Botany Optional Preparation for UPSC CSE : Basic strategy, Topic wise approach and Booklist – Dr. Mayuri Mukherjee, IRS (IT), AIR 159, UPSC CSE 2020

My background in Botany

• B.Sc Honors in Botany, Presidency College, University of Calcutta, 2013 (2nd in University)
• M.Sc in Botany, University of Delhi, 2015 (1st in University)
• Ph.D in Biological Sciences (research area cyanobacterial genomics and transcriptomics), CSIR IICB, 2015- 21
• Cleared CSIR JRF (AIR 40, June 2014) and GATE Ecology and Evolution (AIR 19, 2015)

Did I take coaching/test series for botany?

My background in botany had definitely gave me certain advantages which I cannot deny. I could devote much more time in GS papers compared to the optional. I got decent marks (total 277, 140 + 137) in both the papers of botany in mains 2020 and was the only person who cleared CSE with botany optional that year.

Honestly, I have been studying botany since last 11 years. Therefore, I was very comfortable in reading foreign author books and research papers. Also few of the books I used as I have them since college days and I am not sure whether it will be available outside west bengal. Any other standard college books will do.

For most of the topics I used my books and few self made notes from graduation and post graduation days.

I DIDN’T TAKE ANY COACHING NOR JOINED ANY TEST SERIES FOR MY BOTANY OPTIONAL PREPARATION.

Therefore, most of the things I did for the optional might sound disastrous for others. Consider this strategy as a guideline and modify according to your need.

(As an example, I could give only 15 – 20 days after prelims result solely to paper 2 in my entire optional preparation. As my understanding of paper 2 topics were already there and I was in touch due to research works , I don’t have to worry much.

I wrote answers directly in the exam not practicing any proper mock test before.

Both of these would be sure shot blunders for someone not having her concept cleared very well from beforehand. However, I used to practice a lot of rough diagrams while reading.)

I would therefore restrict myself in discussing certain basic points that might be helpful for the aspirants appearing/want to appear in UPSC CSE with botany optional. I am also providing the booklist and topic wise approach for both the papers which I admit is a bit exhaustive by this is what I followed.

What are the common concerns faced by botany optional students?

1. Not so popular optional

Botany being opted by very few people, too little suggestions are available. As per my knowledge, Dibya Jyoti Parida Sir (AIR 26, 2016 batch) and Nikhil Thawal Sir (AIR 799, 2017 batch) have cleared CSE with botany optional. ( There may be some.other candidates as well that I am not aware of). In my batch, I was the only person cleared CSE 2020 with botany.

2. Very little overlap with GS papers

A few concept of ecology, biotechnolgy and genetic though might help solving few questions here and there.

3. Huge syllabus

For someone not having botany as a subject atleast in undergraduate level, the syllabus might take a lot of time to complete. Presence of so many facts/information/terminologies need multiple revision of the subject, especially paper 1. However, the subject is mostly static in nature. As a science optional, difference in interpretation of answers have bare minimum scope. And though I am not very sure, but being an uncommon subject, possibility of setting a very random paper is not so common either ☺.

Few basic suggestions from my side

1. Start with the syllabus and Previous Years Questions

2. Define the boundary

4. Put equal weightage to classical as well as applied topics

• Keep in mind the differences between classical topics and applied topics.
• Classical topics like cryptogams, plant pathology, gymnosperms and angiosperms requires rigorous revision and remembering of facts.
• Applied section like genetics, biotech, plant physiology will take more of your time to understand but once the concept got clarified, it doesn’t need intricate revising to remember.
• One must try to divide the reading and revision times differently according to demand of the paper.
• My general observation is that more technical questions are being asked in IFoS paper than in CSE. This should be kept in mind.

5. Notes making

• Again this depends on your personal comfort zone. I had most of the things from my bsc/msc days, and I used them wisely after trimming as per UPSC requirement.
• Make sure you mark plant specific points/examples from botany for common topics. Eg ecology, cell organelles, biotechnology, genetics etc.
• Collecting small case studies from news paper related to new invention /discoveries/ name of scientist/ medicinal applications etc. will benefit in one or two answers ( eg. After Amphan, West Bengal govt planned to sow mangroves in Sundarban to prevent cyclones, Uttarakhand forest department used lemongrass as repellent plants to keep away wild animals etc.).
• UPSC allots 2/3/4 A4 size blank pages (roughly with ~1 inch margin both the sides) to write answers of 10/15/20 marks. Preparing
• notes and diagrams keeping the space in mind should be a good strategy.

