ICAR PG Subject Specialization Syllabus

ICAR PG Subject Specialization: topic-wise syllabus

1. 1

   Agronomy

   ~20 marks

   • Cropping Systems — Principles, Types (Monoculture, Inter/Mixed/Relay, Sequential), Multiple Cropping, IFS
   • Tillage — Principles, Types (Conventional, Conservation, Zero, Minimum), Implements, Effects on Soil
   • Irrigation & Water Management — Methods, Scheduling, WUE, Drainage, Water Resources
   • Weed Management — Classification, Biology, Herbicides (Types, Mode of Action), Integrated Weed Management
   • Field Crops — Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, Fibre, Sugar, Fodder, Narcotics — Production Technology, Package of Practices
   • Soil Fertility & Nutrient Management — Essential Nutrients, Deficiency/Toxicity, INM, Biofertilizers, FYM, Compost, Vermicompost
   • Crop Physiology — Photosynthesis, Respiration, Growth Analysis, Yield Components, Stress Physiology
   • Organic & Sustainable Agriculture — Principles, Certification, Practices, GAP, Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati
   • Dryland Agriculture & Watershed Management — Principles, Crops, Techniques
   • Seed Technology — Seed Production, Processing, Storage, Testing, Certification, Dormancy, Vigour
2. 2

   Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry

   ~15 marks

   • Soil Physics — Texture, Structure, Density, Porosity, Water, Air, Temperature, Thermal Properties, Soil-Water-Plant Relations
   • Soil Chemistry — CEC, AEC, pH, EC, Buffer Capacity, Ion Exchange, Salinity, Sodicity, Acidity
   • Soil Biology — Organisms, Organic Matter, Humus, C:N Ratio, BNF, Biofertilizers, Rhizosphere
   • Soil Genesis, Classification & Survey — Soil Forming Processes, USDA/ICAR Classification, Land Capability, Remote Sensing, GIS
   • Soil Fertility & Plant Nutrition — Macro/Micronutrients, Deficiency/Toxicity, DRIS, Critical Levels
   • Manures, Fertilizers & INM — Types, Composition, Methods of Application, Slow-Release, SSNM, RTNM
   • Soil Erosion, Conservation & Watershed — Types, Control Measures, Watershed Development, Carbon Sequestration
   • Soil Pollution & Remediation — Heavy Metals, Pesticides, Bioremediation
   • Analytical Techniques — Soil Testing, Plant Analysis, Water Analysis, Instrumentation
3. 3

   Plant Breeding & Genetics

   ~15 marks

   • Genetics — Mendelian, Linkage, Crossing Over, Sex Determination, Mutations, Polyploidy
   • Molecular Genetics — DNA Replication, Transcription, Translation, Genetic Code, Gene Regulation
   • Plant Breeding Methods — Introduction, Selection, Hybridization, Backcross, Pedigree, Bulk, SSD, MARS, GWS
   • Heterosis & Inbreeding Depression — Theories, Applications, Male Sterility, Self-Incompatibility
   • Biotechnology — Tissue Culture, Transgenics, GM Crops, Marker-Assisted Selection, QTL Mapping, Genomics
   • Resistance Breeding — Biotic & Abiotic Stress, Gene Pyramiding, Vertical/Horizontal Resistance
   • Variety Release & DUS Testing, PPVFRA, Seed Act, IPR in Agriculture
   • Crop Evolution, Centres of Origin, Germplasm, Genetic Resources, NBPGR
   • Biometrics & Quantitative Genetics — Heritability, Genetic Advance, GCA, SCA, Combining Ability
   • Cytogenetics, Chromosome Manipulation, Aneuploidy, Polyploidy
   • Bioinformatics, Genome Editing (CRISPR/Cas), Functional Genomics, RNA Interference
4. 4

   Horticulture (Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, Spices, Plantation)

   ~20 marks

   • Fruit Science (Pomology) — Tropical, Sub-tropical, Temperate Fruits — Production, Propagation, Training/Pruning, Harvesting, Post-Harvest
   • Vegetable Science (Olericulture) — Solanaceous, Cucurbitaceous, Cole, Root, Leafy, Bulb, Perennial — Production Technology, Protected Cultivation
   • Floriculture & Landscaping — Cut Flowers, Loose Flowers, Ornamental Plants, Turf, Landscape Design, Value Addition
   • Plantation, Spices, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops — Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Coconut, Cashew, Cardamom, Turmeric, Medicinal Plants
   • Plant Propagation — Sexual, Asexual (Cutting, Layering, Grafting, Budding), Micropropagation, Rootstocks
   • Post-Harvest Technology — Maturity Indices, Harvesting, Grading, Packaging, Storage (CA, MA), Cold Chain
   • Protected Cultivation — Greenhouses, Polyhouses, Hydroponics, Aeroponics, Vertical Farming
   • Plant Nutrition & Irrigation in Horticultural Crops — Fertigation, Drip, Mulching
   • Pest & Disease Management in Horticultural Crops — IPM, IDM, Biological Control
   • Value Addition — Jam, Jelly, Marmalade, Pickle, Preserve, Squash, Wine, Dehydration, Essential Oils
5. 5

