New Delhi, June 2025 | Dairy Dimension News
Aspiring students pursuing careers in agriculture, animal science, or dairy technology can now receive financial assistance of ₹12,000 per year through the ICAR Merit-cum-Means Scholarship. This initiative, launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), aims to support deserving undergraduate students from economically weaker sections of society.
💰 Scholarship Highlights
- Amount: ₹1,000 per month (₹12,000/year)
- Duration: The Entire duration of the undergraduate course
- Selection Basis: Academic merit and family income
- Administered By: ICAR under DARE
✅ Who is Eligible?
Students must fulfil the following criteria:
- Be an Indian citizen
- Pursuing an undergraduate degree in any of the following:
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Engineering
- Home Science
- Dairy Technology
- Animal Husbandry
- Have scored 60% or above in the last qualifying examination
- Belong to a family with aan nnual income not exceeding ₹1,00,000
In the case of a tie in academic scores, preference will be given to students with higher marks in science subjects.
📜 What If Your Income Is Above ₹1 Lakh?
Students from families with an income above ₹1,00,000 per annum are not eligible for the monthly scholarship, but can still receive:
- A one-time prize of ₹500
- A Certificate of Merit in recognition of academic performance
📝 How to Apply?
This scholarship requires an offline application. Follow these steps:
- Visit your college or university office
- Request the ICAR Merit-cum-Means Scholarship application form
- Fill it out and attach the following:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Mark sheets of the last qualifying exam
- Income certificate from a competent authority
- Proof of identity
- Bank account details
- Submit the completed form at the college office
- Collect an acknowledgement receipt after submission
🎯 Why This Matters
While the monthly amount of ₹1,000 may appear modest, it plays acruciall role in encouraging students from rural and farming backgrounds to pursue higher education in sectors central to India’s futur, such as —dairy innovation, sustainable farming, and agri-entrepreneurship.
“Empowering students through targeted financial aid ensures that bright minds from rural India can contribute to national food security and dairy sustainability,” says Dr. Shalini Mehta, an education policy expert in agricultural sciences.