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UPSC Zoology Syllabus PDF Download: UPSC Mains Zoology Syllabus

Last Updated on Nov 26, 2024
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Choosing Zoology as an optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination can be both a rewarding and strategic decision. This UPSC Zoology syllabus attracts those candidates who are pursuing a biologically-oriented course. It offers clarity and concreteness in their study as the definitions are clearly defined through diagrams and factual data, it might provide for a structured approach to study and scoring.

The UPSC Zoology syllabus is vast, ranging from the different aspects of Animal Biology, evolution to ecology. For all those who studied Zoology during their graduation, it provides a systematic approach to utilizing knowledge gained. The Zoology optional syllabus for UPSC also goes hand-in-hand with some parts of the General Studies papers, giving extra advantage. Also, since the structure of the Zoology optional UPSC syllabus is predetermined, candidates can prepare in an orderly and systematic way, covering one topic at a time.

Check the detailed UPSC IAS Mains Syllabus here.

Overview of UPSC Zoology Syllabus 2025

The UPSC Zoology syllabus for 2025 involves diverse topics including animal physiology, genetics, and evolution, and ecological principles and applied Zoology. Such a broad approach ensures that the candidates become well-acquainted with the basic and advanced concepts in Zoology. UPSC CSE Zoology syllabus emphasizes understanding the living world and the interaction of animals with the environment. This is necessary for a holistic approach to preparation.

There will be 2 papers for the syllabus of Zoology for UPSC. Each paper of the Zoology syllabus UPSC would comprise 250 marks, which makes it 500 marks in total. The time duration to attempt the UPSC Zoology paper is 3 hours. Each paper would have objective answer-type questions. There is no negative marking.

Overview of UPSC Zoology Optional Syllabus 2025

Sl. No. 

UPSC IAS Mains Papers

Subject

Marks

1.

Paper VI

Optional Subject Paper-I

250

2.

Paper VII

Optional Subject Paper-II

250

TOTAL

500

Time Duration

3 hours

Check the detailed UPSC IAS exam pattern here.

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UPSC Zoology Optional Syllabus for Papers 1 & 2

The UPSC Zoology optional syllabus is divided into two papers. Paper 1 primarily deals with non-chordates and chordates, covering their structure, function, and classification. While the subjects covered in paper 2 include genetics, evolution, physiology, and applied Zoology subjects such as the economic importance of insects, fish, and wildlife conservation. Both papers together provide a holistic understanding pertinent to the UPSC syllabus for Zoology.

UPSC Zoology Syllabus PDF Download!

UPSC Syllabus for Zoology Optional Paper 1

Paper 1 of the UPSC Zoology optional syllabus deals with the diversity of animal life, from non-chordates to chordates. This deals with their features and classification including biologically important processes. Various animal phyla, comparative anatomy, physiology, and the development of vertebrates and invertebrates are studied. Detailed topics include classifications, functional anatomy, and the evolutionary relationships among various groups of organisms.

The table below gives a detailed view of the the key topics of the UPSC IAS Zoology syllabus for UPSC Paper 1:

UPSC Zoology Optional Syllabus for Paper 1

Topics

Details

Non-chordata and Chordata

Classification and relationship of various phyla up to subclasses: Acoelomate and Coelomate, Protostomes and Deuterostomes, Bilateria and Radiata; Status of Protista, Parazoa, Onychophora andHemichordata; Symmetry

Protozoa: Locomotion, nutrition, reproduction, sex; General features and life history of paramecium, Monocystis, Plasmodium and Leishmania

Porifera: Skeleton, canal system and reproduction

Cnidaria: Polymorphism, defensive structures and their mechanism; coral reefs and their formation; metagenesis; general features and life history of Obelia and Aurelia

Platyhelminthes: Parasitic adaptation; general features and life history of Fasciola and Taenia and their pathogenic symptoms

Nemathelminthes: General features, life history, parasitic adaptation of Ascaris and Wuchereria

Annelida: Coelom and metamerism; modes of life in polychaetes; general features and life history of Nereis, earthworm and leech