   Plant Pathology & Plant Protection

   ~12 marks

   • Plant Pathogens — Fungi, Bacteria, Viruses, Viroids, Phytoplasma, Nematodes, Algae, Parasitic Plants
   • Plant Diseases — Symptoms, Etiology, Epidemiology, Disease Cycle of Major Crops (Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, Vegetables, Fruits, Cash Crops)
   • Host-Pathogen Interaction — Infection, Pathogenesis, Resistance, Susceptibility, Hypersensitive Response, R/Avr Genes
   • Integrated Disease Management — Cultural, Biological, Chemical, Resistance, Quarantine
   • Mycology — Classification (Alexopoulos, Ainsworth), Major Fungal Groups (Oomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota)
   • Plant Bacteriology — Characteristics, Important Genera, Symptoms, Phage Typing
   • Plant Virology — Virus Structure, Transmission, Detection, Purification
   • Plant Nematology — Morphology, Classification, Important Genera (Meloidogyne, Heterodera, Globodera), Management
6. 6

   Agricultural Entomology & Nematology

   ~12 marks

   • Insect Morphology, Anatomy, Physiology — Digestive, Respiratory, Circulatory, Nervous, Reproductive, Endocrine Systems
   • Insect Classification & Identification — Orders (Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Isoptera, Acari), Major Families
   • Insect Pests of Crops — Identification, Biology, Nature of Damage, Bionomics of Major Pests (Paddy, Wheat, Cotton, Sugarcane, Vegetables, Fruits, Pulses, Oilseeds, Stored Grain)
   • Integrated Pest Management — Cultural, Mechanical, Biological, Chemical, Legal, Host Plant Resistance, Pheromones, Biocontrol Agents
   • Insecticides — Classification (Organochlorines, Organophosphates, Carbamates, Pyrethroids, Neonicotinoids, Bio-pesticides), Mode of Action, Formulations, Application, Resistance Management
   • Beneficial Insects — Pollinators, Predators, Parasitoids, Decomposers, Silkworm, Lac Insect, Honeybee
   • Acari (Mites) — Major Mites of Crops, Morphology, Management
7. 7

   Agricultural Economics & Farm Management

   ~10 marks

   • Microeconomics — Demand, Supply, Elasticity, Consumer Behaviour, Production, Cost, Revenue, Market Structures, Welfare
   • Macroeconomics — National Income, Money, Banking, Inflation, Fiscal/Monetary Policy, Public Finance
   • Farm Management — Principles, Farm Planning, Budgeting, Cost Concepts, Break-Even, BCR, Farm Records & Accounts
   • Agricultural Marketing — Marketing Functions, Channels, Market Intelligence, e-NAM, APMCs, Warehousing, Cold Chain
   • Agricultural Finance — Credit Types, Sources (Cooperative, Commercial Banks, RRBs, NABARD), Microfinance, KCC, Crop Insurance
   • Agricultural Trade & Policy — WTO, AoA, Tariffs, Subsidies, Agreements, Export-Import
   • Agricultural Prices & Policy — MSP, Procurement, PDS, Buffer Stock, Food Security, NFSA, PMGKAY
   • Agricultural Development Economics — Growth Models, Technology Adoption, Sustainable Development
8. 8

   Agricultural Engineering

   ~10 marks

   • Farm Machinery & Power — Tractors, Power Tillers, Tillage, Sowing, Planting, Intercultural, Harvesting, Threshing Implements, Selection, Testing, Ergonomics
   • Soil & Water Conservation Engineering — Erosion, Watershed, Structures, Terracing, Bunds, Contouring
   • Irrigation & Drainage Engineering — Design of Canals, Drip, Sprinkler, Surface, Subsurface, Pumps, Wells
   • Post-Harvest Engineering — Drying, Storage, Processing, Milling, Cleaning, Grading, Packaging
   • Renewable Energy — Solar, Wind, Biogas, Biomass, Use in Agriculture, Solar Pumps
   • Farm Structures — Farmstead, Storage Structures, Greenhouses, Animal Shelters
   • Food Process Engineering — Unit Operations, Preservation, Packaging, Quality Control, FSSAI
   • Precision Agriculture — GPS, GIS, VRT, Sensors, Drones, Variable Rate Technology, IoT
9. 9

