The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has officially commenced the online registration for its Undergraduate (UG) counselling for the 2025-26 academic session. Starting from 2 PM today, October 14, for ICAR UG Counselling eligible candidates who have qualified the CUET UG 2025 can begin their registration process on the official portal, icarcounseling.com.
This centralized counselling process is the gateway for admission to UG programmes in Agriculture and allied sciences across participating universities. With the first round of seat allotment scheduled for October 21, understanding the complete schedule and procedure is crucial for every aspirant. In this detailed guide, we’ll break down the key dates, the step-by-step application process, essential documents, and what to expect in each counselling round.
Why is ICAR UG Counselling Important?
The ICAR UG counselling is a centralized process that streamlines admissions into one of the most sought-after streams in the country. Here’s what makes it significant:
- Fills 20% AIQ Seats: It allocates 20% of the All India Quota (AIQ) seats in various agricultural universities.
- 100% Seats for Specific Universities: For prestigious institutions like ICAR-NDRI Karnal, ICAR-IARI Delhi, RLBCAU Jhansi, and RPCAU Pusa, 100% of the seats are filled through this CUET-based counselling.
- Centralized & Transparent: It ensures a fair, uniform, and transparent admission process for candidates across India.
- Multiple Rounds: The multi-round system, including a mop-up round, maximizes candidates’ chances of securing a seat.
Also Read: SSC GD Constable PET PST Result 2025 Out, Check Cutoff and Merit List for DME
Key Dates and Schedule for ICAR UG Counselling 2025
The counselling schedule is packed with critical deadlines. Missing any can cost you a round or even your admission.
- Registration & Choice Filling: Starts Oct 14 (2 PM) | Ends Oct 17 (11:50 PM)
- Round 1 Seat Allotment: October 21 (5 PM onwards)
- Round 2 Seat Allotment: October 27 (11 AM onwards)
- Round 3 Seat Allotment: October 31 (10 AM onwards)
- Round 4 Seat Allotment: November 4 (10 AM onwards)
- Mop-Up Round: Registration from Nov 8 | Seat Allotment on Nov 12
How to Apply for ICAR UG Counselling 2025
Candidates can follow these steps to complete their registration successfully:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to
icarcounseling.com. - Begin Registration: Click on the “UG Counselling 2025 Registration” link.
- Log In: Use your CUET UG 2025 application number and password to log in.
- Fill Details: Carefully enter your personal, academic, and contact information.
- Upload Documents: Scan and upload all required documents in the specified format and size.
- Pay Counselling Fee: Pay the non-refundable fee of ₹500 via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Fill & Lock Choices: Select your preferred universities and programs in order of priority and lock your choices before the deadline.
- Save Confirmation: Download and print the confirmation page for your records.
Also Read: 74830 Candidates Applied For NHPC Non-Executive Exam 2025 for JE and Other Posts
Essential Documents Required for Uploading
Candidates must keep the following documents ready for the online upload and verification process:
- CUET UG 2025 Admit Card and Score/Rank Card
- Class 10 and Class 12 Mark Sheets and Pass Certificates
- Transfer / School Leaving Certificate
- Character Certificate from the last attended institution
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) as per Govt. of India norms
- Domicile Certificate
- Aadhaar Card or any other valid Government ID Proof
- Passport-sized Photograph
- PwBD Certificate (if applicable)
What are the Concerns Among Candidates?
While the process is streamlined, candidates often have specific concerns:
- Choice Locking: Many candidates hesitate or forget to formally “lock” their choices, which can lead to their preferences not being considered.
- Document Verification: The timeline for re-submission of documents if a query is raised is very tight, especially in later rounds.
- Fee Payment Deadline: The “Seat Acceptance Fee” must be paid before the strict deadline for each round; failure means forfeiting the allotted seat.
- Mop-Up Round Eligibility: Only candidates who have not been allotted any seat in previous rounds or who have withdrawn are eligible for the fresh registration in the mop-up round.
What Happens After You Are Allotted a Seat?
Once a seat is allotted in any round, candidates must take immediate action:
- Accept the Seat: You must accept the allotted seat through the portal.
- Pay the Seat Acceptance Fee: This is different from the counselling fee and is mandatory to secure your seat.
- Respond to Queries: Universities may raise queries about your documents. You must respond and re-upload documents within the given timeframe.
- Download Provisional Letter: After successful document verification and fee payment, download the Provisional Admission Letter.
- Report to University: Finally, report to the allotted university within the specified dates to complete the admission formalities.
Key Points to Remember Before Final Submission
Before you finalize your application, keep these crucial points in mind:
- Lock Your Choices: Merely saving your preferences is not enough. You must click the ‘Lock’ button before the choice-filling deadline.
- Document Clarity: Ensure all uploaded documents are clear, legible, and in the prescribed format to avoid verification delays.
- Fee Receipts: Save the transaction receipt for both the counselling fee and the seat acceptance fee.
- Check Portal Regularly: After each round, regularly check the counselling portal and your registered email for updates, allotment letters, or queries from universities.
- Withdrawal Option: If you wish to participate in later rounds, you can withdraw from a currently accepted seat until the withdrawal deadline in the fourth round.
FAQs on ICAR UG Counselling 2025
Q1. When does the ICAR UG 2025 counselling registration start?
Registration starts on October 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM IST.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for ICAR UG counselling?
The last date for registration, choice filling, and document upload is October 17, 2025, till 11:50 PM.
Q3. What is the official website for ICAR counselling?
The official website is icarcounseling.com.
Q4. I have not qualified CUET UG. Can I apply for ICAR counselling?
No, only candidates who have appeared and qualified in the CUET UG 2025 exam are eligible to participate.
Q5. What is the counselling fee for ICAR UG 2025?
The non-refundable counselling fee is ₹500 for all categories.
Q6. Can I edit my choices after the locking period?
No, once choices are locked or the deadline has passed, you cannot edit them until the next round (if eligible).
Q7. What if I miss the seat acceptance fee deadline for a round?
If you miss the seat acceptance fee payment deadline, your allotted seat will be automatically cancelled, and you may be considered in subsequent rounds.