Agriculture Optional Books for UPSC IAS Exam
Agriculture Optional books for UPSC CSE are an essential resource for preparation. Check the Agriculture Optional books for UPSC that experts have recommended.
Deeksha Dixit5 Jun, 2024
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Agriculture Optional Books for UPSC: The role of a comprehensive agriculture optional book is significant in covering the syllabus topics holistically. Agriculture is one of the technical optional subjects in the UPSC Mains exam, worth 500 marks on the merit list.
Therefore, candidates should ensure that they cover each aspect of the syllabus from the standard Agriculture Optional Books for UPSC. Toppers advise aspirants to refer to expert recommendations since the topics in the optional papers are of graduation level. Read on for a complete list of Agriculture Optional Books for UPSC.Best Agriculture Optional Book for UPSC
There is no single agriculture book for UPSC Mains since the topics are specific in nature, requiring in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of agriculture science, agronomy, weeds, soil, plant breeding, etc. However, certain books are mandatory for building a strong foundation on this subject. Below is a list of some of the popular essential agriculture optional books for UPSC.| Best Agriculture Optional Books for UPSC | ||
| Book | Author | Topics Covered |
| Agronomy | Yellamanda Reddy | Field crop production, crop growth, crop yield, crops and environment, etc. |
| Physiology | SN Pandey | Cell structure and functions, theoretical aspects with examples |
| Soil Science | D.K Das | Soil science, Soil Fertility, etc. essential for understanding agricultural practices |
| Fundamentals Of Agricultural Extension Education | U Barman | Fundamentals and advanced topics prescribed in the latest UPSC agriculture optional syllabus |
| Introduction To Horticulture | N. Kumar | Fundamentals, plant propagation, pomology, and ornamental horticulture |
Agriculture Optional Books for UPSC Paper 1
The syllabus for UPSC Agriculture Optional Paper 1 covers a range of topics, including ecology, agronomy, forestry, weed science, and agriculture extensions. Candidates should ensure they understand each topic according to the question pattern in the recommended list of Agriculture Optional Books for UPSC Paper 1:| Agriculture Optional Booklist Paper 1 | |
| Book | Author |
| Physiology | Pandey & Singha |
| Fundamentals Of Agricultural Extension Education | U Barman |
| Entomology | Vasant Gowariker |
| Introductory Soil Science | K.D. Kundu |
| Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | Y.L. Nene, Bajaj & K.V. Singh |
| A Textbook of Agricultural Statistics | R. Rangaswamy |
| Agronomy | Yellamanda Reddy |
| Soil and Water Conservation Engineering | G.L. Harris |
| Survey of Indian Agriculture and Special Issues of Agriculture | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare |
Also Read: UPSC Optional Subject
Agriculture Optional Books for UPSC Paper 2
Paper 2 of the UPSC Agriculture Optional is about plant genetics, seed production, horticulture, food production, etc. These topics must be covered by referring to the bachelor's level agriculture optional books for UPSC. Further, candidates should also refer to the latest reports and magazines by the government to quote the latest developments in their answers.| Agriculture Optional Booklist Paper 2 | |
| Book | Author |
| Fundamentals of Genetics | B.D. Singh |
| Plant Breeding Principles and Methods | B.D. Singh |
| Introduction To Horticulture | N. Kumar |
| Agricultural Economics and Farm Management | S.S. Johl & T.R. Kapoor |
| Agricultural Marketing in India | S.S. Acharya & N.L. Agarwal |
| Post-Harvest Technology of Fruits and Vegetables | L.R. Verma and V.K. Joshi |
| Irrigation Water Management | D.L. Pruthi |
| Elements of Horticulture | N. Kumar |
| Special Issue of Agriculture | The Hindu |
Tips to Cover Agriculture Optional Books for UPSC
Since reading so many books may seem overwhelming, taking a strategic approach can be beneficial. Here are some tips to cover the UPSC Agriculture optional books efficiently:- Go through the syllabus and identify the topics you need to cover from the respective book.
- Start with the basic agriculture books to understand the core topics.
- Now take the topic-wise approach by making a dedicated study plan.
- Create short notes while reading a particular topic from the book that will help you with revision.
- For focused learning, cover papers 1 and 2 separately, and after completion of the syllabus, take an integrated approach.
- Always emphasize quality over quantity while reading agriculture optional books for UPSC.
- Practice UPSC PYQs after reading topics to find out the gaps in preparation.
| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| UPSC Mains Answer Sheet | Newspaper for UPSC | UPSC Books |
| UPSC Study Material | UPSC Scholarship Test 2024 | UPSC Prelims Mock Test 2024 |
Agriculture Optional Books for UPSC FAQs
How to prepare for agriculture optional in UPSC CSE?
Go through the syllabus, read recommended books, make notes, and practice answer writing to prepare for UPSC agriculture optional.
How many agriculture optional papers are there?
There are two agriculture optional papers worth 250 marks each in UPSC Mains.
Which is the best UPSC Agriculture Optional Book?
There is no single book that can be considered the best, but top books include “Agronomy” by Yellamanda Reddy and “Physiology” by SN Pandey.
Are agriculture optional books relevant for the GS 3 paper?
No. UPSC agriculture optional books have advanced topics while in GS 3 general understanding of agriculture from the current perspective is required.
Which book to read for UPSC Agriculture Optional Paper 2?
Candidates should read “Plant Breeding” by B.D. Singh, “Introduction To Horticulture” by N. Kumar, and “Agricultural Economics and Farm Management” by S.S. Johl & T.R. Kapoor for UPSC Agriculture Optional Paper 2.
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