The Merit-cum-Means Scholarship 2025 is a flagship scheme initiated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. This scheme is aimed at supporting meritorious yet economically disadvantaged students across India who wish to pursue undergraduate degrees in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Home Science, Dairy Technology, or Animal Husbandry.
Scheme Key Highlights (Short Summary)
• Launched by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (ICAR-DARE)
• Applicable Courses: UG programs in Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Agricultural Engineering, Home Science
• Annual Income Limit: ₹1,00,000
• Scholarship Amount: ₹1,000/month
• Duration: Full duration of the degree course (3–5 years)
• Application Mode: Offline via institution/college
Benefits
• Monthly Scholarship: ₹1,000 per month (₹12,000 per annum)
• Scholarship Duration: Till the end of the undergraduate program
• Bonus Reward: Students whose parental income exceeds ₹1,00,000 but meet academic excellence criteria may receive a National Prize of ₹500 and a Certificate of Merit
This scholarship helps bridge financial barriers, encouraging bright rural students to build careers in agricultural sciences.
Eligibility Criteria
• Must be an Indian citizen domiciled in India
• Must have secured at least 60% marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination
• Must be admitted to an ICAR-recognized college/university
• Must pursue UG studies in one of the following disciplines:
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Agriculture
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Agricultural Engineering
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Animal Husbandry
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Dairy Technology
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Home Science
• Must pass the Means Test (see below)
Means Test
• Annual family income should not exceed ₹1,00,000
• No provision exists for a partial scholarship under this scheme
• Students from families earning above ₹1 lakh per annum are not eligible, but may receive recognition awards as mentioned above
Application Process (Offline)
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Collect the application form from the respective ICAR-recognized institution/university during working hours
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Fill out the form completely and accurately
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Attach the required documents (see below) and paste a passport-size photo
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Submit the application to the college authority within the deadline
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Obtain a receipt/acknowledgment with a submission date and reference ID
Documents Required
• Aadhaar Card (Proof of identity)
• Income Certificate from designated state authority
• Mark sheets of previous examinations (qualifying examination)
• Admission proof in ICAR-accredited course/college
• Bank Account Details (Student or Joint Account with Parent)
• Passport-size Photograph
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What would happen in case the student is unable to Take Examination Due to Illness?
If a scholar is unable to appear for the annual examination within a continuous course of
study owing to illness or is not allowed to appear in the examination owing to prolonged illness
extending over a long period which has resulted in a shortage in the required attendance as per University regulations the scholarship may be renewed for the next year on the recommendation of the Head of the Institution who while making the recommendations will take into consideration the medical certificate submitted by the scholar and the fact that the progress of his study during the year was such that had he not become unable to sit for the examination he would have qualified in the examination obtaining 50% of the aggregate marks. ThIS conceSSIOn can be availed of by the scholar not more than once during the whole length of the course. - Is the Scholarship Admissible For Absence On Grounds Of Maternity?
For married women, the scholarship will be admissible at the full rate for upto three
months for absence on grounds of maternity. No scholarship will be paid for a period
exceeding three months due to absence on grounds of maternity. - How will the Payment of Scholarship be done in case of Leave?
(1) The scholarship will be admissible as follows if the absence is due to illness
supported by Medical Certificate from a Registered Medical Practitioner:-
(i) Full scholarship, if the absence does not exceed two months.
(ii) Half scholarship, if absence exceeds two months but not four months. For
the first two months the scholarships will be paid at full rates and only for
the period exceeding two months, the scholarship is to be paid at half the
rates.
(iii) No scholarship, if absence exceeds four months. For the first four months,
however, the scholarship will be paid as per (i) and (ii). - What will be the Value Of The Scholarships For Undergraduate Studies?
The value of the scholarships for undergraduate studies in Agriculture (including Agricultural Engineering & Home Science) and Animal Science subjects will be ₹ 1,000/- per month per student. The scholarship will be tenable for the full duration of the degree course in the concerned subject. - Which subjects of the Graduation Level are covered in this scheme?
Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Home Science, Dairy & Animal Husbandry subjects up to graduation level. - Are the scholarships awarded monthly or annually?
The scholarships are awarded annually on the basis of merit-cum-means. - Is there a minimum marks that is to be secured in the qualifying examination in order to be eligible for this scholarship?
Only those students who have secured not less than 60% marks or grade points equivalent thereof in the aggregate in the qualifying examination will be considered eligible for consideration. - How will the Inter-Se Merit Of Candidates Having Secured Equal Marks In The Qualifying Examination Will Be Determined?
The inter-se merit of candidates having secured equal marks in the qualifying examination
will be determined on the basis of marks obtained by such candidates in the science
subjects in that examination. - Are foreign nationals also eligible to apply to this scheme?
The Scholarship will ordinarily be admissible to the person of Indian Nationality as defined in the constitution of India. - Can transgenders apply to this scheme?
Yes, The Scholarship Will Ordinarily Be Admissible Irrespective Of Sex, Race Or Religion.