Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Syllabus for UPSC CSE Mains PDF Download

Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science is an optional subject available for students during the UPSC Civil  Service Mains Examination. The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science optional syllabus consists of two parts, which include  Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 explores the fundamental principles of animal nutrition, physiology, reproduction, livestock production and management, genetics, and animal breeding. The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science optional paper 2 covers topics such as anatomy, pharmacology, hygiene, animal diseases, veterinary public health, milk products and their associated technology, and meat hygiene and technology.

The UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science optional syllabus attracts many UPSC Civil Service candidates who have backgrounds in the dairy/meat business, medicine, or the veterinary profession. Experts in the field believe that the  UPSC optional subject syllabus provides students with the opportunity to achieve better results in the examination. The subject enhances candidates’ chances of securing a spot in the UPSC interview process.

Why Choose Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Subject for UPSC?

Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science is a key UPSC optional subject focusing on livestock management and rural welfare. It prepares students to address field challenges effectively.

1. Relevance to UPSC: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science is a multidisciplinary subject for the UPSC exam, focusing on animal nutrition, breeding, health management, livestock production, and veterinary medicine. 

2. Scoring Subject: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science is a high-scoring UPSC optional, allowing candidates to demonstrate a strong understanding and stand out.

3. Interdisciplinary Nature: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology, genetics, animal science, and veterinary medicine, offering practical applications in agriculture and medical science.

4. Contemporary Issue Relevant: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science connects to current agricultural, welfare, and public health issues, helping candidates stay informed about contemporary challenges in these fields.

5. Career Prospects: Studying Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science provides diverse career options in government, research, animal husbandry boards, hospitals, and livestock development, while also fostering entrepreneurship in dairy, poultry, and animal healthcare services.

Overview of the UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Syllabus

For the UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Syllabus, there is a wide-ranging body of content that is carefully selected and organized to assess the technical proficiency of the candidates comprehensively. The syllabus is divided into two main papers focused on animal husbandry and veterinary science. Paper 1 covers fundamental and applied topics, while Paper 2 focuses on specialized and advanced topics. 

Each paper would consist of 250 marks for the UPSC Animal Husbandry syllabus, and a possible total of 500 marks. The duration for each UPSC Veterinary syllabus paper is 3 hours. Each paper would consist of an objective answer-type paper. There is no negative marking.

Overview of UPSC Veterinary 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

1. UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Syllabus: Paper 1

The core themes of Paper 1 are Animal Nutrition, addressing the core fundamentals of nutrition, the characteristics of a variety of feeds and forages, nutrient requirements, and metabolic disorders of animals. 

• The domain of animal physiology encompasses several key areas, including reproduction, lactation, and growth and development in livestock. 
• Animal reproduction addresses issues related to the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system, reproductive cycles, and the techniques for artificial insemination and fertility management. 
• Livestock Production Management was concerned with the management practices related to livestock, animal husbandry practices, housing and maintenance, and economic production aspects of farm management. 
• Genetics and animal breeding introduced the principles of genetics, general breeding principles, selection methods, and biotechnology in animal breeding. 

The table below gives a detailed view of the main topics of the UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Syllabus Paper 1:

