UPSC Botany Syllabus For IAS Mains 2025, Download Paper 1 & 2 PDF

UPSC Botany Syllabus: Preparing for UPSC IAS Mains Exam & opt for Botany optional then check the complete UPSC Botany Optional Syllabus PDF for Papers 1 & 2.

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UPSC Botany Syllabus

Botany is one of 48 optional subjects offered by the UPSC, and it is one of those subjects. The IAS Exam’s Botany syllabus measures candidates’ comprehension of the topic as a science and their ability to use their knowledge of plants to solve ecological issues. This course covers both theoretical and practical aspects of botany.

Candidates who have studied Botany as part of their curriculum or have a strong background in plant biology should take this option because it is a highly specialised subject. This article contains a detailed UPSC Botany Syllabus for the IAS Mains Exam.

Read More: UPSC Syllabus

UPSC Botany Optional Syllabus

In the civil services examination, this subject has two papers (paper I and paper II). Each paper carries 250 marks and a total of 500 marks. UPSC Mains consists of nine subjective papers, two of which are optional subjects that a candidate may choose.

Read More: UPSC History Syllabus

UPSC Botany Syllabus Optional Paper I

Topic	Detailed Syllabus
1. Microbiology and Plant Pathology	Structure and reproduction/multiplication of viruses, viroids, bacteria, fungi, and mycoplasma; Applications in agriculture, industry, medicine; Soil and water pollution control; Prion and prion hypothesis. Crop diseases: viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, fungi, nematodes; Infection/dissemination; Molecular basis of infection and resistance; Physiology of parasitism; Control measures; Fungal toxins; Disease forecasting and quarantine.
2. Cryptogams	Algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes, pteridophytes – structure and reproduction with evolutionary perspective; Distribution in India; Ecological and economic importance.
3. Phanerogams	Gymnosperms: Progymnosperms, classification, distribution; Features of Cycadales, Ginkgoales, Coniferales, Gnetales; Structure and reproduction. Cycadofilicales, Bennettitales, Cordaitales; Fossil types and techniques; Geological time scale. Angiosperms: Systematics, anatomy, embryology, palynology, phylogeny; Classification systems; ICBN, chemotaxonomy, numerical taxonomy; Study of families: Magnoliaceae, Ranunculaceae, Brassicaceae, etc. Structure: Stomata, trichomes, secondary growth, C3/C4 anatomy, xylem-phloem, wood anatomy. Reproduction: Gametophytes, pollination, fertilization, endosperm, embryo development, polyembryony, apomixis, experimental embryology.
4. Plant Resource Development	Domestication, plant introduction, Vavilov centers; Plants for food, fiber, oil, spices, medicine, etc.; Gums, dyes, latex, cellulose, starch; Ethnobotany; Botanical gardens, herbaria; Energy plantations.
5. Morphogenesis	Totipotency, polarity, symmetry, differentiation; Cell/tissue/organ/protoplast culture; Somatic hybrids, cybrids; Micropropagation; Somaclonal variation; Pollen haploids; Embryo rescue techniques.

UPSC Botany Syllabus Optional Paper II

Topic	Detailed Syllabus
1. Cell Biology	Cell biology techniques; Prokaryotic/eukaryotic structure; ECM, membranes, organelles; Cytoskeleton; Nucleus, chromatin, nucleosome; Cell signaling, receptors; Signal transduction; Cell cycle, mitosis/meiosis; Chromosomal variations; Genome packaging; Polytene and B-chromosomes.
2. Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Evolution	Gene vs allele, pseudoalleles; Quantitative/multiple factor inheritance; Polygenic traits; Linkage, crossing over, mapping; Sex determination/inheritance; Mutations; Cytoplasmic inheritance; Nucleic acid/protein synthesis; Genetic code; Gene regulation, silencing; RNA role in evolution; Organic evolution theories.
3. Plant Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biostatistics	Plant breeding methods: introduction, selection, hybridization, mutation, polyploidy, heterosis, apomixis; Transgenics, biosafety; Molecular markers, DNA sequencing; Tools: blotting, PCR, FISH, fingerprinting. Biostatistics: SD, CV, Z-test, t-test, chi-square; Probability (normal, binomial, Poisson); Correlation, regression.
4. Physiology and Biochemistry	Water/mineral nutrition, transport, deficiencies; Photosynthesis (C3/C4/CAM), photophosphorylation; Phloem transport; Respiration (aerobic/anaerobic), ETC; Photorespiration, chemiosmosis; Lipid/nitrogen metabolism; Enzymes, coenzymes; Secondary metabolites; Pigments, photoperiodism, vernalization; Hormones (auxins, gibberellins, etc.); Stress physiology; Seed dormancy/germination; Fruit ripening.
5. Ecology and Plant Geography	Ecosystems, ecological factors, succession, community dynamics; Biosphere, conservation, pollution, phytoremediation, indicators; Environment Act; Forest types of India; Endangered plants, IUCN, Red Data Books; Biodiversity, protected areas, CBD, IPRs, Farmers’ Rights; Sustainable development; Biogeochemical cycles; Climate change, invasive species, EIA; Phytogeographical regions of India.

IAS aspirants should be aware that Botany for UPSC may increase their chances of selection. So, in order to do well on this paper, thorough preparation is required. To crack the UPSC Botany syllabus, candidates should solve more questions from previous years’ UPSC question papers as well as mock tests.

UPSC Botany Optional Preparation Strategy – Key Points

Strategy Overview

Understand the syllabus: Divide Paper I & II into sub-topics.
Set a timeline: Allocate time for study, revision, and practice.
Focus on core areas:
- Paper I: Plant Pathology, Morphology, Anatomy, Embryology
- Paper II: Physiology, Genetics, Ecology, Cell Biology

Daily Study Plan

Task	Time Allocation
Theory Reading	3–4 hours
Diagram Practice	1 hour
Answer Writing	1–2 hours
Revision	1 hour
PYQ Analysis	Weekly (2–3 hours)

Answer Writing Tips

Start after 50% syllabus completion.
Use neat diagrams and flowcharts (e.g., C3 vs. C4 cycle).
Refer to topper copies for format and structure.

Recommended Books

Paper I	Paper II
Prescott’s Microbiology	Karp’s Cell Biology
Plant Pathology – Agrios	Genetics – Klug & Cummings
Botany – Singh, Pandey & Jain	Plant Breeding – B.D. Singh
Gymnosperms – Bhatnagar & Moitra	Biotechnology – B.D. Singh
Plant Anatomy – B.P. Pandey	Plant Physiology – Taiz & Zeiger
Economic Botany – S.L. Kochhar	Ecology – P.D. Sharma

FAQs

What is the syllabus of botany in UPSC?

Ecological elements, community dynamics, and ecosystem concept; the succession of plants; Ecosystems, conservation, pollution management (including phytoremediation), and the concept of the biosphere; indicator plants; Environment Act

Is botany good for UPSC?

Botany is often regarded as a "safe" optional because the questions are typically straightforward. If you use the right concepts and facts, it's simple to write effective responses. You can do well in this subject if you have a clear understanding of the concepts.

Is zoology or botany good optional for UPSC?

Both are reasonably popular optional subjects among life sciences students who wish to pursue the IAS exam.

Is botany a good optional for IFS?

Botany is a good optional for the IAS and IFOS, yes. Botany is a measuring stick. If you are knowledgeable with this subject, it will be easier for you to perform well in the Union Public Service Commission Mains exam.

Is botany tougher than zoology?

When it comes to theory, Zoology is significantly simpler to comprehend and use during exams than Botany. Nonetheless, Botany practicals are simpler than Zoology ones.