC)
- Colon Classification
- Cataloguing codes and principles
- Library and Information Management
- Acquisition and processing of library resources
- Circulation and serial management
- Budgeting and record keeping
- Reference and Information Services
- Current Awareness Services (CAS)
- Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)
- Reference sources and online information resources
- Information Technology in Libraries
- Library Automation
- Library Management Software
- RFID, Barcode and QR Code Technology
- Digital Libraries and Institutional Repositories
- Library Networks and Resource Sharing
- INFLIBNET and DELNET
- Research Methodology
- Bibliometrics, Scientometrics and Webometrics
10. Information Technology Syllabus
The Information Technology functional group covers operating systems, computer networks, database management, software engineering, programming, web development, mobile applications and artificial intelligence.
Important topics include:
Operating Systems
- Process Management
- Inter-process Communication
- Process Scheduling
- Memory Management
- Virtual Memory
- Paging and Segmentation
- Deadlocks and Semaphores
- File Systems
- Distributed Operating Systems
Computer Networking
- Types of Networks and Topologies
- Network Management
- Data Transmission
- ISO-OSI Model
- TCP/IP Model
- Internet Standards and Services
- Cryptography
- Data Compression
- Authentication and Firewalls
Database Management Systems
- DBMS Concepts and Features
- Relational Databases
- Database Design and Normalisation
- SQL and PL/SQL
- Query Processing and Optimisation
- Database Security
- Backup and Recovery
- Distributed Databases
Software Engineering
- Requirement Analysis
- Software Development Life Cycle
- Software Process Models
- Project Management
- Software Quality
- Coding and Testing
- Software Maintenance
- Gantt Charts, PERT and CPM
- CASE Tools
Data Structures and Programming
- C++, Java and Python
- Arrays and Linked Lists
- Stacks and Queues
- Trees and Graphs
- Searching and Sorting Algorithms
- Object-Oriented Programming
- Pointers and Dynamic Memory
- File Management
- Algorithms and Flowcharts
Website Development
- HTML and HTML5
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Content Management Systems
- WordPress, Joomla and Drupal
- .NET
- JSP and PHP
- Web Security and Performance
Mobile Application Development
- Android and iOS Platforms
- Application Development Life Cycle
- UI/UX Design
- React Native and Flutter
- Java, Kotlin and Swift
- APIs and Database Integration
- App Testing and Deployment
Server Administration and Database Administration
- Linux and Windows Server
- Server Configuration
- User and Group Management
- Network Security
- System Monitoring
- Backup and Recovery
- Relational and NoSQL Databases
- Database Performance Tuning
- Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server and PostgreSQL
Artificial Intelligence
- AI Concepts and Applications
- Machine Learning
- Regression and Classification
- Clustering
- Decision Trees and Random Forest
- Neural Networks and Deep Learning
- CNN, RNN, LSTM and Transformers
- Model Evaluation
- Image Processing
- Generative AI and Large Language Models
- AI Tools and Platforms
How to Choose the Correct ICAR Technical Assistant Mains Syllabus?
The Mains syllabus is not common for all candidates. It depends on the functional group or sub-group selected for the examination.
Before preparing for Paper-II, candidates should follow these steps:
- Check the educational qualification and functional group applicable to the post.
- Identify the correct functional group from the official examination scheme.
- Download the ICAR Technical Assistant syllabus PDF.
- Open the Paper-II section in the document.
- Locate the functional group matching your application.
- Prepare only the relevant subject-specific syllabus along with the common Preliminary syllabus.
Important: The examination scheme allows candidates to apply for either or both posts, Technical Assistant (T-3) and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4), if eligible. However, a candidate can select only one functional group/sub-group for the Mains examination, irrespective of eligibility for multiple groups.
How to Prepare for ICAR Technical Assistant Exam 2026?
A structured preparation strategy can help candidates cover both the Preliminary and Mains syllabus effectively.
1. Understand the Two-Stage Examination
Start by understanding the difference between Paper-I and Paper-II. Paper-I is a qualifying examination, while Paper-II tests subject-specific knowledge and determines final selection.
2. Complete General Agriculture
General Agriculture carries 25 marks in the Preliminary examination. Cover agronomy, soil science, crop production, horticulture, animal science, agricultural engineering and agricultural extension.
3. Practise Quantitative Aptitude
Prepare arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and data interpretation. Practise calculations regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
4. Revise General Knowledge and English
Read current affairs and revise Indian history, geography, economy, polity and scientific developments. Practise English grammar and comprehension questions.
5. Focus on Your Selected Functional Group
For the Mains examination, give priority to the functional group selected in your application. Prepare the detailed technical topics provided in the official Paper-II syllabus.
6. Attempt Mock Tests
Solve objective-type questions and full-length mock tests. Since both papers include negative marking, focus on accuracy as well as speed.
7. Revise Regularly
Prepare short notes for important concepts, formulas, technical terms and difficult topics. Revise them regularly before the examination.
ICAR Technical Assistant Syllabus 2026 - FAQs
What is the ICAR Technical Assistant Syllabus 2026?
The ICAR Technical Assistant syllabus consists of two papers. Paper-I covers General Knowledge, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and General Agriculture. Paper-II covers subject-specific topics according to the selected functional group.
How many subjects are included in the ICAR Technical Assistant Preliminary exam?
There are four subjects: General Knowledge, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and General Agriculture. Each subject carries 25 questions and 25 marks.
What is the total number of questions in the ICAR Technical Assistant Prelims exam?
The Preliminary examination contains 100 objective-type questions carrying 100 marks.
Is the ICAR Technical Assistant Preliminary examination qualifying?
Yes. Paper-I is a qualifying examination. Candidates are shortlisted for the Mains examination based on their Preliminary examination performance and the shortlisting ratio decided by ASRB.
What is the ICAR Technical Assistant Mains exam pattern?
The Mains examination consists of 100 objective-type questions carrying 300 marks. Each question carries 3 marks, and the duration is two hours.
Is there negative marking in the ICAR Technical Assistant examination?
Yes. There is a deduction of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer in the Preliminary examination and 1 mark for each incorrect answer in the Mains examination.
Is there an interview for ICAR Technical Assistant recruitment?
No interview is specified for Technical Assistant (T-3) and Senior Technical Assistant (T-4) in the official examination scheme. Selection is based on Mains examination performance.