UPSC offers some candidates in the UPSC IAS mains exam, Botany is one of the optional subjects. It is an exceedingly scoring optional subject in the mains exam of UPSC. Because it is a very particularized or specified subject, so not many candidates are optional for it. Any candidate who does not have prior knowledge of Agriculture and Botany feels some difficulty in preparation
Why Botany Non-compulsory/Optional?
Aspirants who are in touch with this subject or have taken Biology or Botany as the main subject during their graduation can select this subject. But the aspirants who have lost touch with this subject but still enjoy the reading or like the subject can take this optional
Preparation Tips:
- UPSC candidates always must follow the tips of the exam in order to write the exam. Hard work and plannings are very important and main points to face any combative exam
- Paper 1 of Botany is just like General Studies but paper 2 deals with some technical points such as genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, and evolution. There are some tips for the preparation of Botany optional that are explained below
#1. Know Botany Syllabus:
UPSC Botany Syllabus (Paper-1):
- Plant Pathology and Microbiology that includes structure and multiplication/reproduction of viroids, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and mycoplasma. Prion and its hypothesis. Applicants of microbiology in medicines, industry, agriculture, and control of water and soil pollution
- Cryptogams that include lichens, fungi, algae, pteridophytes, bryophytes _ structure, and multiplication from the evolutionary point of view; Distribution of these cryptogams in India and their economic and ecological importance
- Phanerogams include gymnosperms, distribution, and classification of gymnosperms, concepts of progymnosperms. Taxonomic hierarchy, chemotaxonomy, and numerical taxonomy; evidence from embryology, anatomy, and palynology is also included
- Plant Resource Development includes Introduction and Domestication of plants; plants as sources for fibers, food, and origin of cultivated plants.
- Morphogenesis is the last part of paper 1 that includes polarity, totipotency, symmetry, and differentiation
UPSC Botany Syllabus (Paper_2):
- Cell Biology includes techniques; eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and details of the structure.
- Molecular biology, Genetics, and Evolution: Concept of genes versus alleles; development of genetic; multiple alleles, polygenic inheritance, and incomplete dominance
- Biotechnology, Plant Breeding, and Biostatistics include Introduction; methods of plant breeding, polyploidy, mutation, and male sterility.
- Biochemistry and Physiology include mineral nutrition; water relation and ion transport.
- Plant geography and ecology is the last one that includes the ecological factors; the concept of the ecosystem; dynamics and concepts of the community
#2. Select Best Reference Books:
UPSC candidates should prepare some reference books to prepare this option subject. This can be very helpful for getting good marks in the exam. Some recommended books for UPSC Botany Preparation Strategy are as follows:
- Botany for degree students; Pteridophyta _ P.C. Vashishta
- Cell Biology _ De Robertis
- Cryptograms _ B.R. Vasista
- Genetics_ Strickberger
- Ecology _ Dr.Veer Bala Rastogi
- Embryology of angiosperms _ S P Bhatnagar
- Plant Anatomy _ B.P. Pandey
- Taxonomy _ R Nair (exam updates,2021).
#3. Prepare a Study Plan:
Prepare a study plan as it plays an important role in getting very good scores in the exam. For this purpose make a daily schedule, weekly plan, and monthly plan to prepare for the UPSC exam. Making a good plan or strategy is the very first step for scoring good marks in botany optional. Proper planning and execution is all you needed to crack UPSC exams.
#4. Prepare important topics of UPSC Botany:
- Give examples of species also of Indian.
- This paper emphasizes more on diagrams.
- The main points in phanerogams are:
- Angiosperms, Gymnosperms, and Embryology.
#5. Previous questions
The final step of the UPSC Botany optional subject is to prepare the previous questions and solve them. It will be very helpful in understanding the pattern and model of questions asked in the exam.
#6. Time to prepare UPSC Botany optional subject:
If you study this subject for 13–15 hrs then it will take 4–5 months. To complete this optional subject solely the candidates need 4–5 months. There are some strategies suitable Botany Preparation Strategy for UPSC IAS Exam preparation.
- Aspirants should have the basic idea of Botany to handle the paper.
- Candidates should know the executive knowledge about the syllabus of the subject.
- Make a short flowchart, short notes, and diagram for preparation.
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