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UPSC IFS Botany Optional 2026 guide covering exam pattern, syllabus of Papers I & II, previous year question papers, trends, success rate, pros and cons, and recommended books to help aspirants prepare effectively for the Indian Forest Service Mains exam.
UPSC IFS Mains Botany Optional is a popular choice among aspirants due to its scientific clarity, relevance to forestry, and scoring potential. Consisting of two descriptive papers (Paper I & II) with a total of 400 marks, the subject covers core and applied areas of plant sciences. This guide provides a detailed overview of the exam pattern, syllabus, previous year question papers, trends, success rates, pros and cons, and recommended books, helping candidates prepare strategically for the IFS Mains 2026 examination.
In the UPSC IFS Mains exam 2026, Botany Question Paper subject consists of two papers, specifically Paper I and Paper II. Each of these papers carries a weightage of 200 marks, summing up to a total of 400 marks for this optional subject. Among the various optional subjects offered by UPSC in IFS, Botany Question Paper is one of the 14 optional subjects available to candidates.
| Botany | Syllabus |
| Paper I | Microbiology and Plant Pathology: Viruses, bacteria, and plasmids-structure and reproduction. General account of infection, Phytoimmunology. Applications of microbiology in agriculture, industry, medicine and pollution control in air, soil and water. Important plant diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, fungi and nematodes. Mode of infection and dissemination. Molecular basis of infection and disease resistance/ defence. Physiology of parasitism and control measures. Fungal toxins.
Cryptogams: Algae, Fungi, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes-structure and reproduction from evolutonary viewpoint. Distribution of Cryptogams in India and their economic potential. Phanerogams: Gymnosperms: Concept of Progymonosperms. Classification and distribution of Gymnosperms. Salient features of Cycadales, Coniferrals and Gnetales, their structures and reproduction. General account of Cycadofilicales, Bennettitales and Cordaitales. Angiosperms: Systematics, anatomy, embryology, palynology and phylogeny. Comparative account of various systems of Angiosperm Classiification. Study of angiospermic families-Magnoliaceae, Ranunculaceae, Brassicaceae (Cruciferae), Rosaceae, Leguminosae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceaie, Dipterocarpaceae, Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), Asclepiadaceae, Verbenaceae, Solanaceae, Rubiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae (Composite), Poaceae (Gramineae), Arecaceae (Palmae), Liliaceae, Musaceae, Orchidaceae. Stomata and their types. Anomalous secondary growth, Anatomy of C 3 and C 4 plants. Development of male and female gametophytes, pollination, fertilization. Endospermits development and function. Patterns of embryo development. Polyembryony, apoxmix, Applications of palynology. Plant Utility and Exploitation: Origin of cultivated plants, Vavilov’s centres of origin. Plants as sources for food, fodder, fibres, spices, beverages, drugs, narcotics, insecticides, timber, gums, resins and dyes. Latex, cellulose Starch and their products. Perfumery. Importance of Ethnobotany in Indian context. Energy plantation. Botanical Gardens and Herbaria. Morphogenesis: Totipotency, polarity, symmetry and differentiation. Cell, tissue, organ and protoplast culture. Somatic hybrids and Cybrids. |
| Paper II | Cell Biology: Techniques of Cell Biology. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells – structural and ultra structural details. Structure and function of extra cellular matrix or ECM (cell wall) and membranes cell adhesion, membrane transport and vesicular transport. Structure and function of cell organelles (chloroplasts, mitochondria, ER, ribosome’s, embosoms, lissome, peroxisomes, hydrogeno-some). Nucleus, nucleolus, nuclear pore complex. Chromatin and nucleosome. Cell signalling and cell receptors. Signal transduction (G-1 proteins, etc.). Mitosis and meisdosis; molecular basis of cell cycle. Numerical and structural variations in chromosomes and their significance. Study of polygene, lamp brush and B-chromosomes-structure, behaviour and significance.
