RSMSSB Junior Engineer (Agriculture) Exam 2024: Comprehensive Syllabus and Preparation Guide
Syllabus Overview
The Rajasthan Subordinate and Ministerial Services Selection Board (RSMSSB) Junior Engineer (Agriculture) exam is a competitive examination for recruitment to 150 posts (revised) in the Agriculture Department under the Government of Rajasthan. The exam is conducted in a single paper comprising two parts:
- Part A: Agricultural Engineering (Graduation level, 200 marks)
- Part B: General Knowledge (with special reference to Rajasthan) (100 marks)
Key Features:
- Exam Duration: 3 hours
- Total Marks: 300
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer
- Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)/Tablet-Based Test (TBT)/Offline (OMR)
The syllabus is designed to assess candidates' technical knowledge in agricultural engineering and their awareness of Rajasthan's history, culture, traditions, and geography.
Subject-wise Syllabus
Part A: Agricultural Engineering (200 Marks)
1. Soil and Water Conservation
- Hydrology: Precipitation, hydrologic cycle, runoff measurement, peak runoff prediction, factors affecting runoff, hydrograph.
- Soil Erosion: Types of erosion, factors associated with erosion, assessment of annual soil loss, impact on agricultural productivity.
- Erosion Control Measures: Vegetation in soil and water conservation, grass waterways, design of control measures (permanent structures), stream bank erosion, wind erosion control.
- Water Harvesting Structures: Farm ponds, Tanka, Nadi, Anicut.
- Watershed Management: Definition, concept, objectives, water management, surveying instruments for watershed planning and execution.
2. Irrigation
- Soil-Water-Plant Relationship: Water requirements of crops, irrigation scheduling, measurement of irrigation water.
- Water Conveyance and Control: Field channel data, design of irrigation methods, irrigation efficiencies.
- Drainage: Benefits of drainage, surface drainage, design and layout of surface and subsurface drainage, depth and spacing of drains, installation of drains.
- Groundwater: Types of aquifers, well log, groundwater prospects, water lifting devices.
- Water Resources Development and Management: Water resources of India, surface and groundwater, development of irrigation potential, canal irrigation, command area development.
3. Farm Power and Machinery
- Tillage Machinery: Primary and secondary tillage machinery, selection, operation, field capacity, and efficiency.
- Sowing and Intercultural Machinery: Equipment for sowing and intercultural operations.
- Harvesting and Threshing Machinery: Power-operated grain harvesting and threshing equipment.
- Farm Tractors: Introduction to different systems of tractors and their maintenance.
4. Agricultural Processing
- Food Engineering: Mass and energy balance, size reduction, material handling, separation equipment.
- Drying and Storage: Principles of drying, drying equipment, psychrometric chart, grain storage principles.
- Milk and Dairy Processing: Processing of milk, dairy equipment.
- Rice and Pulse Milling: Milling processes and equipment.
- Food Preservation: Principles of food preservation.
5. Renewable Energy Sources
- Energy Consumption and Resources: Energy consumption patterns, non-conventional energy sources.
- Solar Energy: Solar thermal, solar photovoltaic.
- Bio-energy: Resources and utilization, selection of biogas plants (site, size, and type), improved biomass cookstoves.
- Wind Energy: Present status and potential in Rajasthan.
Part B: General Knowledge (100 Marks)
With special reference to Rajasthan’s history, culture, traditions, and geography
1. History and Culture of Rajasthan
- Ancient Civilizations: Indus Valley Civilization, Kalibangan, Ahar, and Ganeshwar civilizations.
- Medieval Rajasthan: Major dynasties (Guhilas, Chauhans, Rathores, Kachwahas), battles, treaties, and cultural developments.
- Modern Rajasthan: Integration of Rajasthan, role in the freedom struggle, post-independence developments.
- Art and Architecture: Forts, palaces, temples, stepwells, havelis, and their architectural styles.
- Folk Culture: Folk music, dance, festivals, and traditions (e.g., Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Teej, Gangaur).
- Literature and Languages: Contributions of Rajasthani literature, dialects, and prominent literary figures.
2. Geography of Rajasthan
- Physical Features: Thar Desert, Aravalli Range, plateaus, rivers, and lakes.
- Climate: Monsoon patterns, temperature variations, droughts, and floods.
- Natural Resources: Minerals, forests, wildlife, and national parks (e.g., Ranthambore, Sariska).
- Agriculture: Major crops, irrigation methods, agricultural challenges, and government schemes.
- Industry and Economy: Key industries (textiles, mining, handicrafts), economic zones, and trade.
3. Polity and Administration
- State Government: Structure of Rajasthan government, roles of Governor, Chief Minister, and Council of Ministers.
- Local Governance: Panchayati Raj system, urban local bodies, and their functions.
- Judiciary: High Court of Rajasthan, subordinate courts, and legal framework.
4. Current Affairs
- State-Specific: Recent government schemes, policies, and developments in Rajasthan.
- National and International: Major events, awards, sports, and appointments relevant to Rajasthan.
Important Topics (High Weightage)
Part A: Agricultural Engineering
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Soil and Water Conservation | Runoff measurement, erosion control, watershed management, water harvesting structures. |
| Irrigation | Irrigation scheduling, drainage systems, groundwater prospects, water resource management. |
| Farm Power and Machinery | Tillage machinery, harvesting equipment, tractor systems, and maintenance. |
| Agricultural Processing | Food preservation, drying equipment, dairy processing, rice and pulse milling. |
| Renewable Energy Sources | Solar energy, biogas plants, wind energy, and their applications in Rajasthan. |
Part B: General Knowledge
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| History and Culture | Major dynasties, forts, folk culture, festivals, and architectural heritage of Rajasthan. |
| Geography | Physical features, climate, natural resources, and agricultural practices in Rajasthan. |
| Polity and Administration | Structure of state government, Panchayati Raj, and local governance. |
| Current Affairs | Recent schemes, policies, and developments in Rajasthan. |
Preparation Approach
Part A: Agricultural Engineering
-
Understand Core Concepts:
- Focus on fundamental principles of soil and water conservation, irrigation, and farm machinery.
