The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) offers Agriculture as an optional subject for candidates with a background in the field or a strong interest in it. Choosing Agriculture as your option can be a strategic decision, potentially giving you an edge in the competitive exam. This comprehensive syllabus covers a wide range of topics, equipping you with in-depth knowledge of agricultural principles, practices, and contemporary issues. By thoroughly understanding the syllabus and strategically preparing for each section, you can increase your chances of excelling in the UPSC CSE.
Agriculture Optional Syllabus: Paper – 1
Ecology and its relevance to man, natural resources, their sustainable management and conservation. Physical and social environment as factors of crop distribution and production. Agro ecology; cropping pattern as indicators of environments. Environmental pollution and associated hazards to crops, animals and humans. Climate change—International conventions and global initiatives. Green house effect and global warming. Advance tools for ecosystem analysis—Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Cropping patterns in different agro-climatic zones of the country. Impact of high-yielding and shortduration varieties on shifts in cropping patterns. Concepts of various cropping, and farming systems. Organic and Precision farming. Package of practices for production of important cereals, pulses, oil seeds, fibres, sugar, commercial and fodder crops.
Important features, and scope of various types of forestry plantations such as social forestry, agroforestry, and natural forests : Propagation of forest plants. Forest products. Agro-forestry and value addition. Conservation of forest flora and fauna.
Weeds, their characteristics, dissemination and association with various crops; their multiplications; cultural, biological, and chemical control of weeds.
Soil—physical, chemical and biological properties. Processes and factors of soil formation. soils of India. Mineral and organic constituents of soils and their role in maintaining soil productivity. Essential plant nutrients and other beneficial elements in soils and plants. Principles of soil fertility, soil testing and fertiliser recommendations, integrated nutrient management Biofertilizers. Losses of nitrogen in soil, nitrogen-use efficiency in submerged rice soils, nitrogen fixation in soils. Efficient phosphoruse and potassium use. Problem soils and their reclamation. Soil factors affecting green house gas emission.
Soil conservation, integrated watershed management. Soil erosion and its management. Dry land agriculture and its problems. Technology for stabilising agriculture production in rainfed areas.
Water-use efficiency in relation to crop production, criteria for scheduling irrigations, ways and means of reducing run-off losses of irrigation water. Rainwater harvesting. Drip and sprinkler irrigation.
Drainage of water-logged soils, quality of irrigation water, effect of industrial effluents on soil and water pollution. Irrigation projects in India.
Farm management, scope, importance and characteristics, farm planning. Optimum resource use and budgeting. Economics of different types of farming systems. Marketing management strategies for development, market intelligence. price fluctuations and their cost; role of co-operatives in agricultural economy; types and systems of farming and factors affecting them. Agricultural price policy. Crop Insurance.
Agricultural extension, its importance and role, methods of evaluation of extension programmes, socio-economic survey and status of big, small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers; Training programmes for extension workers. Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVK) in dissemination of Agricultural technologies. Non-Government Organisation (NGO) and self-help group approach for rural development.
Agriculture Optional Syllabus: Paper – 2
Cell structure, function and cell cycle. Synthesis, structure and function of genetic material. Laws of heredity. Chromosome structure, chromosomal aberrations, linkage and cross-over, and their significance in recombination breeding. Polyploidy, euploids and aneuploids. Mutation—and their role in crop improvement. Heritability, sterility and incompatibility, classification and their application in crop improvement. Cytoplasmic inheritance, sex-linked, sex-influenced and sex-limited characters.
History of plant breeding. Modes of reproduction, selfing and crossing techniques. Origin, evolution, and domestication of crop plants, center of origin, law of homologous series, crop genetic resources— conservation and utilization. Application of principles of plant breeding, improvement of crop plants. Molecular markers and their application in plant improvement. Pure-line selection, pedigree, mass and recurrent selections, combining ability, its significance in plant breeding. Heterosis and its exploitation.
Somatic hybridization. Breeding for disease and pest resistance. Role of interspecific and intergeneric hybridization. Role of genetic engineering and biotechnology in crop improvement Gernetically modified crop plants.
Seed production and processing technologies. Seed certification, Seed testing and storage. DNA finger printing and seed registration. Role of public and private sectors in seed production, and marketing. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues, WTO issues and its impact on Agriculture. Principles of Plant Physiology with reference to plant nutrition, absorption, translocation and metabolism of nutrients. Soil-water-plant relationship.
Enzymes and plant pigments; photosynthesis—modern concepts and factors affecting the process, aerobic and anaerobic respiration; C3, C4 and CAM mechanisms. Carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Growth and development; photoperiodism and vernalization. Plant growth substances and their role in crop production. Physiology of seed development and germination; dormancy. Stress physiology—draught, salt and water stress, major fruits, plantation crops, vegetables, spices and flower crops. package practices of major horticultural crops. Protected cultivation and high tech horticulture. Post-harvest technology and value addition of fruits and vegetables. Landscaping and commercial floriculture. Medicinal and aromatic plants.
Role of fruits and vegetables in human nutrition. Diagnosis of pests and diseases of field crops, vegetables, orchard and plantation crops and their economic importance. Classification of pests and diseases and their management. Intergrated pest and diseases management. Storage pests and their management. Biological control of pests and diseases.
Epidemiology and forecasting of major crop pests and diseases. Plant quarantine measures. Pesticides, their formulation and modes of action. Food production and consumption trends in India. Food security and growing population—vision.
Reasons for grain surplus. National and International food policies. Production, procurement, and distribution constraints. Availability of food grains, per capita expenditure on food. Trends in poverty, Public Distribution System and Below Poverty Line population, Targeted Public Distribution System (PDS), policy implementation in context to globalization. Processing constraints. Relation of food production to National Dietary Guidelines and food consumption pattern. Food-based dietary approaches to eliminate hunger.
Nutrient deficiency—Micro nutrient deficiency: Protein Energy Malnutrition or Protein Calorie Malnutrition (PEM or PCM), Micro nutrient deficiency, and HRD in the context of the work capacity of women and children. Food grain productivity and food security.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is a science background necessary for choosing Agriculture Optional?
No, a science background is not mandatory for choosing Agriculture Optional. However, a basic understanding of science will be beneficial. The syllabus covers some scientific concepts in areas like soil science, plant breeding, and biotechnology. But with focused study and good resources, even non-science students can excel in this optional.
2. How can I get the UPSC Agriculture Optional Syllabus?
The UPSC releases the official syllabus for all optional subjects on its website. You can find the latest version of the Agriculture Optional Syllabus by searching for “UPSC Agriculture Syllabus 2024” on the internet.
3. What are some good resources for preparing for the Agriculture Optional?
There are many good resources available for preparing for the Agriculture Optional. Here are a few suggestions:
- Standard textbooks by renowned authors in each specific area mentioned in the syllabus.
- Coaching materials from institutes specializing in UPSC preparation.
- Previous years’ UPSC question papers for Agriculture Optional (available online and in UPSC publications).
- Online resources and articles from reliable sources.
4. How much time is required to prepare for Agriculture Optional?
The time required for preparation depends on your individual background and pace of learning. Generally, a dedicated 4-5 month study period with a well-structured plan is considered sufficient. However, it can vary depending on your prior knowledge and comfort level with the subjects.
5. What are some tips for scoring well in Agriculture Optional?
- Thoroughly understand the syllabus and identify weightage of each section.
- Focus on building strong foundational concepts across all areas.
- Make your own notes for efficient revision and highlight key points.
- Practice answer writing using previous years’ question papers.
- Focus on developing a clear and concise writing style for answers.
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