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UPSC IFS Mains Zoology Optional: Trend, Merit and Demerit Analysis

PWOnlyIAS November 27, 2023 07:09 2661 0

Exploring the significance of Zoology optional as an optional subject in UPSC IFS Mains, analyzing trends, merits, and demerits. Understanding the exam structure, success rates, and gain insights into the challenges and advantages of choosing Zoology as your optional paper

UPSC IFS Mains Zoology Optional: Trend, Merit and Demerit Analysis

Understanding the Significance of Optional Subjects with a Focus on Zoology Optional

The UPSC IFS mains include a total of six papers with a total of 1400 marks. Out of 6 papers  one paper is of English and one on General Knowledge. The remaining four papers (Paper I, Paper II, Paper III and Paper IV) cover optional subjects that candidates have chosen during the application form filling process. Although Paper I and Paper II have a maximum of 300 marks each, the remaining 800 marks of the mains examination depend on the optional subjects. It becomes very crucial to choose the right optional subject and adopt the right strategy so that candidates can score as much as possible. So in this article we will first explore the importance and weightage of optionals, and then we will analyze Zoology optional  as an optional subject.

Download IFS 2023 Zoology Optional Paper-01
Download IFS 2022 Zoology Optional Paper-02

Impo

Pivotal role of zoology Optional for IFoS exam  

In UPSC IFS mains examination  candidates have to choose two optional subjects from the list specified in the official notification unlike UPSC IAS mains exam in which candidate has to choose only one optional subject. In IFS exam optional subjects have very high scoring potential because after Paper I and Paper II which consist of  600 marks optional have 800 marks so here optional plays a decisive role in determining your selection as well as to achieve a good rank.

Zoology optional

It is evident that in the entire selection process, the optional subject plays a crucial role in preparing for the UPSC IFS exam, as it accounts for almost 48% of the total marks. This substantial portion contributes significantly to the overall evaluation of the entire exam.

Zoology optional

Upon further magnification, we can conclude that in the IFS mains examination, the optional section carries almost 58% of the total mains marks. Therefore, scoring well in the optional section, along with Paper I and Paper II, will result in higher overall marks in the exam.

UPSC IFS Zoology Optional Paper Format

  • Optional Subjects (Papers III, IV, V and VI)
    • Candidates have the flexibility to choose optional subjects based on their preferences and expertise. 
    • These selections play an important role in Papers III,IV,V and VI shaping the content and focus of these segments.
    • Understanding each paper and how optional subjects fit in helps you get ready for the UPSC IFS Mains Exam.
    • Total number of questions in the question papers of optional subjects will be eight. 
    • Every question alloted equal marks. Each paper will be divided into two parts, Part A and Part B, each part containing four questions
    • Out of eight questions, five questions are to be attempted. One question in each part will be compulsory. Candidates will be required to answer three more questions out of the remaining six questions, taking at least one question from each Part. 
    • In this way, at least two questions will be attempted from each Part i.e. one compulsory question plus one more.

Understanding  Zoology Optional for UPSC IFS Mains: Syllabus, Strategy, and Success

In the UPSC IFS Mains examination, Zoology optional subjects include two papers, specifically Paper I and Paper II. Each of these papers have a maximum weightage of 200 marks, which makes a total of 400 marks for this optional subject. Among the various optional subjects mentioned by UPSC in IFS, Zoology is one of the 14 optional subjects available to candidates.

