Prelims Syllabus of TNPSC Agricultural Officer Exam 2024
General Studies
1. General Science
- Physics: Basic concepts of motion, force, work, energy, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics.
- Chemistry: Basic concepts of matter, atoms, molecules, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, acids, bases, salts, and organic chemistry.
- Biology: Basic concepts of living organisms, cells, tissues, organs, systems, plants, animals, human physiology, and genetics.
- Environment: Environmental pollution, conservation of natural resources, climate change, and sustainable development.
2. Current Events
- National: Major events in India, including politics, economy, social issues, and culture.
- International: Major events in the world, including politics, economy, social issues, and culture.
- Science and Technology: Recent advancements in science and technology, including space exploration, biotechnology, and information technology.
3. History
- Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire, and Bhakti Movement.
- Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagara Empire, and Maratha Empire.
- Modern India: British rule, Indian National Movement, and Independence.
4. Geography
- Physical Geography: Earth’s structure, continents, oceans, climate, and natural resources.
- Indian Geography: Physical features, climate, natural resources, population, agriculture, and industries.
- World Geography: Major countries, continents, and their geographical features.
5. Indian Polity
- Constitution of India: Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Fundamental Duties.
- Union Government: President, Prime Minister, Parliament, and Judiciary.
- State Government: Governor, Chief Minister, Legislature, and Judiciary.
- Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Municipal Corporations.
6. Indian Economy
- Economic Development: Planning, poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
- Agriculture: Importance, production, marketing, and policies.
- Industry: Types, growth, and policies.
- Finance: Banking, insurance, and taxation.
7. Indian Culture and Heritage
- Art and Literature: Classical music, dance, painting, and literature.
- Architecture: Temples, forts, and palaces.
- Festivals and Traditions: Major festivals and cultural practices.
8. Tamil Nadu
- History: Chola, Pandya, and Pallava dynasties.
- Culture: Language, literature, art, and music.
- Geography: Physical features, climate, and natural resources.
- Economy: Agriculture, industry, and tourism.
9. Aptitude and Mental Ability
- Logical Reasoning: Analogies, classifications, series, and puzzles.
- Numerical Ability: Number systems, percentages, ratios, and averages.
- Verbal Ability: Comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar.
Agriculture
1. Agronomy
- Soil Science: Soil formation, soil classification, soil fertility, soil testing, and soil conservation.
- Crop Production: Principles of crop production, crop rotation, intercropping, mixed cropping, and organic farming.
- Crop Physiology: Photosynthesis, respiration, growth, and development.
- Weed Management: Weed identification, weed control methods, and herbicide application.
- Irrigation and Drainage: Irrigation methods, water management, and drainage systems.
2. Horticulture
- Fruit Production: Fruit crops, propagation, orchard management, and fruit processing.
- Vegetable Production: Vegetable crops, propagation, cultivation, and marketing.
- Floriculture: Flower crops, propagation, cultivation, and marketing.
- Landscape Gardening: Principles of landscape design, plant selection, and maintenance.
3. Plant Breeding and Genetics
- Principles of Genetics: Mendel’s laws, gene action, and linkage.
- Plant Breeding Methods: Selection, hybridization, and mutation breeding.
- Biotechnology in Agriculture: Genetic engineering, tissue culture, and molecular markers.
4. Plant Pathology
- Plant Diseases: Identification, causes, and control of plant diseases.
- Disease Management: Cultural practices, biological control, and chemical control.
- Plant Quarantine: Import and export regulations, and disease prevention.
5. Entomology
- Insect Pests: Identification, life cycle, and damage caused by insect pests.
- Insect Control: Cultural practices, biological control, and chemical control.
- Integrated Pest Management: Principles and practices of IPM.
6. Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Marketing: Marketing channels, price determination, and market regulations.
- Agricultural Finance: Credit systems, insurance, and subsidies.
- Agricultural Policy: Government policies related to agriculture.
7. Agricultural Extension
- Extension Methods: Communication skills, training programs, and demonstration farms.
- Rural Development: Poverty alleviation, employment generation, and social welfare.
8. Farm Machinery and Power
- Tractors and Implements: Types, operation, and maintenance.
- Power Sources: Diesel engines, electric motors, and renewable energy sources.
- Farm Mechanization: Mechanization of agricultural operations.
9. Soil and Water Conservation
- Soil Erosion: Causes, effects, and control measures.
