ASRB Combined Exam 2025: NET, ARS, SMS & STO - Recruitment Details!
The Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), under the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE), invites applications for the Combined National Eligibility Test (NET), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) (T-6), and Senior Technical Officer (STO) (T-6) Examination – 2025. This recruitment drive offers significant opportunities for candidates seeking government jobs in agricultural research and technical fields within the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) network.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) |
| Examination Name | Combined NET, ARS, SMS (T-6) & STO (T-6) Examination – 2025 |
| Posts | NET (Eligibility Test), ARS, SMS (T-6), STO (T-6) |
| Total Vacancies (ARS/SMS/STO) | 582 |
| Job Type | Central Government Jobs |
| Location | Various ICAR Institutes across India |
Important Dates
Keep track of the crucial timelines for the ASRB 2025 examination process.
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | 24-02-2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 22-04-2025 (01:00 PM) |
| Online Application End Date | 21-05-2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Combined CBT (NET-2025 & Prelims for ARS/SMS/STO-2025) | 02-09-2025 to 04-09-2025 |
| Combined Mains (Descriptive) Exam (ARS/SMS/STO-2025) | 07-12-2025 |
| Master's Degree Completion Cut-off Date | 30-09-2025 |
Application Deadline Alert!
The deadline to submit your online application is May 21, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Ensure you complete the process well before the closing time.
Vacancy Details
A total of 582 vacancies are available for ARS, SMS (T-6), and STO (T-6) positions. NET is a qualifying exam for lectureship/assistant professorship and does not have specific vacancies.
| Post | Total Vacancies | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | UR | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Research Service (ARS) | 458 | 68 | 34 | 123 | 46 | 187 | Applicable |
| Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) (T-6) | 41 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 20 | Applicable |
| Senior Technical Officer (STO) (T-6) | 83 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 49 | 0 |
| National Eligibility Test (NET) | Qualifying Exam | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Note: Horizontal reservation for PwBD applies as per rules. Refer to Annexure-IX (ARS), Annexure-XII (SMS), and Annexure-XIII (STO) in the official notification for discipline-wise details.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the specified eligibility criteria regarding nationality, education, and age limits.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Citizen of India or other eligible categories as per Govt. rules. |
| Educational Qualification | Master’s Degree or equivalent in the relevant discipline/specialization. Refer Annexure-VI (Common) & Annexure-X in notification. |
| Master's Degree Completion | Must be completed on or before September 30, 2025. |
| Age Limit (NET) | Minimum 21 years as of 01-01-2025. No upper age limit. |
| Age Limit (ARS) | Minimum 21 years, Maximum 32 years as of 01-08-2025. |
| Age Limit (SMS T-6 & STO T-6) | Minimum 21 years, Maximum 35 years as of 21-05-2025 (closing date). |
| Age Relaxation | As per Govt. of India rules |
Educational Qualification Cut-off
Candidates must ensure their Master's degree is completed by September 30, 2025, to be eligible.
Salary and Benefits
Selected candidates will receive attractive salaries based on the 7th CPC pay matrix, along with various allowances.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Research Service (ARS) | Level 10 | ₹ 57,700 – ₹ 1,82,400 |
| SMS (T-6) & STO (T-6) | Level 10 | ₹ 56,100 – ₹ 1,77,500 |
Allowances: Includes Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), Medical benefits, LTC, etc., as per Government/ICAR norms.
Selection Process
The selection methodology differs for NET and the recruitment posts (ARS/SMS/STO).
| Post(s) | Stage | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| NET | Stage 1 | Computer Based Test (CBT) | 150 MCQs, 150 Marks, 2 Hours. Negative Marking (1/3rd). Qualifying nature. |
| ARS, SMS (T-6), STO (T-6) | Stage 1: Preliminary Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) | Common exam (same as NET for common candidates). Screening test only; marks not used for final merit. |
| ARS, SMS (T-6), STO (T-6) | Stage 2: Mains Exam | Descriptive | For shortlisted candidates from Prelims. Scheduled for 07-12-2025. |
| ARS, SMS (T-6), STO (T-6) | Stage 3: Interview/Viva-voce | Personal Interview | For candidates qualifying the Mains Exam. |
| ARS, SMS (T-6), STO (T-6) | Final Selection | - | Based on combined marks from Mains Exam and Interview. |
Negative Marking
Be cautious! There is a penalty of 1/3rd mark for every incorrect answer in the NET / Preliminary CBT examination.
Application Process
Follow these steps to apply online for the ASRB 2025 examinations:
- Visit the official ASRB website. ASRB Official Website
- Find the link for the "Combined NET, ARS, SMS (T-6) & STO (T-6) Examination – 2025".
- Register using basic details if you are a new user, or log in with existing credentials.
- Fill out the online application form carefully, providing personal, educational, and contact details. Select the desired examination(s) and centers.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other required documents (like Master's degree certificate) as per the specified format and size. Use Image Resizing Tools Here
- Pay the applicable application fee online through the available payment gateways (Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI).
| Category | NET Only | ARS/SMS/STO (Any Combination) | NET + ARS/SMS/STO (Any Combination) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | ₹ 1000 | ₹ 1000 | ₹ 2000 |
| EWS / OBC (NCL) | ₹ 500 | ₹ 800 | ₹ 1300 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women / Transgender | ₹ 250 | NIL | ₹ 250 |
- Review your application thoroughly before final submission.
- Submit the application form and download/print the confirmation page for your records.
Important Links
Access the official resources using the links below:
ASRB Official Website Download Official Notification PDF Online Application