Agriculture is both dynamic and matured subject. So one could find multiple books on same content. Careful selection of books is the first step towards your successful UPSC preparation. Though UPSC syllabus is vast, it doesn’t require Ph.D level specialisation in every part or area. Limited books with multiple revision and answer writing practice will get you good marks (above 270 plus) in Agriculture optionals. Here is the list of standard books usually followed by aspirants for Agri optionals,
Must Have Books
#1. Principles of Agronomy by Yellamananda Reddy
This book covers wide range of topics in Agronomy like Tillage, Agro-ecological zones, farming methods, etc., It is also a great source of reference for topics – Weed science, Soil science and Irrigation management. Most of the questions in UPSC were directly taken from this book. So, anyone planned to start their preparation, start from this book. But only read topics relevant to UPSC syllabus.
#2. 11th and 12th standard Botany book
It can be CBSE syllabus or state board books. I recommend New edition of Tamil Nadu state board books. This book covers most of the topics in Crop physiology and Genetics. To start Paper II preparation for Agri optionals, better to start from here. Again only read topics relevant to UPSC syllabus.
link to Download TN state board e-book – http://www.tnscert.org/tnscert/ebooks/
Reference Books
#3. Introductory Soil Science by Dilip Kumar Das
Those Soil science topics not covered in ‘Principles of Agronomy’ book could be referred here. No need to buy, just lend it from your Post Graduation friends and value add your present materials. Don’t read cover to cover. Select topics based on UPSC syllabus and previous year question paper.
#4. Introduction to Agriculture by A K Vyas
Again a reference book for Agriculture Paper I , extension, farm management and Agri economics portions can be referred from this book. Those Paper I topics not covered in ‘Principles of Agronomy’ book could be referred here. Don’t refer for same topics in multiple books, waste of time.
#5. Essentials of Plant Breeding by Phundan Singh
It covers all topics in Breeding. If you can take notes by referring to your college notes, you need not buy this, just lend it from your friend or library. If you don’t have your college notes, then buy this one. No need to buy or read BD Singh, UPSC questions are not that exhaustive and you will not have such luxury of time. And no need to read book cover to cover, Select topics based on UPSC syllabus and previous year question paper.
#6. Elements of Genetics by Phundan Singh
For extra topics and extra points after reading Genetics portions of 11th and 12th standard. Most of topics in ‘Essentials of Plant Breeding by Phundan Singh’ will be repeated in this book too. Better lend it from your friend or college library and take notes.
#7. Fundamental Of Plant Physiology by V. K. Jain
Again for extra topics and extra points after reading Physiology portions of 11th and 12th standard. UPSC sometimes asks in-depth question in Physiology, you can refer to it.
#8. Introduction to Horticulture by N Kumar
Only reference book for Horticulture and Food Processing topics of UPSC syllabus. One has to selectively read topics based on previous year trend and Syllabus. Pest and Diseases of Horticulture crops can also be learnt from this book.
I don’t recommend books for Pathology and Entomology, Your college lecture notes is good enough. And refer TNAU AGRI TECH PORTAL for crop wise pest and disease management details.
Regularly read Kurukshetra Magazine of Rural Development ministry and The Agraria e-Magazine for Agriculture to keep up to date knowledge in the field of Agriculture.
Websites to follow:
- FAO – http://www.fao.org/home/en/– for definitions, examples, case study
- ICAR– https://icar.org.in/– for recent developments in the field of agriculture in India
- Agri Tech portal – For almost every topics http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/
- IMoT Agri Forum – www.imotforum.com – For Agri related opinion articles.
- Agademy.in – Agri News, Articles, Source materials, Schemes and Updates.
These booklist are based on my preparation strategy, experience and my senior’s advise. One may also refer other books of similar content. But keep your books to minimum numbers.
By Ramsundar M, IFS 2018 AIR 43. Ramsundar has given three Mains with Agriculture as his optionals and he also chosen Agriculture as his optionals for IFS exam. He also writes about Agriculture in IMoT Agri Media platforms.