- Water Conservation: Techniques for water harvesting and management.
- Land Degradation: Causes, effects, and rehabilitation.
10. Organic Farming
- Principles of Organic Farming: Sustainable agriculture, ecological balance, and biodiversity conservation.
- Organic Inputs: Compost, vermicompost, and biofertilizers.
- Organic Certification: Standards and procedures for organic certification.
Sample Tables
Table 1: Important Topics for TNPSC Agricultural Officer Exam
| Subject | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Agronomy | Soil Science, Crop Production, Crop Physiology, Weed Management, Irrigation and Drainage |
| Horticulture | Fruit Production, Vegetable Production, Floriculture, Landscape Gardening |
| Plant Breeding and Genetics | Principles of Genetics, Plant Breeding Methods, Biotechnology in Agriculture |
| Plant Pathology | Plant Diseases, Disease Management, Plant Quarantine |
| Entomology | Insect Pests, Insect Control, Integrated Pest Management |
| Agricultural Economics | Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Finance, Agricultural Policy |
| Agricultural Extension | Extension Methods, Rural Development |
| Farm Machinery and Power | Tractors and Implements, Power Sources, Farm Mechanization |
| Soil and Water Conservation | Soil Erosion, Water Conservation, Land Degradation |
| Organic Farming | Principles of Organic Farming, Organic Inputs, Organic Certification |
Table 2: Important Books for TNPSC Agricultural Officer Exam
| Subject | Book Title | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Agronomy | Fundamentals of Soil Science | Brady and Weil |
| Horticulture | Principles of Horticulture | Hartmann and Kester |
| Plant Breeding and Genetics | Principles of Genetics | Snustad and Simmons |
| Plant Pathology | Plant Pathology | Agrios |
| Entomology | Textbook of Agricultural Entomology | David and Kapoor |
| Agricultural Economics | Agricultural Economics | |
| Agricultural Extension | Agricultural Extension | |
| Farm Machinery and Power | Farm Machinery | |
| Soil and Water Conservation | Soil and Water Conservation | |
| Organic Farming | Organic Farming |
Note: This is a sample syllabus and may vary slightly from the official syllabus. It is recommended to refer to the official notification for the latest syllabus and exam pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for TNPSC Agricultural Officer Exam 2024
General Studies
1. What are the major types of soil found in India?
- Alluvial soil, Black soil, Red soil, Laterite soil, Desert soil, and Mountain soil.
2. What are the main features of the Indian Constitution?
- Federal structure with a unitary bias, Parliamentary form of government, Independent judiciary, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Fundamental Duties.
3. What are the major challenges faced by the Indian economy?
- Poverty, unemployment, inequality, inflation, and fiscal deficit.
4. What are the main objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
- To end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.
5. What are the major environmental issues facing India?
- Air pollution, water pollution, deforestation, and climate change.
Agriculture
1. What are the major crops grown in Tamil Nadu?
- Paddy, sugarcane, groundnut, cotton, and pulses.
2. What are the different methods of irrigation?
- Surface irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, and subsurface irrigation.
3. What are the major pests and diseases affecting crops in Tamil Nadu?
- **Rice: Brown plant hopper, stem borer, blast disease, and sheath blight.
- **Cotton: Bollworms, aphids, and whitefly.
- Groundnut: Leaf miner, aphids, and rust disease.
4. What are the benefits of organic farming?
- Environmentally friendly, improves soil health, reduces pesticide residues, and enhances biodiversity.
5. What are the different types of fertilizers used in agriculture?
- Nitrogenous fertilizers, phosphatic fertilizers, potassic fertilizers, and complex fertilizers.
6. What are the different types of farm machinery used in agriculture?
- Tractors, ploughs, harrows, seed drills, threshers, and harvesters.
7. What are the different methods of soil conservation?
- Contour farming, strip cropping, terracing, windbreaks, and agroforestry.
8. What are the different types of agricultural extension methods?
- Farm visits, demonstrations, training programs, and workshops.
9. What are the major challenges faced by the agricultural sector in India?
- Low productivity, fragmented landholdings, lack of access to credit and markets, and climate change.
10. What are the government schemes and policies aimed at promoting agriculture in India?
- PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Note: These are just a few examples of frequently asked questions. The actual questions may vary depending on the exam pattern and syllabus. It is important to refer to the official notification and study materials for a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus and exam pattern.