Agriculture Optional Syllabus

UPSC Agriculture Optional Syllabus 2025

Overview:
The Agriculture Optional comprises two papers (Paper I & Paper II), 250 marks each, total 500 marks.
The syllabus covers agronomy, ecology, soil science, genetics, economics, horticulture, and more.
Suitable for candidates with science/agriculture background; major overlap with UPSC GS III and botany.

PAPER I

1. Ecology

  • Ecology and its relevance to humans; management and conservation of natural resources.
  • Physical and social environment as factors of crop distribution and production.
  • Agroecology, cropping patterns, environmental pollution, and associated hazards.
  • Climate change: international conventions, global initiatives, greenhouse effect, global warming.
  • Ecosystem analysis tools: Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

2. Agronomy

  • Cropping patterns in diverse agro-climatic zones in India.
  • Impact of high-yielding and short-duration varieties on cropping patterns.
  • Concepts of cropping and farming systems: organic, precision farming.
  • Cultivation practices: cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fibers, sugar, commercial and fodder crops.

3. Forestry

  • Scope and features of forestry plantations: social forestry, agroforestry, natural forests.
  • Propagation of forest plants, forest products, value addition.
  • Conservation of forest flora and fauna.

4. Weed Science

  • Weeds: characteristics, dissemination, associations, multiplication.
  • Cultural, biological, and chemical weed control.

5. Soil Science and Nutrient Management

  • Physical, chemical, biological properties of soil.
  • Soil formation, mineral and organic constituents, Indian soils.
  • Essential plant nutrients and beneficial elements; soil productivity.
  • Soil fertility principles, testing, fertilizer recommendations, integrated nutrient management, biofertilizers.
  • Nitrogen-use efficiency in rice soils, nitrogen fixation, phosphorus and potassium management.
  • Problem soils, reclamation, soil factors in greenhouse gas emission.

6. Soil and Water Conservation

  • Soil conservation and watershed management.
  • Soil erosion, management techniques.
  • Dryland agriculture: problems and stabilization technologies.
  • Water-use efficiency, irrigation scheduling, minimizing runoff.
  • Rainwater harvesting, drip/sprinkler irrigation, drainage of waterlogged soils.
  • Quality of irrigation water, impact of industrial effluents, irrigation projects in India.

7. Agricultural Economics

  • Farm management principles, resource use, budgeting, planning.
  • Economic systems in farming, marketing management, market intelligence.
  • Price fluctuations, cooperatives, farming types, agricultural price policy.
  • Crop insurance.

8. Agricultural Extension

  • Importance, role, and evaluation methods of agricultural extension.
  • Socio-economic survey, status of farmers and laborers, extension worker training.
  • Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) role in technology dissemination.
  • Role of NGOs and self-help groups in rural development.

PAPER II

1. Cell Biology/Plant Genetics

  • Cell structure, functions, cycles.
  • Genetic material synthesis, heredity laws, chromosome structure/aberration.
  • Linkage, cross-over, recombination breeding, polyploidy, mutations.
  • Heritability, sterility, incompatibility, cytoplasmic inheritance, sex-linked/influenced/limited characters.

2. Plant Breeding

  • Plant breeding history, reproduction modes, crossing techniques.
  • Origin, evolution, domestication, law of homologous series, crop genetic resource conservation.
  • Principles and application in crop improvement, molecular markers, selection methods.
  • Heterosis, somatic hybridization, breeding for resistance.
  • Interspecific/intergeneric hybridization, genetic engineering, biotechnology, genetically modified crops.

3. Seed Production and Technology

  • Seed production and processing, certification, testing, storage.
  • DNA fingerprinting, seed registration, public/private sector roles.
  • Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), WTO issues, impact on agriculture.

4. Plant Physiology

  • Plant physiology principles: nutrition, nutrient absorption/translocation/metabolism.
  • Soil-water-plant relationships, enzymes, pigments, photosynthesis, respiration, C3/C4/CAM.
  • Carbohydrate, protein, fat metabolism, growth/development, photoperiodism, vernalization.
  • Plant growth substances, seed development/germination/dormancy, stress physiology.

5. Horticulture and Landscaping

  • Major fruit, plantation, vegetable, spice, and flower crops.
  • Horticultural practices, protected/high-tech cultivation.
  • Post-harvest tech, value addition, landscaping, floriculture, medicinal/aromatic plants.
  • Role of horticultural crops in nutrition.

6. Plant Protection

  • Diagnosis/economic importance of pests/diseases in crops.
  • Classification, management (integrated), storage pest management.
  • Biological control, epidemiology, disease forecasting.
  • Plant quarantine, pesticide formulation and modes of action.

7. Food Production and Nutrition Management

  • Food production/consumption trends in India, food security, population growth.
  • National/international food policies, grain surplus reasons, distribution/processing constraints.
  • Public Distribution System (PDS), poverty trends, policy implementation.
  • Relation of food production to National Dietary Guidelines, nutrient deficiency, food security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): UPSC Agriculture Optional

  • Q1: How many papers in UPSC Agriculture Optional?
    A: Two papers, Paper I and Paper II, each 250 marks.
  • Q2: What topics are covered in Agriculture Paper I?
    A: Ecology, Agronomy, Soil Science, Forestry, Weed Science, Agricultural Economics, Extension.
  • Q3: What are Paper II major areas?
    A: Plant Genetics, Breeding, Seed Technology, Physiology, Horticulture, Plant Protection, Food Production/Nutrition.
  • Q4: Is UPSC Agriculture Optional good for science background students?
    A: Yes, especially if you studied botany, zoology, or agriculture.
  • Q5: Can BSc Agriculture graduates apply for UPSC with this optional?
    A: Yes, it is recommended for BSc Agriculture and allied degree holders.
  • Q6: Where can I find books for UPSC Agriculture preparation?
    A: Standard books by ICAR, B.D. Singh (Genetics/Breeding), D.K. Das (Soil Science), and others.
  • Q7: Is Agriculture Optional scoring?
    A: With structured preparation and good writing, it’s considered predictable and scoring.
  • Q8: Does the syllabus overlap with GS Papers?
    A: Yes, especially GS Paper III (agriculture economics, environment).