Pusa Campus, New Delhi, Delhi, India - 110012
The ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), popularly identified as the Pusa Institute, represents the historical and scientific core of the Indian National Agricultural Research System (NARS). Established in 1905, it has evolved into a premier Deemed University that functions as a global leader in agricultural research, human resource development, and technology dissemination. The institute operates under the administrative control of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which is part of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) within the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Located in the heart of New Delhi on a sprawling 500-hectare campus, IARI serves as the catalyst for the country’s agrarian transformation, having been the primary architect of the Green Revolution and the current proponent of the "Evergreen Revolution" aimed at sustainable and climate-resilient productivity.
The genesis of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute dates back to the early 20th century in Pusa, Bihar. The initial establishment was made possible by a substantial donation of \pounds30,000 from an American philanthropist, Mr. Henry Phipps, and was originally named the Agricultural Research Institute. Following the devastating Bihar earthquake of 1934, which destroyed the original laboratory infrastructure, the colonial administration decided to relocate the institute to its current site in New Delhi in 1936. Over the decades, IARI has transitioned from a colonial research center into a sovereign national institution of global repute.
In 1958, the institute achieved the status of a "Deemed to be University" under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act of 1956, allowing it to design its own academic programs and confer post-graduate degrees. The mandate of the institute is broad and multi-dimensional, focusing on the development of resource-use efficient technologies, the generation of superior crop varieties, and the training of a highly skilled workforce in agricultural sciences to ensure national food and nutritional security.
The governance of IARI is hierarchical and structured to facilitate both specialized research and interdisciplinary collaboration. The institute is headed by a Director, supported by a Joint Director (Research), a Joint Director (Education), and a Joint Director (Extension). This administrative trinity ensures that the three pillars of the institute's mission—knowledge generation, academic training, and field-level implementation—are effectively integrated.
The academic and research engine of the institute is divided into six major "Schools," which encompass 20 primary divisions and several multi-disciplinary centers. This structure allows for the concentration of expertise while preventing the siloing of scientific inquiry.
Institutional School | Core Scientific Domains |
|---|---|
School of Crop Improvement | Genetics, Plant Breeding, Seed Science, and Technology. |
School of Plant Protection | Entomology, Plant Pathology, Nematology, and Agrochemicals. |
School of Basic Sciences | Biochemistry, Plant Physiology, and Molecular Biology. |
School of Natural Resource Management | Agronomy, Soil Science, Agricultural Physics, and Microbiology. |
School of Social Sciences | Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Extension. |
School of Horticultural Science | Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, and Floriculture. |
In addition to the primary divisions, IARI operates five multi-disciplinary centers in Delhi and eight regional stations across India, specializing in various agro-climatic requirements such as wheat and barley breeding, virus research, and horticultural technology.
The Graduate School at IARI is considered the "Nalanda" of agricultural education in India, attracting students from across the country and overseas. The academic system is characterized by its research-centric approach, where students are required to conduct original research that directly contributes to the institute’s larger scientific goals.
While IARI was traditionally a postgraduate and doctoral institution, it has recently expanded its portfolio to include undergraduate programs in response to the growing demand for professional skills at the foundational level. These programs are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of modern agricultural practices and biotechnology.
Undergraduate Program | Primary Focus Areas |
|---|---|
B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture | Comprehensive crop production, soil management, and extension. |
B.Sc. (Hons.) Community Science | Food nutrition, dietetics, and human development. |
B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) | Farm machinery, irrigation engineering, and post-harvest technology. |
B.Tech. (Biotechnology) | Molecular biology, genomics, and tissue culture. |
The postgraduate school remains the flagship of IARI, offering M.Sc., M.Tech., and Ph.D. degrees in 26 to 28 different disciplines. The academic system recently transitioned from a trimester to a semester system, aligning with international standards and ensuring a more rigorous assessment of student performance.
