The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the provisional answer key for the ICAR AIEEA PG and PhD 2025 examinations. This crucial step in the post-exam process allows candidates to evaluate their performance, estimate scores, and raise objections if they notice discrepancies. The ICAR AIEEA exams are a gateway for students aspiring to pursue postgraduate and doctoral programs in agriculture and allied sciences across top Indian institutions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Why the ICAR Answer Key is Important
The publication of the answer key serves multiple purposes:
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Transparency: Candidates can match their responses and see how they performed.
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Self-Assessment: Before the results are officially declared, students can calculate their probable scores.
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Objection Opportunity: Students can highlight errors or mismatches in the provisional key.
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Preparation for Counseling: By estimating scores, students can begin to research expected cutoffs and prepare for the next phase.
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Event |
Date |
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Application Start Date |
6 May 2025 |
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Last Date for Apply Online |
5 June 2025 |
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Pay Exam Fee Last Date |
5 June 2025 |
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Exam Date |
03 July 2025 |
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Admit Card Available |
27 June 2025 |
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Answer Key Available |
18 July 2025 |
💰 Application Fee Details: For AIEEA PG Courses:
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Category |
Amount |
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General Category |
₹1300 |
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OBC / EWS |
₹1255 |
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SC / ST / PH |
₹675 |
💰 Application Fee Details: For AIEEA PhD (JRF/SRF) Courses
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Category |
Amount |
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General Category |
₹2000 |
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OBC / EWS |
₹1955 |
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SC / ST / PH |
₹1025 |
Payment Methods:
You can pay the exam fee using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, E-Challan, E-Wallet, or Cash Card.
🎯 Age Limit (As of 31 August 2025)
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Minimum Age for PG Courses |
19 years |
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Minimum Age for PhD Courses |
20 years |
(No upper age limit specified in the notice)
📚 Available Courses for ICAR AIEEA 2025
Students can apply for the following subjects:
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🟩 Postgraduate (PG) Courses |
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· Plant Biotechnology · Plant Science · Physical Science · Entomology and Nematology · Agronomy · Social Science · Statistical Science · Horticulture · Forestry · Agricultural Engineering · Water Science and Technology · Home Science · Animal Biotechnology · Veterinary Science · Animal Science · Fisheries Science · Dairy Science · Dairy Technology · Food Science and Technology · Agribusiness Management |
Subjects available under PhD program include:
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🟪 PhD Courses (AICE-JRF/SRF/PGS) |
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· Crop Science I, II, III · Horticulture · Veterinary and Animal Science I, II, III · Dairy Science · Dairy Technology · Food Technology · Agricultural Engineering and Technology · Home Science · Fishery Science · Natural Resource Management I, II · Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management · Agricultural Extension · Agricultural Statistics |
🎓 Educational Qualifications Required
For PG Courses:
- Must have completed a Bachelor’s (UG) Degree in the related subject from a recognized college or university.
For PhD Courses:
- Must have completed a Postgraduate (PG) Degree in the related subject from a recognized college or university.
Steps to Download the ICAR AIEEA PG & PhD Answer Key 2025
If you’ve appeared for the exam, follow these simple steps to access the answer key:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to https://icar.nta.nic.in, the official portal for ICAR exams conducted by NTA.
Step 2: Click on the Answer Key Link
On the homepage, locate and click on the link labeled "ICAR AIEEA PG & PhD 2025 Answer Key (Provisional)". A new login window will open.
Step 3: Log in Using Your Credentials
Enter your application number, date of birth, and security pin as displayed on the page. Then click Submit.
Step 4: View Your Answer Sheet
You will now be able to view your question paper, recorded responses, and the provisional answer key.
Step 5: Download and Save
Download the answer key for your records. You can compare your marked responses with the correct answers to assess your score.
How to Calculate Your Expected Score
Knowing how to calculate your score helps you estimate your result even before the final marks are out. The marking scheme typically includes:
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Correct answer: +4 marks
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Incorrect answer: -1 mark (negative marking applies)
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Unanswered: 0 marks
Example:
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Correct answers: 40 → 40 x 4 = 160
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Incorrect answers: 10 → 10 x (-1) = -10
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Final estimated score: 160 - 10 = 150
Make sure to use your recorded response sheet for accurate calculation.
How to Raise Objections to the Answer Key
If you spot any discrepancies or believe that a particular answer is incorrect, NTA allows you to submit objections.
Step-by-Step Process to Raise Objection:
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Login to the same NTA portal where the answer key was published.
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Click on the ‘Challenge Answer Key’ option.
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Select the question(s) you wish to challenge.
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Provide your explanation or supporting documents (PDFs or reference links from standard sources).
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Pay the objection fee—typically ₹200 per question (non-refundable).
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Submit your objections before the deadline.
After reviewing all objections, NTA will release the final answer key, and no further changes will be entertained.
What Happens After the Final Answer Key?
Once all objections are reviewed, NTA publishes the final answer key, which is used to calculate your final result. The results for PG and PhD programs will be announced shortly afterward, followed by:
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Merit List Publication
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Counseling Process
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Document Verification
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Admission Allotment
The final selection is strictly based on merit, reservation policy, and seat availability at ICAR-accredited universities.