UPSC Agriculture Syllabus: Of the 48 subjects offered by the UPSC, agriculture is one of the optional subjects. The syllabus for agriculture places a strong emphasis on candidates’ grasp of science and their capacity to apply it to practical problems.
Paper I and Paper II comprise the UPSC Agriculture optional syllabus. The overall mark on this optional paper is 500.
UPSC Agriculture Syllabus 2024
In order to do well in this portion, candidates must possess prior understanding of the subject or some background in this technological field. Based on data from the past five years, between 100 and 200 applicants choose agriculture as their optional subject for the IAS Mains, with a success rate of 12–18%.
Because there are so many books and resources available to help with study, many applicants choose the UPSC Agriculture optional subject for the IAS Mains exam. Therefore, it is imperative to follow the UPSC Mains Agriculture Syllabus in order to study just subjects that are pertinent to the exam. The UPSC agricultural exam has moderately difficult questions, according to a review of previous year’s exams.
UPSC Agriculture Syllabus 2024 For Optional Paper I
A wide range of topics are covered in the UPSC Agriculture Optional Paper I syllabus that are crucial to comprehending the dynamics of agriculture and how it interacts with the environment and socioeconomic variables.
It covers topics including farming systems, soil conservation, irrigation methods, climate change, ecology, crop distribution, farm management, agricultural economics, and rural development. This extensive syllabus contributes to sustainable farming practices and the improvement of rural areas while also providing candidates with the information and abilities needed to handle the difficulties faced by farmers.
- The importance of ecology to humanity, as well as the sustainable management, conservation, and use of natural resources, The distribution and production of crops are influenced by their physical and social surroundings. Cropping patterns and agroecology are environmental indicators. contamination of the environment and the risks it poses to people, animals, and agriculture. Global efforts and international accords related to climate change. Global warming and the greenhouse effect. Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) are advanced tools for ecological analysis.
- This section discusses agricultural extension, its significance and function, ways to assess extension programmes, a socioeconomic analysis, the position of large, small, and marginal farmers, as well as landless agricultural labourers. Extension worker training programmes. The contribution of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) to the advancement of agricultural technologies. The use of self-help groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in rural development.
- Soil conservation, integrated watershed management. erosion of soil and its control. Agriculture in drylands and its challenges. Technology to stabilise agricultural output in regions that receive rain.
- Water-use efficiency is about agricultural productivity, irrigation schedule parameters, and strategies for minimising irrigation water runoff losses. collecting rainwater. Sprinklers and drip irrigation. drainage of soggy soils, irrigation water quality, soil damage from industrial effluents, and pollution of water sources. India’s irrigation initiatives.
- Cropping patterns across the nation’s various agroclimatic zones. Effects of short-duration, high-yielding cultivars on changes in cropping patterns. notions of different farming and cropping systems. Precision and organic farming. a collection of methods for producing significant amounts of sugar, fibre, oilseeds, pulses, cereals, and commercial and fodder crops.
- Key characteristics include areas covered by several kinds of plantations that include natural forests, agroforestry, and social forestry, growth of plants found in forests and wood-based goods. Agroforestry along with value-adding, preservation of wildlife and plants in forests.
- Weeds: traits, spread, and relationships with different crops; their multiplications; cultural, biological, and chemical control of weeds. Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of soil. the elements and processes that make soil. Indian soils, The importance of soil’s organic and mineral components in sustaining soil production.
- Important nutrients for plants and other elements that are good for soil and plants. concepts related to soil fertility, integrated nutrient management, soil testing, and fertiliser recommendations. biofertilizers. soil nitrogen losses, soil nitrogen fixation, and soil nitrogen utilisation efficiency in submerged rice soils. effective usage of potassium and phosphorus. problematic soils and how to recover them. The impact of soil variables on greenhouse gas emissions.
- Farm planning, farm management, farm characteristics, importance, and scope. Budgeting and resource usage at their best. The economics of various farming techniques. Development strategies and market information are part of marketing management. The cost and volatility of prices; the function of cooperatives in the agricultural economy; the many farming systems and farming kinds; and the factors that influence them. Price policy for agriculture. Insurance for crops.
UPSC Agriculture Syllabus 2024 for Optional Paper II
Examining topics like crop physiology, plant breeding and genetics, seed science and technology, agronomy, soil science, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, animal husbandry and veterinary science, and environmental interactions, the UPSC Agriculture Optional Paper II syllabus explores the scientific side of agriculture. It covers subjects including plant growth and development, animal production, environmental conservation, soil fertility management, horticulture practices, breeding methods, seed production, crop production concepts, and pest and disease control.
- Cell cycle, cell structure, and cell function. Genetic material: synthesis, structure, and function. genetic laws. The significance of linkage and cross-over, chromosomal abnormalities, and chromosomal structure in recombination breeding. euploids, aneuploids, and polyploidy. The function of mutations in crop improvement. Heritability, incompatibility, sterility, and categorization, as well as how they are used to improve crops. Characters that are impacted, constrained, linked, and cytoplasmically inherited by sex.
- Trends in Indian food production and consumption. Vision 2020: a growing population and food security. causes of the grain excess. Food policies at the national and international levels. Constraints related to distribution, procurement, and production. Food grain availability and per-capita food spending. trends in poverty, the population living below the poverty line, the Public Distribution System (PDS) and its targeting, and the application of policies in relation to globalisation. restrictions on processing. Food production in relation to food consumption patterns and the National Dietary Guidelines. food-based nutritional strategies to end hunger. Protein Energy Malnutrition or Protein Calorie Malnutrition (PEM or PCM), Micronutrient deficit, and HRD in relation to women’s and children’s work capacity are examples of nutrient deficiencies and micronutrient deficiencies. Productivity of food grains and food security.
- Technology for processing and producing seeds. Seed storage, testing, and certification. Seed registration and DNA fingerprinting. Public and commercial sectors’ roles in the marketing and production of seeds. The impact of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) on agriculture, as well as WTO problems.
- Plant breeding’s past. strategies for selling, crossover, and reproduction. Crop plant origin, evolution, and domestication; centre of origin; homologous series law; conservation and use of crop genetic resources. Utilising plant breeding concepts to enhance crop plants. Utilising molecular markers to enhance plant performance. Plant breeding uses pure-line selection, pedigree, mass and recurrent selections, combining abilities, and its importance. Exploiting heterosis in relationships. hybridization of soma. breeding to withstand pests and diseases. role of hybridization between genes and between species. The use of biotechnology and genetic engineering to improve crops. agricultural plants that have undergone genetic modification.
- The identification of pests and illnesses affecting vegetables, plantation crops, orchards, and field crops, as well as their financial significance. Pest and disease classification and management. Integrated control of diseases and pests. Pest control for storage facilities. biological management of illnesses and pests. epidemiology as well as disease and pest forecasts for major crops. Implement quarantine protocols. The composition and mechanisms of action of pesticides.
- The identification of pests and illnesses affecting vegetables, plantation crops, orchards, and field crops, as well as their financial significance. Pest and disease classification and management. Integrated control of diseases and pests. Pest control for storage facilities. biological management of illnesses and pests. epidemiology as well as disease and pest forecasts for major crops. Implement quarantine protocols. The composition and modes of action of pesticides.
- Plant pigments and enzymes; photosynthesis: contemporary theories and variables; aerobic and anaerobic respiration; C3, C4, and CAM processes. Metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Development and growth, photoperiodism and vernalization. The components that promote plant growth and how they affect crop yield. embryology, germination, and dormancy of seeds. Drought, salt, and water stress physiology.