The UPSSSC Agriculture Technical Assistant (AGTA) exam is unique — unlike most UPSSSC exams which test general aptitude, this one is heavily agriculture-focused. Agriculture Science alone carries 65 out of 100 marks. If you have a B.Sc Agriculture background, you're already ahead. If not, you'll need serious subject preparation.
Exam Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam | UPSSSC AGTA Mains (06-Exam/2026) |
| Pre-requisite | UPSSSC PET 2025 Score Card |
| Total Questions | 100 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | -0.25 per wrong answer |
Subject-wise Marks
| Subject | Marks | Questions (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Science (कृषि विज्ञान) | 65 | 65 |
| General Hindi (सामान्य हिंदी) | 20 | 20 |
| Computer & IT Knowledge | 15 | 15 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Agriculture Science — 65 Marks (The Decider)
- Agronomy: Cropping systems, crop rotation, irrigation methods, soil & water conservation, weed management, organic farming
- Soil Science: Soil types in UP, soil testing, fertilizers (NPK), manures, soil health card scheme
- Horticulture: Fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices — cultivation techniques, post-harvest management
- Plant Protection: Major crop diseases, insect pests, integrated pest management (IPM), bio-pesticides
- Agricultural Economics: MSP, APMC, e-NAM, PM-KISAN, crop insurance, agricultural marketing
- Agricultural Engineering: Farm machinery, irrigation systems (drip, sprinkler), post-harvest technology
- Animal Husbandry: Dairy farming basics, poultry, livestock management, veterinary first aid
- Government Schemes: PM-KISAN, Soil Health Card, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, RKVY, UP state agriculture schemes
Focus: UP-specific agriculture — major crops of UP (sugarcane, wheat, rice, potato), state agriculture policies, and Kisan schemes are very important.
General Hindi — 20 Marks
- विलोम, पर्यायवाची, मुहावरे, लोकोक्तियाँ
- संधि, समास, वाक्य शुद्धि, वर्तनी
- अपठित गद्यांश, रिक्त स्थान
Computer & IT — 15 Marks
- Hardware/software basics, MS Office (Word, Excel)
- Internet, email, web browsing
- Data entry, spreadsheet operations
- Government IT initiatives — Digital India, e-governance
Preparation Strategy
- Agriculture (65 marks) is everything. Without strong agriculture preparation, you cannot crack this exam.
- B.Sc Agriculture NCERT + state textbooks — cover fundamentals thoroughly
- UP-specific: UP agriculture statistics, major crops, state schemes — 10-15 questions come from here
- Hindi and Computer: Easy 35 marks combined. Don't spend more than 1 week on these.
- Negative marking (0.25): Mild — attempt if 40-50% sure.
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Agriculture Science — Detailed Topic Breakdown (65 Marks)
Since 65% of your paper is agriculture, let's break down exactly what to study:
Agronomy (15-20 questions)
- Kharif crops: Rice, maize, sugarcane, cotton — cultivation, irrigation, fertilizer schedule
- Rabi crops: Wheat, mustard, gram, pea — sowing time, seed rate, harvesting
- Zaid crops: Watermelon, cucumber, moong — summer cultivation practices
- Cropping systems of UP: Rice-wheat, sugarcane-wheat, rice-mustard — most important for exam
- Organic farming: Composting, vermicomposting, green manuring, biofertilizers — trending topic
Soil Science (10-12 questions)
- Soil types in UP: Alluvial (Gangetic plain), laterite, black soil — know which crops grow best in which
- Soil Health Card Scheme: How it works, what parameters it tests — government scheme questions
- NPK + micronutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium — deficiency symptoms in crops
- Soil testing methods: pH testing, EC, organic carbon — basic laboratory procedures
Plant Protection (10-12 questions)
- Major crop diseases: Rice blast, wheat rust, sugarcane smut — symptoms and control
- Major pests: Stem borer, bollworm, aphids — identification and management
- IPM (Integrated Pest Management): Biological control, pheromone traps, crop rotation — exam favourite
Government Schemes (8-10 questions — Easy Marks!)
- PM-KISAN: ₹6,000/year to farmers — installments, eligibility, Aadhaar linking
- PM Fasal Bima Yojana: Crop insurance — premium rates, claim process
- Soil Health Card Scheme: Free soil testing for farmers
- e-NAM: National Agriculture Market — online trading of farm produce
- UP state schemes: Kisan Samman Nidhi, Paramparagat Krishi, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
Pro tip: Government schemes are the easiest 8-10 marks in the paper. They're factual — no calculation, no analysis. Just memorize scheme names, objectives, and key features. These can be prepared in 2-3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is agriculture graduation mandatory for this exam?
Yes. The post requires B.Sc Agriculture or equivalent agricultural degree. General B.Sc (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) without agriculture specialization may not qualify.
Are questions based on ICAR syllabus?
Partially. The exam follows a broader agriculture syllabus that overlaps with ICAR university curriculum but also includes UP-specific agriculture topics, government schemes, and practical field knowledge.
Is PET score needed for this exam?
Yes. UPSSSC PET 2025 score card is mandatory to apply. Without PET, you cannot fill the AGTA application form.
How important is Hindi section (20 marks)?
Very important for scoring. Hindi grammar (sandhi, samas, muhavare) questions are fixed marks if you've practiced. Don't ignore this — 15+ out of 20 is easily achievable.
What is the expected cut-off?
For General category, expect 65-75 out of 100. SC/ST may qualify at 50-60. The agriculture-heavy paper means candidates without proper agri background struggle significantly.
