Download PDF of Standard Books Recommended- Plant Science -  ICAR AIEEA PG/JRF EXAM (Click Here)

1. Principles of Genetics by Gardner
   
   

2. Principles of Plant Breeding by R.W. Allard
   
   

3. Plant Breeding: Principles and Methods by B.D. Singh
   
   

4. Plant Pathology by George N. Agrios
   
   

5. Introductory Plant Pathology by R.S. Singh
   
   

6. Seed Technology by R.L. Agarwal
   
   

7. Principles of Seed Technology by P.K. Agrawal
   
   

8. Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger
   
   

9. Fundamentals of Plant Physiology by V.K. Jain
   
   

10. Introduction to Agricultural Biotechnology by R. P. Dubey
    
    

11. Microbiology by Pelczar, Chan, and Krieg
    
    

12. Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry by Nelson and Cox
    
    

13. Plant Genetic Resources: Principles and Management by R.S. Rana and R.K. Tyagi

General Agriculture

• Briefbook of Agriculture by R S Maitry

• Agriculture Simplified for JRF Exam by S. Patel

Download PDF of Previous Year Question Papers- "Plant Science" -  ICAR AIEEA PG/JRF EXAM (Click Here)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2025 (120 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2024 (120 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2023 (120 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2022 (120 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2021 (120 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2020 (120 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2019 (160 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2018 (160 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2017 (160 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2016 (160 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2015 (160 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2014 (160 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2013 (160 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2012 (160 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2011 (160 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2010 (150 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

Previous Year Questions - Plant Science - ICAR PG EXAM 2009 (150 MCQs) (Download PDF | Doc)

ICAR PG JRF EXAM - PLANT SCIENCE - Previous Year Questions - Original Papers (PDF)

ICAR AIEEA PG PLANT SCIENCES 2023 Set 1 -Question Paper - Download Original PDF

ICAR AIEEA PG PLANT SCIENCES 2023 Set 2 -Question Paper - Download Original PDF

Strategies and Tips for Preparation of ICAR AIEEA PG/JRF Exam in Plant Science Group

(By Dr. Murli, Senior Scientist, MSc, PhD, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi)

1. Know the Major Subjects and Syllabus Coverage

• The Plant Science group includes core disciplines such as:
  
  

  • Genetics and Plant Breeding
    
    

  • Plant Pathology
    
    

  • Seed Science and Technology
    
    

  • Plant Genetic Resources (PGR)
    
    

  • Agricultural Microbiology
    
    

  • Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
    
    

  • Plant Physiology
    
    

  • Biochemistry
    
    

• Carefully go through the official ICAR syllabus for each sub-discipline to identify overlapping concepts and core areas.
  
  

2. Understand the Exam Pattern

• The exam comprises 120 multiple-choice questions in 120 minutes.
  
  

• The questions are a mix of factual, conceptual, and applied types covering the entire syllabus.
  
  

• A strong grip over definitions, mechanisms, genetic principles, and experimental techniques is essential.
  
  

3. Use Standard and Reliable Study Materials

• For Genetics & Plant Breeding:
  
  

  • Principles of Genetics by Gardner
    
    

  • Principles of Plant Breeding by R.W. Allard
    
    

  • Fundamentals of Plant Breeding by B.D. Singh
    
    

• For Plant Pathology:
  
  

  • Introduction to Plant Pathology by R.S. Singh
    
    

  • Plant Pathology by George N. Agrios
    
    

• For Seed Science:
  
  

  • Seed Technology by R.L. Agarwal
    
    

  • Principles of Seed Technology by P.K. Agrawal
    
    

• For Biotechnology, Microbiology & Biochemistry:
  
  

  • Principles of Gene Manipulation by Old and Primrose
    
    

  • Microbiology by Pelczar
    
    

  • Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry
    
    

• For Plant Physiology:
  
  

  • Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger
    
    

  • Fundamentals of Plant Physiology by V.K. Jain
    
    

4. Build a Time-Bound Study Plan

• Break the syllabus into weekly targets based on subject weightage.
  
  

• Daily routine suggestion:
  
  

  • 3–4 hours for subject theory
    
    

  • 1 hour for revision
    
    

  • 30–45 minutes for MCQs practice
    
    

• Cover high-weightage topics early like genetics, breeding methods, diseases, seed testing, tissue culture, and physiological processes.
  
  

5. Practise MCQs and Previous Year Papers

• Practise subject-wise MCQs daily using standard guides and test series.
  
  

• Solve at least 5–10 years of previous ICAR question papers to understand trends and repeated questions.
  
  

• Analyse your mistakes and revise the related topics immediately.
  
  

6. Make Short Notes and Concept Maps

• Prepare your own concise notes for quick revision. Focus on:
  
  

  • Genetic laws, breeding methods, seed standards
    
    

  • Plant diseases, symptom and causal organism tables
    
    

  • Molecular techniques, physiological processes, and biochemical pathways
    
    

• Use charts and tables for comparisons and one-liner facts.
  
  

7. Take Mock Tests Regularly

• Attempt full-length mock tests weekly to evaluate performance and build exam temperament.
  
  

• Simulate real exam conditions using OMR sheets and 2-hour limits.
  
  

• Use results to identify weak areas and revise accordingly.
  
  

8. Stay Updated and Learn from Experts

• Watch revision lectures and topper strategy videos on Plant Science subjects.
  
  

• Join Telegram/WhatsApp groups for daily practice quizzes, discussions, and tips.
  
  

• Keep an eye on new technologies, biotechnological tools, and recent research developments in plant sciences.
  
  

9. Focus on Integration Across Subjects

• Many concepts overlap (e.g., molecular markers in breeding and biotechnology, or seed pathology in pathology and seed science).
  
  

• Integrating learning helps retain concepts and answer analytical questions.
  
  

10. Stay Positive, Healthy, and Consistent

• Follow a healthy routine with proper sleep, hydration, and mental breaks.
  
  

• Avoid stress by tracking your progress weekly and adjusting your strategy.
  
  

• Trust your preparation and revise smartly in the last 2–3 weeks before the exam.