Agriculture Scientist Recruitment Board : The Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) has announced the ASRB NET, ARS, SMS, and STO Exam 2025 for a total of 582 vacancies. This recruitment

is for various posts including National Eligibility Test (NET) qualifiers, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Subject Matter Specialist (SMS), and Senior Technical Officer (STO) positions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Key Details of ASRB NET, ARS, SMS, STO Recruitment 2025
- Total Vacancies: 582 posts
- Posts: NET qualifiers, ARS, SMS (T-6), and STO (T-6)
- Eligibility: Candidates must have a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant disciplines. Ph.D. holders can also apply for SMS and STO posts.
- Age Limit:
- For NET: Minimum 21 years as of 01/01/2025, maximum 32 years as of 01/08/2025
- For SMS/STO: Minimum 21 years and maximum 35 years as of 30/09/2025
- Selection Process:
- For NET: Single paper exam of 150 MCQs (150 marks), 2 hours duration, with negative marking (1/3rd mark deducted for wrong answers)
- For ARS, SMS, STO: Three stages – Preliminary CBT (qualifying), Mains Descriptive Exam, and Personal Interview
- Exam Dates:
- Application Start Date: 22nd April 2025 (1:00 PM)
- Last Date to Apply: 21st May 2025 (11:59 PM)
- Preliminary Exam: 2nd to 4th September 2025
- Mains Exam: 7th December 2025
- Application Fee:
- UR: Rs. 1000
- OBC/EWS: Rs. 800
- SC/ST/Women/Transgender/PwBD: No fee
- Salary: Pay Scale 10 of 7th CPC (Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500)1
- Official Website: www.asrb.org.in
Exam Pattern Summary
Exam Stage | Marks | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|---|
NET (Single Paper) | 150 | 2 hours | 150 MCQs, negative marking applies |
ARS/SMS/STO Preliminary | 150 | 2 hours | Qualifying CBT exam with negative marking |
ARS/SMS/STO Mains | 300 | 3 hours | Descriptive exam |
Personal Interview | 45 | N/A | Interview round for final selection |
Candidates must score minimum qualifying marks based on their category to progress through stages5.
How to Apply
- Visit the official ASRB website: www.asrb.org.in
- Register and fill the online application form starting from 22nd April 2025.
- Upload required documents and pay the application fee as per category.
- Submit the application before the deadline on 21st May 2025.
- Download and keep the confirmation page for future reference.
Additional Information
- The ASRB NET exam qualifies candidates for lecturer or assistant professor roles in agricultural universities.
- SMS and STO posts are specialized technical and research positions requiring advanced degrees.
- Detailed syllabus and exam pattern are available on the official website and include discipline-specific topics in agriculture and allied sciences.
This recruitment drive is a significant opportunity for candidates aspiring to build a career in agricultural research, teaching, and technical services under ICAR and associated institutions