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UPSC will specify the UPSC IAS Agriculture Syllabus 2026 in the official notification. The UPSC IAS 2026 syllabus can be downloaded in the form of a pdf from upsc.gov.in. The IAS Agriculture optional Syllabus contains a list of important topics that will be covered in the UPSC Agriculture optional paper of the IAS exam. It is advised to go through the IAS Agriculture 2026 syllabus to better prepare for this optional exam.
Candidates are encouraged to prepare a thorough study plan based on the topics presented in the UPSC CSE Syllabus. Going through the UPSC IAS exam pattern will also help candidates draft an effective preparation strategy for the IAS Exam. For further information regarding the exam, like the IAS eligibility criteria, and information about other optional subjects, Candidates can refer to the official notification.
The IAS Agriculture optional is one of the 48 optional exams conducted by the UPSC for the Civil services exam. Candidates must refer to the Agriculture optional Syllabus to gain a better understanding of the topics that will be covered by the exam. For more details about the UPSC Agriculture optional Syllabus, Candidates can go through the materials below.
According to the Agriculture Syllabus for UPSC, the IAS mains exam for Agriculture subject has 2 papers. The Syllabus for IAS Agriculture Paper 1 has topics like soil, ecology, cropping, farming, fertilizer, minerals and more which cover a wide range of topics within. To know more about the UPSC Agriculture Syllabus for mains Paper 1 check the table below.
UPSC Subject-wise Questions for Various Subjects
Topics |
Principles of soil fertility, Problem soils and their reclamation, Mineral & organic constituents of soils, Losses of nitrogen in soil, Processes & factors of soil formation, Essential plant nutrients & other beneficial elements in soils and plants, nitrogen-use efficiency in submerged rice soils, nitrogen fixation in soils, Soil - physical, chemical & biological properties, Soils of India, Efficient phosphorus and potassium use, Soil factors affecting greenhouse gas emission, integrated nutrient management Biofertilizers |
Agro ecology, Cropping pattern related to environment, Physical and social environment as factors of crop distribution & production, International conventions and global initiatives, Animals and humans, natural resources, sustainable management & conservation, Environmental pollution & associated hazards to crops, Climate change, Ecology |
Impact of high-yielding & short-duration varieties on shifts in cropping patterns, Cropping patterns in different climatic zones, Concepts of various cropping, and farming systems. Organic and precision farming, Package of practices for production |
Important features, the scope of various types of forestry plantations such as social forestry, agroforestry, natural forests, and Propagation of forest plants. Forest products. Agro-forestry and value addition. Conservation of forest flora and fauna |
Weeds and their characteristics, dissemination and its association with various other crops; their Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply. multiplications, cultural, biological, and chemical control of weeds |
Status of big, small & marginal farmers & landless agricultural labourers', Agricultural extension, its role and importance, methods of evaluation of extension programmes, Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVK) in dissemination of Agricultural technologies, Training programmes for extension workers, Non-Government Organisation (NGO) and Self-Help Group (SHG) approach for rural development. Socio-economic survey |
Soil conservation, integrated watershed management (IWM). Soil erosion & its management. Dry land Agriculture and its problems. Technology for stabilizing Agriculture production in rainfed areas |
Water use efficiency in relation to crop production, Drainage of waterlogged soils, Rainwater harvesting. Drip and sprinkler irrigation, Quality of irrigation water, effect of industrial effluents on soil and water pollution. Irrigation projects in India, Criteria for scheduling irrigations, ways and means (W & M) of reducing runoff losses of irrigation water |
Marketing management strategies for development, Price fluctuations; Farm management, scope, importance and characteristics, farm planning, Crop Insurance, Types & systems of farming, Optimum resource use and budgeting, Factors affecting farming, Role of cooperatives in agricultural economy; Economics of different types of farming systems. market intelligence, Agricultural price policy |
Also read: UPSC Mock Tests Series for UPSC
According to the Agriculture optional UPSC Syllabus, IAS Agriculture mains Paper 2 exam has topics like cells, diseases and pests, plantation, molecules, history of plantation and more. To know more about the Syllabus of UPSC Agriculture Paper 2 mains exam check the table below.
