Spices Board Research Associate Recruitment 2026

Spices Board has released notification for 1 Research Associate (Crop Botany) post at the Indian Cardamom Research Institute (ICRI), Regional Station, Sakleshpur, Karnataka. Candidates with a first-class Post Graduate degree in Botany or Agriculture and 3 years of research experience can apply via email. Last date to apply is 24 April 2026. Salary is Rs. 35,000 per month (consolidated).

Spices Board Research Associate (Crop Botany) Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

Spices Board (Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India) has released Notification No. 53/2025 for the selection of 1 Research Associate (Crop Botany) on contract basis at its Indian Cardamom Research Institute (ICRI), Regional Station in Sakleshpur, Hassan District, Karnataka. Spices Board is the nodal agency for the development and promotion of Indian spice exports, operating under the Union Ministry of Commerce. This is a walk-in test opportunity -- you need to send your application by email first, and then attend the walk-in test on 30 April 2026. This opening is ideal for experienced researchers in plant breeding who want to work on spice and plantation crop improvement.

Who Can Apply?

• Essential Qualification: You need a first-class Post Graduate degree in Botany, Plantation Botany, or Post Graduation in Agriculture with specialization in Plant Breeding & Genetics from a recognized university.
• Essential Experience: You must have at least 3 years of relevant research experience in plant breeding on spices or plantation crops, along with publications in reputed journals.
• Desirable: A Doctorate degree in the concerned subject will be preferred.
• Skills Required: Working knowledge of computers, field experimentation techniques, data analysis, interpretation, and report preparation from field and laboratory studies.

Note: Only candidates who have received their final degree certificate should apply. Eligibility (age, qualification, experience) will be determined as on 24 April 2026 (the last date for receiving applications).

Age Limit

• Maximum age: 45 years (as on 24 April 2026)

Salary

• Selected candidates will receive a consolidated salary of Rs. 35,000 per month (fixed).
• This is a contract position -- initially for 1 year, extendable for one more year based on performance and requirement.

Selection Process

The selection will be done in 2 stages:

1. Written Test: Candidates who meet the essential qualifications will appear for a screening written test.
2. Interview: Shortlisted candidates from the written test will face an interview.

If a large number of applications are received, the Board may shortlist candidates based on additional criteria before the test.

How to Apply

1. Prepare your application in Annexure-I format (available in the official notification PDF).
2. Scan and attach your certificates -- proof of age, educational qualifications, experience, publications, and a recent passport-size photo (less than 50 KB).
3. Compile everything into a single PDF in this order: (a) Annexure-I, (b) Educational qualifications (chronological), (c) ID proof, (d) Experience certificates, (e) Publications, (f) Other documents.
4. Email the application to sbicriadmn2021@gmail.com on or before 24 April 2026.
5. Use the email subject line: "Application for Research Associate (Crop Botany)".
6. On the walk-in test date (30 April 2026), report at the venue one hour before the test (by 10:00 AM) with all original documents for verification.

Walk-in Test Venue: Spices Board, Regional Research Station, Donigal Post, Sakleshpur, Hassan, Karnataka 573134.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 12 March 2026
• Last Date to Apply (Email): 24 April 2026
• Walk-in Test Date: 30 April 2026 at 11:00 AM

• Conduct plant breeding research on spices and plantation crops at the ICRI field station
• Plan and carry out field experiments related to crop improvement and varietal development
• Collect, analyse, and interpret data from field trials and laboratory studies
• Prepare detailed research reports and documentation of experiment outcomes
• Publish research findings in reputed agricultural and botanical journals
• Assist senior scientists with ongoing projects and collaborative research activities
• Maintain germplasm collections and experimental plots at the research station