The National Talent Scholarship (NTS) is the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) scheme that pays a monthly stipend to students who leave their home state to study agriculture through the ICAR All India Quota. If you are taking CUET (ICAR-UG) in 2027, or the ICAR entrance for a master’s seat, this scholarship can cover a good share of your living costs for the whole degree. This guide explains who gets it, how much it pays, how the money reaches you and what can stop it midway.
| Key point | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme | National Talent Scholarship (NTS-UG and NTS-PG) |
| Run by | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Amount | Rs 3,000 a month (UG), Rs 5,000 a month (PG) |
| Who qualifies | Students admitted on ICAR All India Quota seats in an agricultural university outside their home state |
| Processed through | National Scholarship Portal (NSP), paid by DBT |
| Dates for 2027-28 | Not announced as of 3 November 2026 |
What Is the ICAR National Talent Scholarship?
ICAR started NTS to encourage bright students to study in other states and to give agricultural universities a national mix of students. That is why the most important condition is not your marks alone but where you study: the university must be outside your state of domicile, and you must have reached it through ICAR’s own All India Quota (AIQ) seats.
The scheme has two parts. NTS-UG covers bachelor’s programmes in agriculture and allied subjects, and NTS-PG covers master’s programmes. There is no fixed number of awards each year. Per the FAQs ICAR has published on the National Scholarship Portal, every student who meets the conditions is eligible.
National Talent Scholarship Amount 2027
| Component | Admission route | Monthly amount |
|---|---|---|
| NTS-UG | Bachelor’s degree via CUET (ICAR-UG), AIQ seat | Rs 3,000 per month |
| NTS-PG | Master’s degree via ICAR AIEE (PG), AIQ seat | Rs 5,000 per month |
The stipend runs for the full normal duration of the degree, as long as you keep meeting the academic and conduct rules explained below. There is no separate book grant or contingency allowance under NTS. Older ICAR guidelines from 2016 listed Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000; the current NSP FAQs show the revised Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 rates, so ignore older figures you may see online.
NTS Eligibility Criteria
For NTS-UG (Bachelor’s)
- You must be admitted to a full-time bachelor’s programme in agriculture or an allied subject through CUET (ICAR-UG) on an ICAR All India Quota seat.
- The agricultural university must be located outside your state of domicile.
- Students admitted through a state agricultural university’s own entrance test, or on state quota seats, are not eligible.
For NTS-PG (Master’s)
- You must be admitted to a master’s programme through ICAR’s All India Entrance Examination for PG on an AIQ seat.
- The university must again be outside your home state.
- Admission through a university’s own PG entrance does not count.
Both groups must study full time. The ICAR guidelines also bar students from taking a job, even part time, while drawing the scholarship.
Rules to Keep the Scholarship Every Year
NTS is not a one-time award. It is renewed only if you keep up your record, and many students lose it in the second or third year because they miss one of these conditions:
- Minimum OGPA/CGPA of 7.00 out of 10 (6.50 for SC/ST students).
- Good conduct and regular attendance, certified by your institution.
- Passing all papers; the 2016 guidelines say failing a paper stops the payment.
- No change of university or discipline from the one allotted through ICAR counselling.
- No other scholarship at the same time during the UG programme.
If you leave the course midway, the guidelines say ICAR can ask for the money already paid to be refunded, so think carefully before you take an AIQ seat only for the stipend.
How to Apply for National Talent Scholarship
Many students search for an NTS form on the ICAR website, but there is no open application there. According to the NSP FAQs, students admitted on AIQ seats do not need a separate application to become eligible. The payment, however, moves through the National Scholarship Portal, so you will usually need to complete the NSP formalities your university asks for. A typical sequence looks like this:
- Take admission on an ICAR AIQ seat outside your home state and complete your joining at the university.
- Collect the NTS award letter issued by ICAR, if your university provides one; NSP may ask you to upload it.
- Register on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) with a valid mobile number and Aadhaar-linked details, if your university asks you to.
- Select the ICAR NTS-UG or NTS-PG scheme when it is open on the portal and fill in your academic and bank details.
- Your university verifies the application, after which payment is released by Direct Benefit Transfer to your bank account.
The exact NSP window for the 2027-28 batch has not been announced as of 3 November 2026. Your university’s scholarship cell or dean of student welfare office is the best place to confirm the steps and deadline once you join.
Documents to Keep Ready
- Admission or allotment letter from ICAR counselling (AIQ seat)
- NTS award letter from ICAR, if issued
- Aadhaar card and Aadhaar-linked bank account details
- Domicile certificate (to show you are studying outside your home state)
- Class 12 marksheet (UG) or bachelor’s degree marksheets (PG)
- Category certificate, if you are claiming the SC/ST grade relaxation
- Recent passport-size photograph
Common Mistakes That Delay Payment
- Bank account not linked to Aadhaar, so DBT fails.
- Choosing the wrong scheme on NSP (NTS-UG instead of NTS-PG, or vice versa).
- Missing the university’s internal verification deadline.
- Falling below the CGPA requirement in a semester and not noticing the scholarship has stopped.
If you are still preparing for admission, read our guide to CUET UG 2027 registration, since the ICAR-UG route runs through CUET. School students can also look at the NMMS Scholarship 2026-27.
NTS 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
Who gives the National Talent Scholarship?
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education.
Can I get NTS if I study agriculture in my own state?
No. The university must be outside your state of domicile and the seat must be an ICAR All India Quota seat.
Is NTS available for PhD students?
No. NTS covers only bachelor’s and master’s programmes. ICAR runs separate fellowships for doctoral students.
Has the 2027-28 NTS schedule been released?
Not yet. As of 3 November 2026 no dates have been announced for students joining in 2027-28. They usually follow the ICAR counselling and NSP calendar for that year.
Official Links: National Talent Scholarship
| What it is | Official link |
|---|---|
| ICAR official website | icar.org.in |
| National Scholarship Portal | scholarships.gov.in |
| NSP FAQ: ICAR NTS-UG (PDF) | NTS-UG FAQ |
| NSP FAQ: ICAR NTS-PG (PDF) | NTS-PG FAQ |
| ICAR NTS guidelines, 2016 (PDF) | NTS guidelines |
