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Kerala PSC has announced the HSST Botany Exam 2026, and the exam date has been officially confirmed. The detailed syllabus is available on the official Kerala PSC website, and candidates should strictly prepare based on this prescribed syllabus. While referring to the syllabus, it is equally important to identify and use the right textbooks and reference books. Let’s take a look at the recommended books essential for effective preparation for the Kerala PSC HSST Botany 2026 examination.
Kerala PSC HSST Botany 2026 Syllabus Download
Before selecting HSST Botany reference books, candidates should thoroughly review the Kerala PSC-prescribed syllabus and identify all the topics included. Understanding the exam pattern, marks distribution, and question format is equally important. To ensure focused and effective preparation, candidates are strongly advised to download and study the official syllabus in detail before beginning their exam preparation.
Kerala PSC HSST Botany Exam Notes 2026 – Free PDF
1: The first recipient of the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna’ award?
| Topics | Download PDF |
| Plant Pathology | |
| Phycology | |
| Pteridology | |
| Bryology | |
| Embryology | |
| Classification of Gymnosperms | |
| Coniferopsida | |
| Gymnosperms – General Characteristics | |
| Forest Botany | |
| Gymnology | |
| Paleobotany | |
| Mycology – part 2 | |
| Mycology – part 3 | |
| Translation | |
| Morphology of Bacteria | |
| Polymerase Chain Reaction | |
| Classification of fungi | |
| Basidiomycotina | |
| Fungal association | |
| Zygomycota | |
| Palynology | |
| P.K. K Nair, Father of Palynology | |
| Palynology in relation to Taxonomy | |
| Microbial Genetics | |
| Economic importance of fungi | |
| Natural Products |
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സർക്കാർ ജോലി എന്ന സ്വപ്നം ഇനി സ്വപ്നം മാത്രമല്ല! Join Entri's HSA Coaching Program
Join Now!Kerala PSC HSST Botany 2026 Previous Questions – Free PDF
| Paper | Question Paper |
| 059/2022 | |
| 050/2018 | |
| 045/2017 |
Kerala PSC HSST Botany Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Kerala PSC HSST Botany Notification 2026 | |
| Job Type | Government Job |
| Post Name | Higher Secondary School Teacher |
| Category Number | Notify Later |
| Subject | Botany |
| Notification Release Date | Notify Later |
| Application Starts | Notify Later |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date to Apply | Notify Later |
| Official Website | www.keralapsc.gov.in |
Kerala PSC HSST Botany Exam Pattern 2026 – Marks & Topics
- Total Marks: 100
- Total Questions: 100 (Objective Type – MCQs)
- Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Mode of Exam: Offline (OMR-based)
- Negative Marking: 0.33 marks for each wrong answer
| Part | Module / Section | Main Topics | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I | Core Subject (Botany) | Plant anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, genetics, ecology, plant biotechnology, microbiology, evolution, molecular biology, and applied botany | 70 Marks |
| Part II | Research Methodology & Teaching Aptitude | Teaching aptitude – nature, objectives, methods, teaching aids, evaluation; Research aptitude – meaning, steps, ethics, types of research, thesis writing, seminars, papers, workshops | 10 Marks |
| Part III | General Studies | Indian Constitution – Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Duties, Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, Centre–State Relations, Emergency & Amendment Provisions | 5 Marks |
| Social Welfare Legislations & Programmes | RTI Act, Prevention of Atrocities Acts, Food Security Act, Environmental Acts, Employment Guarantee Programme, Organ/Blood Donation, etc. | 5 Marks | |
| Renaissance in Kerala | English education, reform movements (SNDP, NSS, etc.), social revolts, role of press, literature, women’s movements, Renaissance leaders, literary figures | 10 Marks | |
| Part IV | General Knowledge & Current Affairs | Current events (national/international), Kerala-specific facts, awards, policies, schemes, science, literature, education, health, technology | 10 Marks |
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സർക്കാർ ജോലി എന്ന സ്വപ്നം ഇനി സ്വപ്നം മാത്രമല്ല! Join Entri's HSA Coaching Program
Join Now!Kerala PSC HSST Botany Books 2026 – Recommended References
For effective preparation, candidates should rely on syllabus-based textbooks and PSC-oriented HSST Botany reference materials. Since the exam is objective (MCQ-based) with negative marking, conceptual clarity and repeated revision are essential.
Part I: Core Subject – Botany (70 Marks)
NCERT / SCERT (Must-Read):
- NCERT Biology Class XI & XII (Botany portions)
Plant Anatomy, Physiology, Genetics, Ecology, Biotechnology, Evolution, Molecular Biology - SCERT Kerala Higher Secondary Botany Textbooks (Plus One & Plus Two)
Reference Books:
- Botany for Degree Students – B.P. Pandey / A.C. Dutta
- Plant Physiology – Taiz & Zeiger
- Genetics – P.S. Verma & V.K. Agarwal
- Microbiology – Pelczar
- Biotechnology – U. Satyanarayana
- Kerala PSC HSST Botany Objective Question Banks
Part II: Research Methodology & Teaching Aptitude (10 Marks)
Recommended Books:
- Research Methodology – C.R. Kothari
- Teaching Aptitude – UGC NET Paper I Preparation Books
- Kerala PSC Teaching Aptitude & Research Methodology Guides
Part III: General Studies (20 Marks)
Indian Constitution (5 Marks):
- Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth (Selected chapters)
- Kerala PSC General Studies Manuals
Social Welfare Legislations (5 Marks):
- Kerala PSC General Studies & Social Welfare Notes
- Government scheme summaries (RTI, Food Security, Environmental Acts)
Renaissance in Kerala (10 Marks):
- SCERT Kerala History Textbooks
- Kerala Renaissance – Standard Kerala PSC reference books
Part IV: General Knowledge & Current Affairs (10 Marks)
Recommended Sources:
- Monthly Current Affairs Magazines (Kerala PSC focused)
- Kerala-specific current affairs compilations
How to Use Books for HSST Botany 2026 Preparation – Tips & Suggestions
- Download and study the official Kerala PSC syllabus first
- Use NCERT and SCERT textbooks as primary study materials
- Refer standard books only for concept clarification
- Practice MCQ-based questions after each topic
- Prepare short revision notes for key points and diagrams
- Revise topics regularly to improve your understanding
- Avoid multiple books for the same topic
- Focus on time management and negative marking
