TNPSC AHO Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2024: PDF Download Here!

Subject

Duration

Maximum marks

Minimum qualifying marks for selection

SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs BC(OBCM)s & BCMs

Others

Paper –I:-(Subject Paper) (Diploma Standard) (200 Questions)

1. Agriculture

2. Horticulture

3 Hours

300

135

180

Paper – II

Part-A

Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC Standard) (100 questions / 150 marks)

3 Hours

150

Part-B

(General Studies) (Code No:003) (100 questions) (150 marks)

General Studies (SSLC Standard)(75 questions)

And 

Aptitude and Mental Ability Test (SSLC Standard)(25 questions)

150

Total

450

Subject

Important Topics

Unit -I - Agronomic principles, practices and meteorology

Agriculture – Definition – Branches of agriculture – Classification and status of major crops in Tamil Nadu. Factors affecting crop production. Cropping systems definitions - principles - intercropping - types, Principles and Practices of Agricultural Operations, etc

Unit-II – Farming system, Dry Farming and Agro-Forestry

Integrated farming system – models and components – Schemes of Tamil Nadu. Cropping schemes – Crop calendar of operation of major crops - Dry Farming – Definition and Present Status in Tamil Nadu – Soils of Dry Farming Tracts and their limitation to Crop Production – Major Crops of Dry Land.

Unit-III - Soils and Fertility Management

Definition of Soil – Its main components – Soils of Tamil Nadu. Soil physical, chemical and biological properties and their significance in crop production. Soil Micro Organisms - Importance of Organic Matter on Soil Properties. Acid, Saline and Alkaline Soils and their reclamation

Unit-IV- Horticultural Crop Cultivation Techniques

Status of major horticultural crops in Tamil Nadu – Methods of propagation of major fruit crops - role of growth regulators – Soil and climate requirement - production technologies- nutrient and physiological disorders and its management - post-harvest technologies

Unit-V - Breeding and Seed Production

Field Crops – Importance – Classification – Agricultural and Industrial – Chemical Composition of Economic Parts in the Crops & Cereals, Millets, Pulses, Oilseeds, Fibres, Sugar and Starch Crops. Plant Photosynthesis – Respiration – Translocation of Assimilates. Floral biology

Unit-VI - Plant Protection Principles and Practices

Insects - Definitions – Characters – Economic Classification – Sericulture – Rearing of Mulberry silk worms – Apiculture – Role of Bees in Crop Productivity – Hiving Bees and Apiary Management. Beneficial Insects – Insect Pollinators – Predators and Parasitoids

Unit-VII- Livestock, Poultry Management, Artificial Insemination and Calf Rearing

Significance and role of livestock and poultry in Indian economy – Various systems of livestock production – extensive – semi intensive – intensive – mixed – Integrated farming systems – Manure management methods – Definition of breed – classification of indigenous, exotic cattle and buffaloes

Unit-VIII -Farm Machinery, Post Harvest Technology and Energy and Environment

Thrashing Floor, drying floor. I.C. Engines – Types, Introduction – Preventive maintenance and minor repairs. Tractor – Different systems of a tractor – Hydraulic

system – Clutch and Transmission system – Hitching of implements to Tractor – Power Tiller

Unit IX - Commercial Agriculture

Bio-control agents - Role in pest and disease management – Categories of bio-control agents. Setting up a bio-control laboratory. Mass culture of tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) and gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera)- synthetic diet

Unit X – Agricultural Extension Agricultural Economics and Digital Agriculture

Rural Economics and Agricultural Economics – Meaning, importance and scope Sectors of Economy - Importance of agriculture in rural economy: Problems of rural economy –

Population growth and its consequences. 

