OPSC ASCO Syllabus 2024, Explore Exam Pattern!

OPSC ASCO Syllabus

The OPSC ASCO Syllabus 2024 has been declared through an official notification on the website of Odisha Public Service Commission. The candidates appearing for the exam will have to prepare subjects relevant to agriculture discipline. The list of subjects includes Agroforestry, General Agriculture, Rainwater management, natural resources and various other important units. Since, there will be two papers: paper 1 & paper 2 and candidates must clear both the papers. The particular units and themes for each subject are listed below, offering candidates a thorough preparation guide for the test.

OPSC ASCO Syllabus 2024

In the written exam for the position of Assistant Soil Conservation Officer, candidates can select one subject from Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Forestry, or Horticulture according to the OPSC ASCO Syllabus 2024. Within these selected courses, the modified syllabus for the written test for the Assistant Soil Conservation Officer comprises specific units and topics for both Paper I and Paper II. The particular units and themes for each subject are listed below, offering candidates a thorough preparation guide for the test.

Paper I Syllabus

The paper 1 syllabus will consist of questions which will be general in nature and ask from aspirants about their knowledge of General Knowldege. 

Unit I – General Agriculture

TopicsDescription
General Agriculture: ImportanceImportance of agriculture and its impact on society and economy.
Trend in Agriculture and Allied SectorsCurrent trends in agricultural practices and related sectors.
Present Day Problems and Remedial MeasuresIssues faced by agriculture today and potential solutions.
Government PoliciesPolicies governing agriculture, their objectives, and implementation strategies.

Unit II – Natural Resources

TopicsDescription
Land, Water, Forest, Energy – Their Use, Exploitation, ConservationUtilization, exploitation, conservation practices, and sustainable use of natural resources.
Plant Ecosystem: Biodiversity and ConservationImportance of biodiversity in ecosystems and methods for conservation.
Environmental PollutionTypes of pollution, its sources, impacts, and management strategies.
Natural Disasters and Their ManagementVarious types of natural disasters, their causes, impacts, and management techniques.
Organic Farming and Sustainable AgriculturePrinciples and practices of organic and sustainable agriculture, including waste management.
Conservation AgricultureTechniques and practices in conservation agriculture to improve soil health and productivity.
Agricultural Waste ManagementMethods for managing agricultural waste to reduce environmental impact.
Climate Change and AgricultureImpact of climate change on agriculture and adaptive strategies.

Unit III – Soil Farming Processes

TopicsDescription
Soil Physical PropertiesCharacteristics of soil such as density, porosity, and texture.
Soil Water RetentionProcesses affecting soil water retention, movement, and availability.
Soil Reaction-pHMeasurement of soil acidity and alkalinity, factors affecting pH levels.
Soil Organic MatterRole of organic matter in soil fertility and its influence on soil properties.
Soil OrganismsMacro and microorganisms in soil, their functions, and effects on soil health.
Soil PollutionTypes, sources, behavior of pesticides and inorganic contaminants, and mitigation strategies.
Soil Quality and HealthMethods for assessing and improving soil quality and health.

Unit IV – Weather and Crop Growth

TopicsDescription
Tillage and TilthTechniques and concepts in tillage practices to prepare soil for planting.
Modern Concepts of TillageInnovations and advancements in tillage methods.
Seed and SowingTechniques and considerations for seed selection, preparation, and sowing.
Cropping Systems and Integrated Farming SystemTypes of cropping systems and their integration for sustainable agriculture.
Crop NutritionEssential nutrients for plant growth, their functions, and symptoms of deficiency.
Nutrient SourcesTypes of organic manures, fertilizers, biofertilizers, and integrated nutrient management.
Water and Weed ManagementStrategies for managing water resources and controlling weeds in different crop types.
Plant ProtectionMethods and technologies for protecting crops from pests and diseases.
Harvesting, Storage, and Value AdditionTechniques and practices for harvesting, storing, and adding value to agricultural produce.

Unit V – Economic Importance and Fruit/Plantation Crops

TopicsDescription
Production and Protection Technology of Field CropsTechnology and practices for enhancing production and protecting field crops like rice, maize, etc.
Importance and Scope of Fruit and Plantation CropsSignificance, cultivation techniques, and protection methods for fruits and plantation crops.
Nursery Techniques and ManagementMethods and management practices for raising plants in nurseries.
Nutrition GardenConcept and management of nutrition gardens for sustainable food production.

Paper II Syllabus

The paper II of OPSC ASCO Syllabus will comprise of units which will cover topics from subjects such as Agroforestry, Rainwater culture, soil & water conservation and various other subjects which holds an importance in the agriculture domain.

