RSSB Teaching Associate Botany syllabus

1Archaebacteria, eubacteria and cyanobacteria

• Archaebacteria, eubacteria and cyanobacteria - ultra-structure and reproduction; L- Form Bacteria, Prions, Viroids, Virusoids; Characteristics and ultrastructure of virions; Mycoplasma, Spiroplasma and Phytoplasma - General characters and role in causing plant diseases; Microbiology of water, air and soil.

2General account of diseases caused by plant pathogens

• General account of diseases caused by plant pathogens; molecular basis of host parasite interaction, pathogen attack and defense mechanism; etiology of red rot of sugarcane, rust of wheat, covered smut of wheat, loose smut of wheat, green ear disease of bajra, leaf spot and smut of jowar, ergot and smut of bajra, root knot and rot diseases of vegetables; disease control and the role of information technology in disease management.

3Algae of diversified habitats (Terrestrial, Fresh water, Marine)

• Algae of diversified habitats (Terrestrial, Fresh water, Marine); Thallus organization, cell structure and reproduction in different classes/groups; Criteria of classification of algae; Economic importance of algae.

4General characteristics of different classes/groups of fungi, cell…

• General characteristics of different classes/groups of fungi, cell ultrastructure, cell wall composition, reproduction, heterothallism, para sexuality, recent trends in classification, economic importance of fungi; General account and economic importance of mycorrhiza and lichens.

5General characters, structure, reproduction, evolution and…

• General characters, structure, reproduction, evolution and inter-relationships of bryophytes, pteridophytes and gymnosperms. Evolution of stele, heterospory and seed habit; Principles of palaeobotany.

6Taxonomic hierarchy, principles of nomenclature, taxonomic tools, important…

• Taxonomic hierarchy, principles of nomenclature, taxonomic tools, important systems of classification (Bentham and Hooker; Engler and Prantl; Hutchinson and Takhtajan). Role of morphology, anatomy, embryology, palynology, cytology, phytochemistry, genome analysis and nucleic acid hybridization in taxonomy. Taxonomy of some selected families (Leguminosae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Asclepiadaceae, Solanaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Poaceae). Phylogeny of angiosperms.

7General concepts of plant morphology, origin and evolution of flower

• General concepts of plant morphology, origin and evolution of flower - Primitive living angiosperms, foliar stamens, open carpels. Plant anatomy – types of tissue; Organization of root and shoot apical meristems; Secondary growth (normal and anomalous) and Anomalous primary structures of root and stem.

8Development of male and female gametophytes, pollination, pollen pistil…

• Development of male and female gametophytes, pollination, pollen pistil interaction, fertilization, endosperm development and embryogenesis; seed development and fruit formation; polyembryony, apomixis, embryo culture; biochemistry and molecular biology of fruit maturation.

9Basic concepts of ecology, ecological factors affecting the plants

• Basic concepts of ecology, ecological factors affecting the plants. Principle of limiting factors; population characteristics, population interaction, r and K selection, genecology and range extensions, community characteristics, community classification, continuum concept, ecological niche, plant succession in various habitats, concept of climax. Structure and function of ecosystem, energy flow and biogeochemical cycles (N, P, C, S), primary production, plant indicators, major biomes of the world. Phytogeographical regions of India, vegetation of Rajasthan. Ecosystem services.

10Environmental pollution- air, water, noise and soil

• Environmental pollution- air, water, noise and soil; Greenhouse effect, Ozone layer depletion, Acid rain; Concept of biodiversity with special reference to India, Hot spots, Rare, Endangered and Endemic plant species of Rajasthan, strategies for conservation of the flora. Bio-monitoring. Environmental Impact Assessment.

11Plant civilization, centers of diversity/origin of crop plants, gene…

• Plant civilization, centers of diversity/origin of crop plants, gene diversity Utilization, cultivation and improvement of food plants (rice, wheat, bajra, pulses, green-gram, moth and beans), Oil seeds (mustard, soybean and ground nut), drugs (Rauvolfia, Ephedra, Papaver, Atropa, Cinchona and Withania), fibre (cotton, jute and coir) and plants of industrial value (Tobacco, sugarcane, tea and coffee). Ethnobotany, under-exploited plants of potential medicinal and food value with special reference to Rajasthan.

