RPSC Assistant Fisheries Development Officer (AFDO) Exam Pattern 2024

Exam Pattern Overview

The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) Assistant Fisheries Development Officer (AFDO) examination is a competitive written test designed to assess candidates' knowledge in two key areas: General Knowledge of Rajasthan and the Concerned Subject (Fisheries Science). The exam follows a structured pattern with a clear marking scheme, time duration, and specific instructions for candidates.

Key Highlights:

• Total Questions: 150 (Multiple Choice Type)
• Total Marks: 150
• Exam Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Negative Marking: Applicable (1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer)
• Medium: English
• Mode: Offline (OMR-based)

Paper Structure

The RPSC AFDO exam consists of one paper divided into two parts:

Part-A: General Knowledge of Rajasthan

This section evaluates candidates' understanding of Rajasthan's history, culture, geography, and socio-economic development. It includes:

Unit-I: History, Culture & Heritage of Rajasthan

• Pre and early history of Rajasthan
• Age of Rajputs: Major dynasties and achievements of prominent rulers
• Emergence of Modern Rajasthan: Socio-political awakening, peasant and tribal movements, and integration of Rajasthan
• Visual Art: Architecture of forts and temples, sculpture traditions, and schools of painting
• Performing Arts: Folk music, musical instruments, folk dance, and folk drama
• Religious cults, saints, and folk deities
• Dialects and literature of the Rajasthani language

Unit-II: Geography, Natural Resources & Socio-Economic Development

• Broad physical features: Mountains, plateaus, plains, and deserts
• Major rivers, lakes, climate, and agro-climatic regions
• Soil types, forest types, and demographic characteristics
• Environmental concerns: Desertification, droughts, floods, deforestation, and pollution
• Economy: Major minerals, power resources, agro-based industries, poverty, and unemployment

Unit-III: Current Events and Issues of Rajasthan and India

• Important persons, places, and current events in Rajasthan
• National and international events of significance
• Recent welfare and development schemes in Rajasthan

Part-B: Concerned Subject (Fisheries Science)

This section tests candidates' expertise in fisheries science, including:

1. Taxonomy and Biology of Freshwater Fishes and Shellfishes

   • External characters of commercially important species (e.g., Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Oreochromis mossambicus)
   • Modern taxonomic tools: Cryotaxonomy and DNA fingerprinting

2. Biology and Culture of Aquatic Species

   • Indian Major Carps (IMC), exotic carps, tilapia, pangas, and freshwater prawns
   • Food and feeding habits of commercially important fishes and shellfish

3. Fish Hatcheries and Breeding

   • Types of hatcheries, operations, and management
   • Brood-stock management, gonadal development, and induced breeding techniques
   • Environmental factors affecting spawning

4. Fish Farm Design and Construction

   • Site selection, layout, and water/soil quality management
   • Physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting pond productivity

5. Feeds and Feeding in Aquaculture

   • Types of natural and supplementary feeds
   • Methods of fish feed formulation

6. Diseases of Fish and Prawn

   • Pathogenic, parasitic, nutritional, and environmental diseases
   • Management and treatment of diseases

7. Reservoir Fisheries and Conservation

   • Fisheries of important reservoirs in Rajasthan
   • Conservation measures and fish stocking

8. Ornamental Fisheries

   • Trade, biology, and breeding of common ornamental fishes
   • Fabrication and maintenance of aquaria

9. Aquatic Plants and Pond Management

   • Common aquatic plants in freshwater ponds and their control
   • Pre- and post-stocking management in nursery, rearing, and stocking ponds

10. Fishing Crafts and Gears

    • Common freshwater fishing crafts and gears used in Rajasthan
    • Materials and maintenance

11. Fish Handling and Preservation

    • Methods of handling freshwater fishes and shrimps
    • Preservation techniques for marketing

12. Recent Advances in Aquaculture

    • Cage culture, pen culture, biofloc technology, integrated aquaculture systems, RAS, and aquaponics