Unit I – Agroforestry

TopicsDescription
Agroforestry – Objectives and PotentialObjectives and potential of integrating trees into agricultural systems for enhanced productivity and sustainability.
Agroforestry System – Sub-system and PracticeVarious subsystems and practices within agroforestry systems, such as alley cropping, windbreaks, and silvopasture.
Planning for Agroforestry – Constraints, Diagnosis, and Design MethodologyChallenges and methods for diagnosing and designing agroforestry systems, including species selection and layout planning.
Agroforestry for Food, Feed, Fuel, and Nutritional SecurityContributions of agroforestry to food, feed, and fuel production, as well as its role in enhancing soil quality, carbon sequestration, and microclimate improvement.
Soil Improvement – Carbon Sequestration, Microclimate Amelioration, Industrial RequirementHow agroforestry practices contribute to soil improvement, carbon sequestration, and creating favorable microclimates, including meeting industrial needs.

Unit II – Rainfed Agriculture and Watershed Management

TopicsDescription
Rainfed Agriculture – Problems and ProspectsChallenges and opportunities in rainfed agriculture, focusing on sustainable practices and productivity enhancement.
Rainfall Analysis – Drought Classification, Causes, and ImpactsUnderstanding droughts, their classifications, causes, impacts, and strategies for mitigation and management.
Crops and Cropping Systems, Soil Moisture and Rainwater ConservationSystems for conserving soil moisture and rainwater, both in situ and ex situ, including water harvesting and recycling techniques.
Dryland Horticulture – Watershed Planning and ManagementPlanning and managing watersheds based on land capability and hydrological data, emphasizing integrated watershed management and crop planning.
Integrated Watershed Management – Components and ExecutionPrinciples and components of integrated watershed management, covering agricultural and horticultural practices, forestry, fishery, and animal husbandry.
Participatory Watershed Management – Role of Associations and Formulation of Project ProposalsInvolving stakeholders through watershed associations and groups in project formulation and cost-benefit analysis for effective watershed management.

Unit III – Soil and Water Conservation

TopicsDescription
Soil and Water Conservation – Issues and ImportanceImportance of soil and water conservation, agents of erosion, and strategies for mitigation.
Causes and Agents of Soil Erosion – Water Erosion and Gully ClassificationUnderstanding the hydrologic cycle, forms of water erosion, classification of gullies, and erosion control principles.
Techniques of Erosion Control – Contouring, Strip Cropping, WaterwaysPrinciples and techniques like contouring, strip cropping, contour bunds, and grassed waterways for effective erosion control.
Water Harvesting – Principles, Importance, and TechniquesMethods of water harvesting, including short-term and long-term techniques like farm ponds, reservoirs, tanks, and subsurface dykes.
Wind Erosion Control – Principles and MeasuresMechanisms of wind erosion, types of soil movement, and strategies for wind erosion control.

Unit IV – Wasteland Development and Bioremediation

TopicsDescription
Wasteland – Causes, Distribution, and Sustainable DevelopmentCauses and distribution of wasteland, government policies, and sustainable development approaches.
Optimal Land Use Options – Reclamation of Various Soils and SpoilsTechniques for reclaiming saline, sodic, acidic, waterlogged, eroded, compacted, flooded, and polluted soils and mine spoils.
Desertification – Impact, Causes, Prevention, and Control MeasuresUnderstanding desertification, its impact, causes, and preventive measures.
Bio-remediation of Soils – Multipurpose Tree SpeciesUsing multipurpose tree species for bio-remediation of soils contaminated with various pollutants.

Unit V – Protected Cultivation and Precision Farming

TopicsDescription
Protected Cultivation – Importance, Techniques, and ManagementSignificance of protected cultivation under controlled conditions, methods, canopy management, irrigation, and fertigation techniques.
Production of Quality Planting Materials and Off-season ProductionTechniques for producing high-quality planting materials and cultivating high-value crops in greenhouses during off-seasons.
Precision Farming – Components and ApplicationsComponents of precision farming, including remote sensing, GIS, DGPS, VRA, and their applications in agriculture for enhanced productivity and resource management.
Remote Sensing and GIS in Diagnosis and Management of Problem SoilsApplications of remote sensing and GIS in diagnosing and managing problem soils, land capability, and suitability classifications.

OPSC ASCO Exam Pattern 2024

The OPSC ASCO Syllabus will comprise of two papers: paper 1 & paper 2. Both the papers will consist of 100 questions. Each question will carry 1 mark. And the exam will be for a total of 100 marks. In total, the exam has 200 questions and a maximum of 200 marks. Moreover, the candidates will get 90 minutes to complete each paper. 

PapersNumber of QuestionsMarksDuration
Paper I10010090 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes)
Paper II10010090 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes)
Total200200180 minutes (3 hours)

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