Department of Agricultural Research and Education DARE

Overview

The Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) is a central agency under India’s Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, mandated with the planning, coordination and promotion of agricultural research and higher education across India. According to uniRank, the DARE was founded in December 1973 and provides governmental linkage to over 97 research institutes, 53 agricultural and allied universities and makes it one of the world’s largest national agricultural research-and-education systems .

DARE oversees the autonomous Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) as its principal executive arm and also administers institutions like the Central Agricultural University, Imphal (CAU) .

History and Legal Framework

DARE was established in December 1973 under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules to serve as the nodal department for agricultural R&E across the country. ICAR, originally founded in 1929 under the Societies Registration Act, was brought within DARE’s administrative control through a policy restructuring in the mid‑1970s .

The department’s legal framework includes oversight of agricultural education norms, accreditations and the administration of higher agricultural institutions via bodies constituted under the ICAR rules, statutes and bye‑laws.

Mission, Vision and Objectives in Higher Education

DARE envisions continual access to nutritious food, sustainable livelihoods and natural resource management through science and technology. Its core mission is to integrate institutional, infrastructural and policy support for agricultural research, higher education and frontline extension initiatives across India .

• Promotion of Excellence: Enhance the quality of agricultural education and research in line with global standards.
• Human Resource Development: Train high-quality graduates, researchers and extension professionals in agriculture and allied sciences.
• Innovation & Extension: • Support university-industry partnerships, innovation‑led projects (e.g. NAIP, NAHEP) and technology transfer to farming communities.
• Equity & Access: Encourage inclusive participation from under‑served regions and groups.

Governance, Structure and Independence

DARE is headed by the Secretary to the Government of India, who simultaneously holds the position of Director General of ICAR. As of April 2025, Dr Mangi Lal Jat holds the dual role of Secretary DARE and DG ICAR, emphasizing integrated leadership and decision‑making in agricultural R&E .

ICAR functions as an autonomous society under DARE, with scientific policy decisions taken by its General Body and Governing Body, chaired by the Union Agriculture Minister and DG‑ICAR respectively. DARE’s administration includes divisions for education, international cooperation, finance and resource management .

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

While DARE does not directly conduct accreditation, it empowers the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board (NAEAB), renamed in 2017 (formerly ICAR’s Accreditation Board, established 1996), to oversee institutional and programme accreditation across agricultural universities and colleges .

NAEAB sets standards for curricula, infrastructure, faculty and governance; evaluates institutions via peer review; and advises on recognition and financial support norms. Accreditation status is linked to ICAR’s All India Entrance Examinations (AIEEA), making it critical for student admissions and funding .

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

As the nodal department for international collaboration in agriculture, DARE (via ICAR) has signed over 57 Memoranda of Understanding with foreign universities, governments and international agencies for joint research, education and germplasm exchange .

Multi‑lateral networks where DARE/ICAR actively participates include:

• CGIAR research centres (e.g. ICRISAT, IRRI, WorldFish);
• BRICS Agriculture Research Platform, with coordination supported by DG‑ICAR as the Nacional focal point ;
• SAARC, ASEAN‑India Forum, India–Africa Forum and BIMSTEC partnerships;
• Links with academic host institutions such as Cornell University (USA), University of Queensland (Australia), University of Western Sydney and Papua New Guinea University of Technology .

DARE also implements foreign-student admission schemes and scholarships like India–Africa, India–Nepal and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Fellowships to promote global academic exchange .

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

• National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP): Supported by the World Bank and ICAR, the ongoing Multi-disciplinary project seeks to strengthen curriculum, faculty, governance and infrastructure across partner institutions, benefitting thousands of students and faculty.
• Research-to-Start‑up Ecosystem: DARE & ICAR’s NAIP platform has catalysed over 1,800 sub‑projects, encouraging innovation and incubation in areas like climate‑smart agriculture and biotechnology .
• Food and nutritional security agendas: DG‑ICAR Dr Jat (2025) has called for increasing national agricultural R&D investment to at least 1 % of agricultural GDP, indicating future reforms in funding models and higher‑education delivery methods .
• Quality enhancement: The NAEAB-linked accreditation system is now mandatory for funding; institutions must maintain compliance or risk penalisation or withdrawal of access to student admission exams.

Summary

The Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) is India’s principal ministry-level structure that governs agricultural research, education and extension. Through its statutory tie with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), it shapes policy, supports quality assurance via NAEAB, builds global academic networks and drives innovation in agriculture and allied sciences. Its evolving role is central to India’s goal of a resilient and inclusive agri‑education system aligned with global standards and sustainable development objectives.

FAQs

1. What is the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)?
   DARE is a wing of India’s Ministry of Agriculture that coordinates agricultural research and higher education across national universities, institutes and research centres.
2. When was DARE established?
   It was formally constituted in December 1973 to centralise governance of agricultural R&E.
3. How is ICAR related to DARE?
   ICAR is an autonomous body under DARE, headed by the DG‑ICAR who also serves as the Secretary of DARE.
4. Does DARE issue accreditation to agricultural universities?
   No, but it empowers the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board (NAEAB) under ICAR to assess, accredit and guide institutions in compliance with national norms.
5. How many international partnerships does DARE/ICAR have?
   Over 57 bilateral and multilateral agreements with universities, foreign governments and agencies, including major networks like CGIAR, BRICS, ASEAN and India–Africa fora.
6. What future changes are expected in DARE‑supported agriculture education?
   Significant reforms are in the pipeline via NAHEP and planned increases in funding, accreditation linkages, digital platforms and industry‑academia engagement.

Organization Name

Department of Agricultural Research and Education

Acronym

DARE

Year of Establishment

1/01/1973

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

1

Address

c/o Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India
New Delhi
110 001 NCT of Delhi India

Phone

Fax

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

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Wikipedia Article

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