13. Fisheries Administration and Policies

    • Central and state responsibilities for fisheries development
    • Organizational setup of fisheries administration in Rajasthan
    • Recent policies and schemes in Rajasthan's fisheries sector
    • Rajasthan Fisheries Act 1953 and Rajasthan Fisheries Rules 1958
    • Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986

14. Fundamentals of IT & Computer Applications

    • Information Technology and its importance
    • Computer fundamentals: Hardware, software, input/output devices, and operating systems (Windows, Linux)
    • Networking: LAN, WAN, internet, and World Wide Web
    • MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
    • Audio-visual aids and web browsing
    • Email account creation and operation

Marking Scheme

The RPSC AFDO exam follows a negative marking system to ensure fair evaluation:

Instructions for OMR Sheet:

1. Each question has five options (1-5). Darken only one circle using a blue ballpoint pen.
2. It is mandatory to fill one option for each question.
3. If not attempting a question, darken circle '5' to avoid negative marking.
4. Extra time of 10 minutes is provided to verify darkened circles.

Time Duration

• Total Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes)
• Part-A (General Knowledge): ~40 minutes (40 questions)
• Part-B (Concerned Subject): ~110 minutes (110 questions)
• Extra Time: 10 minutes for verifying OMR responses

Exam-Day Tips

Follow these guidelines to ensure a smooth exam experience:

Before the Exam:

• Admit Card: Download and print the admit card from the RPSC official website. Carry it to the exam center along with a valid photo ID.
• Stationery: Bring a blue ballpoint pen, pencils, eraser, and sharpener. Avoid using gel pens or markers.
• Dress Code: Wear comfortable clothing. Avoid accessories like watches, jewelry, or electronic devices.
• Documents: Carry original and photocopies of:
  • Admit card
  • Photo ID (Aadhar card, PAN card, voter ID, or driving license)
  • Passport-sized photographs (as per admit card instructions)

During the Exam:

• Time Management: Allocate time wisely. Spend ~1 minute per question in Part-A and ~1.5 minutes per question in Part-B.
• Read Instructions Carefully: Follow the OMR sheet instructions to avoid negative marking.
• Attempt Easy Questions First: Answer questions you are confident about before moving to difficult ones.
• Avoid Guesswork: Negative marking can significantly impact your score. Only guess if you can eliminate at least 2-3 options.
• Review Answers: Use the extra 10 minutes to verify all darkened circles on the OMR sheet.

After the Exam:

• Stay Calm: Avoid discussing answers with other candidates to prevent unnecessary stress.
• Check Results: Monitor the RPSC official website for result announcements and further instructions.

Special Instructions for Differently-Abled Candidates:

• Scribe Facility: Available for visually impaired, locomotor disability (both arms), and cerebral palsy candidates. Submit a medical certificate and affidavit as per RPSC guidelines.
• Compensatory Time: Provided as per The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Submit relevant documents to avail this facility.

Preparation Tips

1. Understand the Syllabus: Focus on the detailed syllabus for both Part-A and Part-B. Prioritize topics based on weightage.
2. Study Material: Use standard textbooks and reference materials for fisheries science. For General Knowledge, refer to Rajasthan-specific books and current affairs magazines.
3. Previous Year Papers: Solve past papers to understand the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level.
4. Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to improve speed, accuracy, and time management. Analyze performance to identify weak areas.
5. Revision: Allocate sufficient time for revision, especially for key concepts in fisheries science and Rajasthan's history/geography.
6. Current Affairs: Stay updated with recent events, schemes, and policies related to Rajasthan and fisheries development.
7. Health and Well-being: Maintain a healthy routine with proper sleep, diet, and exercise to stay focused during preparation.

Important Notes

• Eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria (age, educational qualifications) before applying. Refer to the official notification for details.
• Application Process: Apply online through the RPSC website during the specified dates. Pay the application fee as per your category.
• Disqualification: Candidates found using unfair means or violating exam rules will be disqualified and may face legal action.
• Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must provide original documents for verification. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.