Arthropoda: Larval forms and parasitism in Crustacea; vision and respiration in arthropods (Prawn, cockroach and scorpion); modification of mouth parts in insects (cockroach, mosquito, housefly, honey bee and butterfly); metamorphosis in insect and its hormonal regulation, social behaviour of Apis and termites

Mollusca: Feeding, respiration, locomotion, general features and life history of Lamellidens, Pilaand Sepia, torsion and detorsion in gastropods

Echinodermata: Feeding, respiration, locomotion, larval forms, general features and life history ofAsterias

Protochordata: Origin of chordates; general features and life history of Branchiostoma andHerdmania

Pisces: Respiration, locomotion and migration

Amphibia: Origin of tetrapods, parental care, paedomorphosis

Reptilia; Origin of reptiles, skull types, status of Sphenodon and crocodiles

Aves: Origin of birds, flight adaptation, migration

Mammalia: Origin of mammals, dentition, general features of egg laying mammals, pouched-mammals, aquatic mammals and primates, endocrine glands (pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal,pancreas, gonads) and their interrelationships

Comparative functional anatomy of various systems of vertebrates (integument and its derivatives,endoskeleton, locomotory organs, digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system including heart and aortic arches, urino-genital system, brain and sense organs (eye and ear)

Ecology

Biosphere: Concept of biosphere; biomes, Biogeochemical cycles, Human induced changes in atmosphere including greenhouse effect, ecological succession, biomes and ecotones, community ecology

Concept of ecosystem; structure and function of ecosystem, types of ecosystem, ecological succession, ecological adaptation

Population; characteristics, population dynamics, population stabilization

Biodiversity and diversity conservation of natural resources

Wildlife of India

Remote sensing for sustainable development

Environmental biodegradation, pollution and its impact on biosphere and its prevention

Ethology

Behaviour: Sensory filtering, responsiveness, sign stimuli, learning and memory, instinct,habituation, conditioning, imprinting

Role of hormones in drive; role of pheromones in alarm spreading; crypsis, predator detection,predator tactics, social hierarchies in primates, social organization in insects

Orientation, navigation, homing, biological rhythms, biological clock, tidal, seasonal and circadian rhythms

Methods of studying animal behaviour including sexual conflict, selfishness, kinship and altruism

Economic Zoology

Apiculture, sericulture, lac culture, carp culture, pearl culture, prawn culture, vermiculture

Major infectious and communicable diseases (malaria, filaria, tuberculosis, cholera and AIDS) their vectors, pathogens and prevention

Cattle and livestock diseases, their pathogen (helminthes) and vectors (ticks, mites, Tabanus,Stomoxys)

Pests of sugarcane (Pyrilla perpusilla) oil seed (Achaea janata) and rice (Sitophilus oryzae)

Transgenic animals

Medical biotechnology, human genetic disease and genetic counselling, gene therapy

Forensic biotechnology

Biostatistics

Designing of experiments; null hypothesis; correlation, regression, distribution and measure of central tendency, chi-square, student-test, F-test (one-way & two-way F-test)

Instrumentation Methods

Spectrophotometer, phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy, radioactive tracer, ultra centrifuge, gel electrophoresis, PCR, ELISA, FISH and chromosome painting. (b) Electron microscopy (TEM, SEM)

UPSC Syllabus for Zoology Optional Paper 2

Paper 2 is more specialized to genetics, evolution, and environmental biology. The topics include chromosomal theories, genetic disorders, evolutionary biology, ethology, and animal behavior. The physiology of different systems, such as digestion, respiration, circulation, excretion, nervous coordination, and reproductive biology, are studied. Topics in applied Zoology include the economic importance of different species of animals, aquaculture, and principles of wildlife conservation.