The curriculum is exhaustive, as evidenced by the course distribution in the Division of Agricultural Chemicals, which includes modules on synthetic agrochemicals, pesticide residue chemistry, and the chemistry of biopesticides. Similar depth is found in Agricultural Economics, which covers microeconomic theory, econometrics, and macro-applications.
Level of Study | Average Duration | Total Disciplines |
|---|---|---|
Master of Science (M.Sc.) | 2 Years | ~28 |
Master of Technology (M.Tech.) | 2 Years | 2 (Engg. and Post-Harvest) |
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | 3 - 6 Years | ~28 |
The Ph.D. program is particularly prestigious, often requiring students to tackle frontier problems in agriculture, such as genome editing or the development of climate-resilient crop varieties.
Admissions to IARI are centralized and handled through national-level competitive examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of ICAR. This ensures a transparent and merit-based selection of the brightest minds in the country.
Candidates seeking entry into B.Sc. and B.Tech. programs must appear for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG). The eligibility criteria are stringent, requiring a 10+2 education with at least three core subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, and Agriculture.
Age Requirement: Candidates must be at least 16 years of age as of August 31 of the admission year.
Subject Mapping: A critical rule for admission is that candidates must attempt only those subjects in the entrance exam which they passed in their 12^{th standard board examination.
Minimum Marks: General, OBC, and EWS candidates must have at least 50\% aggregate marks in 10+2, while the requirement for SC, ST, and PwBD categories is 40\%.
Selection for M.Sc. and M.Tech. courses is based on the ICAR All India Entrance Examination for Admission (AIEEA-PG). For Ph.D. candidates, the evaluation is even more comprehensive:
Entrance Examination: 80\% weightage, consisting of parts for General Agriculture and Subject-specific papers.
Academic Score: 10\% weightage based on performance from matriculation onwards.
Interview: 10\% weightage to assess research aptitude and subject depth.
Candidates with a four-year Bachelor's degree are generally preferred for PG programs, although specific exemptions exist for graduates of IARI, IVRI, and NDRI who may have pursued three-year systems in specific basic sciences.
Research at IARI is the engine that drives Indian agriculture. The institute’s scientists work across the spectrum from basic molecular biology to strategic field interventions. The impact of this research is measurable in the multi-billion dollar contributions to the Indian economy.
IARI’s contribution to the development of high-yielding and disease-resistant crop varieties is unparalleled. The institute currently contributes nearly 60 million tons of wheat to the national granary annually, valued at approximately ₹80,000 crores.
Crop Category | Breakthrough Varieties and Their Impact |
|---|---|
Basmati Rice | Pusa Basmati 1121, 1509, 1847, and 1885. These account for over 95\% of Basmati exports, earning ~\$5.2 billion annually. |
Wheat | HD 3086 (Pusa Baker) and HD 3385. These varieties possess resistance to yellow rust and are heat-tolerant. |
Mustard | Pusa Double Zero Mustard 31. The world’s first canola-quality Indian mustard variety with high yield and low erucic acid. |
Biofortification | HI 8840 (Iron/Zinc rich wheat) and Pusa Biofortified Maize Hybrid 5 (enriched with Vitamin A). |
The institute is now at the forefront of genome editing, leading a national program involving 24 different crops and targeting 178 genes to enhance climate resilience and nutritional profiles.
Beyond genetics, IARI is a hub for agricultural engineering and resource management. Innovations like the Pusa Decomposer, a microbial solution for rapid straw degradation, have addressed the environmental crisis of stubble burning in North India.
Climate Smart Agriculture: The institute utilizes remote sensing and machine learning for flood damage assessment and groundwater monitoring.
Precision Tools: Development of robotics-based farm tools, smart insect traps, and biosensors for nutrient detection has modernized traditional farming.
Integrated Farming Systems (IFS): IARI has developed a one-hectare IFS model combining dairy, fishery, duckery, and agroforestry that can generate up to ₹3.79 lakh per year, providing a sustainable income model for smallholders.
