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One of the most popular optional subjects for UPSC candidates is botany. It has a manageable syllabus that requires little work to learn. Furthermore, Botany is known for being a difficult subject. This is an optional that many UPSC CSE and IFS toppers have previously taken. Because of this, students who want to do well on their UPSC exam frequently choose it. Annually, data accounts for around 90% of the Botany selections in IAS & IFS. Some top rankers for Botany optional, include Sonia Katariya (Rank 115, IAS 2021), Vidushi (Rank 1, IFS 2016), Divya Jyoti Parida (Rank 26, IAS 2015), Abhilasha (Rank 2, IFS 2015), and Aditya M. (Rank 5, IFS 2015). Here, we’ve listed some UPSC Botany Optional Books. The books will provide you with up-to-date knowledge and assist you in developing concepts. They will offer you a fantastic starting point for preparing responses to any queries.
Basic UPSC Botany Optional Books: Important Chapters
It’s important to review the syllabus and practice with the past questions to get ready for the Civil Services Examination or IFS Botany. This will help you understand the range of subjects that will be tested. You can create a thorough list of topics and subtopics once you have a general idea of the subjects. Then, to cover all topics and subtopics, you must read carefully from the recommended books. However, an aspirant should refer to the basic books first, and most importantly their very important chapters should not be missed at any cost. Below we have listed the same:
| Book Title | Plant Biology Chapters | General Biology Chapters |
| NCERT Biology for Class XI | 1. The Living World | 1. The Living World |
| 2. Biological Classification | 2. Biological Classification | |
| 3. Plant Kingdom | 3. Plant Kingdom | |
| 4. Animal Kingdom | 4. Animal Kingdom | |
| 5. Morphology of Flowering Plants | 5. Morphology of Flowering Plants | |
| 6. Anatomy of Flowering Plants | 6. Anatomy of Flowering Plants | |
| 7. Structural Organization in Animals | ||
| 8. Cell: The Unit of Life | ||
| 9. Biomolecules | ||
| 10. Cell Cycle and Cell Division | ||
| NCERT Biology for Class XII | 16. Reproduction in Plants | 16. Reproduction in Organisms |
| 17. Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants | 17. Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants | |
| 18. Principles of Inheritance and Variation | 18. Genetics and Evolution | |
| 19. Molecular Basis of Inheritance | 19. Molecular Basis of Inheritance | |
| 20. Evolution | 20. Evolution | |
| 21. Human Health and Disease | 21. Human Health and Disease | |
| 22. Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production | 22. Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production | |
| 23. Biotechnology: Principles and Processes | 23. Biotechnology: Principles and Processes | |
| 24. Biotechnology and Its Applications | 24. Biotechnology and Its Applications | |
| 25. Organisms and Populations | 25. Organisms and Populations | |
| Wiley’s Textbook of Botany for NEET and other Medical… | 1. The Living World | 1. The Living World |
| 2. Biological Classification | 2. Biological Classification | |
| 3. Plant Kingdom | 3. Plant Kingdom | |
| 4. Animal Kingdom | 4. Animal Kingdom | |
| 5. Morphology of Flowering Plants | 5. Morphology of Flowering Plants | |
| 6. Anatomy of Flowering Plants | 6. Anatomy of Flowering Plants | |
| 7. Cell Biology | 7. Cell Biology | |
| 8. Biomolecules | 8. Biomolecules | |
| 9. Plant Physiology | 9. Plant Physiology | |
| 10. Environmental Biology | 10. Environmental Biology | |
| 11. Applied Biology | 11. Applied Biology |
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UPSC Botany Optional Books: Paper 1
The UPSC Botany Optional Paper 1 requires a thorough understanding and comprehensive knowledge of various botanical concepts and topics. Essential books for this include “Plant Physiology” by Taiz and Zeiger, “Genetics” by Gardner, Simmons, and Snustad, and “Ecology” by Odum. These books provide a solid foundation for tackling the exam effectively. Below we have included the link to buy the recommended books:
| Subject | Book Title | Author(s) | Direct Link to Buy |
| Microbiology | Prescott’s Microbiology | Joanne Willey, Linda Sherwood, Christopher J. Woolverton | Buy Now |
| Plant Pathology | Plant Pathology | George N. Agrios | Buy Now |
| Cryptogams | A Text Book of Botany | Singh, Pandey, Jain | Buy Now |
| Gymnosperms | Gymnosperms | S. P. Bhatnagar, Alok Moitra | Buy Now |
| Angiosperm Systematics and Families | Plant Systematics | Gurcharan Singh | Buy Now |
