RPSC Assistant Fisheries Development Officer Previous Year Papers

Available Papers

Currently, the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has not officially released previous year question papers for the Assistant Fisheries Development Officer (AFDO) exam. As the exam is conducted infrequently, historical papers may not be available. This page will be updated as soon as official papers or memory-based questions are released.

Note: The exam was last advertised in 2024, with the written exam scheduled for 29th July 2025.

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Official previous year papers for the RPSC Assistant Fisheries Development Officer exam are not yet available. Candidates are advised to:

• Regularly check the RPSC Official Website for updates.
• Refer to memory-based questions shared by candidates post-examination.
• Use mock tests and practice papers from trusted sources to simulate the exam environment.

Links to official papers will be provided here once released by RPSC.

Analysis of RPSC AFDO Exam Pattern

The RPSC Assistant Fisheries Development Officer exam follows a structured pattern, as outlined in the official notification. Below is a detailed analysis of the exam format, marking scheme, and subject-wise distribution:

Exam Structure

Key Features of the Exam Pattern

1. Single Paper: The exam consists of one paper divided into two parts:

   • Part-A: General Knowledge of Rajasthan (40 questions).
   • Part-B: Concerned Subject (Fisheries) (110 questions).

2. Question Type: All questions are Multiple Choice Type (MCQs) with five options each.

3. Marking Scheme:

   • Each correct answer carries 1 mark.
   • Negative Marking: For every wrong answer, one-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
   • Note: Leaving a question unanswered (no option darkened) will also result in a deduction of one-third (1/3) of the marks for that question.

4. OMR Sheet Instructions:

   • Candidates must use a BLUE BALL POINT PEN to darken the correct option.
   • It is mandatory to darken one option for each question. If no option is darkened, marks will be deducted.
   • If a candidate does not attempt a question, they must darken the circle marked ‘5’.
   • Candidates who fail to darken any option in more than 10% of the questions will be disqualified.

5. Extra Time: An additional 10 minutes is provided beyond the scheduled time to ensure all options are correctly darkened.

Subject-Wise Analysis

Part-A: General Knowledge of Rajasthan (40 Questions, 40 Marks)

This section tests candidates' knowledge of Rajasthan's history, culture, geography, and current affairs. Key topics include:

1. 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 Arts: 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.

2. Geography, Natural Resources & Socio-Economic Development

   • 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.

3. Current Events and Issues of Rajasthan and India

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

Weightage: This section accounts for 26.67% of the total marks.

Part-B: Concerned Subject (Fisheries) (110 Questions, 110 Marks)

This section evaluates candidates' expertise in fisheries science and related domains. Key topics include:

1. Taxonomy and Biology of Fishes

   • External characters of freshwater food fishes and shellfishes (e.g., Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Oreochromis mossambicus).
   • Modern taxonomic tools: Cryotaxonomy and DNA fingerprinting.

2. Fish Culture and Breeding

   • Biology and culture of Indian Major Carps (IMC), exotic carps, tilapia, pangas, and freshwater prawns.
   • Food and feeding habits of commercially important fishes and shellfish.
   • Types of fish hatcheries, operations, and management.
   • Brood-stock management, gonadal development, and induced breeding techniques.
   • Traditional fish breeding methods: Wet and dry bundh breeding.
   • Environmental factors affecting spawning.

3. Fish Farm Management

   • Site selection, layout, and design of freshwater fish farms.
   • Water and soil quality management for aquaculture.
   • Physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting pond productivity.
   • Types of fish farm ponds and their characteristics.

4. Fish Nutrition and Feeding

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

5. Fish and Prawn Diseases

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

6. Reservoir Fisheries

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

7. Ornamental Fisheries

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

8. Aquatic Plants and Control

   • Common aquatic plants in freshwater pond ecosystems and their control.

9. Pre and Post Stocking Management

   • Management practices in nursery, rearing, and stocking ponds.

10. Fishing Crafts and Gears

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

11. Fish Handling and Preservation

    • Handling of freshwater fishes and shrimps.
    • Methods of fish preservation 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.
    • Functions and powers of the Department of Fisheries, corporations, and cooperatives.
    • Salient features of the 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.

Weightage: This section accounts for 73.33% of the total marks.

Tips for Using RPSC AFDO Previous Year Papers Effectively

While official previous year papers are not yet available, candidates can maximize their preparation using the following strategies:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

• Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus to identify high-weightage topics.
• Focus on Part-B (Fisheries) as it carries 110 out of 150 marks.