The Zonal Technology Management and Business Planning & Development (ZTM-BPD) Unit, branded as Pusa Krishi, is the primary interface between IARI’s research and the corporate world. It serves as a tech transfer office and a business incubator, facilitating the journey from lab-scale prototype to market-ready product.
Pusa Krishi runs several incubation programs tailored to the developmental stage of the agri-startup. Since its inception, it has incubated 266 startups and facilitated funding of over ₹ 7.97 crores.
Program Name | Target Audience and Funding |
|---|---|
ARISE | Idea and prototype stage startups; grant support up to ₹5 lakh. |
UPJA | Startups with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP); grant support up to ₹25 lakh. |
SHITIJ | A year-long program providing infrastructure and mentoring for early-stage success. |
MAITRI | A cross-border incubator program, notably with partners in Brazil. |
SAMARTH | Training program for incubator managers from other agricultural universities. |
IARI places significant emphasis on protecting its scientific output. The ZTM-BPD unit manages the IP portfolio for IARI and 14 other zonal institutes. In the last decade, it has filed 131 patents and successfully commercialized 318 technologies. The institute also maintains a high level of vigilance, warning stakeholders against unauthorized licensing or counterfeit seeds circulating in the market.
The infrastructure at IARI is designed to support the highest level of scientific inquiry. The campus features state-of-the-art laboratories and massive biological collections that serve as a national heritage.
National Phytotron Facility: Established in 1997, it was the first facility in India to allow the study of plant responses under strictly controlled environmental conditions, particularly useful for climate change research.
Nuclear Research Laboratory: Founded in 1969, it uses radioisotopes and radiation technology for soil-plant-water studies.
Water Technology Centre (WTC): A multi-disciplinary center established in 1970 for training and research in integrated water management.
Advanced Centre for Plant Virology: Equipped with electron microscopes and genomic sequencing tools for diagnosing viral diseases in crops.
Nanaji Deshmukh Plant Phenomics Centre: The largest facility of its kind in India for quantifying plant responses to stress using non-destructive imaging.
The Prof. M.S. Swaminathan National Agricultural Science Library is one of the largest in Southeast Asia, housing over 3.75 lakh publications, including books, journals, theses, and rare monographs. It serves as the national depository for publications from CGIAR, FAO, and AVRDC. The library offers 24/7 digital access to resources through memberships in DELNET and INFLIBNET.
The Pusa campus is a self-contained sylvan environment. It features extensive experimental farms where new varieties are tested before national release. For students, the campus provides comprehensive facilities including:
Hostels: Separate hostels for boys (Kadamb, Hemant, Vasant, etc.) and girls (Mahua, Varsha, Grishma), along with the Saraswati Apartment for married students.
Sports Complex: Facilities for cricket, football, hockey, tennis, volleyball, and various indoor games.
Medical Aid: An on-campus health center provides medical support to students and staff.
IARI has maintained a global outlook since its inception. The Office of International Affairs (OIA) manages admissions for foreign students and fosters partnerships with international universities and research centers.
The institute collaborates extensively with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) system, including the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).
Indo-Israeli Collaboration: A large complex for protected horticulture was developed in 1998, serving as a model for precision farming and soil-less cultivation.
Capacity Building: IARI provides training and technical support to agricultural scientists from ASEAN and SAARC nations.
Academic MoUs: The institute has active collaborations with Cornell University (USA), University of Queensland (Australia), and University of Western Sydney for student exchange and joint research.
Global R&D Hubs: IARI is an active partner in the BRICS Agriculture Research Platform and provides technical leadership for the establishment of agricultural universities in Myanmar and Afghanistan.
The employability of IARI graduates is exceptionally high, owing to the institute’s rigorous academic standards and industry-aligned research.
The Placement Cell at IARI, known as the "Pusa Launchpad," actively engages with the corporate sector to facilitate internships and full-time employment.