The table below highlights the key topics of the Zoology Optional UPSC syllabus for Paper 2:

Syllabus of Zoology for UPSC Mains Paper 2

Topics

Details

Cell Biology

Structure and function of cell and its organelles (nucleus, plasma membrane, mitochondria, Golgi Bodies, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, and lysosomes), cell division (mitosis and meiosis), mitotic spindle and mitotic apparatus, chromosome movements, chromosome type polytene and lampbrush,organization of chromatin, heterochromatin, Cell cycle regulation

Nucleic acid topology, DNA motif, DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing, translation,protein foldings and transport

Genetics

Modern concept of gene, split gene, genetic regulation, genetic code

Sex chromosomes and their evolution, sex determination in Drosophila and man

Mendel’s laws of inheritance, recombination, linkage, multiple alleles, genetics of blood groups,pedigree analysis, hereditary diseases in man

Mutations and mutagenesis

Recombinant DNA technology; plasmid, cosmid, artificial chromosomes as vectors, transgenic,DNA cloning and whole animal cloning (principles and methods)

Gene regulation and expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Signal molecules, cell death, defects in signaling pathway and consequences

RFLP, RAPD and AFLP and application of RFLP in DNA fingerprinting, ribozyme technologies,human genome project, genomics and proteomics

Evolution

Theories of origin of life

Theories of evolution; Natural selection, role of mutations in evolution, evolutionary patterns,molecular drive, mimicry, variation, isolation and speciation

Evolution of horse, elephant and man using fossil data

Hardy-Weinberg Law

Continental drift and distribution of animals

Systematics

Zoological nomenclature, international code, cladistics, molecular taxonomy and biodiversity

Biochemistry

Structure and role of carbohydrates, fats, fatty acids and cholesterol, proteins and amino-acids,nucleic acids. Bioenergetics

Glycolysis and Kreb cycle, oxidation and reduction, oxidative phosphorylation, energy conservation and release, ATP cycle, cyclic AMP – its structure and role

Hormone classification (steroid and peptide hormones), biosynthesis and functions

Enzymes: types and mechanisms of action

Vitamins and coenzymes

Immunoglobulin and immunity

Physiology (with special reference to mammals)

Composition and constituents of blood; blood groups and Rh factor in man, factors and mechanism of coagulation, iron metabolism, acid-base balance, thermo-regulation, anticoagulants

Hemoglobin: Composition, types and role in transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Digestion and absorption: Role of salivary glands, liver, pancreas and intestinal glands

Excretion: nephron and regulation of urine formation; osmo-regulation and excretory product

Muscles: Types, mechanism of contraction of skeletal muscles, effects of exercise on muscles

Neuron: nerve impulse its conduction and synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters

Vision, hearing and olfaction in man

Physiology of reproduction, puberty and menopause in human

Developmental Biology

Gametogenesis; spermatogenesis, composition of semen, in vitro and in vivo capacitation of mammalian sperm, Oogenesis, totipotency; fertilization, morphogenesis and morphogen, blastogenesis,establishment of body axes formation, fate map, gastrulation in frog and chick; genes in development inchick, homeotic genes, development of eye and heart, placenta in mammals

Cell lineage, cell-to cell interaction, Genetic and induced teratogenesis, role of thyroxine in control of metamorphosis in amphibia, paedogenesis and neoteny, cell death, aging

Developmental genes in man, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, cloning

Stem cells: Sources, types and their use in human welfare

Biogenetic law

Prepare for the exam using the UPSC IAS mains strategy here.

How to Prepare for the Zoology Optional Syllabus for UPSC?

Preparation for the Zoology optional syllabus involves a thorough understanding of fundamental concepts, regular revision, and practice of previous years' question papers. Here are some steps to follow:

  • Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly: First and foremost, read the entire syllabus for Zoology in UPSC without missing a single point. Knowing the scope and depth required for each topic is of prime importance.
  • Standard Textbooks: For general sections of the animal kingdom, one can use such standard texts like "Modern Textbook of Zoology" by R.L. Kotpal or "A Manual of Zoology" by E.L. Jordan and P.S. Verma.
  • Concise Notes: While studying, create concise and well-organized notes. They will be invaluable for quick revisions. Highlight key diagrams and mechanisms.
  • Regular Revision: Periodic revision is crucial to retain critical concepts. Revisit your notes and key textbooks frequently.
  • Current Affairs: Stay updated with recent discoveries and developments in Zoology. This helps particularly with questions in applied Zoology.
  • Previous Year Question Papers: Practice previous year papers to understand the question patterns and frequently asked topics. Regular practice enhances one's answer writing skills.
  • Mocks and Test Series: Participate in test series and experience exam situations. This enhances one's time management and identifies areas that need to be improved.
  • Answer Writing Practice: Practice answer writing with more details and concisely while diagramming wherever necessary. Clear and well-structured answers score better marks.
  • Discussion and Study Groups: Engaging in study groups or discussions can provide new perspectives and reinforce your understanding by teaching others.