| Plant Anatomy | Plant Anatomy | Dr. B. P. Pandey | Buy Now |
| Plant Embryology | The Embryology of Angiosperms | Sant Saran Bhojwani, S. P. Bhatnagar | Buy Now |
| Morphogenesis | Plant Tissue Culture: Theory and Practice | S. S. Bhojwani, M. K. Razdan | Buy Now |
| Plant Resource Development | Economic Botany: A Comprehensive Study | S. L. Kochhar | Buy Now |
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UPSC Botany Optional Books: Paper 2
For UPSC Botany Optional Paper 2, key books like “Plant Pathology” by Agrios, “Microbiology” by Pelczar, Reid, and Chan, and “Plant Anatomy” by Esau are very important. They offer in-depth analysis of diverse botanical fields, enabling candidates to understand fundamental principles and excel in the examination with confidence. Below we have included the link to buy the recommended books:
| Subject | Book Title | Author(s) | Direct Link to Buy |
| Cell Biology | Karp’s Cell Biology | Gerald Karp | Buy Now |
| Genetics | Concepts of Genetics | William S. Klug, Michael R. Cummings | Buy Now |
| Plant Breeding | Plant Breeding: Principles and Methods | B. D. Singh | Buy Now |
| Biostatistics | Fundamentals of Biostatistics | Veer Bala Rastogi | Buy Now |
| Plant Physiology and Biochemistry | Plant Physiology and Development | Eduardo Zeiger, Lincoln Taiz | Buy Now |
| Ecology and Plant Geography | Ecology and Environment | Dr. P. D. Sharma | Buy Now |
How To Prepare for Botany Optional?
Below we have mentioned a list of tips and suggestions to follow while preparing for botany optional:
- Conduct thorough research on the Botany syllabus, understanding topics to prepare effectively for UPSC Civil Services Exam.
- Refer to websites, market books, and online resources for comprehensive Botany syllabus coverage. Analyze UPSC previous papers to understand question patterns.
- Focus on charts in Paper I, providing Indian species examples.Key areas in Phanerogams include Gymnosperms and Angiosperms.
- Paper I demands a focus on charts, emphasizing Indian species. Key areas in Phanerogams include Gymnosperms and Angiosperms.
- Prioritize the molecular aspect in cell science. Genetics, evolution, and molecular science are also important with high-scoring potential.
- In Physiology and Biochemistry, emphasize biochemical physiology. Cover hormones and developmental physiology in topics like flowering, seed germination, and fruit aging.
Ideal Daily Schedule of Botany Optional UPSC Aspirants
The below schedule aims to allocate sufficient time for both optional subject preparation (Botany) as well as General Studies and current affairs. Adjust the timing according to your own preferences and productivity levels. Additionally, ensure to include breaks to avoid burnout and maintain focus throughout the day.
| Time | Activity |
| 6:00 – 6:30 | Wake up and morning routine |
| 6:30 – 7:00 | Exercise and physical activity |
| 7:00 – 8:00 | Breakfast and newspaper reading for current affairs |
| 8:00 – 10:00 | Botany Optional Subject Study |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Break |
| 10:15 – 12:00 | General Studies – Paper 1 (History, Geography) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 3:00 | General Studies – Paper 2 (Polity, Governance) |
| 3:00 – 3:15 | Break |
| 3:15 – 5:00 | Botany Optional Subject Study |
| 5:00 – 6:30 | Current Affairs and Newspaper Reading |
| 6:30 – 7:30 | Dinner |
| 7:30 – 9:00 | General Studies – Paper 3 (Economy, Science & Tech) |
| 9:00 – 10:30 | Revision and practice tests |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Relaxation and unwind |
| 11:00 | Bedtime |
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FAQs
“Plant Physiology” by Taiz and Zeiger is highly recommended for its comprehensive coverage. Other valuable books include “Genetics” by Gardner, Simmons, and Snustad, and “Ecology” by Odum.
Botany is a favorable optional for candidates with a strong interest and background in the subject. It offers a scoring opportunity due to its defined syllabus and straightforward questions.
Focus on understanding core concepts thoroughly, regularly revise botanical topics, and practice previous years’ question papers. Supplement your preparation with standard textbooks, concise notes, and online resources for comprehensive coverage.
Toppers like Anu Kumari (AIR 2, 2017) and Artika Shukla (AIR 4, 2015) have opted for Botany as their optional subject in the UPSC exam, showcasing its viability for success.
This was all about the “UPSC Botany Optional Books”. For more such informative blogs, check out our UPSC Exams Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our Indian exams page.