ASRB NET 2026 Notification Out (Soon): Check Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
ASRB NET Prelims Exam Date 2025 has been released by Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), which is scheduled to be held on November 11-13, 2025. After this, the board will conduct Combined Mains (Descriptive) Examination for ARS/ SMS (T-6)/ STO (T-6)-2025 on December 7, 2025. The notification for the said exam was published on 24 February 2025, following which the online application process was conducted from April 22 to May 21, 2025, for 582 vacancies. The selection process consists of Prelims, Mains, and an Interview.
What is ASRB NET?
ASRB NET is a national-level qualifying exam conducted by Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB). It assesses postgraduate candidates in agricultural and allied disciplines and determines their eligibility to apply for Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) (T‑6), and Senior Technical Officer (STO) (T‑6) in State and Central Agricultural Universities across India.
ASRB NET 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | ASRB NET 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) |
| Exam Level | National level |
| Exam Mode | Computer-based Online Test (CBT) |
| ASRB NET 2026 Language | English & Hindi |
| ASRB NET Vacancies 2026 |
Nnational Eligibility Test (NET)= Qualifying Agricultural Research Service (ARS)= 458 Subject Matter Specialist (SMS)= 41 Senior Technical Officer (STO)= 83 |
| ASRB NET 2026 Selection Process |
|
| Official Website to Apply for ASRB NET 2026 | asrb.org.in |
ASRB NET Exam Dates 2026
The table given below shows ASRB NET 2026 Exam dates and other important dates:
| Events | Date |
|---|---|
| ASRB NET 2026 Notification Release Date | TBA |
| ASRB NET 2026 Application Window Opens | TBA |
| Last date to Apply for ASRB NET 2026 | TBA |
| Last date for fee payment of ASRB NET 2026 | TBA |
| Admit Card for ASRB NET Prelims 2026 Release Date | TBA |
| ASRB NET Prelims 2026 Exam Date | TBA |
| ASRB NET Mains 2026 Exam Date | TBA |
| ASRB NET Interview 2026 Date | TBA |
ASRB NET Notification 2026
ASRB NET Notification 2026 will be released by Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) on its official website. It will include details such as the application schedule, vacancies for posts like Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) (T‑6), and Senior Technical Officer (STO) (T‑6), selection process, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus.
ASRB NET Eligibility Criteria 2026
ASRB NET eligibility criteria explain the minimum standards candidates must fulfill to apply for its exam, which include nationality, age limit, and educational qualification. The eligibility criteria are given below:
- Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens. However, candidates from other countries like Nepal, Bhutan, etc, need to produce a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
- Age Limit: Candidates must be 21 years of age as of January 1, 2026. The age limit for different categories is given below:
| Exam | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| NET | 21 years | No upper limit |
| ARS | 21 years | 32 years (as on Aug 1, 2026) |
| SMS/STO | 21 years | 35 years (as on May 21, 2026) |
- Educational Qualification: For NET, ARS (Agricultural Research Service), and SMS (T-6) / STO (T-6), candidates must have a Master’s degree in the relevant discipline from a recognized university.
Candidates can refer to ASRB NET Eligibility 2026 to know more about the Educational Qualifications and other Eligibility Criteria.
ASRB NET Application Process 2026
ASRB NET 2026 application process is conducted online. To complete the application process, candidates must follow the steps given below:
- Visit the official website Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, asrb.org.in
- On the homepage of the website, click on “Apply Online” for NET / ARS / SMS (T-6) / STO (T-6).
- Complete the new user registration to obtain your login credentials by adding details like name, mobile number, email ID, etc.
- Fill in the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and exam-preference details.
- Upload scanned documents, which include a photograph, signature, and qualification certificates in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee as per your category and the exam.
- After the fee payment is done, submit your application form before the deadline.
- Download and print the confirmation page/application receipt for future reference.
ASRB NET Application Fee 2026
ASRB has set different application fee as per category of candidate and number of exams he/she is attempting, which is given below:
| Category | For NET only (in Rs.) | For ARS/ SMS (T-6)/ STO (T-6) or any combination of these three (in Rs.) | For NET with any combination of ARS/ SMS (T-6)/ STO (T-6) (in Rs.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 1000 | 1000 | 1800 |
| EWS / OBC | 500 | 800 | 900 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women / Transgender | 250 | Nil | 250 |
ASRB NET Admit Card 2026
ASRB Prelims Admit Card for the NET/ARS/SMS (T-6)/STO (T-6) exams will release on its official website, To download the admit card, candidates shall follow the steps given below:
- Visit the official website at asrb.org.in.
- Click on the link titled “Admission Certificate for NET/ARS/SMS/STO exam 2026”.
- Enter your Registration Number/Roll Number, along with Password/DOB, and captcha.
- After submitting, your admit card will appear on the screen—download the PDF.
- Print out the admit card and carry it to the exam center along with the required photo ID.
ASRB NET Exam Pattern 2026
ASRB follows a different exam pattern for NET & ARS/ SMS (T-6)/ STO (T-6). ASRB NET has a single exam, but ASRB has ARS/ SMS (T-6)/ STO (T-6) has three stages of exam, which are Prelims, Mains & Interview.