2. Create a Study Plan

• Allocate time for each subject based on its weightage.
• Dedicate more time to Fisheries while ensuring coverage of General Knowledge of Rajasthan.
• Include daily revision and mock tests in your schedule.

3. Use Mock Tests and Practice Papers

• Solve mock tests and practice papers from trusted sources to simulate the exam environment.
• Analyze your performance to identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Focus on improving speed and accuracy, especially for the fisheries section.

4. Focus on High-Yield Topics

• Prioritize topics with higher weightage or frequent recurrence in exams.
• For Part-A, focus on history, culture, and current affairs of Rajasthan.
• For Part-B, emphasize fish biology, culture, breeding, and disease management.

5. Master Time Management

• The exam duration is 2.5 hours for 150 questions, which translates to 1 minute per question.
• Practice solving questions within the time limit to avoid last-minute rushes.
• Use the extra 10 minutes wisely to review and darken options correctly.

6. Review Negative Marking

• Be cautious with negative marking (1/3 mark deduction for wrong answers).
• Avoid random guessing. If unsure, darken option ‘5’ to indicate an unanswered question.
• Focus on accuracy to minimize mark deductions.

7. Analyze Previous Year Trends (When Available)

• Once previous year papers are released, analyze them to identify:
  • Frequently asked topics.
  • Question difficulty levels.
  • Patterns in question framing.
• Adjust your preparation strategy based on these insights.

8. Revise Regularly

• Regular revision is key to retaining information.
• Use flashcards, summaries, and mind maps for quick revision.
• Focus on weak areas during revision sessions.

9. Stay Updated with Current Affairs

• For Part-A, stay updated with current events in Rajasthan and India.
• Follow government schemes, policies, and recent developments in the fisheries sector.

10. Join Study Groups and Forums

• Engage with study groups, online forums, and coaching classes to clarify doubts.
• Discuss difficult topics with peers to gain new perspectives.

11. Take Care of Your Health

• Maintain a healthy routine with proper sleep, diet, and exercise.
• Practice stress management techniques like meditation or yoga.

12. Simulate Exam Conditions

• Take full-length mock tests under exam-like conditions (timed, no distractions).
• Review your performance to identify areas for improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Are previous year papers available for the RPSC AFDO exam?

A1. Official previous year papers for the RPSC Assistant Fisheries Development Officer exam are not yet available. This page will be updated as soon as they are released by RPSC.

Q2. How can I prepare for the RPSC AFDO exam without previous year papers?

A2. While official papers are unavailable, you can:

• Solve mock tests and practice papers from trusted sources.
• Focus on the syllabus and high-weightage topics.
• Analyze the exam pattern and marking scheme to strategize your preparation.

Q3. What is the marking scheme for the RPSC AFDO exam?

A3. The exam follows the following marking scheme:

• Correct answer: +1 mark.
• Wrong answer: -1/3 mark.
• Unanswered question (no option darkened): -1/3 mark.

Q4. How many questions are there in the RPSC AFDO exam?

A4. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, divided into:

• Part-A: 40 questions (General Knowledge of Rajasthan).
• Part-B: 110 questions (Concerned Subject - Fisheries).

Q5. What is the duration of the RPSC AFDO exam?

A5. The total duration of the exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes, with an additional 10 minutes provided to darken options on the OMR sheet.

Q6. Is there negative marking in the RPSC AFDO exam?

A6. Yes, there is negative marking. For every wrong answer, one-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.

Q7. What are the key topics to focus on for Part-B (Fisheries)?

A7. Key topics for Part-B include:

• Fish taxonomy and biology.
• Fish culture and breeding techniques.
• Fish farm management and pond productivity.
• Fish diseases and their management.
• Recent advances in aquaculture.
• Fisheries administration and policies.

Q8. How can I improve my speed and accuracy for the exam?

A8. To improve speed and accuracy:

• Practice timed mock tests regularly.
• Focus on high-weightage topics first.
• Avoid random guessing to minimize negative marking.
• Use shortcuts and tricks for quick calculations (if applicable).

Q9. Where can I find official updates about the RPSC AFDO exam?

A9. Official updates can be found on the RPSC Official Website. Regularly check the website for notifications, exam dates, and paper releases.

Q10. What is the selection process for the RPSC AFDO exam?

A10. The selection process includes:

• Written Exam: 150 marks (objective type).
• Document Verification: For shortlisted candidates.

Note: The final selection is based on merit in the written exam.