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UPSC · MPSC · Agriculture Optional

Master Agriculture Optional
for UPSC & MPSC CSE

Free UPSC & MPSC Agriculture Optional coaching by Shrikant Sir — structured notes, video lectures, syllabus tracker, and 1:1 mentorship. 100% free.

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Watch First

Why Choose Agriculture Optional?

Agriculture Optional is one of the highest-scoring UPSC optional subjects for B.Sc. Agriculture graduates — the syllabus has direct overlap with GS Paper 3 and questions are largely direct and predictable.

  • check_circle ~40% overlap with GS Paper 3
  • check_circle Candidates regularly score 280–320 marks
  • check_circle Only 15 topics — well-defined, no ambiguity
  • check_circle B.Sc. Agri graduates already have 60% base ready
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Strategy

How to Prepare Agriculture Optional

Decided to take Agriculture Optional? Now watch the complete preparation strategy by Shrikant Sir — from which books to follow, how to cover Paper I & II, to answer writing techniques.

  • task_alt Complete book list for Paper I & Paper II
  • task_alt Month-wise study plan for serious aspirants
  • task_alt Answer writing techniques with diagram tips
  • task_alt Last 10 years PYQ pattern analysis
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Official UPSC Syllabus

Complete Coverage — Paper I & II

Live synchronized syllabus directly from the Dnyandeep Admin panel.

📘 Paper I — Ecology, Agronomy & Applied Sciences

250 Marks
1
Ecology and Environment Foundation — 30-50 marks/year
Ecology & Natural Resources · Agroecology & Crop Environment · Climate Change & Global Warming · Remote Sensing & GIS
2
Agronomy Highest scoring — 40-50 marks
Principles of Crop Production · Cropping & Farming Systems · Field Crops — Kharif · Field Crops — Rabi & Others · Nutrient Management · Water Management · Dryland Agriculture
3
Weed Science Applied — 10-15 marks
Weed Biology & Classification · Weed Management
4
Forestry Static + Current — 10-15 marks
Agroforestry Systems · Social & Farm Forestry · Forest Tree Species & Management
5
Soil Science Conceptual — 40-50 marks
Soil Physical Properties · Soil Chemistry & Fertility · Soil Classification & Survey
6
Soil and Water Management Applied — 40-50 marks
Soil Conservation · Watershed Management · Problem Soils & Reclamation
7
Agricultural Economics Data-heavy — 20-25 marks
Farm Management & Production Economics · Agricultural Marketing & Trade · Agricultural Finance & Policy
8
Agricultural Extension Scoring — 15-20 marks
Extension Education · Extension Systems & Programmes · Rural Development

📗 Paper II — Plant Sciences, Breeding & Technology

250 Marks
1
Genetics Conceptual — 20-30 marks
Cell Biology & Cytogenetics · Mendelian & Non-Mendelian Genetics · Molecular Genetics & Biotechnology
2
Plant Breeding Applied — 30-40 marks
Breeding Methods — Self-pollinated Crops · Breeding Methods — Cross-pollinated Crops · Special Breeding Techniques · Crop Improvement Achievements
3
Plant Physiology Conceptual — 25-30 marks
Water Relations & Mineral Nutrition · Photosynthesis & Respiration · Growth & Development
4
Seed Technology Applied — 15-20 marks
Seed Biology & Production · Seed Quality & Testing
5
Horticulture Scoring — 30-40 marks
Pomology — Fruit Crops · Olericulture — Vegetable Crops · Floriculture Spices & Plantation Crops · Post-Harvest Technology
6
Plant Pathology Applied — 25-30 marks
General Plant Pathology · Important Crop Diseases · Disease Management
7
Plant Entomology Applied — 20-25 marks
General Entomology · Important Crop Pests · Pest Management
8
Food Management Current Affairs heavy — 15-20 marks
Food Production & Security · Food Processing & Quality · Government Schemes & Current Affairs
📋 View Full Syllabus 📥 Download PDF 🎯 Am I Compatible?
What You Get

Everything You Need — 100% Free

From concept clarity to answer writing, all in one place

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Free Access

Structured Notes

Topic-wise notes for all 15 chapters. Designed for UPSC answer writing, not just reading.

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Free Access

Video Lectures

Chapter-wise YouTube lectures explaining complex topics with diagrams and examples.

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Free Test

Readiness Test

20-question UPSC-standard quiz with instant result and full answer review.

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Free Mentorship

Personal Mentorship

1-on-1 guidance — answer review, personalised strategy and doubt clearing.

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Dashboard

Track Progress

View your test history, mentorship status and preparation milestones.

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Analysis

PYQ Discussion

Last 10 years PYQ analysis — topic-wise weightage, answer frameworks.

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Self Assessment

Is Agriculture Optional Right for You?

Take our 20-question competency test. Get an instant assessment of your preparation level with topic-wise breakdown and a personalised recommendation.

  • verified 20 UPSC-standard questions across Paper I & II
  • verified Instant result with explanation for every answer
  • verified Score saved to your dashboard after registration
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Takes 10–15 minutes

Shrikant Sir
About the Mentor

Shrikant Sir

UPSC Academic Head, Dnyanadeep Academy, Pune

Appeared in 3 UPSC interviews, 3 MPSC interviews, NABARD interviews, and IBPS AFO interviews — first-hand insight into what UPSC and MPSC actually test.

  • stars Author of multiple UPSC/MPSC preparation books
  • stars Regular contributor — Sakal Plus Study Room
  • stars Branches in Pune, CSN & Nashik

Free Mentorship Programme 2026

Limited seats available. Apply now to get personal guidance from Shrikant Sir for your Agriculture Optional preparation journey.

check_circle Personalised plan
check_circle Answer script review
check_circle Strategy guidance
check_circle Doubt resolution
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Contact Shrikant Sir

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+91-9890721279