NICL AO Agriculture Eligibility 2026: Age and Degree

NICL AO Agriculture eligibility 2026 needs a four-year graduate or postgraduate degree in a named agriculture field. The candidate must also be 21 to 30 years old on 1 October 2026. Go back to the NICL AO Agriculture 2026 guide for the full plan.

What are the NICL AO Agriculture eligibility 2026 degree rules?

The advertisement names three fields: Agriculture, Agricultural Biotechnology and Agricultural Engineering. A candidate needs a graduate degree of four years or a postgraduate degree in one of them. The degree must come from a recognized Indian university approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC). An institute approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) also counts.

The advertisement does not list other fields such as Horticulture. Match your degree name to the three fields before you rely on this post. A candidate with another degree can apply for the Generalist post, which accepts any stream. The NICL AO vacancy 2026 table shows the Generalist posts.

How much percentage does NICL AO need?

A candidate needs at least 60% marks in either the graduate or the postgraduate degree examination. SC, ST and PwBD candidates need at least 55%. All other candidates, including OBC and EWS candidates, need 60%.

NICL finds the percentage in one way. It divides the total marks you scored in all subjects in all semesters or years by the maximum marks in all subjects. This includes honours, optional and additional optional subjects. NICL ignores the fraction, so 59.99% counts as below 60%.

If your university gives CGPA or OGPA, you must produce a certificate from the university. The certificate must show the conversion rule and your percentage.

When must you hold the degree?

A candidate must hold the pass certificate on 1 October 2026. NICL uses the date on your mark-sheet or provisional certificate as the date of passing. If the university posted the result on its website, you need a certificate that shows the posting date.

NICL cancels the candidature at any stage if the final result came after 1 October 2026.

What is the NICL AO age limit and relaxation?

The minimum age is 21 years and the maximum age is 30 years on 1 October 2026. A candidate must be born not earlier than 2 October 1996 and not later than 1 October 2005. Both dates count.

If a candidate qualifies for more than one relaxation, NICL adds them. The maximum age after relaxation must not exceed 45 years. You must show the certificates at the interview and at any later stage.

Who can apply by nationality?

A candidate must be one of these:

• A citizen of India.
• A subject of Nepal.
• A subject of Bhutan.
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 to settle in India for good.
• A person of Indian origin who migrated to settle in India for good. The countries are Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam.

Candidates in the last four groups need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.

Which other rules apply to applicants?

A candidate can apply for one discipline only. If a candidate files more than one application, NICL keeps only the latest completed one.

Candidates who work in government offices, public sector undertakings or nationalized banks must inform their employer in writing. They must give an undertaking when they apply. They must also bring a No Objection Certificate to the interview.

What is the next step after you check eligibility?

Next step: read how to apply for NICL AO 2026. Then check the posts in the NICL AO vacancy 2026 table and the NICL AO selection process 2026.