Zoology Syllabus of Zoology Optional
Paper I Non-chordata and chordata

  1. Classification and relationship of various phyla upto sub-classes; Acoelomata and Coelomata; Protostomes and Deuterostomes, Bilateralia and Radiata; Status of Protista, Parazoa, Onychophora and Hemichordata; Symmetry.
  2. Protozoa : Locomotion, nutrition, reproduction; evolution of sex; General features and life history of Paramaecium, Monocystis, Plasmodium, and Leishmania.
  3. Porifera : Skeleton, canal system and reproduction.
  4. Coelenterata : Polymorphism, defensive structures and their mechanism; coral reefs and their formation; metagenesis; general features and life history of Obelia and Aurelia.
  5. Platyhelminthes : Parasitic adaptation; general features and life history of Fasciola and Taenia and their relation to humans.
  6. Nemathelminthes : General features, life history and parasitic adaptation of Ascaris; nemathelminths in relation to humans.
  7. Annelida : Coelom and metamerism; modes of life in polychaetes; general features and life history of nereis (Neanthes), earthworm (Pheretima) and leach (Hirudinaria).
  8. Arthropoda : Larval forms and parasitism in Crustacea; vision and respiration in arthropods (prawn, cockroach and scorpion); modification of mouth parts in insects (cockroach, mosquito, housefly, honey bee and butterfly); metamorphosis in insects and its hormonal regulation; social organization in insects (termites and honey bees).
  9. Mollusca : Feeding, respiration, locomotion, shell diversiy; general features and life history of Lamellidens, Pila and Sepia, torsion and detorsion in gastropods.
  10. Echinodermata : Feeding, respiration, locomotion larval forms; general features and life history of Asterias.
  11. Protochordata : Origin of chordates; general features and life history of Branchiostoma and Herdamania.
  12. Pisces : Scales, respiration, locomotion, migration.
  13. Amphibia : Origin of tetrapods; parental care, paedomorphosis. 
  14. Reptilia : Origin of reptiles; skull types; status of Sphenodon and crocodiles.
  15. Aves : Origin of birds; flight adaptation, migration.
  16. Mammalia : Origin of mammals; dentition; general features of egg laying mammals, pouched-mammals, aquatic mammals and primates; endocrine glands and other hormone producing structures (pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads) and their interrelationships.
  17. Comparative functional anatomy of various systems of vertebrates (integument and its derivatives, endoskeleton, locomotory organs, digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system including heart and aortic arches; urinogenital system, brain and sense organs (eye and ear).
Ecology

  1. Biosphere: Biogeochemical cycles, green-houses effect, ozone layer and its impact; ecological succession, biomes and ecotones.
  2. Population, characteristics, population dynamics, population stabilization.
  3. Conservation of natural resources- mineral mining, fisheries, aquaculture; forestry; grassland; wildlife (Project Tiger); sustainable production in agriculture integrated pest management.
  4. Environmental biodegradation; pollution and its impact on biosphere and its prevention.

Ethology

  • Behaviour : Sensory filtering, responsiveness, sign stimuli, learning, instinct, habituation, conditioning, imprinting.
  • Role of hormones in drive; role of pheromones in alarm spreading; crypsis, predator detection, predator tactics, social behaviour in insects and primates; courtship (Drosophila, 3-spined stickleback and birds).
  • Orientation, navigation, homing; biological rhythms; biological clock, tidal, seasonal and circadian rhythms.
  • Methods of studying animal behaviour. III. 

Economic Zoology

  • Apiculture, sericulture, lac culture, carp culture, pearl culture, prawn culture.
  • Major infectious and communicable diseases (smallpox, plague, malaria, tuberculosis, cholera and AIDS) , their vectors, pathogens and prevention.
  • Cattle and livestock diseases, their pathogens (helminthes) and vectors (ticks, mites, Tabanus, Stomoxys).
  • Pests of sugarcane (Pyrilla perpusiella), oil seed (Achaea janata) and rice (Sitophilus oryzae).

BioZoology

  • Designing of experiments; null hypothesis; correlation, regression, distribution and measure of central tendency, chi square, student t-test, F-test (oneway & two-way F-test).
  • Instrumental methods
  • Spectrophotometry, flame photometry, Geiger-Muller counter, scintillation counting. (b) Electron microscopy (TEM, SEM)
Paper II Cell Biology

  1. Structure and function of cell and its organelles(nucleus, plasma membrane, mitochondria, Golgi bodies, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome’s and Iysosomes), cell division (mitosis and meiosis), mitotic spindle and mitotic apparatus, chromosome movement.
  2. Watson-Crick model of DNA, replication of DNA, protein synthesis, transcription and transcription factors.

