About ARS Examination and NET Examination

Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) was established on 1 November 1973 as an independent recruitment agency in pursuance of the recommendations of Gajendragadkar Committee. ASRB is responsible for recruitment of candidates as Lecturers/ Assistant Professors/ Agricultural Scientists, assist and advice the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in personnel & disciplinary matters and conduct NET and ARS Examination.

ASRB holds ARS NET Examination for the selection of Lecturers/ Assistant Professors in the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and other Agricultural Universities. The main aim of this examination is to determine the intellectual capacity of the candidates applying for the post of Lecturers. Earlier a combined examination was conducted for ARS and NET but from the 2012 session, these two examinations will be held separately.

ARS exam will comprise of three stages- Prelims, Main and Viva Voce in 36 disciplines and will be conducted on 24 February 2013 in evening shift from 2 pm to 4 pm while NET will be held in morning shift from 10 am to 12 noon in single stage only. Candidates who qualify the test will get the NET Certificate issued by the ASRB to enable them to apply for vacancies to be advertised by the State Agricultural Universities. SAUs/ AUs examine their eligibility through interview for the recruitment of Lecturers or Assistant Professors. However, candidates who wish to go for Research and be posted as Scientists will have to clear all stages of ARS examination.

The minimum eligibility to apply for ARS/ NET examination is to possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in the concerned discipline with specialization in any of the 55 disciplines mentioned in the official notification.

The paradigm of candidate will be examined through one paper only of 150 marks comprising 150 objective type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). The time allotted to solve the question paper is two hours. One mark will be awarded for each correct response while 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. The standard of the question paper will be of Master’s level as the questions are derived from the respective discipline in which candidate has opted to appear. The minimum marks required to clear the exam is 60% in the case of General or OBC category candidates. However, Schedule Caste/ Schedule Tribe/ Physically Challenged Person needs to score 50%.