Subject

Important Topics

UNIT- I: BASIC HORTICULTURE AND PLANT PROPAGATION

Horticulture – Definition, scope and importance, Division and classification of horticultural crops – Horticultural zones in India and Tamil Nadu – Cropping systems

- Precision farming- Planting systems –HDP and UHDP- Irrigation systems – Nutrient

UNIT- II: SOIL AND FERTILITY, IRRIGATION AND WEED MANAGEMENT

Soil types- Physical and chemical properties- Soil organic matter and its importanceEssential nutrients for crop plants - Major, secondary and micro nutrients – Manures and fertilizers – Types of fertilizers – Straight, Complex, Compound, Mixed, Fortified, chelated and water soluble fertilizers

UNIT- III: PRODUCTION TECHONOLOGY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Area, production and importance of fruit crops in Tamil Nadu – Major fruit producing districts in Tamil Nadu-Layout of orchard - Physical features in orchard - Study of cultural practices of Tropical fruits – Mango, Banana, Grapes, Papaya, Sapota, Guava, Acidlime, Jackfruit, Dragon fruit.

UNIT -IV: PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF FLOWER CROPS AND LANDSCAPING

Importance of commercial flower crops – Area and production - Study of cultural practices of commercial loose flowers – Rose, Jasmine, Tuberose, Chrysanthemum, Marigold, Crossandra, Celosia, Nerium and Gomphrena

UNIT-V: PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF SPICES, PLANTATION CROPS, MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS

Area, production and Importance of spice crops in Tamil Nadu – Study of production techniques of important spice crops Pepper, Cardamom, Turmeric, Ginger, Clove, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Tamarind, Curry leaf and Coriander. Harvesting and processing – grading and packing – Organic farming and GAP in spice production

UNIT- VI: INSECT PEST AND DISEASES OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

Pest - Categories – Pest management - Principles and components. Natural enemies. IPM – different types of traps - Management strategies for important insect pests groups – Chewing insects - Stem borers – Fruit borer – Sap feeders of important fruit, vegetable, spices, medicinal and plantation crops

UNIT-VII: POST HARVEST HANDLING AND VALUE ADDITION OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS

Scope and importance of post harvest technology in horticultural crops - Washing, grading, sorting - pre cooling and pre treatments - Blanching and peeling methods

UNIT - VIII: LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT AND POULTRY PRODUCTION

Significance of Livestock and Poultry - Various systems of livestock production – Important cattle Breeds - Artificial Insemination - Housing management - Feeds and fodder – Major cattle diseases and management. Sheep and Goat farming

UNIT - IX: COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE

Seed Production - varieties –Hybrids- emasculation and Pollination –isolation distance-rogueing-planting ratio-seed production techniques of Tomato, Brinjal, chilli, bhendi, onion, gourds, cluster bean, moringa, Amaranthus– Extraction techniques

UNIT - X: FARM MANAGEMENT, MARKETING AND EXTENSION EDUCATION

Farm Management – types and systems of farming-collective farming - farm planning and budgeting- risk and uncertainty- Horticultural Marketing-demand and supplyMarketing costs and marketing margins - Warehousing – Processing - Cold storage

Subject

Important Topics

Unit I- General Science

(i) Scientific Knowledge and Scientific Temper - Power of Reasoning - Rote Learning vs Conceptual Learning - Science as a tool to understand the past, present and future.

(ii) Nature of Universe - General Scientific Laws – Mechanics - Properties of Matter, Force, Motion and Energy - Everyday application of the Basic Principles of Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Light, Sound, Heat, Nuclear Physics, Laser, Electronics and Communications.

(iii) Elements and Compounds, Acids, Bases, Salts, Petroleum Products, Fertilisers, Pesticides.

(iv) Main concepts of Life Science, Classification of Living Organisms, Evolution, Genetics, Physiology, Nutrition, Health and Hygiene, Human Diseases.

(v) Environment and Ecology

UNIT-II: CURRENT EVENTS

(i) History-Latest diary of events-National symbols-Profile of StatesEminent personalities and places in news–Sports-Books and authors.

(ii) Polity – Political parties and political system in India-Public awareness and General administration- Welfare oriented Government schemes and their utility, Problems in Public Delivery Systems.

(iii) Geography-Geographical landmarks.

(iv) Economics-Current socio-economic issues.

(v) Science-Latest inventions in Science and Technology.

(vi) Prominent Personalities in various spheres – Arts, Science, Literature and Philosophy.

UNIT-III: GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

(i) Location – Physical features - Monsoon, Rainfall, Weather and Climate-Water Resources - Rivers in India-Soil, Minerals and Natural Resources-Forest and Wildlife - Agricultural pattern.

(ii) Transport -Communication.