6. Regarding my botany notes/answer writing

• Unfortunately, I rarely made UPSC specific notes for botany as I was a full time phd scholar while preparing. Neither i wrote any mock test so that I can have my answer copies to share with you. Therefore, I don’t have any comprehensive notes on botany to share.
• In 90% cases, I studied directly from books. My background kept me in an advantageous position so that I put minimum effort into botany. All the books I have used and topic wise guidelines approach them are also given in this post.
• I have shared two sample notes and some rough answers I wrote here and there in my telegram channel. You can prepare in that line. However, as I used to teach botany to a few students appearing in CSIR NET JRF, I have some notes for Plant physiology and other random topics, I will be sharing those in some time.
• Notes in botany doesn’t hold much value.Being a science subject I preferred it to read and write directly.

Booklist and topic wise approach for Paper 1

Though I have used them, these books are not sacrosanct. Any good standard textbook would possibly do the same thing. Paper 1 takes a lot of time to prepare. Topics are mostly straightforward and needed 2 3 rounds of revisions. PYQs are extremely important.

A.    Microbiology

Please invest good amount of time preparing detailed labelled diagram for microbiology eg cell wall differences, lytic and lysogenic cycle etc. Watch a few youtube videos for more clarity.

B.    Plant Pathology

Straightforward questions but a lot to mug up. Despite multiple readings I was quite sure of not attending questions other than compulsory short notes from this part. Life cycle of Puccinia and 5 spore forms need to be prepared separately.

1. Agrios for molecular mechanism of infection and diagram
2. Textbook of botany by Hait Bhattacharya Ghosh Volume 1 (extremely helpful for paper 1, have been using since college days)
3. Internet ( Quarantine rules, Plant variety protection rules )

C.    Cryptogams

• The most exhaustive part. Give a lot of importance on evolutionary significance, try to include it in your answer even when you have to write about life cycles, preferably read one or two research articles.
• Classification and economic importance are very important for exam purpose. A lot of diagrams need to be practiced.
• For life cycles, I only prepared those that appeared earlier in PYQs. Return on investment is probably the minimum here, so divide your time accordingly.
• Ghosh Bhattacharya Hait Volume 1 ( for life cycles, diagrams and economic importance)

For Evolutionary significance and separate topics

• Webster (for.fungi, parasexuality etc ). P.D. Sharma will also work but I found in most of the cases it is a copy from the previous one
• Parihar (for bryophyte and pteridophyte, telome concept, seed habits, peristome teeth, hard to find generally, I will share some notes that I made)
• Lee ( for algae, classification)

D.    Gymnosperms

Short syllabus but each topic is huge in itself. Comparative approach of reproductive structures among Pinus/cycas/ gnetum need to be prepared separately.

• Bhatnagar and Moitra
• Ghosh Bhattacharya Hait Volume 2

E.    Angiosperms

• Must be prepared thoroughly. Very scoring, saves a lot of time in exam hall compared to other parts.
• Floral formula and floral diagram are mandatory to draw, please take special care of them. Description of each family must contain clearly distinguishable features ( eg. Verticillaster inflorescence of lamiaceae, oblique ovary in solanaceae etc.). Also draw smaller diagrams of reproductive units while describing a family.
• Prepare 5 -10 common plants and their usage from each family. Take care of the spellings of scientific names.
• Do not ignore the systematics part, comes often as short notes. Classification schemes, advantages and disadvantages need to be prepared separately.

• Simpson
• Gurcharan Singh
• Ghosh Bhattacharya Hait Volume 2

F. Anatomy and Embryology

Smaller topics but should not be left as short notes often come from these area. PYQ will be of great help. Diagrams of these two topics requires lot of practice. Stelar evolution and micro/megaspore development are frequently repeated questions.

• Plant Anatomy Pijush Roy
• Embryology : Bhojwani and Bhatnagar

G.    Plant Resources

• No specific sources. I have not followed Kochar. Took help of internet and Plants I came across while preparing taxonomic family description.
• 5 to 10 plants for each category (eg. resin/ spice/ wood) are sufficient. Try to use name of common plants, easy to remember.
• Preparing in column like format containing names/ scientific name/family/ parts used might be helpful.

