India’s agricultural sector is the backbone of its economy, feeding over 1.4 billion people and providing livelihoods to half the nation. But sustaining this sector demands relentless innovation, advanced research, and visionary leadership.
Recognizing this, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) — under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare — introduced two highly prestigious research leadership positions: the ICAR National Professor and ICAR National Fellow.
These positions are designed to empower the brightest agricultural scientists to undertake frontier research, mentor young minds, and spearhead India’s agricultural transformation.
Table of Contents
💡 What are ICAR National Professor and National Fellow Positions?
ICAR National Professor
The ICAR National Professor is the highest academic honor conferred upon eminent agricultural scientists in India. These positions are designed to:
- Provide opportunities for top-tier scientists to undertake innovative, strategic research.
- Encourage high-level mentorship and leadership in agricultural education and research.
- Strengthen ICAR and state agricultural university research capabilities.
ICAR National Fellow
The ICAR National Fellow position, while slightly junior to the National Professor, is equally prestigious. It focuses on:
- Supporting senior scientists to work on cutting-edge, mission-oriented projects.
- Developing advanced technologies and practices in crop, livestock, fisheries, and allied sectors.
- Enabling breakthrough research that aligns with national agricultural priorities.
🎯 Objectives
Both schemes share overarching objectives:
✅ Foster high-level strategic and innovative research in priority agricultural areas.
✅ Retain outstanding scientists within the national system by providing world-class research opportunities.
✅ Strengthen India’s agricultural innovation ecosystem to achieve self-reliance and global competitiveness.
✅ Mentor and inspire young scientists, thus building future generations of agricultural leaders.
🏅 Eligibility Criteria
For ICAR National Professor
- Experience: Scientists with proven leadership in research and at least 15–20 years of outstanding contributions.
- Recognition: National and/or international recognition, including awards, patents, or significant publications.
- Affiliation: Must be working in ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, or other recognized research organizations in India.
For ICAR National Fellow
- Experience: Minimum of 10–15 years of research experience with a strong track record.
- Achievements: Evidence of impactful research contributions, publications in high-impact journals, or development of important technologies.
- Affiliation: Should be serving in ICAR institutes or other government-recognized agricultural research bodies.
📚 Disciplines Covered
These positions cover a broad range of agricultural and allied sciences, such as:
- Crop improvement and breeding
- Soil and water management
- Plant pathology and pest management
- Horticulture and post-harvest technologies
- Veterinary and animal sciences
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Agricultural biotechnology
- Food technology
- Agricultural economics and policy
- Precision agriculture and farm mechanization
💰 Benefits and Support
ICAR National Professor
- Tenure: Usually 5 years, extendable based on performance and national needs.
- Emoluments: Special pay over and above existing salary, research grant, and allowances.
- Research Grant: Significant financial support for equipment, manpower, field trials, and operational expenses.
- Infrastructure: Priority access to advanced research facilities and institutional support.
ICAR National Fellow
- Tenure: 5 years, subject to satisfactory progress.
- Emoluments: Additional honorarium plus project-specific funding.
- Research Grant: Funds for staff, laboratory supplies, field experiments, and travel.
- Other Support: Access to national and international collaborations, publication support, and patent filing assistance.
🗺️ Selection Process
The selection for these prestigious positions follows a rigorous, merit-based process:
1️⃣ Call for Proposals: ICAR periodically releases notifications inviting applications from eligible scientists.
2️⃣ Submission of Research Proposal: Candidates must submit detailed research proposals outlining objectives, expected outcomes, societal impact, and methodology.
3️⃣ Peer Review: Proposals are critically reviewed by expert committees comprising senior scientists and academicians.
4️⃣ Interview and Presentation: Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a personal presentation and interaction with the selection panel.
5️⃣ Final Approval: Recommendations are forwarded to the competent authority in ICAR and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for final approval.
🌟 Key Contributions and Success Stories
📈 Crop Biotechnology Breakthrough
A National Professor developed a new biofortified wheat variety enriched with zinc and iron, significantly helping to combat malnutrition in rural India.
