How to prepare for

Zoology optional for

UPSC IAS Mains Exam
Email: info@sapiensias.in | Phone: +91-8700922126
About Zoology

Zoology requires a huge amount of hard work. This optional paper is also quite
lengthy. Aspirants should be thorough with the syllabus. Knowing the syllabus will
help you to understand what to study what not to study.
The students from Medicine mostly favor zoology, Pupils from another background,
mainly the non-science background may find it like a challenging undertaking this
subject. For scoring nicely into this topic --applicants need to indulge in the reading of
this syllabus in detail.
You Have to understand that scoring in almost any optional topic is not an art of
deciding upon an easy question, but putting work--lose your sweat and blood on your
favorite subject. That is the way to go to get Zoology--or the way To select almost any
topic for that matter.
Why Zoology?

A highly scoring optional that is highly interesting too.

1) It is an interesting subject: Zoology takes you to the fascinating world of animals. You get to know
about animal groups, their functioning, behavior and all.
2) It is a safe optional: Questions in Zoology are direct in nature. With basic concept and facts, you
can answer most of the questions. If you are guided properly, you can score well. No guessing
games like humanity subjects.
3) It is a scoring optional: Getting 60 percent or more becomes easy in this optional after taking
classes at Sapiens IAS. Our students achieve high scores every year. UPSC Toppers also get such
scores.
Intense reading
The Zoology optional syllabus includes diverse elements. After analyzing, the various components in the
syllabus one must pick out the right books. This optional paper demands an intense reading.
Importance of short notes
Note making is considered as the essential part of UPSC preparation. The zoology optional subject is loaded
with abundant information and figure. To retain this one has made short and crispy notes during the
preparation. Such short notes will ensure that your answers in the UPSC Main exam are covered all the
points in a balanced manner and absolute.
Answer Writing
Zoology is related to the animal kingdom and this paper gives us a wide opportunity to express our ideas.
The aspirant should frame answer with necessary diagrammatic and keep your answers less verbose. Citing
brief and brilliant introduction will capture the attention of the evaluator. Aspirants should give proper,
diagrams, in depth and rigorous information to show your confidence and knowledge in the subject. While
choosing the terminologies also, cite proper words and terms as it contains many scientific terms. Try to
establish the relationships by using diagrams and flowcharts.
Find the important topics in Paper I and Paper II
Identifying the most important and fruitful topic in Zoology Paper I and Paper II will enhance your
preparation. Here we are citing some important topics according to the previous year’s UPSC trend.
Aspirants must cover these areas thoroughly.
• Economic Zoology
• Invertebrates
• Ecology
• Biostatistics and Bio-instrumentation
• Vertebrate Zoology with comparative anatomy
• Evolution
• Physiology and Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Developmental Biology
Tips for zoology optional Paper 1
Aspirants should pay attention to general essays. They must cover all the theories and must correlate
things from the evolutionary viewpoint. While studying Economic Zoology, the candidate must focus on
topics related to recent developments in India.
Tips for zoology optional Paper II
In some areas of zoology Paper II, it is significant to express that what we know and how we know.
While answering the zoology optional Paper II, one should not forget to highlight the human aspects.
Essential books
Aspirants should pick out easy and basic books to build a foundation. This will help you to conceptual
clarity. After that, one can pick out detailed references books to read.
Important Books for Zoology Optional
– A Dictionary of Entomology by Leftwich: Click here
– Biochemistry – Harper, Lehninger, Stryer, Rao: Click here
– Genetics – P.K. Gupta, Gardner, Ahluwalia, Vir Bala Rastogi: Click here
– Physiology – H.R. Singh: Click here
– Animal physiology – H.R. Singh, Vander: Click here
– Embryology – Balinsky, A.K. Berry, Vir Bala Rastogi: Click here
– Ethology – Reena Mathur, Magazines like Science Reporter, Nature etc.
– Ecology – P.D. Sharma, Odum, Vir Bala Rastogi and M.S. Jayaraj, Kotpal and Bali: Click here
– Organic evolution by Veer Bala Rastogi: Click here
– Cell and Molecular Biology – De Robertis, C.B. Powar: Click here
– Invertebrates – R.L. Kotpal, Nigam, Jordan: Click here
– Modern Textbook Of Vertebrates Zoology by R.L. Kotpal: Click here
– Comparative anatomy of vertebrate zoology by Kent: Click here
– General zoology: Tracy Irwin Storer, Robert L. Usinger: Click here
– Economic Zoology – Shukla and Upadhaya, Kotpal Series, Kotpal- Khetrapal – Agarwal: Click here
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