RPSC Agriculture Officer Syllabus 2025: Detailed Subject-Wise Topics & Preparation Strategy

Syllabus Overview

The RPSC Agriculture Officer (AO) Exam 2025 is conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) for recruitment to 52 vacancies in the state's agriculture department. The exam follows a structured syllabus divided into two parts:

• Part A: General Knowledge of Rajasthan (40 questions, 40 marks)
• Part B: Concerned Subject (Agriculture/Horticulture) (110 questions, 110 marks)

The total exam duration is 2.5 hours, with 150 objective-type questions carrying 150 marks. Negative marking is applicable, with 1/3rd of the marks deducted for each wrong answer.

Key Highlights:

• Exam Mode: Offline (OMR-based)
• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Total Vacancies: 52
• Eligibility: M.Sc. (Agriculture) or M.Sc. (Horticulture) with knowledge of Hindi (Devanagari script) and Rajasthan culture
• Age Limit: 20–40 years (as of 01.01.2026)

Subject-Wise Syllabus

Part A: General Knowledge of Rajasthan

1. History, Culture & Heritage of Rajasthan

• Ancient civilizations (Kalibangan, Ahar, Ganeshwar)
• Major dynasties (Guhils, Chauhans, Rathores, Kachwahas)
• Freedom struggle and peasant movements
• Folk culture, music, dance, and festivals
• Religious movements (Bishnoi, Ramsnehi, etc.)
• Handicrafts, paintings, and architecture (Havelis, forts, temples)

2. Geography & Natural Resources of Rajasthan

• Physiography: Thar Desert, Aravalli Range, Vindhyan Plateau
• Climate, soil types, and vegetation
• Rivers, lakes, and irrigation projects (Indira Gandhi Canal, Chambal Project)
• Mineral resources (lead, zinc, copper, limestone)
• Wildlife sanctuaries and national parks (Ranthambore, Sariska, Keoladeo)

3. Socio-Economic Development of Rajasthan

• Agriculture, industry, and tourism
• Government schemes (e.g., Mukhyamantri Krishak Sathi Yojana)
• Demographic profile and literacy rates
• Infrastructure development (roads, railways, airports)

4. Current Events and Issues

• Recent government policies and initiatives
• Awards, honors, and appointments
• Sports, science, and technology updates
• Environmental issues and conservation efforts

Part B: Concerned Subject (Agriculture/Horticulture)

1. Agronomy

• Crop Production: Cereals (wheat, rice, maize), pulses (gram, moong), oilseeds (mustard, groundnut), and cash crops (cotton, sugarcane)
• Soil Science: Soil fertility, nutrient management, soil conservation, and organic farming
• Weed Management: Identification, control methods, and herbicides
• Irrigation: Water use efficiency, drip irrigation, and watershed management
• Climate and Weather: Agro-climatic zones, weather forecasting, and climate-resilient agriculture

2. Horticulture

• Fruit Crops: Mango, citrus, guava, pomegranate, and ber cultivation
• Vegetable Crops: Tomato, onion, potato, and chili production
• Floriculture: Rose, marigold, and jasmine cultivation
• Post-Harvest Technology: Storage, packaging, and value addition
• Plant Propagation: Techniques for fruits and ornamental plants

3. Plant Pathology

• Diseases: Fungal, bacterial, viral, and nematode diseases in crops
• Diagnosis and Management: Integrated disease management (IDM) and chemical control
• Epidemiology: Disease cycles and environmental factors

4. Entomology

• Pest Management: Major pests of crops (e.g., aphids, borers, termites)
• Biological Control: Predators, parasitoids, and pathogens
• Pesticides: Types, application methods, and safety measures

5. Agricultural Extension & Economics

• Extension Methods: Farmer training, demonstrations, and ICT tools
• Rural Development: SHGs, cooperatives, and government schemes
• Agricultural Economics: Farm management, marketing, and price policies

6. Genetics & Plant Breeding

• Principles of Genetics: Mendelian inheritance, DNA/RNA structure
• Breeding Techniques: Hybridization, mutation breeding, and biotechnology
• Seed Technology: Seed production, certification, and storage

