ICAR AO Syllabus - Complete Details

Knowledge of the syllabus is very helpful for the candidates in preparing for the exam. This section deals with the syllabus of the ICAR AO exam.

ICAR AO 2021 Syllabus

ICAR AO Tier 1 Syllabus (Objective Paper)

SECTION – A: GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (50 Questions)  

• Current events of national and international importance.  

• History of India and Indian national movement, World History  

• Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social and economic.  

• Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj,  Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.  

• Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.  

• Agricultural and Geo-Cultural Development Issues, Human Rights, Social  Conflicts, Disabilities etc.  

• General Awareness specific to the Structure & Functioning of ICAR. 

• General Science and scientific research.  

SECTION – B: GENERAL INTELLIGENCE AND REASONING ABILITY  (50 Questions)  

• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability – Verbal and Non-Verbal (Analogies,  Similarities, Differences, space visualization, visual memory, discrimination,  observation, relationship, concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, arithmetical number series).  

• Decision making and Problem Solving.  

• General Mental ability.  

SECTION – C: ARITHMETICAL AND NUMERICAL ABILITY (50 Questions)  

• Basic Numeracy (Number system, Simplification, Decimals, Fractions, L.C.M.,  H.C.F., Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Average, Profit & Loss, Discount,  Simple and Compound interest, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and  Distance) (Class X level)  

• Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc.) (Class X level)  

SECTION – D: LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION (50 Questions) HINDI or ENGLISH  

• Comprehension of Language and Writing Ability  

• Précis writing, Usage and Vocabulary, Short Essays, Translation 

• Interpersonal Skills including communication skills.

ICAR AO Tier 2 Syllabus (Descriptive Paper)

PAPER 1- 150 MARKS: General awareness of the Development of Economic, Social, Scientific & Cultural  Fields, History & Geography of India and the World  

• Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and  Architecture from ancient to modern times.  

• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteen century until the present – significant events, personalities, issues.  

• The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributions from different parts of the country.  

• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.  • History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization,  decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.  – their forms and effect on society.  

• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.  

• Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues,  poverty and development issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.  

• Effects of globalization on Indian society.  

• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism. 

• Salient features of the world's physical geography.  

• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary,  secondary and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including  India).  

• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclones etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.  

PAPER 2 – 150 MARKS: CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, POLITY, GOVERNANCE, SOCIAL JUSTICE  

• Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,  significant provisions and basic structure.  

• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. 

• Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressed mechanisms and institutions.  

• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries. 

• Parliament and State legislatures – structure, functioning, the conduct of business.  Power & privileges and issues arising out of these. 

• Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary –  Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/  informal associations and their role in the Polity. 

• Salient features of the Representation of People's Act. 

• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.  

• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.  

• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.  

• Development processes and the development industry – the role of NGOs,  SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.  

• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and  States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.  

• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/ Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.  

• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.  

• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance – applications, models successes, limitations and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.  • Role of Civil services in a democracy.  

• Role of Indian Council of Agricultural Research in Agricultural Sector, its  Importance and various Implications.  

PAPER 3 – 150 MARKS 

1. Essay Writing – I (75 Marks)  

2. Essay Writing – II (75 Marks)  

Essay: Candidates may be required to write essays on current international/  national events and other multiple topics like social, cultural, economic and political aspects about which a graduate-level candidate is expected to be aware.

They will be expected to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. An opinion may be given and the candidate may have to submit his/ her arguments for and against the opinion and sum up at the end of his/ her views. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.  

PAPER 4 – 150 MARKS: ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE  

• Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of  Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; the role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.  

• Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion. 

• Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.  

• Emotional intelligence concepts and their utilities and application in administration and governance.  

• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world. 

• Public/ Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.  

• Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government,  Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters,  Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.  

• Case studies on the above issues.