Research program for undergraduate courses at ICAR Research Centres ceases nationwide, except in Assam and Jharkhand.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), also known as the Pusa Institute, has made significant changes to its academic structure, effective from the 2025-26 academic year. The changes aim to refocus resources on cutting-edge agricultural research.
In a move prompted by concerns raised during the ICAR AGM in June 2025, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed dissatisfaction over undergraduate courses being run in research-focused institutions. He noted that these programmes were interfering with scientific work, as many scientists were diverted from their core research responsibilities to support educational activities.
As a result, IARI has discontinued its undergraduate B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture programme at its New Delhi campus and most of its academic hubs across the country. However, the programme will continue at two of IARI's off-campus centres in Assam and Jharkhand. The notification does not mention any changes to the undergraduate B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture programme at the IARI's New Delhi campus and its academic hubs outside Assam and Jharkhand.
Replacing the undergraduate programmes, IARI has introduced a new "Student Research Partner" (SRP) model effective from 2025-26. Under this SRP structure, postgraduate and PhD students conduct coursework primarily at IARI New Delhi but undertake research projects in collaboration with designated partner institutes. Approximately 20% of these students are expected to conduct their research at the SRP centres outside the main campus. This shift aims to integrate students more closely into research activities without burdening the scientific staff with undergraduate teaching and helps maintain IARI’s primary focus on research.
The decision was made after a review and recommendation by a committee formed to streamline degree programmes offered by IARI and its partner institutions. The Pusa Institute (IARI) has been asked to seek UGC recognition for its Assam and Jharkhand centres.
Supernumerary admissions for NRI and foreign students will be introduced from the upcoming academic year, with revenue from these admissions to be used for supporting IARI's global outreach goals. ICAR has also promised to provide necessary funding and support to IARI and its off-campus centres to enhance infrastructure and maintain academic quality.
All degrees awarded up to the academic year 2024-25 will remain valid. Students currently enrolled in the phased-out hubs will be allowed to complete their degrees at their existing locations. The notification does not mention any changes to the 20% of students who may conduct research at SRP centres or any changes to the phasing out of existing IARI academic hubs.
These changes reflect a prioritization of scientific research at IARI while still fostering student involvement through research collaboration rather than traditional undergraduate programs within research institutions.
| Aspect | Previous Model | New SRP Model | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Program offered | Undergraduate B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture at multiple IARI hubs | Postgraduate and PhD students involved in research partnerships | | Focus | UG teaching in research institutions | Research projects in collaboration with partner institutes | | Undergraduate program sites | Multiple IARI hubs (mostly discontinued) | Continued only at Assam and Jharkhand centres; elsewhere replaced | | Role of faculty | Diverted for UG teaching | Focus on core scientific research |
- Following the concerns raised during the ICAR AGM in June 2025, a new "Student Research Partner" (SRP) model has been introduced at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) as a response to the dissatisfaction over undergraduate courses interfering with scientific work.
- The changes at IARI, effective from the 2025-26 academic year, aim to prioritize education-and-self-development and learning through a research-oriented approach, with postgraduate and PhD students conducting coursework and research in collaboration with designated partner institutes, while policy-and-legislation and general-news updates suggest this move aligns with efforts to streamline degree programs offered by IARI and its partner institutions.