UPSC Veterinary Optional Syllabus for Paper 1
Topic	Details
Animal Nutrition	Partitioning of food energy within the animal, direct and indirect calorimetry, carbon-nitrogen balance, and comparative slaughter methods.
	Energy requirements for maintenance, growth, pregnancy, lactation, egg, wool, and meat production.
	Latest advances in protein nutrition, energy-protein interrelationships, evaluation of protein quality, and use of NPN compounds in ruminant diets.
	Protein requirements for maintenance, growth, pregnancy, lactation, egg, wool, and meat production.
	Major and trace minerals – their sources, physiological functions, deficiency symptoms, toxic minerals, and mineral interactions.
	Role of fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins in the body, their sources, and deficiency symptoms.
	Feed additives such as methane inhibitors, probiotics, enzymes, antibiotics, hormones, oligosaccharides, antioxidants, emulsifiers, mold inhibitors, and buffers.
	Use and abuse of growth promoters like hormones and antibiotics.
	Conservation of fodders, storage of feeds and ingredients, feed analysis, quality control.
	Digestibility trials, predicting feed intake in grazing animals.
	Advances in ruminant nutrition: nutrient requirements, balanced rations, feeding strategies for calves, pregnant animals, work animals, breeding bulls, and milch animals.
	Swine nutrition: nutrient requirements, creep, starter, grower, and finisher rations, low-cost rations for lean meat production.
	Poultry nutrition: nutrient requirements for meat and egg production, formulation of rations for layers and broilers.
Animal Physiology	Physiology of blood, cardiac cycle, heart sounds, ECG, work and efficiency of the heart, effect of ions on heart function, cardiac muscle metabolism, regulation of heart function, blood pressure, osmotic regulation, coronary and pulmonary circulation, blood-brain barrier.
	Respiration: mechanisms of respiration, transport and exchange of gases, neural control of respiration, hypoxia, respiration in birds.
	Excretion: kidney function, urine formation, renal regulation of acid-base balance, renal failure, biochemical tests for urinary dysfunction, and sweat glands.
	Endocrine glands: hormonal synthesis, secretion control, and receptor functions, endocrine disorders.
	Growth and animal production: prenatal and postnatal growth, growth curves, conformation, body composition, and meat quality.
	Milk production: hormonal control of mammary development, milk secretion, milk ejection, reproductive organs, digestive organs, and their functions.
	Environmental physiology: mechanisms of adaptation to environmental factors, animal behavior, climatology, and stress management.
Animal Reproduction	Semen quality, preservation, and artificial insemination.
	Composition of spermatozoa, chemical and physical properties of ejaculated semen, factors affecting semen quality in vivo and in vitro, preservation methods, sperm concentration, transport of diluted semen, and deep freezing techniques in cows, sheep, goats, swine, and poultry.
	Detection of estrus, timing of insemination for better conception, anestrus, and repeat breeding.
Livestock Production and Management	Commercial dairy farming: comparison of dairy farming in India with advanced countries, mixed vs specialized farming, starting a dairy farm, capital and land requirements, organization of the farm, herd recording, budgeting, and cost of milk production.
	Feeding and management: developing practical rations for dairy cattle, feeding regimes for young stock, bulls, heifers, and breeding animals, and new trends in feeding.
	Meat, egg, and wool production: practical rations for sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, poultry, socio-economic concepts, land requirements.
	Emergency management: feeding and management during drought, flood, and other natural calamities.
Genetics and Animal Breeding	History of animal genetics: mitosis, meiosis, Mendelian inheritance, deviations from Mendelian genetics, gene expression, linkage, crossing over, sex determination, sex-influenced and sex-limited traits, blood groups, and polymorphism.
	Molecular genetics: DNA structure, genetic code, protein synthesis, recombinant DNA technology, mutations, types of mutations, mutation detection, and transgenesis.
	Population genetics: Hardy-Weinberg law, gene frequency, random drift, inbreeding, estimating inbreeding coefficients, breeding values, genotype-environment interactions, role of multiple measurements.
	Breeding systems encompass a range of selection methods, including individual, pedigree, family, and progeny testing, as well as the construction of selection indices, crossbreeding, inbreeding, outbreeding, sire index, and genetic and phenotypic correlations.
Extension	Basic philosophy, objectives, concepts of extension, and methods for educating farmers in rural conditions.
	Technology transfer: generation of technology, transfer, and feedback mechanisms.
	Challenges in technology transfer: problems and constraints in transferring technology, animal husbandry programs for rural development.

2. UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Syllabus: Paper 2

Paper 2 includes subject matter:

• Veterinary Medicine: Etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and control of disease in animals
• Veterinary Epidemiology:
  • Dynamics, study, and control of disease
  • Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Study of action, use, and resistance of drugs within veterinary medicine 
• Surgery and Radiology:
  • Surgical techniques
  • Anesthetics
  • Diagnostics
  • Post-operative care
• Public Health and Hygiene:
  • Aspects of zoonoses
  • Food safety
  • Environmental hygiene
  • The veterinary profession and public health

The table below gives a detailed view of the UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Syllabus Paper 2:

UPSC Veterinary Optional Syllabus for Paper 2
Topic	Details
Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Hygiene	Histology and Histological Techniques
	Paraffin embedding technique of tissue processing and H.E. staining, Freezing microtomy, Microscopy: Bright field microscope and electron microscope.
	Cytology: Structure of cell, organelles, and inclusions, Cell division, Cell types, Tissues and their classification (embryonic and adult tissues).
	Comparative histology of organs: Vascular, Nervous, Digestive, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Urogenital systems. Endocrine glands, Integuments, and Sense organs.
Embryology	Embryology of vertebrates, especially aves and domestic mammals.
	Gametogenesis, fertilization, germ layers, fetal membranes, and placentation in domestic mammals.
	Types of placenta in domestic mammals, Teratology, Twins and twinning, Organogenesis, Germ layer derivatives (endodermal, mesodermal, ectodermal).
Bovine Anatomy	Regional Anatomy of paranasal sinuses of OX, surface anatomy of salivary glands, infraorbital, maxillary, mandibuloalveolar, mental, and cornual nerve block.
	Regional anatomy of paravertebral nerves, pudendal nerve, median ulnar and radial nerves, tibial, fibular, and digital nerves, and cranial nerves.
	Structures involved in epidural anesthesia, superficial lymph nodes, and surface anatomy of visceral organs in thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.
	Comparative features of locomotor apparatus and biomechanics of the mammalian body.
Anatomy of Fowl	Musculoskeletal system: Functional anatomy concerning respiration, flying, digestion, and egg production.
Pharmacology and Therapeutic Drugs	Cellular level of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
	Drugs acting on fluids and electrolyte balance, the Autonomic nervous system, Anaesthesia, and dissociative anesthetics.
	Autacoids, antimicrobials, and principles of chemotherapy for microbial infections.
	Use of hormones in therapeutics, chemotherapy for parasitic infections.
	Drug concerns in edible animal tissues, chemotherapy for neoplastic diseases, toxicity due to insecticides, plants, metals, non-metals, zootoxins, and mycotoxins.
Veterinary Hygiene concerning Water, Air, and Habitation	Assessment of pollution in water, air, and soil, the importance of climate in animal health, and the effect of the environment on animal function and performance.
	The relationship between industrialization and animal agriculture, including animal housing requirements for pregnant cows, sows, milking cows, and broiler birds.
	Stress, strain, and productivity about animal habitation.
Animal Diseases	Etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, postmortem lesions, diagnosis, and control of infectious diseases of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, and poultry.
	Diagnosis and treatment of production diseases in cattle, horses, pigs, and poultry.
	Deficiency diseases in domestic animals and birds.
	Diagnosis and treatment of non-specific conditions such as impaction, bloat, diarrhea, indigestion, dehydration, stroke, and poisoning.
	Diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders.
	Principles and methods of immunization, herd immunity, disease-free zones, zero disease concept, and chemoprophylaxis.
Anesthesia	Local, regional, and general anesthesia; pre-anaesthetic medication.
	Symptoms and surgical interference in fractures, dislocation, hernia, choking, abomasal displacement, Cesarean operations, rumenotomy, castrations.
Disease Investigation Techniques	Materials for laboratory investigation, establishment of Animal Health Centers, and Disease-free zones.
Veterinary Public Health	Zoonoses: Classification, definition, and role of animals and birds in transmission and prevalence of zoonotic diseases.
	Occupational zoonotic diseases.
Epidemiology	Principles and definitions of epidemiological terms, application of epidemiological measures in disease control.
	Epidemiological features of air, water, and foodborne infections, OIE regulations, WTO, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
Veterinary Jurisprudence	Rules and regulations for animal quality improvement and disease prevention.
	State and central rules for the prevention of animal and animal product-borne diseases, SPCA, veterinary legal cases, certificates, materials, and methods for the collection of samples for veterinary legal investigation.
Milk and Milk Products Technology	Quality, testing, and grading of raw milk, processing, packaging, storing, distribution, marketing, and defect control.
	Preparation of various types of milk: Pasteurized, standardized, toned, double-toned, sterilized, homogenized, reconstituted, recombined, and flavored milks.
	Preparation of cultured milks such as yogurt, dahi, lassi, and srikhand.
	Legal standards, sanitation requirements for clean milk, and milk plant equipment.
Milk Products Technology	Selection of raw materials, processing, storing, distributing, and marketing milk products such as cream, butter, ghee, khoa, channa, cheese, condensed, evaporated, dried milk, baby food, ice cream, and kulfi.
	Testing, grading, judging milk products, BIS and Agmark specifications, quality control, and nutritive properties.
	Packaging, processing, operational control, and costing of dairy products.
Meat Hygiene and Technology	Ante mortem care and management of food animals, stunning, slaughter, dressing operations, abattoir requirements, and meat inspection procedures.
	Grading of carcass meat cuts, duties, and functions of veterinarians in wholesome meat production.
	Hygienic handling of meat, spoilage control measures, post-slaughter physicochemical changes in meat, quality improvement methods, adulteration detection, regulatory provisions in the meat trade and industry.
Meat Technology	Physical and chemical characteristics of meat, meat emulsions, and methods of meat preservation, such as curing, canning, irradiation, and packaging.
	By-products: Slaughterhouse by-products and their utilization (edible and inedible), social and economic implications of proper utilization, organ products for food and pharmaceuticals.
Poultry Products Technology	Chemical composition and nutritive value of poultry meat, pre-slaughter care and management, slaughtering techniques, inspection, preservation of poultry meat and products.
	Legal and BIS standards for poultry products.
	Structure, composition, and nutritive value of eggs, microbial spoilage, preservation, marketing of poultry meat, eggs, and value-added meat products.
Rabbit/Fur Animal Farming	Rabbit meat production, disposal, and utilization of fur and wool, recycling of waste by-products, and grading of wool.