Genetics, Molecular Biology and Evolution: Development of genetics, and gene versus allele concepts (Pseudo alleles). Quantitative genetics and multiple factors. Linkage and crossing over-methods of gene mapping including molecular maps (idea of mapping function). Sex chromosomes and sex linked inheritance, sex determination and molecular basis of sex differentiation. Mutation (biochemical and molecular basis). Cytoplasmic inheritance and cytoplasmic genes (including genetics of male sterility). Prions and prion hypothesis. Structure and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins. Genetic code and regulation of gene expression. Multigene families. Organic evolution-evidences, mechanism and theories. Role of RNA in origin and evolution. Plant Breeding, Biotechnology and Biostatistics: Methods of plant breedingintroduction, selection and hybridization (pedigree, backcross, mass selection, bulk method). Male sterility and heterosis breeding. Use of apomixes in plant breeding. Micro propagation and genetic engineering-methods of transfer of genes and transgenic crops; development and use of molecular markers in plant breeding. Standard deviation and coefficient of variation (CV). Tests of significance (Z-test, t-test and chi-square tests). Probability and distributions (normal, binomial and Poisson distributions). Correlation and regression. Physiology and Biochemistry: Water relations, Mineral nutrition and ion transport, mineral deficiencies. Photosynthesis-photochemical reactions, photophosphorylation and carbon pathways including C pathway (photorespiration), C, C and CAM pathways. Respiration (anaerobic and aerobic, including fermentationelectron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Chemiosmotic theory and ATP synthesis. Nitrogen fixation and nitrogen metabolism. Enzymes, coenzymes, |
The IFoS Botany Optional Syllabus PDF provides a detailed and structured outline of Paper I and Paper II topics prescribed by UPSC. It helps aspirants understand the complete syllabus, plan systematic preparation, track important areas, and align their study strategy with the latest IFS Mains examination requirements.
IFoS Botany Optional Syllabus PDF
UPSC Botany Question Paper from 2018 to 2025 are readily available for aspirants seeking to enhance their preparation. We provided access to the UPSC IFS Botany Question Paper in PDF format, an invaluable resource for your preparation.
| Year | Paper |
| UPSC IFS Botany Question Paper 2018 | Paper I |
| UPSC IFS Botany Question Paper 2019 | Paper I |
| UPSC IFS Botany Question Paper 2020 | Paper I |
| UPSC IFS Botany Question Paper 2021 | Paper I |
| UPSC IFS Botany Question Paper 2022 | Paper I |
| UPSC IFS Botany Question Paper 2023 | Paper I |
| UPSC IFS Botany Question Paper 2024 | Paper I |
| UPSC IFS Botany Question Paper 2025 | Paper I |
The IFoS Botany Optional is one of the optional subjects in the UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Main Examination. The optional consists of two descriptive papers, each carrying 200 marks, totalling 400 marks. Both papers are conducted in offline (written) mode and have a duration of 3 hours each.
Paper I focuses on core botanical concepts such as Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Algae, Fungi, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Plant Breeding.
Paper II covers applied and advanced topics, including Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Ecology, Biodiversity, Environmental Botany, Economic Botany, Biotechnology, and Conservation Biology.
Candidates appearing for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) IFS examination must make a thoughtful choice when selecting their optional subject, as it holds substantial weightage in the evaluation process. With a total of 800 marks allotted, the optional subject constitutes approximately 48% of the combined marks for both the written exam and the personality test.
The table below offers a comprehensive overview of the success rate achieved by candidates who opted for the Botany Question Paper as their optional.
| Year | Number of Candidates | ||
| Appeared in Interview | Recommended | Passing (%) | |
| 2015 | 31 | 13 | 41.9 |
| 2016 | 27 | 16 | 59.3 |
| 2017 | 16 | 7 | 43.8 |
| 2018 | 18 | 10 | 55.6 |
| 2019 | 11 | 5 | 45.5 |
| 2020 | 4 | 2 | 50 |
Please note that before selecting botany as your optional subject, carefully weigh these disadvantages against the advantages and consider your own background, interests, and the time you can dedicate to preparation.
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No, both subjects have different syllabus.
There are two papers of Botany each paper divided into two parts.
Yes you can choose both subjects.
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