🐄 Livestock Disease Control
A National Fellow spearheaded a vaccination program that drastically reduced a major livestock disease, improving dairy farmer incomes and animal health in multiple states.
🌿 Climate-Resilient Agriculture
A National Professor pioneered research on drought-tolerant rice varieties, now adopted across Eastern India, increasing yield stability for small and marginal farmers.
🔎 Why are these positions crucial?
🌱 Driving Research Innovation
National Professors and Fellows focus on long-term, high-impact research that directly addresses challenges in Indian agriculture.
🧑🏫 Mentoring Future Leaders
By guiding young scientists, they help create a pipeline of skilled researchers dedicated to agricultural development.
🇮🇳 Supporting National Goals
Their work aligns with strategic missions like “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India), “Doubling Farmers’ Income”, and food security programs.
🌏 Global Competitiveness
Breakthrough research outputs help position India as a leader in global agricultural innovation.
💬 Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite their high impact, these programs face some challenges:
⚠️ Limited Positions: Very few slots are available, restricting the scale of outreach.
⚠️ Administrative Delays: Bureaucratic hurdles in proposal approvals and fund disbursements can slow progress.
⚠️ Need for Modern Infrastructure: Upgradation of laboratories and field research facilities is required to match global standards.
Recommendations
- Increase the number of National Professors and Fellows to broaden national research capacity.
- Strengthen digital and administrative support for faster decision-making.
- Expand international partnerships and knowledge exchange programs.
🌿 Contribution to Sustainable and Smart Agriculture
The research driven by National Professors and Fellows focuses on:
✅ Climate-resilient crop development.
✅ Sustainable soil and water resource management.
✅ Integrated pest and disease management.
✅ Innovative farm mechanization and digital agriculture solutions.
✅ Strengthening value chains and improving farmers’ profitability.
🧭 Future Prospects
Looking forward, ICAR aims to integrate emerging technologies such as:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning in crop monitoring.
- Genomics and gene editing for super crops.
- IoT and sensor-based smart farming.
- Big data analytics for market and climate forecasting.
National Professors and Fellows will play a pivotal role in spearheading these transformative advancements.
✅ How to Apply
Eligible scientists can apply through:
- Official ICAR notifications published on ICAR’s website.
- Periodic calls advertised in national agricultural universities and research journals.
Before applying, candidates should:
- Prepare a robust research proposal addressing national priorities.
- Gather recommendations from eminent scientists or institutional heads.
- Ensure all academic and professional credentials are updated.
📣 Suggested Tags
sqlCopyEditICAR National Professor, ICAR National Fellow, Agricultural Research India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Agricultural Innovation, Agricultural Leadership, Farming Research Fellowships, Indian Agricultural Scientists, Agricultural Development India, ICAR Fellowships
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the ICAR National Professor position?
It is the highest academic honor given to outstanding agricultural scientists in India to promote high-level strategic research and mentorship.
Who can become an ICAR National Fellow?
Senior scientists with a strong research background and significant contributions in agricultural sciences are eligible to apply.
How long is the tenure for ICAR National Professors and Fellows?
Both positions are typically for 5 years, with possible extensions based on project progress and national priorities.
Do these positions offer additional funding?
Yes, selected scientists receive research grants for manpower, equipment, consumables, and operational expenses in addition to an honorarium.
Can a National Professor or Fellow collaborate with international institutes?
Yes, they are encouraged to build collaborations for advancing research quality and global outreach.
How many National Professors or Fellows are appointed annually?
The number varies based on ICAR’s annual budget and national agricultural research priorities; generally, it is limited to maintain quality and impact.
🌟 Conclusion
The ICAR National Professor and National Fellow schemes are at the heart of India’s strategy to drive agricultural research excellence and secure food and nutritional security for future generations. By supporting visionary scientists, these programs help propel India towards sustainable, climate-smart, and globally competitive agriculture.
If you are an agricultural scientist with a passion to innovate, mentor, and transform India’s farming future — these prestigious positions await your leadership.
🔗 Useful Links
👉 ICAR Official Website
👉 Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
