Table of Contents
The UPSC Botany Syllabus is designed to assess candidates’ understanding of the subject and their ability to apply valuable knowledge in solving ecological issues. Botany ranks the popular choices among students from the 48 optional subjects listed by UPSC for the IAS Exam. It is a highly specialized field, ideally suited for candidates with a background in Botany at the graduate level.
The Botany syllabus for the UPSC mains examination encompasses diverse topics including Plant Diversity, Plant Anatomy, Plant Physiology, Genetics, and Plant Breeding. The UPSC Botany exam comprises two papers, Optional Paper I and Paper II, forming part of the Mains stage of the IAS Exam, which includes a total of 9 papers. Below, we explore the comprehensive Botany optional syllabus for the Mains examination.
UPSC Botany Syllabus 2024 Highlights
The UPSC Botany Optional Syllabus is divided into two papers, each carrying 250 marks, resulting in a total of 500 marks. The UPSC Botany Optional Syllabus consists of 11 primary topics, each containing several sub-topics. To ensure comprehensive coverage of the botany syllabus for UPSC, candidates should devise a strategic plan that addresses every topic.
This approach will enhance their chances of scoring well and clearing the second stage of the UPSC Exam. Candidates can check the table for the UPSC Botany Syllabus 2024.
| UPSC Botany Syllabus 2024 Highlights | |
| Name of Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Mode Of Exam | Paper Pen based examination (offline mode) |
| Botany Optional Subject | Paper I & II |
| Total Questions | 5 (for both Paper) |
| Total Marks | 250 Marks for Each (Paper I & II) |
| Total Time | 3 Hours Each |
| Language of Question Paper | English and Hindi only |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC Botany Syllabus 2024 for Mains
Before commencing their preparation, candidates are advised to carefully check the UPSC Botany Syllabus 2024. This will provide aspirants with a clear understanding of the topics they need to cover and the weightage assigned to each topic. The following topics are included in the UPSC Botany Optional syllabus.
UPSC Botany Syllabus, optional paper 1
The first paper of the UPSC Botany Syllabus covers various topics including Microbiology and plant pathology, cryptogams, phanerogams, plant utility and exploitation, and morphogenesis. The complete syllabus for Paper I is provided in the table below for a detailed syllabus.
| UPSC Botany Syllabus for Mains (Paper 1) | |
| 1. Microbiology and Plant Pathology |
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| 2. Cryptogams | Algae, Fungi, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes-structure and reproduction from an evolutionary viewpoint. Distribution of Cryptogams in India and their economic potential. |
| 3. Phanerogams |
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| 4. Plant Utility and Exploitation | Origin of cultivated plants, Vavilov’s centres of origin. Plants as sources of food, fodder, fibers, spices, beverages, drugs, narcotics, insecticides, timber, gums, resins, and dyes. Latex, cellulose Starch, and their products. Perfumery. Importance of Ethnobotany in the Indian Context. Energy plantation. Botanical Gardens and Herbaria. |
| 5. Morphogenesis | Totipotency, polarity, symmetry, and differentiation. Cell, tissue, organ, and protoplast culture. Somatic hybrids and Cybrids. |
Download PDF: UPSC Botany Syllabus 2024
UPSC Botany Syllabus, Optional Paper 2
The UPSC Botany Syllabus for Paper II is categorized into six topics, each of which consists of several subtopics. The detailed list of subtopics for each topic is provided in the table below for a detailed syllabus.
