UPSC Mains Optional
Botany Optional test series
26 tests (12 sectional + 14 full-length), each evaluated by experts within 2 hours, with model answers written around your own style.
₹9,999for all 26 tests
26tests
2 hoursevaluation
1500+question bank
330+target score
Choose your plan
Everything is delivered and submitted on WhatsApp. Evaluated reports and analytics appear on your dashboard.
Test series
Botany test series
12 sectional + 14 full-length tests
₹9,999
- Expert evaluation within 2 hours
- Model answers built on your writing style
- Your score vs UPSC weightage graphs
- 12 years of topic and subtopic analytics
- Personalise your test dates after joining
Daily practice
One test a day (3 questions), on the days you choose
₹6,000 6 months
- Plan your topic priority and test dates
- Same-day evaluation and feedback
- Model solutions for every test
- Delivered and submitted on WhatsApp
Topic-wise PYQs
Last 10 years, organised by topic
₹250
- Average yearly weightage per topic
- UPSC focus areas highlighted
- Quick reference for revision
PYQ solutions
2014-2024 model solutions, topic-wise
₹1,250
- Detailed, easy-to-follow solutions
- Learn how strong answers are structured
- Built to lift your score toward 330+
Test schedule
12 sectional tests followed by 14 full-length mocks.
| Test | Type | Topic | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sectional – Paper I | Microbiology and Plant Pathology | 10-Oct |
| 2 | Sectional – Paper I | Cryptogams and Gymnosperms | 04-Oct |
| 3 | Sectional – Paper I | Angiosperm Taxonomy and Anatomy | 17-Oct |
| 4 | Sectional – Paper I | Plant Embryology and Morphogenesis | 11-Oct |
| 5 | Sectional – Paper I | Economic and Ethnobotany | 24-Oct |
| 6 | Sectional – Paper I | Paleobotany and Plant Resource Development | 18-Oct |
| 7 | Sectional – Paper II | Cell Biology and Genetics | 31-Oct |
| 8 | Sectional – Paper II | Molecular Biology and Evolution | 25-Oct |
| 9 | Sectional – Paper II | Plant Breeding and Biotechnology | 07-Nov |
| 10 | Sectional – Paper II | Plant Physiology and Biochemistry | 01-Nov |
| 11 | Sectional – Paper II | Ecology and Environment | 14-Nov |
| 12 | Sectional – Paper II | Plant Geography and Conservation | 08-Nov |
| 13 | Full-Length Test | Paper I – Full Syllabus | 21-Nov |
| 14 | Full-Length Test | Paper II – Full Syllabus | 15-Nov |
| 15 | Full-Length Test | Paper I – Full Syllabus | 28-Nov |
| 16 | Full-Length Test | Paper II – Full Syllabus | 22-Nov |
| 17 | Full-Length Test | Paper I – Full Syllabus | 05-Dec |
| 18 | Full-Length Test | Paper II – Full Syllabus | 29-Nov |
| 19 | Full-Length Test | Paper I – Full Syllabus | 12-Dec |
| 20 | Full-Length Test | Paper II – Full Syllabus | 06-Dec |
| 21 | Full-Length Test | Paper I – Full Syllabus | 19-Dec |
| 22 | Full-Length Test | Paper II – Full SYllabus | 13-Dec |
| 23 | Full-Length Test | Paper I – Full Syllabus | 26-Dec |
| 24 | Full-Length Test | Paper II – Full Syllabus | 20-Dec |
| 25 | Full-Length Test | Paper I – Full Syllabus | 02-Jan |
| 26 | Full-Length Test | Paper II – Full Syllabus | 27-Dec |
Dates don't suit you? You can personalise your test schedule after joining.
Botany Optional syllabus
The UPSC syllabus this test series covers, topic by topic.
Botany - Paper I
- Microbiology and Plant Pathology
- Structure and multiplication of viruses, viroids, bacteria, mycoplasma, prions. Crop diseases – pathogens, infection, resistance mechanisms, quarantine. Applications in agriculture, industry, medicine; fungal toxins and forecasting.
- Cryptogams and Gymnosperms
- Structure, reproduction, evolution and distribution of algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes, pteridophytes. Gymnosperms – classification, Cycadales, Ginkgoales, Coniferales, Gnetales. Fossil types and Progymnosperms, paleobotanical techniques and geological time scale.
- Angiosperm Taxonomy and Anatomy
- Angiosperm classification systems, taxonomy principles, nomenclature codes. Anatomical and embryological evidence; families – Magnoliaceae to Orchidaceae. Wood anatomy, stomata, trichomes, secondary growth, C3/C4 anatomy.
- Plant Embryology and Morphogenesis
- Gametophyte development, pollination, fertilization, endosperm and embryo development. Polyembryony, apomixis, palynology, experimental embryology. Totipotency, tissue culture, protoplast fusion, somatic hybrids, micropropagation.
- Economic and Ethnobotany
- Domestication, Vavilov centres, plant resources – food, fodder, oils, drugs, dyes, etc. Ethnobotany, botanical gardens, herbaria, plant-based industries. Energy plantations, conservation of endangered species, traditional knowledge.
- Paleobotany and Plant Resource Development
- Study of fossil plants, Cycadofilicales, Bennettitales, Cordaitales. Geological time scale, fossilization methods. Relevance in evolution and understanding extinct floras.
Botany - Paper II
- Cell Biology and Genetics
- Ultrastructure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, organelles, membranes, cell cycle. Chromosome variations, special chromosomes, polytene, B-chromosomes. Mendelian genetics, linkage, mapping, mutation, cytoplasmic inheritance.
- Molecular Biology and Evolution
- DNA RNA structure and function, gene expression and regulation. Gene silencing, multigene families, RNA role in evolution. Organic evolution – evidence, theories, molecular evolution.
- Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
- Breeding methods – hybridization, mutation, heterosis, polyploidy, apomixis. Transgenic crops, gene transfer methods, biosafety, molecular markers. Biostatistics – probability, distributions, tests of significance, correlation.
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
- Water relations, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis (C3, C4, CAM), respiration. Nitrogen fixation, stress physiology, enzymes, secondary metabolites. Growth substances, senescence, photoperiodism, seed dormancy.
- Ecology and Environment
- Ecosystem structure, succession, ecological factors, conservation. Phytoremediation, forest types, endangered species, biodiversity laws. Environmental Impact Assessment, global warming, climate change.
- Plant Geography and Conservation
- Phytogeographical regions of India and their floral characteristics. IUCN categories, invasive species, farmers’ rights, sustainable development. Role of plants in climate regulation and habitat preservation.
Free 2014 PYQ solutions
Expert-solved previous year questions. Read them free to see our answer quality.
Want every year? Get topic-wise solutions for 2014-2024.
UPSC weightage analytics
Where UPSC has awarded marks, topic by topic. Focus on what scores, and compare your test results once you join.
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