7. Agricultural Engineering

• Farm Machinery: Tractors, harvesters, and irrigation equipment
• Post-Harvest Engineering: Processing, drying, and storage structures

8. Animal Husbandry

• Livestock Management: Cattle, poultry, and goat farming
• Fodder Production: Cultivation and preservation techniques

Important Topics (High Weightage)

Part A: General Knowledge of Rajasthan

Part B: Concerned Subject

Preparation Approach for Each Subject

Part A: General Knowledge of Rajasthan

1. History & Culture

   • Study NCERT books (Class 6–12) for ancient and medieval history.
   • Focus on Rajasthan-specific movements (e.g., Bijolia, Shekhawati).
   • Refer to "Rajasthan Adhyayan" by Dr. S.L. Sharma for folk culture.

2. Geography & Natural Resources

   • Use "Rajasthan Geography" by Laxminarayan Nathuramka.
   • Memorize maps, rivers, and mineral distribution.
   • Stay updated on irrigation projects and wildlife sanctuaries.

3. Socio-Economic Development

   • Follow Rajasthan Budget and Economic Survey reports.
   • Study government schemes (e.g., Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan).

4. Current Events

   • Read "Pratiyogita Darpan" and "Rajasthan Patrika" daily.
   • Focus on last 6 months’ news before the exam.

Part B: Concerned Subject (Agriculture/Horticulture)

1. Agronomy

   • Refer to "Principles of Agronomy" by S.R. Reddy.
   • Practice numerical problems on irrigation and nutrient management.
   • Study crop calendars for Rajasthan (e.g., kharif/rabi crops).

2. Horticulture

   • Use "Horticulture at a Glance" by B.B. Singh.
   • Focus on Rajasthan-specific crops (e.g., kinnow, ber).
   • Learn post-harvest techniques for fruits/vegetables.

3. Plant Pathology & Entomology

   • Study "Plant Pathology" by Agrios and "Entomology" by Vasantharaj David.
   • Memorize disease/pest cycles and control measures.

4. Agricultural Extension

   • Refer to "Agricultural Extension" by A.W. van den Ban.
   • Understand SHGs, cooperatives, and digital extension tools.

5. Genetics & Plant Breeding

   • Use "Principles of Genetics" by Gardner and "Plant Breeding" by B.D. Singh.
   • Focus on biotechnology applications in agriculture.

Preparation Resources

Books

Online Resources

• RPSC Official Website: https://rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in (for syllabus updates)
• Test Series: RPSC AO Mock Tests (Testbook, Adda247)
• Previous Year Papers: Available on RPSC website and exam prep platforms
• YouTube Channels: "Agriculture for All" (for horticulture/agronomy)

Study Plan

1. Phase 1 (0–3 Months): Cover Part A (General Knowledge) and foundational topics of Part B.
2. Phase 2 (3–6 Months): Focus on high-weightage topics (Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Pathology).
3. Phase 3 (6–9 Months): Revise weak areas, solve mock tests, and analyze previous year papers.

Tips for Success

• Time Management: Allocate 1 hour for Part A and 1.5 hours for Part B.
• Negative Marking: Avoid guesswork; attempt only confident answers.
• Revision: Revise Rajasthan-specific data (e.g., districts, schemes) weekly.
• Mock Tests: Take at least 10 full-length tests to improve speed and accuracy.
• Stay Updated: Follow RPSC notifications for syllabus changes or exam pattern updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is the RPSC Agriculture Officer syllabus the same every year? A1. The core syllabus remains consistent, but minor updates may occur. Always refer to the latest official notification.

Q2. How many questions are asked from Horticulture in Part B? A2. Horticulture typically accounts for 20–25% of Part B (22–28 questions).

Q3. Are there any changes in the syllabus for 2025? A3. No major changes have been announced. However, check the RPSC website for updates.

Q4. What is the weightage of current affairs in Part A? A4. Current affairs constitute 5–10% of Part A (2–4 questions).

Q5. Can I use Hindi medium books for preparation? A5. Yes, RPSC allows both English and Hindi medium. Ensure books cover Rajasthan-specific content.