| UPSC Botany Syllabus for Mains (Paper 2) | |
| 1. Cell Biology | Techniques of Cell Biology. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells -structural and ultrastructural details. Structure and function of extracellular matrix or ECM (cell wall) and membranes-cell adhesion, membrane transport, and vesicular transport. Structure and function of cell organelles (chloroplasts, mitochondria, ER, ribosomes, endosomes, lysosomes, peroxisomes, hydrogenosome). Nucleus, nucleolus, nuclear pore complex. Chromatin and nucleosome. Cell signaling and cell receptors. Signal transduction (G-1 proteins, etc.). Mitosis and meiosis; molecular basis of the cell cycle. Numerical and structural variations in chromosomes and their significance. Study of polytene, lampbrush, and B-chromosomes–structure, behaviour, and significance. |
| 2. Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Evolution: | Development of genetics, and gene versus allele concepts (Pseudoalleles). Quantitative genetics and multiple factors. Linkage and crossing over–methods of gene mapping including molecular maps (the idea of mapping function). Sex chromosomes and sexlinked inheritance, sex determination and molecular basis of sex differentiation. Mutation (biochemical and molecular basis). Cytoplasmic inheritance and cytoplasmic genes (including genetics of male sterility). Prions and prion hypothesis. Structure and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins. Genetic code and regulation of gene expression. Multigene families. Organic evolution-evidences, mechanisms, and theories. Role of RNA in origin and evolution. |
| 3. Plant Breeding, Biotechnology and Biostatistics | Methods of plant breeding — introduction, selection, and hybridization (pedigree, backcross, mass selection, bulk method). Male sterility and heterosis breeding. Use of apomixis in plant breeding. Micropropagation and genetic engineering–methods of transfer of genes and transgenic crops; development and use of molecular markers in plant breeding. Standard deviation and coefficient of variation (CV). Tests of significance (Z-test, t-test, and chi-square Test). Probability and distributions (normal, binomial, and Poisson distributions). Correlation and regression. |
| 4. Physiology and Biochemistry | Water relations, Mineral nutrition, ion transport, mineral deficiencies. Photosynthesis–photochemical reactions, photophosphorylation, and carbon pathways including C pathway (photorespiration), C, C, and CAM pathways. Respiration (anaerobic and aerobic, including fermentation-electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Chemiosmotic theory and ATP synthesis. Nitrogen fixation and nitrogen metabolism. Enzymes, coenzymes, energy transfer, and energy conservation. Importance of secondary metabolites. Pigments as photoreceptors (plastidial pigments and phytochrome). Photoperiodism and flowering, vernalization, senescence. Growth substances-their chemical nature, role, and applications in agri-horticulture, growth indices, growth movements. Stress physiology (heat, water, salinity, metal). Fruit and seed physiology. Dormancy, storage, and germination of seed. Fruit ripening — its molecular basis and manipulation. |
| 5. Ecology and Plant Geography | Ecological factors. Concepts and dynamics of the community. Plant succession. Concepts of the biosphere. Ecosystems and their conservation. Pollution and its control (including phytoremediation). |
| 6. Forest types of India | Afforestation, deforestation, and social forestry. Endangered plants, endemism, and Red Data Books.Biodiversity. Convention of Biological Diversity, Sovereign Rights and Intellectual Property Rights. Biogeochemical cycles. Global warming |
UPSC Botany Exam Pattern 2024
As per the table, each paper of the UPSC Botany Syllabus is allocated 250 marks, totaling 500 marks. Achieving a high score in these exams is crucial for candidates to significantly influence their overall performance in the UPSC Exam. Familiarizing oneself with the UPSC Botany Syllabus is the initial step towards excelling in this subject.
Individuals with a background in Botany during their graduation or master’s degree might find the UPSC Botany Optional Syllabus pertinent. This syllabus comprises two papers, namely Paper 1 and Paper 2, both with a duration of 3 hours.
| UPSC Botany Exam Pattern 2024 |
||
| Topic | Marks | Duration |
| UPSC Botany Optional Syllabus Paper 1 | 250 | 3 Hours |
| UPSC Botany Optional Syllabus Paper 2 | 250 | |
UPSC Botany Preparation Strategy 2024
For candidates aiming to effectively complete the UPSC Botany Optional Syllabus, following a robust preparation strategy is crucial. Botany is known to be a highly-scoring optional subject in the UPSC mains exam, with only a few candidates opting for it. Here is a solid strategy to prepare for the Botany Syllabus for UPSC:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire UPSC Botany Syllabus. Focus on charts and diagrams in Paper 1, while giving importance to cellular science and the atomic viewpoint in Paper 2.
- Develop a well-structured study plan and diligently follow it. This will ensure timely coverage of the UPSC Botany Optional Syllabus.
- Practice extensively, attempt UPSC mock tests, and review previous year’s questions to identify crucial topics that should be covered from the Botany syllabus.
- Select the best reference books available and execute your study plans effectively to maximize your preparation efforts.
Botany reference books –
- Cell biology – De Robertis & Ambrose and Easy or Powar
- Botany for Degree Students; Pteridophyta (Vascular Cryptogams)-P.C. Vashishta.
- Ecology, Microbiology, Animal Behaviour, Pollution and Toxicology For B. Sc. Part III, Paper III- Dr Veer Bala Rastogi
- Economic botany in the tropics- S. L. Kochhar
- Embryology Of Angiosperms- S P Bhatnagar
- Genetics- Strickberger
- Elements of Genetics-Dr. Veer Bala Rastogi
- Plant Anatomy- B.P. Pandey
- Plant Anatomy- Esau
- Physiology and Biochemistry -Salisbury and Ross or Fritz and Noggle
- Systematic Botany-S C Datta
- Taxonomy-R Nair
- Microbiology- Powars
- Pathology- Singh’s book along with a foreign author
- Physiology and Biochemistry -Salisbury and Ross or Fritz and Noggle.
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