Employment Sector | Prominent Recruiters |
|---|---|
Public Sector & R&D | Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), ICAR institutes. |
Agribusiness & Seeds | Mahindra Agro, ITC Ltd., Syngenta, Krishidhan Seeds, Dupont, Saveer Biotech. |
Financial Services | Central Bank of India, NABARD, Indian Overseas Bank. |
Agri-Tech & FMCG | TCS (B.Sc Ignite), UNIQLO (Cotton Management), KNP Arises Green Energy. |
Graduates often secure the "lion's share" of scientist positions in national competitive exams. For those entering the private sector, the median salary for PG students was reported at approximately ₹9.96 lakh per annum in 2024, reflecting the value industries place on IARI’s technical training.
The alumni of IARI form a global network of leaders in agricultural science and policy. The institute has produced four World Food Prize winners—often called the Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture.
Dr. M.S. Swaminathan: The legendary father of the Green Revolution in India.
Dr. B.P. Pal: The first Director-General of ICAR and a pioneer in hybrid crop development.
Other Notable Figures: Dr. Rajendra S. Paroda (Biotech), Dr. Panjab Singh (Agronomy), and Dr. Rattan Lal (World Food Prize 2020).
The funding for IARI is predominantly provided by the Government of India through ICAR and DARE. For the fiscal year 2024-25, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare received a record allocation of ₹1,22,528.77 crores, with approximately ₹9,941 crores dedicated to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE).
The institute manages its financial requirements through three primary channels:
Government Grants: Core funding for infrastructure, salaries, and primary research mandates.
Externally Funded Projects: Scientists actively earn grants from agencies like the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and international foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Internal Revenue Generation: Revenue is generated through the commercialization of technologies, licensing of crop varieties (such as the highly successful HD 3086 wheat), and the sale of breeder and truthfully labeled seeds.
In 2024, IARI acknowledged funding for 25 major projects from various national and international agencies, showcasing its ability to attract competitive research funding.
Extension is the vital link between the laboratory and the farmer's field. IARI’s Division of Extension leads several high-impact programs designed to disseminate technology and knowledge to the grassroots level.
The annual Krishi Vigyan Mela is a prestigious event that serves as a massive platform for farmer-scientist interaction. The 2025 mela, themed "Advanced Agriculture – Developed India," featured over 245 stalls and provided over 1800 quintals of high-quality seeds to farmers at reasonable rates. The event also recognizes innovative farmers through the "IARI Innovative Farmer" and "IARI Fellow Farmer" awards, encouraging local-level ingenuity.
Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav: A flagship program where scientists adopt villages to provide technical guidance and awareness about government schemes like PM-KISAN and Kisan Credit Cards (KCC).
Pusa Krishi App: A dedicated mobile application providing real-time technical information and advisories to farmers and entrepreneurs.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): IARI supports a network of KVKs that provide local-level vocational training and frontline demonstrations of new technologies.
The ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute stands as the paramount institution in India's agricultural landscape. Its multi-faceted approach—integrating high-level scientific research, rigorous academic training, and robust extension services—has made it the cornerstone of national food security. From the molecular labs that are editing the genomes of tomorrow's crops to the agribusiness incubator that is fostering the next generation of agritech entrepreneurs, IARI continues to redefine the boundaries of what is possible in agricultural science.
As the institute pivots towards the challenges of the 21st century—notably climate change, water scarcity, and the need for biofortified nutrition—its historical legacy of excellence provides the foundation for continued global leadership. The recent expansion into undergraduate education and the establishment of regional hubs in Assam and Jharkhand indicate a commitment to inclusive growth, ensuring that the fruits of its research reach every corner of the country. For researchers, students, and industry partners, IARI remains not just a university or a research center, but a vibrant ecosystem dedicated to the prosperity of the farming community and the nutritional security of the nation.
1. What is the full name of the institute and its common nickname?
The institute is officially known as the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute and is popularly identified as the "Pusa Institute".
2. Where is the main campus of IARI located?
The main campus is located in the Pusa Campus, New Delhi - 110012.