12Bright field Microscopy, Electron microscopy (TEM & SEM), Confocal microscopy

• Bright field Microscopy, Electron microscopy (TEM & SEM), Confocal microscopy, phase contrast microscopy; Fixation (of lower and higher plant groups) and staining techniques (for bright field microscopy, cytology and bacterial staining); Chromatography, Electrophoresis, ELISA, Spectrophotometry, centrifugation.

13Plant-water relation, membrane transport and translocation of water and solutes

• Plant-water relation, membrane transport and translocation of water and solutes.

14Enzymes– General characteristics, Classification, mechanism of action,…

• Enzymes– General characteristics, Classification, mechanism of action, kinetics of enzymatic catalysis, regulation of enzyme activity, active sites, coenzymes, activators and inhibitors, isozymes.

15Photosynthesis- Pigments, photophosphorylation, Mechanism of photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis- Pigments, photophosphorylation, Mechanism of photosynthesis, photorespiration, photosynthesis in C4 plants, CAM.

16Nitrogen fixation and Nitrogen metabolism

• Nitrogen fixation and Nitrogen metabolism. Fatty acid metabolism. Signal transduction: overview, receptors and G-proteins, phospholipid signaling, second messengers, two-component sensor-regulator system in bacteria and plants.

17Respiration- Glycolysis, TCA cycle, Oxidative phosphorylation, Glycogen…

• Respiration- Glycolysis, TCA cycle, Oxidative phosphorylation, Glycogen breakdown, inter conversion of hexoses and pentoses.

18Seed dormancy and germination

• Seed dormancy and germination. Concept of growth and development. Physiological effects and mechanism of action of auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, abscisic acid and jasmonic acid. Plant rhythms and biological clock. Secondary metabolites. Plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Physiology of flowering- Photoperiodism and Vernalization.

19Ultrastructure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

• Ultrastructure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; Cell membrane- structure and function; Cell organelles- structure and functions; Ultrastructure of nucleus; DNA: Structure, A, B and Z forms, replication, damage and repair; Cells cycle; Structure of chromatin and its organization; Special types of chromosomes; Banding patterns; Chromosomal aberrations and numerical chromosome abnormalities.

20Genetics of prokaryotes and eukaryotic organelles

• Genetics of prokaryotes and eukaryotic organelles; Mapping of bacteriophage genome; Genetic transformation, Conjugation and Transduction in bacteria; Cytoplasmic male sterility. Mendelism, Allelic and non-allelic gene interactions.

21Techniques in cell biology- in situ hybridization, FISH, GISH

• Techniques in cell biology- in situ hybridization, FISH, GISH. Genetic code, transcription and translation, RNA processing; Teminism; Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; Genetic mapping; Independent assortment and crossing over, molecular mechanism of recombination, genetic markers. Mutations, molecular basis of spontaneous and induced mutations and their role in evolution. Principles of plant breeding, important conventional methods of self and cross pollinated and vegetatively propagated crops; Mutation breeding.

22Basic concepts, principles and scope of Biotechnology, plant cell and tissue…

• Basic concepts, principles and scope of Biotechnology, plant cell and tissue culture. Concept of totipotency; Micropropagation by axillary bud proliferation and adventitious shoot bud differentiation; Embryogenesis and organogenesis; Somatic hybridization, protoplast- isolation, fusion and culture; Artificial seeds; Somaclones and somatic hybrids; in-vitro production of secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds.

23Recombinant DNA Technology

• Restriction enzymes, Gene cloning- principles and techniques; construction of gene library (genome and cDNA library); DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR, DNA finger printing. Genetic engineering of plants: Aims and strategies for development of transgenics, Methods of gene transfer in plants, intellectual property rights and possible ecological risks and ethical concerns. Microbial genetic manipulation. Structural and functional genomics, microarray, genome sequencing projects (with special reference to rice, wheat, chick pea and tomato) and proteomics.

24Principles and practices of statistical methods in biological research,…

• Principles and practices of statistical methods in biological research, samples and population, Data collection and processing in research; Basic statistics (averages, statistics of dispersion, coefficient of variation, standard error and deviation); Confidence limits, Probability, Distribution (Binomial, Poisson and Normal), Tests of statistical significance, Simple Correlation and Regression, Analysis of Variance.