Topics |
Cell structure, function and cell cycle. Synthesis, structure and function of genetic material. Laws of heredity. Chromosome structure, chromosomal aberrations, linkage and cross-over, and their significance in recombination breeding |
Genetically modified crop plant heterosis and its exploitation. Somatic hybridization. Breeding for disease and pest resistance. Role of interspecific and intergeneric hybridization. Role of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology in crop |
Major fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, Package practices of major horticultural crops, spices and flower crops, Protected cultivation and high-tech horticulture, Landscaping and commercial floriculture. Medicinal and aromatic plants, Post-harvest technology & value addition of fruits and vegetables |
IPR issues, Seed production and processing technologies. Seed certification, Seed testing and storage, WTO issues and their impact on Agriculture, DNA fingerprinting and seed registration |
Origin, evolution & domestication of crop plants, History of plant breeding. Modes of reproduction, selfing and crossing techniques, centre of origin, crop genetic resources conservation & utilization, the law of homologous series |
Pure line selection, mass and recurrent selections, Molecular markers and their application in plant improvement, pedigree, combining ability, its significance in plant breeding |
Polyploidy, euploidy and aneuploidy. Mutation and their role in crop improvement. Heritability, sterility & incompatibility, classification and their application in crop improvement. Cytoplasmic inheritance, sex-linked, sex-influenced and sex-limited characters |
Epidemiology & forecasting of major crop pests and diseases, Biological control of pests and diseases, Plant quarantine measures, Pesticides, their formulation & modes of action |
Food-based dietary approaches to eliminate hunger. Nutrient deficiency such as Micro nutrient deficiency: Protein Energy Malnutrition or Protein Calorie Malnutrition (PEM or PCM), Micro nutrient deficiency and HRD in the context of the work capacity of women and children. Food grain productivity and food security |
Food production and consumption trends in India. Food security and growing population—vision 2020. Reasons for grain surplus. National and International food policies. Production, procurement, and distribution constraints. Availability of food grains, per capita expenditure on food. Trends in poverty |
Relation of food production to National Dietary Guidelines, Public Distribution System and Below Poverty Line population, Targeted Public Distribution System (PDS), Food consumption pattern, and policy implementation in context to globalization. Processing constraints, |
Role of fruits and vegetables in human nutrition, Diagnosis of pests & diseases of field crops, vegetables, Integrated pest and diseases management, orchard and plantation crops & their economic importance, Classification of pests and diseases and their management, Storage pests & their management |
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Also read: How to crack different Government Exams
As per the official UPSC CSE exam notification, the IAS prelims exam has multiple choice questions whereas the IAS mains exam is descriptive in nature. The prelims CSE is of 400 marks in total whereas IAS mains is of 2350 marks. For more details on the prelims and mains, IAS exam pattern 2026 check the tables below.
Papers | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
Paper 1 | General Studies 1 | 200 | 2 hrs |
Paper 2 | General Studies 2 | 200 | 2 hrs |
Papers | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
Paper 1 | General English | 300 | 3 hrs |
Paper 2 | Language (regional language) | 300 | 3 hrs |
Paper 3 | Essay | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper 4 | General Studies 1 | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper 5 | General Studies 2 | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper 6 | Optional subject 1 | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper 7 | Optional subject 1 | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper 8 | Optional subject 2 | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper 9 | Optional subject 2 | 250 | 3 hrs |
The IAS exam has three stages - Prelims, Mains and The Interview round.
IAS 2026 application form will be released on January 14, 2026.
Yes, there is negative marking in the UPSC IAS prelims exam.
The minimum academic qualification needed to appear for the UPSC CSE exam is graduation in any discipline.
While what qualifies as a good optional varies from person to person, the UPSC Agriculture Optional is considered a good choice for those having a background in subjects like biology, agriculture, botany etc.
The UPSC Agriculture Syllabus 2026 contains topics such as soil, ecology, cropping, farming, fertilizer, minerals, diseases and pests, plantation, molecules, history of plantation and many more.
Others:30 June,2025 - 29 July,2025
Application Date:01 July,2025 - 28 July,2025
Application Date:19 July,2025 - 10 August,2025
Hello
This is the typical schedule of the IAS Exam (UPSC CSE):
Notification Release:
February
Online Application Window:
February to early March
Prelims Exam:
May or June
Mains Exam:
September/October
As for 2025, the registration date is already gone, so you have to see for 2026 now. The registration will open most probably in February 2026 so stay tuned.
To know more about the IAS Exam: UPSC CSE
Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!
A candidate who has undergone heart surgery can be eligible for the IAS post if they are medically fit and can perform the required duties without any serious health problems The UPSC allows candidates to appear for the exam if they meet the general physical and mental fitness criteria After clearing the main examination and interview all selected candidates must undergo a detailed medical examination by a government medical board If the candidate has recovered well from heart surgery and there are no complications they can be declared fit for service However if the surgery has caused any permanent disability and if it is certified under the benchmark disability rules then the candidate may be eligible for reservation under the persons with disabilities category Final eligibility depends on the report given by the medical board during the selection process
If a person has undergone heart surgery for ASD which means Atrial Septal Defect and is now medically fit then they can apply for the IAS exam There is no restriction for such candidates if their physical and mental condition is stable and they can perform the duties required in civil services However selection to IAS also depends on passing the medical test conducted after clearing the main exam and interview If the person has any lasting disability due to the heart condition and it is certified by a government medical board then they may be considered under the benchmark disability category as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act In such cases the candidate may come under reservation for persons with disabilities in the specific category mentioned by the medical authority It is always advised to check the official UPSC notification and consult with a government hospital for proper disability certification before applying
Hello ,
If you want to give IAS exam then you should complete your graduation first or also if you are in your last year of graduation then you can fill the application form.
To know more, refer this:
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-application-form
I hope this helps you!
If you want to become an IAS or IPS officer after completing your 12th in PCMC , focus on graduation because the UPSC Civil Services exam requires you to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. You can choose any graduation stream, but many students prefer degrees like Political Science, Public Administration, History, or Sociology because these subjects help build a strong foundation for the UPSC syllabus. it’s not mandatory to pick these; you can also pursue Science, Commerce, or Arts as long as you complete your graduation. Along with your degree, start preparing for the UPSC exam early by reading newspapers, improving your general knowledge, and practicing answer writing. So, after 12th, pick a degree you are comfortable with, and plan your UPSC preparation alongside
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