3. When was the institute originally established?
IARI was established in 1905 at Pusa, Bihar, with a donation from American philanthropist Henry Phipps.
4. When did the institute move to its current location in New Delhi?
It was relocated to New Delhi in 1936 after a devastating earthquake destroyed the original infrastructure in Bihar.
5. Does IARI have university status?
Yes, it was granted the status of a "Deemed to be University" in 1958 under the UGC Act of 1956.
6. How many academic divisions are there at IARI?
The institute consists of 20 primary scientific divisions and several multi-disciplinary centers.
7. What undergraduate programs are offered at IARI?
IARI offers B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture, B.Sc. (Hons.) Community Science, B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering), and B.Tech. (Biotechnology).
8. Which entrance exam is required for admission to undergraduate courses?
Admissions for UG programs are conducted through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG).
9. What is the eligibility criteria for B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture?
Candidates must pass the 10+2 exam with at least three subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, and Agriculture.
10. What is the minimum age required for undergraduate admission?
Candidates must be at least 16 years of age as of August 31st of the admission year.
11. Is there a specific rule regarding subject choice in the entrance exam?
Yes, candidates must attempt only the subjects in the entrance exam that they passed in their standard board examination.
12. How many disciplines are available for Master's and Doctoral studies?
The Graduate School offers M.Sc., M.Tech., and Ph.D. degrees in approximately 28 different agricultural disciplines.
13. Which exam is used for Master's (M.Sc./M.Tech.) admissions?
Selections are based on the ICAR All India Entrance Examination for Admission (AIEEA-PG).
14. What is the selection process for Ph.D. candidates?
Selection is based on a written entrance exam (80% weightage), academic performance (10%), and a personal interview (10%).
15. What are the names of the five boys' hostels?
The five boys' hostels are named Hemant, Vasant, Shishir, Rituraj, and Sharad.
16. What are the names of the hostels for female students?
The female hostels are named Varsha and Grishma.
17. Is there specialized accommodation for married students?
Yes, the Saraswati Apartment is provided specifically for married students.
18. What is the name of the main library at IARI?
It is the Prof. M.S. Swaminathan National Agricultural Science Library.
19. What is the extent of the library's collection?
The library houses over 3.75 lakh publications, including books, journals, reports, and rare monographs.
20. What was the median salary for PG students during the 2024 placement season?
The reported median package for postgraduate (2-year) students was approximately lakh per annum.
21. Who are some of the prominent recruiters at IARI?
Top recruiters include Mahindra Agro, ITC Ltd., Syngenta, Dupont, Mankind Pharma, and various financial institutions like the Central Bank of India.
22. What is "Pusa Krishi"?
Pusa Krishi is the brand and outreach arm of IARI’s Zonal Technology Management and Business Planning unit, serving as an agribusiness incubator.
23. What is the "ARISE" startup program?
ARISE is an incubation program for idea or prototype stage startups, providing grant support of up to lakh.
24. What does the "UPJA" program offer to entrepreneurs?
UPJA targets startups with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and offers grants-in-aid of up to lakh.
25. How many startups have been incubated by IARI?
The institute has incubated over 266 startups since the inception of its agribusiness programs.
26. What is the "Pusa Decomposer"?
It is an eco-friendly microbial solution developed to rapidly decompose paddy straw and manage crop residue.
27. Which IARI crop varieties are most significant for Indian exports?
Pusa Basmati varieties like 1121, 1509, 1847, and 1885 account for nearly 95% of India’s Basmati rice exports.
28. What is the National Phytotron Facility?
Established in 1997, it is India’s first facility dedicated to studying plant responses under controlled climatic conditions.
29. How many alumni have won the World Food Prize?
Four IARI alumni have received the prestigious World Food Prize, often called the "Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture".
30. Who are the four World Food Prize winners from IARI?
The winners are Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Dr. S.K. Vasal, Dr. Sanjay Rajaram, and Dr. Rattan Lal.
