Student READY Scheme 2026: ₹3,000 Monthly Stipend, Eligibility & Full Details

At a glance

About the scheme

Introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and ICAR, the Student READY program equips undergraduate agriculture and allied disciplines students with hands-on field experience and entrepreneurial capabilities. Designed as a compulsory fourth-year requirement for degree completion, it integrates five critical modules: Experiential Learning with business model, Hands-on Training/Skill Development, Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE), In-Plant Training/Industrial Attachment, and Student Projects. The program bridges academic theory and village-level agricultural realities to transform graduating students into job creators rather than job seekers.

Benefits

• Monthly stipend of ₹3,000 per student for a maximum of 6 months during village/rural training (RAWE)
• Hands-on entrepreneurial training through experiential learning business models to promote 'Earn while Learn'
• Direct field experience working with farming families and conducting soil testing under scientist supervision
• Mandatory industrial exposure and in-plant training to understand machinery, processes, and factory management
• Independent research project opportunities to build analytical, testing, and report-writing skills

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Must be a student pursuing an undergraduate degree in SAUs, DUs, CAU, or CUs under NARES
• The course must be accredited by the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board (NAEAB) of ICAR, New Delhi
• Must be enrolled in the fourth year of eligible disciplines: Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Biotechnology, Dairy Technology, Fisheries, Food Technology, Forestry, Horticulture, Community Science (Home Science), or Sericulture
• Must maintain merit and good conduct certified by the Head of the College, University, or Institution
• Must not remain absent during the programme without prior permission from the competent authority
• Must not participate in any strike or agitation
• Must not take up any job (even on a part-time basis) or draw any other financial aid for the same activities during the period

Who cannot apply

• Students pursuing courses not accredited by NAEAB of ICAR
• Students working in any full-time or part-time employment during the training period
• Students receiving other financial assistance for the same activities
• Students engaging in agitations or strikes, or having unapproved absences

Documents required

• Proof of enrollment in an ICAR/NAEAB accredited undergraduate degree program
• Conduct and merit certificate issued by the Head of the College, University, or Institution
• Official leave or attendance approval documents from the competent authority (if applicable)

How to apply

1. 1Enroll in the fourth year of an eligible accredited agricultural degree course at your university or institution.
2. 2Visit the official ICAR portal at https://icar.org.in or access the designated university student portal.
3. 3Submit your details for the Student READY modules including RAWE and industrial attachment as scheduled by your university.
4. 4Obtain the required merit and conduct clearance from the Head of the College or Institution.
5. 5Complete the assigned rural and industrial postings to receive the approved monthly training stipend.

Frequently asked questions