Exam Pattern for ASRB ARS/ SMS (T-6)/ STO (T-6) 2026
The exam pattern for ASRB ARS/ SMS (T-6)/ STO (T-6) follows three stages, which is given below in the table:
| Description | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims exam (CBT) for ARS-2026 (Qualifying) | 150 | 2 hours |
| Mains (Descriptive) exam for ARS-2026 | 300 | 3 hours |
| Personal Interview | 45 | – |
Exam Pattern for ASRB NET 2026
ASRB NET Exam Pattern 2026 consists of a single Computer-Based Test (CBT) designed to assess candidates’ subject knowledge at the postgraduate level.
- The paper includes 150 multiple-choice questions carrying one mark each.
- The exam is to be completed within 2 hours.
- There is a negative marking of ⅓ mark for every incorrect response.
- ASRB NET has different qualifying marks for different categories.
ASRB NET Syllabus 2026
ASRB NET 2026 syllabus is discipline-specific and has been officially issued on ASRBwebsite. It covers all 60 agricultural and allied subjects for the exam.
- The syllabus content for all streams, that is, NET, ARS, SMS (T-6), and STO (T-6), is the same. It is based on the subject chosen by the candidate.
- However, NET & ARS, SMS (T-6), and STO (T-6) use the syllabus for different purposes:
- ASRB NET is a qualifying exam to determine eligibility for Assistant Professor or Lecturer roles.
- ARS / SMS (T-6) / STO (T-6) exams use the same syllabus, but their question papers assess analytical and applied knowledge, since these exams are for scientific and technical positions.
ASRB NET Selection Process 2026
ASRB has set a selection process for NET & ARS/ SMS (T-6)/ STO (T-6). The selection process varies slightly for NET, which is an eligibility test, and ARS/SMS/STO is a recruitment post exam.
- ASRB NET is a single-stage eligibility exam conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. It consists of 150 multiple-choice questions to be completed in a duration of 2 hours.
- ASRB ARS/SMS/STO follows a three-phase selection process, which is given below:
- Prelims: It serves as a screening test of 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be qualified to give the mains exam.
- Mains: This stage is descriptive in nature and carries a total of 300 marks. The marks obtained in this are counted for deciding the final merit.
- Interview/Personality Test: The final phase, which tests candidates on communication skills, research aptitude, and subject clarity.
ASRB NET Answer Key 2026
ASRB NET will release the provisional answer key for ASRB NET Prelims 2026 exam on its official website. This will enable candidates to evaluate their performance and estimate their score. Candidates can follow the steps given below to download their prelims answer key:
- Visit the official ASRB website, asrb.org.in.
- On the homepage, locate the link titled “ASRB NET Answer Key 2026” or under the ‘Notice/Latest Updates’ section.
- Enter your Registration Number/Roll Number and DOB, then submit to access the answer key PDF.
- Download and save the PDF of the answer key. Print it if required for your reference and comparison.
- Compare your responses with the key to estimate your marks. You may also review the board’s process for raising objections (if applicable) within the stipulated period.
ASRB NET Result 2026
ASRB NET Result 2026 will be published on the official ASRB website once the exams are completed. Candidates can check their qualifying status and marks ijn the following steps:
- Visit the official website at asrb.org.in.
- On the homepage, navigate to the “Results” section.
- Select the link labeled “ASRB NET Result 2026” (or appropriate post/stream).
- Enter your Registration Number/Roll Number and Password/DOB, then click “Submit”.
- View and download the result PDF or scorecard for future reference.
ASRB NET Previous Year Paper
ASRB NET previous year papers serve as a guide for understanding the exam pattern and the types of questions asked by Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board. Practicing these papers helps candidates become familiar with time management, the difficulty of questions, and subject-wise topic coverage.