31. What is the monthly scholarship amount for M.Sc. students?
M.Sc. students receive a scholarship of approximately per month.
32. What is the monthly fellowship for Ph.D. students?
Ph.D. students are awarded a fellowship of per month.
33. What is the NAAC accreditation status of IARI?
The institute holds an "A+" rating from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council.
34. What is IARI's current NIRF ranking in Agriculture?
IARI is ranked 1st in the "Agriculture and Allied Sectors" category by the NIRF for 2024 and 2025.
35. Does IARI have other campuses besides New Delhi?
Yes, IARI has two major off-campuses in Assam and Jharkhand, and several regional stations across India.
36. Can international students apply for admission?
Yes, international students can apply through the "Study in India" (SII) portal or via Government of India-sponsored channels.
37. Does IARI provide scholarships for international students?
No, international students must be self-supporting or sponsored by their home governments/GoI as IARI does not offer them fellowships.
38. What is the "Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav" scheme?
It is a flagship outreach program where scientists adopt villages to provide direct technical guidance and farm advisories.
39. What is the "Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela"?
It is an annual fair organized by IARI that allows thousands of farmers to interact with scientists and explore new technologies.
40. What was the theme of the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2025?
The theme for 2025 was "Unnat Krishi – Viksit Bharat" (Advanced Agriculture – Developed India).
41. What is the caution money for new admissions?
Newly admitted students are required to pay a one-time refundable caution deposit of .
42. What is the approximate tuition fee for Ph.D. students?
For the 2024-25 session, the tuition fee for Ph.D. students was per semester.
43. Are there fee exemptions for SC/ST students?
Yes, students belonging to SC and ST communities are entitled to the reimbursement of tuition fees as per government rules.
44. What documents are required for physical verification during Ph.D. admission?
Required documents include and mark sheets, Master's degree certificate, ICAR allotment letter, photos, and Aadhaar card.
45. Is dining mandatory for students living in the hostels?
Yes, dining is mandatory in the Food Court for all hostel residents.
46. Are motorized vehicles allowed for students on campus?
No, only bicycles are permitted for students within the hostel and IARI premises.
47. How far is IARI from the New Delhi Railway Station?
The institute is located approximately (5 miles) west of the New Delhi Railway Station.
48. What is the distance from IARI to Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport?
It is about to (10-12 miles) east of the airport.
49. Which are the nearest Delhi Metro stations to the campus?
The nearest stations are Patel Nagar and Rajendra Place, both roughly a 10-minute walk from the campus.
50. What is the purpose of the "Pusa Krishi" mobile app?
The app provides real-time information regarding innovative IARI technologies and farm advisories to stakeholders.
The ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, better known as the Pusa Institute, played a pivotal role towards bringing about Green Revolution in India during 1970s. As India’s National Institute for Agricultural Research, it commands great respect for its professionalism and contribution to the development of the nation. The current institute located in Delhi, is financed and administered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The campus is spread over 500 hectares (5.0 km2), 8 km west of New Delhi Railway Station.
The institute is engaged in first rate research, generation of appropriate technologies and development of human resources. In fact, the Green Revolution was born in the fields of IARI and its graduates constitute the core of the quality human resource in India’s agricultural research and education. The Institute keeps setting new benchmark in delivering students of high caliber as well as improving its policies, plans and programmes to effectively respond to the needs and opportunities of the nation. The institute is rightly given the credit for laying the foundation in the past for advancement of scientific disciplines, programme and the base for its fast expansion in the in all its three interactive areas, namely, research, education and extension. Besides basic research, applied and commodity research gained great importance resulting in the development of several popular high yielding varieties of almost all major crops and their associated management technologies, which brought about an unprecedented increase in the national food and agricultural production.
List of IARI schools:
In the prestigious and widely acclaimed educational ranking of Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF- 2025), IARI at 2nd Rank in IIRF Deemed University Ranking 2025.
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