(iii) Social Geography – Population density and distribution- Racial, Linguistic Groups and Major Tribes.

(iv) Natural calamity – Disaster Management – Environmental pollution: Reasons and preventive measures – Climate change – Green energy.

UNIT–IV: HISTORY AND CULTURE OF INDIA

(i) Indus Valley Civilization - Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals and Marathas-Age of Vijayanagaram and Bahmani Kingdoms-South Indian History.

(ii) Change and Continuity in the Socio-Cultural History of India.

(iii) Characteristics of Indian Culture, Unity in Diversity –Race, Language, Custom.

(iv) India as a Secular State, Social Harmony.

UNIT-V: INDIAN POLITY

(i) Constitution of India-Preamble to the Constitution- Salient features of the Constitution- Union, State and Union Territory.

(ii) Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy.

(iii) Union Executive, Union Legislature – State Executive, State Legislature – Local Governments, Panchayat Raj.

(iv) Spirit of Federalism: Centre-State Relationships.

(v) Election - Judiciary in India – Rule of Law.

(vi) Corruption in Public Life– Anti-corruption measures – Lokpal and Lok Ayukta - Right to Information- Empowerment of Women-Consumer Protection Forums, Human Rights Charter.

UNIT-VI: INDIAN ECONOMY

(i) Nature of Indian Economy –Five year plan models-an assessment – Planning Commission and Niti Ayog.

(ii) Sources of revenue – Reserve Bank of India – Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy - Finance Commission–Resource sharing between Union and State Governments - Goods and Services Tax.

(iii) Structure of Indian Economy and Employment Generation, Land Reforms and Agriculture-Application of Science and Technology in Agriculture-Industrial growth-Rural Welfare Oriented Programmes – Social Problems – Population, Education, Health, Employment, Poverty.

UNIT-VII: INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT

(i) National Renaissance –Early uprising against British rule - Indian National Congress - Emergence of leaders –B.R.Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Bharathiar, V.O.Chidambaranar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Kamarajar, Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana AbulKalam Azad, ThanthaiPeriyar, Rajaji, Subash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore and others.

(ii) Different modes of Agitation: Growth of Satyagraha and Militant Movements.

(iii) Communalism and Partition.

UNIT-VIII: History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu

(i) History of Tamil Society, related Archaeological discoveries, Tamil Literature from Sangam Age till contemporary times.

(ii) Thirukkural : 

(a) Significance as a Secular Literature

(b) Relevance to Everyday Life

(c) Impact of Thirukkural on Humanity

(d) Thirukkural and Universal Values - Equality, Humanism, etc

(e) Relevance to Socio-Politico-Economic affairs

(f) Philosophical content in Thirukkural

(iii) Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle - Early agitations against British Rule - Role of women in freedom struggle.

(iv) Evolution of 19thand 20thCentury Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu - Justice Party, Growth of Rationalism - Self Respect Movement, Dravidian Movement and Principles underlying both these Movements, Contributions of Thanthai Periyar and Perarignar Anna.

UNIT–IX: Development Administration in Tamil Nadu

(i) Human Development Indicators in Tamil Nadu and a comparative assessment across the Country – Impact of Social Reform Movements in the Socio-Economic Development of Tamil Nadu.

(ii) Political parties and Welfare schemes for various sections of people – Rationale behind Reservation Policy and access to Social Resources - Economic trends in Tamil Nadu – Role and impact of social welfare schemes in the Socio-Economic Development of Tamil Nadu.

(iii) Social Justice and Social Harmony as the Cornerstones of SocioEconomic Development.

(iv) Education and Health Systems in Tamil Nadu.

(v) Geography of Tamil Nadu and its impact on Economic growth.

(vi) Achievements of Tamil Nadu in various fields.

(vii) e-Governance in Tamil Nadu.

UNIT-X: APTITUDE AND MENTAL ABILITY

(i) Simplification – Percentage - Highest Common Factor (HCF) - Lowest Common Multiple (LCM).

(ii) Ratio and Proportion.

(iii) Simple interest - Compound interest - Area - Volume - Time and Work.

(iv) Logical Reasoning - Puzzles-Dice - Visual Reasoning - Alpha numeric Reasoning – Number Series.