ASRB NET Previous Year Cutoff
ASRB NET previous year cut-offs provide candidates with category-wise minimum marks required to qualify for the exam. This helps them in assessing the competition level and benchmarking their preparation. The table given below shows the previous year cutoff:
ASRB NET 2023 Cutoff
| Discipline | UR | SC | ST | OBC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Biotechnology | 102 | - | - | 112 |
| Agricultural Entomology | 115 | - | - | - |
| Agricultural Microbiology | 96 | 80 | 57 | 107 |
| Genetics and Plant Breeding | 86 | 77 | 57 | 107 |
| Plant Biochemistry | 68 | 53 | 58 | 69 |
| Plant Pathology | 102 | 103 | - | 101 |
| Plant Physiology | 97 | - | - | 97 |
| Seed Science and Technology | 81 | - | - | 75 |
| Animal Biotechnology | 103 | - | - | 89 |
| Animal Genetics and Breeding | 94 | 65 | - | 98 |
| Animal Physiology | 92 | - | - | 74 |
| Livestock Product Management | 79 | - | 53 | 79 |
| Veterinary Medicine | 101 | - | - | - |
| Veterinary Pharmacology | 105 | - | - | - |
| Veterinary Public Health | 102 | - | - | - |
| Fisheries Resource Management | 67 | - | 55 | 64 |
| Agricultural Chemicals | 72 | 66 | 75 | 61 |
| Agricultural Meteorology | 92 | - | - | - |
| Agroforestry | 79 | - | - | 74 |
| Agronomy | 83 | 74 | 65 | 87 |
| Soil Sciences | 80 | 61 | 67 | 86 |
| Agricultural Economics | 70 | 67 | 70 | 70 |
| Agricultural Extension | 74 | - | 59 | 70 |
| Agricultural Statistics | 68 | 54 | 62 | - |
| Farm Machinery and IT | 70 | 54 | 54 | 66 |
| Computer Application and IT | 69 | 66 | 54 | 70 |
| Land and Water Management Engineering | 82 | 74 | 64 | 83 |
| Bioinformatics | 69 | 53 | 79 | 61 |
| Agricultural Structure and Process Engineering | 73 | 65 | 55 | 76 |
ASRB Minimum Qualifying Marks
ASRB NET Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 75 | 50% |
| EWS/OBC | 67.6 | 45% |
| SC/ST/PwBD | 60 | 40% |
ASRB ARS Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 67.5 | 45% |
| EWS/OBC | 60 | 40% |
| SC/ST/PwBD | 52.5 | 35% |
ASRB NET Salary 2026
ASRB NET Salary 2026 follows the 7th CPC pay levels and varies according to the specific post.
ARS (Agricultural Research Service) Salary 2026
| Particulars | Details (in Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 57,700 |
| Dearness Allowance (42%) | 24,234 |
| House Rent Allowance (16%) | 9,232 |
| Travel Allowance (TA) | 3,600 |
| Other Allowances | 2,000 |
| Gross Salary | 96,766 |
| Approx. Deductions | 8,000 – 10,000 |
| Net In-Hand Salary | 86,000 – 88,000 |
SMS (T-6) Salary 2026
| Particulars | Details (in Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 56,100 |
| Dearness Allowance (42%) | 23,562 |
| House Rent Allowance (16%) | 8,976 |
| Travel Allowance (TA) | 3,600 |
| Other Allowances | 2,000 |
| Gross Salary | 94,238 |
| Approx. Deductions | 8,000 – 10,000 |
| Net In-Hand Salary | 84,000 – 86,000 |
STO (T-6) Salary 2026
| Particulars | Details (in Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 56,100 |
| Dearness Allowance (42%) | 23,562 |
| House Rent Allowance (16%) | 8,976 |
| Travel Allowance (TA) | 3,600 |
| Other Allowances | 2,000 |
| Gross Salary | 94,238 |
| Approx. Deductions | 8,000 – 10,000 |
| Net In-Hand Salary | 84,000 – 86,000 |
ASRB NET provides a career in agricultural research and education. With research publications, project leadership, and performance, officers are eligible for promotions and benefits through the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) within central agricultural institutions.
ASRB NET 2026 FAQs
Ques: Is ASRB NET 2026 exam bilingual?
Ans: Yes. The exam is conducted in English and Hindi for all disciplines to accommodate candidates from different language backgrounds.
Ques: Can I apply for both NET and ARS/SMS/STO in the same application?
Ans: Yes. The combined notification allows candidates to apply for NET and recruitment posts (ARS/SMS/STO) under the same form, selecting preferences as applicable.
Ques: How are exam centers chosen for ASRB NET 2026?
Ans: Candidates must select their preferred exam center cities during the application. Center allotment is done by ASRB based on availability.
Ques: Does qualifying ASRB NET guarantee a job?
Ans: No. Qualifying NET grants the eligibility certificate to apply for academic posts; actual appointment depends on vacancies and selection by institutes.
Ques: How is the final selection made for posts ARS, SMS (T-6), or STO (T-6), other than NET exam?
Ans: For ARS/SMS/STO posts, the selection process involves a Preliminary online test (screening), a Mains descriptive exam (subject-specific), and an Interview/viva-voce. Marks from Mains + Interview determine final merit.
Ques: Is there any limit on the number of attempts for ASRB NET?
Ans: No. There is no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates can appear as many times as they meet the eligibility and age criteria.
Ques: Is work experience required to apply for ASRB NET 2026?
Ans: No prior work experience is required. However, relevant academic or research experience may strengthen your profile for ARS or SMS/STO selection later.
Ques: Which countries’ nationals are eligible to apply for ASRB NET 2026 exam?
Ans: Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees settled before January 1, 1962, and Persons of Indian Origin from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam permanently settled in India can apply
Ques: Can a candidate apply for more than one discipline in ASRB NET 2026?
Ans: No. Candidates can apply for only one discipline per exam cycle. Multiple applications for different subjects are not accepted and may lead to disqualification.
Ques: What is the validity period of ASRB NET certificate?
Ans: ASRB NET eligibility certificate remains valid for life, enabling candidates to apply for Lecturer or Assistant Professor positions in agricultural universities across India.
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