Civil Services Examination Strategy For Botany

Paper I

This paper in Botany is high-scoring provided your answers are simple, diagrammatic, and focuses on evolutionary aspects of questions. Do not forget to mention Indian species as well.
Stay simple and give diagrams with Indian-centric views. This will help you to score good marks. You should summarize tables for last minute revision.

Microbiology in Section I is important for the 200-word short notes and you should practice accordingly. Applied aspects of queries are more important. In Plant Pathology you can safely leave description of diseases but should focus on physiological aspects.

In Cryptogams, the syllabus tells you to study plant group for their structure and reproduction with evolutionary viewpoint. The question in the examination however, does not mention the word evolution explicitly but examiners expect evolutionary treatment of questions.

Phanerogams is divided into various sub-groups. The key areas are:
Gymnosperms: Emphasis on fossil types
Angiosperms: Skip the families which were asked last year. Practice floral diagrams and formulas as much as possible
Anatomy: Not a consistent portion. It can be ignored if other portions are well prepared
Embryology: Stick to prescribed topics. Draw neat diagrams. The preparation of this portion can be clubbed with Morphogenesis.

Paper II

The strategy for this paper should revolve around providing updated information, colored illustrations and focus on applications.

In Cell Biology; focus should be on molecular aspect. Any long process should be discussed only with diagrams showing all the steps. Genetics, Molecular Biology and Evolution is a high scoring area in Paper II. The focus thus should be on making notes and writing crisp answers. Students should always highlight applications in agriculture and human welfare.

During the past three years, questions from Plant Breeding, Biotechnology and Biostatistics have been asked in compulsory section of the paper. The preparation strategy should revolve around making short notes and give stepwise crosses. They should also focus on "Role of Breeding in Crop Improvement in India".

In Physiology and Biochemistry; biochemical physiology is most important. In this year's examination, photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism are more important than respiration. Students need to cover hormones and developmental physiology in areas like flowering, seed germination and fruit ripening.

In Ecology and Plant Geography; students can do with preparing just short notes. They can however afford to skip this section if they have covered other parts well.