How to Prepare for the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Paper for UPSC?

Effective preparation of the UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Syllabus requires a strategic plan. The following is a guide:

1. Understand the syllabus very well: First, download the syllabus for the animal husbandry and veterinary science exam from the UPSC official website to understand all the topics to be covered.

2. Make a study plan: Make a study plan for every section in the syllabus. You need to allocate time and schedule every section in the syllabus involving animal husbandry and veterinary science. Prioritize topics based on their weightage and your level of knowledge of the subject.

3. Use standard references: Use the standard textbooks and reference texts for reading. The books could be used to cover in depth the subjects that are present in the UPSC syllabus on animal husbandry.

4. Regular revision: Review regularly to maintain fresh ideas and retain more learning. Regular and systematic revision is necessary to cover the syllabus for animal husbandry and veterinary science for UPSC.

5. Solve previous year papers: Solving previous year question papers helps a student understand the pattern of questions, type of questions, and plan time for each section based on last year’s experience, and accuracy and confidence can be achieved.

Conclusion

In conclusion, focusing on the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science optional subject is a good choice for colleagues preparing for the UPSC Main examination. All interested candidates considering taking the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences should know the UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Syllabus. 

By utilizing a systematic study plan, staying updated with current news and developments in the field, and engaging in plenty of revision & practice, candidates can excel in this subject area and achieve success in the UPSC examination. 

Previous Years’ Question Papers

2024 Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Paper
Paper 1	Paper 2
2023 Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Paper
Paper 1	Paper 2
2022 Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Paper
Paper 1	Paper 2
2021 Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Paper
Paper 1	Paper 2
2020 Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Paper
Paper 1	Paper 2
2019 Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Paper
Paper 1	Paper 2
2018 Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Paper
Paper 1	Paper 2
2017 Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Paper
Paper 1	Paper 2
2016 Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Paper
Paper 1	Paper 2