   Veterinary & Animal Science

   ~15 marks

   • Livestock Production & Management — Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Pig, Poultry, Draught Animals — Housing, Feeding, Breeding, Health
   • Animal Nutrition — Proximate Principles, Feeds & Fodders, Ration Balancing, Feed Supplements, Bypass Protein/Fat, Urea-Molasses
   • Animal Genetics & Breeding — Inheritance, Selection, Inbreeding, Crossbreeding, Progeny Testing, Genetic Improvement
   • Animal Physiology — Digestion, Reproduction, Lactation, Respiration, Endocrinology, Growth
   • Veterinary Medicine — Common Diseases (Bacterial, Viral, Parasitic, Fungal), Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Vaccination, Zoonoses
   • Veterinary Surgery & Radiology — Anaesthesia, Surgical Procedures, Imaging, Orthopaedics, Laparoscopy
   • Animal Reproduction & Gynaecology — Oestrus Cycle, AI, Pregnancy Diagnosis, Infertility, Embryo Transfer
   • Poultry Science — Broiler, Layer, Breeder Management, Hatchery, Nutrition, Diseases, Hatchery Operations
   • Dairy Technology — Milk Composition, Processing, Products (Ghee, Cheese, Paneer, Yogurt, Butter, Ice Cream), Quality, FSSAI, Packaging
   • Meat Science & Technology — Slaughter, Processing, Products, Quality, Hygiene, Inspection
   • Animal Biotechnology — Transgenic Animals, Cloning, Stem Cells, In-vitro Fertilization, Genomics
   • Wildlife & Zoo Management, Animal Welfare, PCA Act, Wildlife Protection Act
10. 10

    Fisheries Science

    ~10 marks

    • Aquaculture — Indian Major Carps, Exotic Carps, Catfish, Shrimp, Prawn, Molluscs, Seaweeds — Culture Systems, Pond Management, Hatchery
    • Fish Biology & Taxonomy — Morphology, Anatomy, Classification, Identification, Bionomics
    • Fish Genetics & Biotechnology — Selective Breeding, Hybridization, Transgenics, Cryopreservation, Sex Reversal
    • Fish Nutrition & Feed Technology — Nutritional Requirements, Feed Formulation, Live Feed, Storage
    • Fish Health & Pathology — Common Diseases (Bacterial, Fungal, Parasitic), Diagnosis, Treatment, Health Management
    • Marine & Coastal Fisheries — Capture Fisheries, Crafts & Gears, Pelagic & Demersal Resources, Stock Assessment
    • Aquatic Ecology, Water Quality, Limnology — Physico-chemical Parameters, Productivity, Biodiversity
    • Fish Processing Technology — Preservation, Freezing, Canning, Drying, Smoking, Value Addition, Quality Assurance, Export
    • Fisheries Management, Economics, Extension & Policies — MPEDA, CAA, EEZ, Deep-Sea Fishing Policy
11. 11

    Home Science / Community Science

    ~8 marks

    • Foods & Nutrition — Macro/Micronutrients, Balanced Diet, RDA, Deficiency Diseases, Meal Planning, Therapeutic Nutrition, Food Groups
    • Food Science & Quality — Composition, Spoilage, Preservation, Processing, Adulteration, Food Standards, FSSAI
    • Human Development & Family Studies — Growth, Development, Milestones, Theories (Piaget, Erikson), Family Dynamics, Early Childhood Care, ECD
    • Textiles & Apparel Designing — Fibre Classification, Yarn, Fabric Construction, Dyeing, Printing, Finishing, Garment Construction, Care
    • Extension Education & Communication — Principles, Methods, Audio-Visual Aids, Programme Planning, ICT
    • Family Resource Management & Consumer Studies — Family Resources, Budgeting, Consumer Protection Act, PDS
    • Development Communication, Gender Studies, Women Empowerment, SHGs, NGOs
12. 12

    Forestry & Environmental Science

    ~8 marks

    • Silviculture — Principles, Forest Types of India, Regeneration, Tending, Silvicultural Systems, Nursery Techniques
    • Forest Management & Economics — Working Plan, Inventory, Yield Regulation, Valuation, JFM, NTFP
    • Wildlife Management & Conservation — Habitat, Population, Captive Breeding, Protected Areas, Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, Project Tiger, Wildlife Act
    • Tree Improvement, Agroforestry, Social Forestry, Urban Forestry, Farm Forestry, Tree Breeding
    • Forest Products & Utilization — Timber, Pulp, Resin, Bamboo, Lac, Gum, Medicinal Plants, Fodder
    • Environmental Conservation — Climate Change, Carbon Sequestration, REDD+, Sustainable Forestry, Carbon Credits
    • Forest Protection — Fire, Pests, Diseases, Grazing, Encroachment, Forest Laws (IFR, JFM, FCA)
    • Remote Sensing & GIS in Forestry, GPS, Forest Survey of India
13. 13

    Food Science & Technology

    ~8 marks

    • Food Chemistry — Composition, Macro/Micronutrients, Pigments, Flavours, Enzymes, Browning Reactions
    • Food Microbiology — Spoilage Organisms, Pathogens, Fermentation, Probiotics, Microbiology Standards
    • Food Processing — Unit Operations (Heat, Mass Transfer), Pasteurization, Sterilization, Canning, Drying, Freezing
    • Food Preservation — Chemical, Biological, Physical Methods, Hurdle Technology, Modified Atmosphere
    • Food Quality Assurance & Testing — Sensory Evaluation, Instrumental Methods, FSSAI, ISO, HACCP, Codex
    • Food Engineering — Mass/Energy Balance, Equipment Design, Rheology, Packaging
    • Food Products — Bakery, Confectionery, Beverages, Dairy, Meat, Cereals, Oilseeds, Fruits & Vegetables