Latest Updates for ICAR JRF/SRF
- 13 December 2024 :
ICAR JRF/SRF 2024 counselling schedule is out. The registration will take place from Jan 6 - 10, 2025.
Table of Contents
ICAR paper analysis 2024 is based on topics like Agriculture, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. There will be 3 sections based on these topics and a total of 120 compulsory questions. Candidates can choose between English and Hindi language for the three sections. Visually challenged students will have an extra 50 minutes to answer the ICAR 2024 paper.
Candidates should note that the marking scheme and ICAR exam pattern were revised in 2021. This was done to ease the burden on students caused due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ICAR is a computer-based national-level entrance exam with a duration of 120 minutes (2 hours) The format of the ICAR exam 2024 is now changed to MCQ.
Also Read: ICAR Answer Key 2024
Exam Highlights ICAR JRF/SRF 2024
The ICAR JRF/SRF 2024 exam was conducted on Jun 29, 2024. The NTA will be conducting the exam in three streams. There are a total of 150 questions, each correct answer is valued at 4 marks, whereas the wrong answer deducts -1 from your total score.
| Particulars | Highlights |
| Streams | PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), PCA (Physics, Chemistry, Agriculture), and ABC (Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry) |
| No. of Questions in Physics Section | 40 |
| No. of Questions in Chemistry Section | 40 |
| No. of Questions in Mathematics/ Agriculture/ Biology Section | 40 |
| Marks Per Section | 160 |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Total Marks | 480 |
Sectional Weightage for ICAR JRF/SRF UG 2024
We have listed the allotment of marks for all streams and the weightage per section below.
- Physics: Consisting of 40 questions valued at 160 marks, physics is usually easy and includes questions that require calculations.
- Chemistry: Consisting of 40 questions valued at 160 marks. Chemistry is easier and in 2020, physical chemistry had the highest weightage.
- Mathematics: Algebra and Calculus had the highest weightage in 2020. Consisting of 40 questions valued at 160 marks, mathematics is the most difficult among the lot and lengthy as well.
- Agriculture: Agriculture is moderate in difficulty and includes Agrometeorology, Microbiology and Horticulture. It consists of 40 questions and is valued at 160 marks in the PCA stream.
- Biology: With topics such as Life, Diversity of life, Organisms and the environment, Biology is the most difficult of the lot and consists of 40 questions valued at 160 marks in PCB.
Marking Scheme for ICAR JRF/SRF 2024
As mentioned above, the marking scheme is 4 marks for the correct answer and -1 for incorrect answers. In case of a wrong attempt, there is a 1 mark deduction and the final marks are calculated based on the table below.
| Marking Scheme for ICAR JRF/SRF 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Questions Per Section | 40 |
| Marks Per Question | 4 Marks |
| Negative Marking | -1 Mark (For every wrong attempt) |
About ICAR JRF/SRF 2024
The AIEE ICAR entrance exam is held every year to help candidates seek admission in postgraduate, undergraduate, and Doctoral programs in allied sciences and agriculture sciences. 15% of the bachelor's degree program seats are filled with the ICAR exam and candidates can also seek the National Talent Scholarships in agriculture and allied science subjects. This does not include veterinary science.
ICAR JRF/SRF 2020 Paper Analysis
As per the ICAR JRF/SRF 2020 test takers and experts, the exam was of moderate to tough difficulty level. According to some candidates, the ABC (Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry) group was the most difficult compared to other sections. Some questions from Biology and Mathematics were lengthy and time-consuming, as well.
Here is the subject-wise analysis of ICAR JRF/SRF 2020.
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Topics Asked |
| Physics | Moderate to tough | Thermodynamics, Optics, Electromagnetic Induction |
| Chemistry | Moderate to tough | Surface Chemistry, s-Block and p-Block Elements, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry |
| Biology | Easy to moderate | Living World, Units of Life, Diversity of Life, Organisms and Environment |
| Mathematics | Moderate to tough | Sets and Functions, Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Calculus, Statistics |
| Agriculture | Moderate | Agro meteorology, Genetics, and Plant Breeding, Biochemistry and Microbiology; Livestock Production; Crop Production; Horticulture |
Also Read: ICAR Syllabus 2024
FAQs on ICAR JRF/SRF Paper Analysis
Q: Why is the ICAR JRF/SRF paper analysis 2024 important?
A: The ICAR JRF/SRF paper analysis 2024 is important to get an idea of the difficulty level of the overall examination. Subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are moderate to tough. The difficulty level of the Biology and Agriculture subjects is easy to moderate.
Q: What is the marking scheme of the ICAR JRF/SRF 2024 exam?
A: As per the ICAR JRF/SRF marking scheme, each question will carry 4 marks. There will be a total of 3 sections with 40 questions in each. Candidates will be awarded 4 marks for every correct response and 1 mark will be deducted for every wrong response.
Q: What is the difficulty level of the ICAR JRF/SRF 2024 exam?
A: According to previous test-takers, the ICAR JRF/SRF 2024 exam had a moderate to tough difficulty level. Candidates can easily crack the exam by checking the ICAR JRF/SRF paper analysis 2024 and preparing a thorough exam plan. There will be questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Agriculture.
Q: Which subjects are difficult in the ICAR JRF/SRF 2024 exam?
A: As per the ICAR paper analysis 2024, questions from subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics were harder than the ones from Biology and Agriculture. There are a total of 120 questions. To answer the questions with the highest accuracy, candidates must solve previous years' question papers and appear for mock tests.
Q: Were the ICAR JRF/SRF 2024 questions lengthy and time-consuming?
A: Yes, questions from the Biology and Mathematics part were lengthy and time-consuming, as per the ICAR paper analysis 2020. The biology part consisted of questions from Units of Life, Organisms and Environment, etc. On the other hand, the mathematics part included topics like algebra, calculus, statistics, etc.
