Syllabus for IAS Agriculture Optional Paper – 1

 

Syllabus for IAS Agriculture Optional Paper – 1

1.1.0 Agronomy & Crop Production

1.1.1 Ecology and Its Relevance to Man, Natural Resources, Their Sustainable Management, and Conservation

1.1.2 Physical and Social Environment as Factors of Crop Distribution and Production

1.1.3 Agroecology

1.1.4 Cropping Patterns as Indicators of Environments

1.1.5 Environmental Pollution and Associated Hazards to Crops, Animals, and Humans

1.1.6 Climate Change, International Conventions, and Global Initiatives

1.1.7 Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

1.1.8 Advanced Tools for Ecosystem Analysis: Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

1.1.9 Cropping Patterns in Different Agro-Climatic Zones of the Country

1.1.10 Impact of High-Yielding and Short-Duration Varieties on Shifts in Cropping Patterns

1.1.11 Concepts of Various Cropping and Farming Systems

1.1.12 Organic Farming and Precision Farming

1.1.13 Package of Practices for Production of Important Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, Fibres, Sugar, Commercial, and Fodder Crops

1.2.0 Forestry & Agroforestry

1.2.1 Important Features and Scope of Various Types of Forestry Plantations such as Social Forestry, Agroforestry, and Natural Forests

1.2.2 Propagation of Forest Plants

1.2.3 Forest Products

1.2.4 Agroforestry and Value Addition

1.2.5 Conservation of Forest Flora and Fauna

1.3.0 Weed Management

1.3.1 Weeds and Their Characteristics

1.3.2 Dissemination and Association of Weeds with Various Crops

1.3.3 Multiplication of Weeds

1.3.4 Cultural, Biological, and Chemical Control of Weeds

1.4.0 Soil Science

1.4.1 Soil: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties

1.4.2 Processes and Factors of Soil Formation

1.4.3 Soils of India

1.4.4 Mineral and Organic Constituents of Soils and Their Role in Maintaining Soil Productivity

1.4.5 Essential Plant Nutrients and Other Beneficial Elements in Soils and Plants

1.4.6 Principles of Soil Fertility

1.4.7 Soil Testing and Fertilizer Recommendations

1.4.8 Integrated Nutrient Management

1.4.9 Biofertilizers

1.4.10 Losses of Nitrogen in the Soil

1.4.11 Nitrogen-Use Efficiency in Submerged Rice Soils

1.4.12 Nitrogen Fixation in Soils

1.4.13 Efficient Phosphorus and Potassium Use

1.4.14 Problem Soils and Their Reclamation

1.4.15 Soil Factors Affecting Greenhouse Gas Emission

1.4.16 Soil Conservation

1.4.17 Integrated Watershed Management

1.4.18 Soil Erosion and Its Management

1.5.0 Dryland Agriculture

1.5.1 Dryland Agriculture and Its Problems

1.5.2 Technology for Stabilizing Agricultural Production in Rainfed Areas

1.5.3 Water-Use Efficiency in Relation to Crop Production

1.5.4 Criteria for Scheduling Irrigations

1.5.5 Ways and Means of Reducing Runoff Losses of Irrigation Water

1.5.6 Rainwater Harvesting

1.5.7 Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation

1.5.8 Drainage of Waterlogged Soils

1.5.9 Quality of Irrigation Water

1.5.10 Effect of Industrial Effluents on Soil and Water Pollution

1.5.11 Irrigation Projects in India

1.6.0 Agricultural Economy

1.6.1 Farm Management: Scope, Importance, and Characteristics

1.6.2 Farm Planning

1.6.3 Optimum Resource Use and Budgeting

1.6.4 Economics of Different Types of Farming Systems

1.6.5 Marketing Management: Strategies for Development and Market Intelligence

1.6.6 Price Fluctuations and Their Cost

1.6.7 Role of Cooperatives in the Agricultural Economy

1.6.8 Types and Systems of Farming and Factors Affecting Them

1.6.9 Agricultural Price Policy

1.6.10 Crop Insurance

1.7.0 Agricultural Extension

1.7.1 Agricultural Extension: Importance and Role

1.7.2 Methods of Evaluation of Extension Programmes

1.7.3 Socio-Economic Survey and Status of Big, Small, and Marginal Farmers and Landless Agricultural Labourers

1.7.4 Training Programmes for Extension Workers

1.7.5 Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies

1.7.6 Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and Self-Help Group Approach for Rural Development