Genetics

  • Gene structure and functions; genetic code.
  • Sex chromosomes and sex determination in Drosophila, nematodes and humans.
  • Mendel’s laws of inheritance, recombination, linkage, linkage maps, multiple alleles, citron concept; genetics of blood groups.
  • Mutations and mutagenesis : radiation and chemicals.
  • Cloning technology, plasmids and cosmids as vectors, transgenic, transposons, DNA sequence cloning and whole animal cloning (Principles and methodology).
  • Regulation and gene expression in pro-and eukaryotes.
  • Signal transduction; pedigreeanalysis; congenital diseases in humans.
  • Human genome mapping; DNA finger-printing

Evolution

  1. Origin of life
  2. Natural selection, role of mutation in evolution, mimicry, variation, isolation, speciation.
  3. Fossils and fossilization; evolution of horse, elephant and human.
  4. Hardy-Weinberg Law, causes of change in gene frequency.
  5. Continental drift and distribution of animals.

Systematics

  • Zoological nomenclature; international code; cladistics.  

Biochemistry

  • Structure and role of carbohydrates, fats, lipids, proteins, amino acids, nucleic acids; saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol.
  • Glycolysis and Krebs cycle, oxidation and reduction, oxidative phosphorylation; energy conservation and release, ATP, cyclic AMP-its structure and role. 
  • Hormone classification (steroid and peptide hormones), biosynthesis and function.
  • Enzymes : types and mechanisms of action; immunoglobulin and immunity; vitamins and coenzymes.
  • Bioenergetics.

Physiology (with special reference to mammals)

  • Composition and constituents of blood; blood groups and Rh factor in human; coagulation, factors and mechanism of coagulation; acid-base balance, thermoregulation.
  • Oxygen and carbon dioxide transport; haemoglobin : constituents and role in regulation.
  • Nutritive requirements; role of salivary glands, liver, pancreas and intestinal glands in digestion and absorption. 
  • Excretory products; nephron and regulation of urine formation; osmoregulation.
  • Types of muscles, mechanism of contraction of skeletal muscles.
  • Neuron, nerve impulse-its conduction and synaptic transmission; neurotransmitters.
  • Vision, hearing and olfaction in humans.
  • Mechanism of hormone action.
  • Physiology of reproduction, role of hormones and phermones.

Developmental Biology

  • Differentiation from gamete to neurula stage; dedifferentiation; metaplasia, induction, morphogenesis and morphogen; fate maps of gastrulae in frog and chick; organogenesis of eye and heart, placenation in mammals.
  • Role of cytoplasm in and genetic control of development; cell lineage; causation of metamorphosis in frog and insects; paedogenesia and neoteny; growth, degrowth and cell death; ageing; blastogenesis; regeneration; teratogenesis; neoplasia.
  • Invasiveness of placenta; in vitro fertilization; embryo transfer, cloning.
  • Baer’s law; evo-devo concept. 

 

UPSC IFS Zoology Optional Previous Year Paper Download

UPSC Zoology Optional Question Papers from 2018 to 2022 are readily available for aspirants seeking to enhance their preparation. We provided access to the UPSC IFS Zoology optional question papers in PDF format, an invaluable resource for your preparation.

Year  Paper 
UPSC IFS Zoology Optional Question Paper  2018 Download Paper I

Download Paper II

UPSC IFS Zoology Optional Question Paper 2019 Download Paper I

Download Paper II

UPSC IFS Zoology Optional Question Paper 2020 Download Paper I

Download Paper II

UPSC IFS Zoology Optional Question Paper 2021 Download Paper I

Download Paper II

UPSC IFS Zoology Optional Question Paper 2022 Download Paper I

Download Paper II

 

UPSC IFS Mains Zoology Optional Exam 2023 Overview

Candidates appearing for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) IFS examination must make a thoughtful decision while selecting their optional subject, as it holds substantial weightage in the evaluation process. With a total of 800 marks allotted, the optional subject carry approximately 48% of the combined marks for both the written exam and the personality test (interview).

Success Rate of Zoology Optional in IFS examination

The table below offers a comprehensive overview of the success rate achieved by candidates who opted for Zoology optional  as their optional.

Year Number of Candidates
Appeared in Interview Recommended Passing (%)
2015 22 9 40.9
2016 12 10 83.3
2017 11 2 18.2
2018 6 1 16.7
2019 11 5 45.5
2020 4 2 50

Zoology optional

By examining the past papers of the Zoology Optional, we can identify a trend in the types of questions asked. There is also a noticeable shift in the themes of the questions. Understanding the UPSC IFS Zoology Question Paper Trend Analysis is advantageous, as it allows candidates to streamline their preparation effectively and enhance their performance in this optional subject.