- Use diagrams and flowcharts to visualize processes like hydrologic cycles and drainage systems.
-
Practical Applications:
- Study real-world examples of water harvesting structures (e.g., Tanka, Anicut) and their implementation in Rajasthan.
- Familiarize yourself with the latest advancements in renewable energy sources and their applications in agriculture.
-
Problem-Solving:
- Practice numerical problems related to runoff measurement, irrigation scheduling, and drainage design.
- Solve previous years' question papers to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level.
-
Recommended Resources:
- Books:
- Soil and Water Conservation Engineering by R.K. Sharma
- Irrigation Engineering by R.N. Reddy
- Farm Machinery and Equipment by Harris Pearson Smith
- Renewable Energy Sources and Emerging Technologies by D.P. Kothari
- Online Resources:
- NPTEL lectures on agricultural engineering
- ICAR e-courses on soil and water conservation
- Books:
Part B: General Knowledge
-
History and Culture:
- Create timelines for major dynasties and events in Rajasthan’s history.
- Memorize key architectural sites (e.g., Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal) and their significance.
- Study folk traditions, festivals, and their cultural importance.
-
Geography:
- Use maps to understand Rajasthan’s physical features, rivers, and climatic zones.
- Analyze the impact of geography on agriculture and industry in the state.
-
Polity and Administration:
- Understand the structure of Rajasthan’s government and local governance systems.
- Study recent amendments and policies related to Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies.
-
Current Affairs:
- Follow Rajasthan-specific news through newspapers like Rajasthan Patrika and Dainik Bhaskar.
- Refer to monthly magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan for state and national updates.
-
Recommended Resources:
- Books:
- History and Culture of Rajasthan by Dr. G.N. Sharma
- Geography of Rajasthan by L.R. Bhalla
- Rajasthan Ki Sanskritic Virasat by Dr. M.L. Menariya
- Online Resources:
- Rajasthan government portals (e.g., rajasthan.gov.in) for schemes and policies
- YouTube channels like Study IQ for current affairs and history
- Books:
Preparation Resources
Books
| Subject | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Engineering | - Soil and Water Conservation Engineering by R.K. Sharma |
| - *Irrigation Engineering* by R.N. Reddy
| - *Farm Machinery and Equipment* by Harris Pearson Smith
| - *Renewable Energy Sources* by D.P. Kothari |
| General Knowledge | - History and Culture of Rajasthan by Dr. G.N. Sharma | - Geography of Rajasthan by L.R. Bhalla | - Rajasthan Ki Sanskritic Virasat by Dr. M.L. Menariya | - Pratiyogita Darpan (Monthly Magazine) |
Online Resources
| Resource Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Websites | - RSMSSB Official Website |
| - [Rajasthan Government Portal](https://rajasthan.gov.in)
| - [ICAR e-Courses](https://ecourses.icar.gov.in) |
| YouTube Channels | - Study IQ (Current Affairs and History) | - Unacademy (Agricultural Engineering and General Knowledge) | | Mobile Apps | - Rajasthan GK (for state-specific knowledge) | - Agriculture Exam Preparation (for technical subjects) |
Previous Years' Papers
- Solve past question papers to understand the exam pattern and identify high-weightage topics.
- Focus on time management and accuracy, especially for numerical problems in Agricultural Engineering.
Mock Tests
- Take regular mock tests to assess your preparation level and improve speed and accuracy.
- Analyze your performance and work on weak areas.
Exam Day Tips
-
Document Checklist:
- Admit card (downloaded from RSMSSB website)
- Valid photo ID (Aadhar card, voter ID, etc.)
- Passport-sized photograph (recent, as uploaded in the application)
- Blue/black ballpoint pen (for OMR-based exams)
-
Dress Code:
- Follow the RSMSSB dress code guidelines (available on the official website).
-
Prohibited Items:
- Mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, and any electronic gadgets.
- Study materials or notes.
-
Time Management:
- Allocate time wisely between Part A and Part B.
- Attempt easier questions first to secure marks.
-
Negative Marking:
- Avoid guesswork; only answer questions you are confident about.
Post-Exam Process
-
Answer Key:
- RSMSSB will release the answer key on its official website after the exam.
- Candidates can raise objections within a specified period by paying a fee of ₹100 per objection.
-
Result Declaration:
- Results will be published on the RSMSSB website.
- Selected candidates will undergo document verification.
-
Document Verification:
- Candidates must present original documents (educational certificates, caste certificates, etc.) for verification.
- Ensure all documents are valid and up-to-date as per the exam notification.
Important Notes
- Eligibility: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from a recognized university. Knowledge of Hindi in Devanagari script and Rajasthan’s culture is mandatory.
- Age Limit: 18 to 40 years as of January 1, 2025 (relaxations apply for reserved categories).
- Application Process: Online applications were accepted from November 28, 2024, to December 27, 2024. Ensure all details are filled accurately to avoid rejection.
- Exam Date: Will be updated when available (check RSMSSB website for updates).
For the latest updates, visit the RSMSSB Official Website.