UPSC Zoology Previous Year Question Papers

The previous year question paper analysis is greatly required to understand the pattern of the exam and important topics. From this, the important areas in the IAS Zoology syllabus that often crop up in the exams can be identified, hence directed preparation is done. Practice of such papers increases familiarity with the kind of questions usually asked and helps in time management in the actual exam.

Zoology Optional Previous Year Question Papers

Year

Paper

Download Link

2021

Zoology Paper I

Click Here

Zoology Paper II

Click Here

2022

Zoology Paper I 

Click Here

Zoology Paper II

Click Here

2023

Zoology Paper I 

Click Here

Zoology Paper II

Click Here

2024

Zoology Paper I 

Click Here

Zoology Paper II

Click Here

Check some more UPSC IAS Previous Year’s Question Papers for other subjects here!

List of Books for UPSC Optional Zoology Syllabus

To prepare well for the UPSC optional Zoology syllabus, there are some textbooks which are un-replaceable. These books generally give complete coverage and are always recommended by experts and successful candidates.

Books for Zoology Paper 1

The below mentioned books can be referred for the UPSC Optional Zoology syllabus Paper 1:

  • For Invertebrate Zoology, refer to P. S. Verma and E. L. Jordan "Invertebrate Zoology."
  • For Chordate Zoology, refer to P. S. Verma and E. L. Jordan "Chordate Zoology".
  • For Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates, study "Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution" by K. Kardong.
  • For Ecology, read "Ecology and Environment" by Dr. P.D. Sharma.
  • For Ethology, read "Animal Behaviour (Ethology)" by Agarwal V.K.
  • For Economic Zoology, refer to "Applied And Economic Zoology" by Dr. V. B. Upadhyay and Dr. G. S. Shukla.
  • For Bioinstrumentation, consult "Bioinstrumentation" by Bhawana Pandey and M.H. Fulekar.
  • For Biostatistics, study "Fundamentals of Biostatistics" by Veer Bala Rastogi.

Books for Zoology Paper 2

The below mentioned books can be referred for the Zoology optional UPSC syllabus:

  • For Cell Biology, read "Karp's Cell Biology" by Gerald Karp.
  • For Molecular Cell Biology, read "Molecular Cell Biology" by David Baltimore and Harvey Lodish.
  • For Genetics, refer to "Concepts of Genetics" by Klug and Cummings.
  • For Evolutionary Biology, study "Organic Evolution" by Veer Bala Rastogi.
  • For Biochemistry, refer to "Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry" (selected chapters) by David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox.
  • For Biochemistry, read "Biochemistry" by U. Satyanarayana.
  • For Animal Physiology (with special reference to mammals), refer "Tortora's Principles of Anatomy and Physiology" by Bryan H. Derrickson and Gerard J. Tortora.
  • For Developmental Biology, refer "Developmental Biology" by Scott F. Gilbert.

Check Related UPSC Syllabus for Other Subjects

UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus

UPSC History Optional Syllabus

UPSC Economics Optional Syllabus

UPSC Agriculture Optional Syllabus

UPSC Electrical Engineering Optional Syllabus

UPSC Law Syllabus

UPSC Geology Syllabus

UPSC Political Science Syllabus

UPSC Public Administration Syllabus

UPSC Sociology Optional Syllabus

This was a detailed article about the UPSC Zoology Syllabus. To start the preparation for your examination, download the Testbook App and get access to world-class educations, mock tests, etc.

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UPSC Zoology Syllabus 2025 FAQs

Yes, the syllabus pdf can be downloaded from the official UPSC website.

Though core topics are alike, there will be slight deviations in terms of emphasis and paper presentation.

The detailed syllabus is available on the UPSC official website and in the notification of the exam.

They are crucial to understand the pattern, widely repeated topics, and for practice.

Standard texts by eminent authors like R.L. Kotpal, E.L. Jordan, and P.S. Verma.

The syllabus encompasses a variety of topics such as animal diversity, genetics, evolution, ecology, and applied Zoology.
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