  • Shift towards In-Depth Knowledge in Zoology Optional Paper 
    • Recent question papers may test candidates’ depth of knowledge in various topics like, biochemistry, physiology, diversity conservation etc.
  • Influence of Previous Year Papers in Zoology Optional Paper
    • Many questions are indirectly related to topics previously asked in the preceding years. Therefore, solving questions from previous years will undoubtedly help candidates score well.
  • Current Affairs Impact on Zoology Optional Paper: 
    • In recent years, questions have been posed with relevance to current affairs topics. 
  • Back to the Basics Approach in Zoology Optional Paper
    • In past Zoology optional papers, questions haven’t been excessively difficult or beyond the syllabus. Candidates can score well if they have a command over the syllabus and a clear understanding of the subject’s basic fundamentals.

Exploring the Advantages of  Zoology optional  as an Optional Subject for UPSC IFS Exam

  • Biology Background for Zoology Optional Paper
    • If you have a background in biology or zoology, choosing this subject can leverage your existing knowledge, making it easier to grasp concepts and perform well in the exam.
  • Has high scoring potential
    • Zoology is considered a scoring optional subject. If a candidate has a good command over the subject he/she  may find it relatively easier to secure higher marks in the optional paper.
  • Relevance to IFS Syllabus
    • Zoology is relevant to the IFS syllabus, especially focusing on wildlife and forest management. This can give a solid foundation to candidates for tackling questions related to ecology, conservation, and biodiversity.
  • Align with the IAS syllabus
    • As zoology is one of the common optional subjects under IAS and IFS exam so opting Zoology can help candidates in both the exams. 
  • Interdisciplinary Nature
    • Zoology includes various aspects of biology, including anatomy, physiology, ecology, and evolution. This interdisciplinary nature can provide a holistic understanding of life sciences.

Challenges: Cons of Choosing Zoology optional  as Your UPSC IFS Optional Subject

  • Vast Syllabus of Zoology Optional Paper
    • Zoology has a vast and detailed syllabus, covering a wide range of topics which can be time-consuming, especially if you are not well-prepared or if you have time constraints.
  • Need more memorization for Zoology Optional Paper
    • Some parts of the Zoology syllabus may require extensive memorization of scientific names, classifications, and intricate details. This might be challenging for candidates who struggle with rote learning.
  • Limited Study Material for Zoology Optional Paper
    • While there are good resources available for Zoology, the study material might not be as abundant or varied compared to more common optional subjects. This could pose a challenge for comprehensive preparation.
  • Competition in Zoology Optional Paper
    • Due to its characteristics zoology is a popular optional subject among IFS aspirants. This means there might be stiff competition, and the relative scoring advantage could be reduced if many candidates choose this subject.
  • Subjective Nature
    • The interpretation of questions in Zoology optional  may vary, and answers could be subjective. This can make evaluation more challenging and result in variations in scoring.

Please note that before selecting Zoology  Paper 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.

Booklist for Zoology Optional Paper

  • Invertebrate Zoology by P.S. Verma and E.L. Jordan
  • Chordate Zoology by P.S. Verma and E.L. Jordan
  • Vertebrates Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution by K. KardongEcology:
  • Ecology and Environment by Dr. P.D. Sharma
  • Animal Behaviour (Ethology) by Agarwal V.K. 
  • Economic Zoology:- Applied And Economic Zoology by Dr. V. B. Upadhyay and Dr. G. S. Shukla
  • Bioinstrumentation by Bhawana Pandey and M.H. Fulekar 
  • Fundamentals of Biostatistics by Veer Bala Rastogi
  • Karp’s Cell Biology by Gerald Karp
  • Concept of Genetics by Klug and CummingsExplore the significance of Zoology as an optional subject in UPSC IFS Mains, analyzing trends, merits, and demerits. Understand the exam structure, success rates, and gain insights into the challenges and advantages of choosing Zoology as your optional paper
  • Organic Evolution by Veer Bala Rastogi 
  • Biochemistry by U. Satyanarayana: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology by Tortora
  • Developmental Biology by Scott F. Gilbert
Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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