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 | Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Knowledge of Rajasthan | 40 | 40 | Official Notification |
| B | Concerned Subject (Fisheries Science) | 110 | 110 | Official Notification |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
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:
-
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
-
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
-
Fish Hatcheries and Breeding
- Types of hatcheries, operations, and management
- Brood-stock management, gonadal development, and induced breeding techniques
- Environmental factors affecting spawning
-
Fish Farm Design and Construction
- Site selection, layout, and water/soil quality management
- Physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting pond productivity
-
Feeds and Feeding in Aquaculture
- Types of natural and supplementary feeds
- Methods of fish feed formulation
-
Diseases of Fish and Prawn
- Pathogenic, parasitic, nutritional, and environmental diseases
- Management and treatment of diseases
-
Reservoir Fisheries and Conservation
- Fisheries of important reservoirs in Rajasthan
- Conservation measures and fish stocking
-
Ornamental Fisheries
- Trade, biology, and breeding of common ornamental fishes
- Fabrication and maintenance of aquaria
-
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
-
Fishing Crafts and Gears
- Common freshwater fishing crafts and gears used in Rajasthan
- Materials and maintenance
-
Fish Handling and Preservation
- Methods of handling freshwater fishes and shrimps
- Preservation techniques for marketing
-
Recent Advances in Aquaculture
- Cage culture, pen culture, biofloc technology, integrated aquaculture systems, RAS, and aquaponics
-
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
-
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:
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Marks | 150 |
| Marks per Question | 1 |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer |
| Unattempted Questions | Darken circle '5' to avoid negative marking. If no circle is darkened, 1/3 mark is deducted |
| Disqualification | Candidates who do not darken any circle in >10% of questions will be disqualified |
Instructions for OMR Sheet:
- Each question has five options (1-5). Darken only one circle using a blue ballpoint pen.
- It is mandatory to fill one option for each question.
- If not attempting a question, darken circle '5' to avoid negative marking.
- 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
- Understand the Syllabus: Focus on the detailed syllabus for both Part-A and Part-B. Prioritize topics based on weightage.
- Study Material: Use standard textbooks and reference materials for fisheries science. For General Knowledge, refer to Rajasthan-specific books and current affairs magazines.
- Previous Year Papers: Solve past papers to understand the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level.
- Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to improve speed, accuracy, and time management. Analyze performance to identify weak areas.
- Revision: Allocate sufficient time for revision, especially for key concepts in fisheries science and Rajasthan's history/geography.
- Current Affairs: Stay updated with recent events, schemes, and policies related to Rajasthan and fisheries development.
- 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.