The ICAR (IARI) Assistant exam is your golden ticket. With over 462 vacancies expected in 2025, this role offers a salary range of ₹35,400–₹44,900 and national-level opportunities. But cracking it requires more than just hard work you need a smart strategy. This guide breaks down the syllabus, exam pattern, and pro tips to help you ace all three stages. Prelims, Mains, and the Skill Test.
Key Highlights 🔍
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Exam Stages | Prelims (Objective), Mains (Objective + Descriptive), Skill Test (CPT) |
| Total Marks | Prelims (200), Mains (300) |
| Negative Marking | ⅓ mark deduction per wrong answer |
| Qualifying Marks | UR: 30%, OBC/EWS: 25%, SC/ST/Divyang: 20% |
| Skill Test Modules | Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Slides (15 mins each) |
| Official Website | iari.res.in |
ICAR Assistant Exam Pattern 2025 📝
Prelims Exam (Objective Type)
- Duration: 1 hour (1h 20m for scribe users)
- Total Questions: 100 (25 per section)
- Marks per Question: 2
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
Pro Tip: Speed matters! Practice time-bound mock tests to avoid leaving questions unanswered .
Mains Exam (Objective + Descriptive)
- Paper-I (Objective): 2 hours (Quantitative + English)
- Paper-II (Descriptive): 1 hour (Essay/Letter/Precis)
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Quantitative Abilities | 50 | 100 |
| English Language | 100 | 100 | |
| Paper-II | Descriptive (English/Hindi) | – | 100 |
Note: Paper-II is evaluated only if you clear Paper-I’s cutoff .
ICAR Assistant Syllabus 2025 📚
Prelims Syllabus
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Syllogistic Reasoning
- Visual Memory, Spatial Orientation, Problem Solving
LSI Keywords: Logical reasoning, non-verbal series, decision-making.
2. General Awareness
- Current Affairs (India + Neighboring Countries)
- History, Geography, Economic Policies, Scientific Research
Expert Insight: Follow agriculture-related news (e.g., new crop tech, govt schemes) for an edge .
3. Quantitative Aptitude
- Basics: Percentages, Ratios, Averages
- Advanced: Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry (Triangles, Circles)
Real-Life Example: Struggling with profit-loss calculations? Relate them to everyday budgeting for better grasp.
4. English Comprehension
- Grammar: Active/Passive, Error Detection
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, One-Word Substitutions
Pro Tip: Read editorials daily (The Hindu, Indian Express) to improve comprehension .
Mains Syllabus
Paper-I (Quantitative + English)
- Quantitative: Same as Prelims but deeper (e.g., Graphs, Heights & Distances)
- English: Cloze Tests, Idioms, Sentence Rearrangement
Paper-II (Descriptive)
- Topics: Essays (e.g., “Climate Change & Agriculture”), Formal Letters, Precis Writing
Storytelling Hook: Imagine drafting a farmer’s loan application—this mirrors the letter-writing task!
Preparation Tips & Resources 🎯
1. Study Plan
| Week | Focus Area | Resource |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Prelims: Reasoning + QA | RS Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude |
| 3–4 | General Awareness + English | Lucent GK + Word Power Made Easy |
| 5–6 | Mains: Descriptive Practice | Previous Years’ Papers |
2. Skill Test Prep
- Word Processing: Practice typing 30 WPM+ with accuracy.
- Spreadsheets: Learn basic Excel formulas (SUM, AVERAGE).
Expert Insight: Use Google Docs/Sheets for free practice .
3. Mock Tests
- Take 2–3 tests weekly to track progress.
- Analyze mistakes—focus on weak areas like Time & Work problems.
Final Thoughts 🌟
The ICAR Assistant exam is your gateway to a rewarding career. With clear syllabus breakdowns, smart strategies, and consistent practice, you’re already ahead of the competition.
Meera Patel is an education consultant specializing in exam results and admit cards. With a Master’s in Education and 6+ years of experience, Meera loves helping students achieve their goals. She enjoys reading and practicing meditation.