Paper-I — common to every subject

1History, Art, Culture, Literature and Heritage of Rajasthan

• Ancient Civilizations of Rajasthan with special Reference to Mesolithic (Late Stone Age) sites in Rajasthan i.e. Nimbahera, Bagor and Mandia.
• Major dynasties of Rajasthan and its rulers through the Ages and their cultural achievements (1000-1800 A.D.).
• Political resistance of Rajput rulers against Muslim Power. Special reference to Rattan Singh, Hammir, Kanhad dev and Maldev, Chandrasen and Pratap.
• (i) Bhakti Movement and Sufism in Medieval Rajasthan, Special reference to Mira, Dadu and Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chishty. Saints: Special emphasis to be paid to teachings of Ramdevji, Gogaji, Tejaji, Pabuji, Mallinath, Dhanna, Pipa, Haridas, Raidas, Jasnath and other Sects.
• (ii) Folk gods and goddesses.
• Political Awakening and Freedom Movement in Rajasthan: 1857, Peasant and Tribal Movements, Prajamandal Movements, Contribution of Women in Social and Political awakening.
• (i) Folk Culture: Fairs and Festivals, Different Schools of Painting, Folk Tales and Gathas, Folk Songs, Folk Dances, Folk Music and Instruments.
• (ii) Dress and Ornaments, Handicrafts.
• Rajasthani Language: Origin and Development.
• Main Dialects and Region.
• Rajasthani Scripts: Mudia and Devnagari.
• (a) Rajasthani Literature: Its Evolution.
• (i) Early Period
• (ii) Pre-Medieval Period
• (iii) Post- Medieval Period
• (iv) Modern Period.
• (b) Famous Writers and their Works.
• Tourism and Rajasthan: Heritage, Tourism Policy and Vision.

2Geography of Rajasthan

• Physiographic regions, Rivers and lakes.
• Climate, Natural Vegetation, Soil, Minerals and Energy Resources – Renewable and Non-renewable.
• Population – Characteristics, Livestock, Biodiversity and its conservation.
• Production and Distribution of Major crops, Major Irrigation Projects, Major Industries.
• Drought and Famines, Desertification, Environmental Problems, Disaster Management and Pandemics.

3Political and Administrative System of Rajasthan

• Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.
• State Legislative Assembly, High Court and Judicial System of Rajasthan.
• Rajasthan Public Service Commission, State Election Commission, State Finance Commission, State Human Rights Commission, State Commission for Women, State Information Commission, Lokayukta and Auditor General.
• Chief Secretary, Government Secretariat, Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Divisional Commissioner, District Administration, Institutions of Panchayati Raj and Urban Local- Self Government.
• Government Policies and Right based Citizenship: Right to Information, Guaranteed Delivery of Public Services, Citizen's Charters, Social Audit, Jan Soochna Portal, Rajasthan Sampark Portal etc.

4Economy of Rajasthan

• Characteristics of state economy.
• Occupational distribution.
• Compositional trend of state domestic product.
• Major Sectoral Issues.
• (i) Agricultural Sector: Characteristics of agricultural sector in Rajasthan. Major rabi and kharif crops with special reference to oil seeds and spices. Irrigated area and trends, Problems of migrant workers and their rehabilitation. Agricultural credit.
• (ii) Livestock: Trends in livestock population. Milk production in Rajasthan.
• (iii) Industrial Outlook: Major industries of Rajasthan. Constraints to development of industries. MSMEs in Rajasthan. Roles and problem of small industries. Industrial sickness. Major state public sector enterprises. SEZ in Rajasthan. Role of RIICO and RFC. Agro-processing policy (2020).
• (iv) Service Sector: Primary education, Development in recent years. Health programmes of state government. Mid-day meal programme. Indira Rasoi Yojana.
• (v) Infrastructure Development: Progress in national highways, state highways and village roads. Power: Progress in power generation. Recent progress in solar power projects.
• (vi) Handicrafts of Rajasthan.
• (vii) Major items of exports from Rajasthan.
• (viii) Latest major welfare schemes of state government with special reference to economically and socially backward classes, disabled people, old aged people. Steps taken for women empowerment and child development.
• (ix) Regional economic inequalities in Rajasthan.

5Contemporary Events

• Major Contemporary Events and Issues of Rajasthan.
• Persons and Places in News.
• Sports and Games.

Official syllabus from RSSB Advertisement 06/2026 (Teaching Associate), verbatim. Paper-I (General Studies of Rajasthan) is common to all subjects.