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

Part B: General Knowledge

Preparation Approach

Part A: Agricultural Engineering

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

Part B: General Knowledge

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

Preparation Resources

Books

                                | - *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

                                | - [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

1. 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)

2. Dress Code:

   • Follow the RSMSSB dress code guidelines (available on the official website).

3. Prohibited Items:

   • Mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, and any electronic gadgets.
   • Study materials or notes.

4. Time Management:

   • Allocate time wisely between Part A and Part B.
   • Attempt easier questions first to secure marks.

5. Negative Marking:

   • Avoid guesswork; only answer questions you are confident about.

Post-Exam Process

1. 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.

2. Result Declaration:

   • Results will be published on the RSMSSB website.
   • Selected candidates will undergo document verification.

3. 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.