H.    Morphogenesis

• Small topic and scoring. Use names and contribution of indian botanist whenever possible. Mention recent applications/usage even while describing a process.
• Razdan
• Plant Tissue Culture by T.B. Jha and Biswajit Ghosh (as I used it in college, any other book will do)

Booklist and topic wise approach for Paper 2

• Unlike paper 1, PYQs have limited importance for paper 2 topics. Clearing the concepts should be the 1st priority. Pick up each of the topics as mentioned in upsc syllabus and read it from any good book thoroughly.
• Notes in paper 2 have negligible importance without deep understanding of the topics. Please study from books. M.Sc level questions have often been asked in paper 2.
• I have preferred foreign author books as I found them much more elaborate, detailed and with beautiful diagrams. Sorry to say, but I don’t think P.K. Gupta alone would be sufficient to understand genetics concepts.
• A lot of good animation videos/ MIT open courseware lectures are available in youtube for most of the topics from genetics, cell biology and biochemistry, physiology. Use it without hesitation for conceptual understanding (be selective if you are running out of time).
  • MIT OCW Genetics playlist : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUl4u3cNGP63LmSVIVzy584-ZbjbJ-Y63
  • MIT OCW Molecular Biology playlist : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VcmfHmQezhET7JAJm5QrxORbQPtCHf9
  • MIT OCW General Biochemistry playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUl4u3cNGP62wNcIMfinU64CAfreShjpt
  • Others: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA8AA1257126EC7F2

My booklist for paper 2 is a bit exhaustive as I am habituated to study them from graduation. Pick up any one/two books suggested available to you if you don’t have access to all.

A. Cell Biology

Direct straightforward topics. Prepare plant specific characteristics. Practicing diagrams is extremely important. Don’t leave any topic, it often appears in short notes.

• Gerald Karp or Cooper (anyone)
• Pathfinder booklet for CSIR NET Life science

B. Genetics, Molecular Biology and Evolution

Give it the time and importance it deserves. Prepare the concepts thoroughly. The best part is, once done well, concepts stay with you for a long time. Do it sequentially as given in the syllabus to maintain flow of understanding.

• Klug and Cummings or Watson (linkage, basics, Mutation)
• Gene X by Lewin ( Central dogma)
• Russel iGenetics ( Central dogma and genetics)
• P.K. Gupta (Structural and Numerical Aberrations of Chromosomes)
• Doglus Futuyma ( Evolutionary biology)

C. Plant Breeding, Biostatistics and Biotechnology

Highly scoring. Prepare short notes. Add recent examples of biotechnological developments in your answer. I remember mentioning FELUDA (the covid testing kit developed by CSIR IGIB) in one of the answers.

• Plant Breeding by B.D. Singh
• Plant Breeding, Biostatistics and Biotech by Dipak kar and Soma Halder ( as I have it from college days)
• Internet for biostatistics
• Pathfinder study material for CSIR NET Life Sciences

D. Plant Biochemistry and Physiology

The 2nd most important part of paper 2. Requires thorough understanding of each topic and indirect understanding oriented questions are often being asked. Fortunately, for these two topics only two books will cover everything comprehensively.

For physiology, pathway diagram is of utmost importance. Practice well and try to enrich the diagrams as minutely as possible, it will reduce the need of writing elaborate descriptions after drawing.

• Biochemistry by Lehninger
• Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger (covers everything)
• V.K. Jain physiology selectively

E. Ecology and Environment

Easiest to prepare, he most ignored and the single most part overlapping partially with GS. Caution: Don’t write generic answer like GS here. Mentioning laws and SDGs might be helpful in answers related to pollution or environmental concerns.

• Raven/Odum (basic concepts)
• Pathfinder study material for CSIR NET Life Sciences
• PMFIAS Environment (for the overlapping part)

My Notes

Notes for Paper 1- Random Topics Click Here

Notes for Paper 2- Random Topics Click Here

Notes for Plant Physiology Click Here

Notes for Biostatistics Click Here

Dr. Mayuri Mukherjee is an Indian Revenue Service officer. Her contact details: mayuri1006@gmail.com https://t.me/mayurimukherjee_159_botany