Kerala PSC HSST Botany 2025 Notification | Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Previous Question Papers & Preparation Tips

The Kerala PSC HSST Botany 2025 notification is expected to release soon on the official website by December 2025. HSST Botany 2025 is a golden opportunity for post graduate candidates in Botany aspiring to become Higher Secondary School Teachers in government schools across Kerala.

Scroll down to see all the essential information about Kerala PSC HSST Botany Notification 2025 including HSST Botany Syllabus, eligibility, exam pattern, HSST Botany Previous Year Question Papers and preparation strategies.

Kerala PSC HSST Botany 2025 Key Details

Kerala PSC HSST Botany 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Kerala PSC HSST Botany 2025 Eligibility Criteria include

• Master’s Degree in Botany or Biological Science with minimum 50% marks from any recognised college or university
• BEd in Natural Science or its equivalent and
• State Eligibility Test (SET) certificate in Botany

Kerala PSC HSST Botany Exam Pattern 2025

Kerala PSC HSST Botany Syllabus 2025 PDF

The updated Kerala PSC HSST Botany syllabus 2025 will be released upon the announcement of the upcoming Kerala PSC HSST Botany exam date 2025. Therefore, it is recommended that all candidates consult the previous Kerala PSC HSST Botany syllabus PDF for their HSST Botany preparations at this time.

Click here for Kerala PSC HSST Botany Syllabus 2025 PDF Download

DETAILED SYLLABUS FOR THE POST OF HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER (JUNIOR) IN BOTANY HIGHER SECONDARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT 

PART I-BOTANY 

MODULE -1 – 10 Marks 

PHYCOLOGY 

1. Classification of algae - Fritsch and Smith 

2. Recent trends in classifications 

3. General features of algae - thallus organization, vegetation, sexual and asexual reproduction and life cycle 

4. Pattern of life cycle and salient features of the following classes: Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Xanthophyta, Bacillariophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta 

5. Economic importances of algae : Biofertilizers, Food industry, Industrial and medicinal importances, algal bloom 

MYCOLOGY 

1. Classification of fungi - Alexopoulos and Mims (1979), Ainsworth and Bisby (1983) 

2. General features of fungi - thallus structure, cell wall structure, heterothallism, parasexuality and reproduction 

3. Salient features of following classes- Myxomycota, Mastigomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Deuteromycota 

4. Fungal associations - symbiosis, saprophytism, mycorrhiza, endophytes, lichens 5. Economic importances of fungi - degradation of pesticides and wastes, decomposition of organic matter, degradation of lignin, significances in medicine and industry, fungal toxins and human health 

PLANT PATHOLOGY 

1. Principles of plant pathology - biotic and abiotic agents and various symptoms of plant diseases 

2. Process of infection and defense mechanisms - enzymes, toxins, structural and biochemical defense systems 

3. Disease management - chemical, biological and quarantine measures 

4. Common diseases of crops in Kerala - paddy, coconut, rubber, arecanut, pepper, ginger, cardamom, coffee and tea 

BRYOLOGY 

1. General account on morphology, anatomy and life cycle of the following groups: Hepaticopsida, Anthoceratopsida and Bryopsida 

2. Origin, evolution and economic importances of bryophytes - indicators of pollution, horticulture, medicine etc.. 

PTERIDOLOGY 

1. General account on morphology, anatomy and life cycle of the following groups -Psilopsida, Psilotopsida, Lycopsida, Sphaenopsida and Pteropsida
2. Heterospory, seed habit, stelar evolution 
3. Economic importances of pteridophytes - as biofertilizers, in horticulture, medicine, ecological indicators, as weed, in food industry

GYMNOSPERMS 

1. General account on morphology, anatomy and life cycle of the following groups -cycadopsida, coniferopsida and gnetopsida 

2. Economic importances of gymnosperms 

MICROBIOLOGY 

1. Bacteria: ultra structure, major groups, nutritional types and reproduction 2. Viruses: ultrastructure, major groups, nutritional types, replication 

3. Brief account on phones, viroids, virions, mycoplasmas, interferons, actinomycetes, bacteriophages 

4. Economic importances of microbes- in ecology, food, industry, medicine, agriculture and other industries 

PALAEOBOTANY 

1. Geological time scale and evolution of plant groups 

2. Types of fossilization 

3. Fossil pteridophytes and gymnosperms 

MODULE-II – 10 Marks 

ANGIOSPERM ANATOMY 

1.Tissues - meristem, secretory and excretory tissues, primary and secondary tissues 

2. Anatomy of stem, root and leaf - both primary and secondary structure in stem and root 

3. Anomalous secondary growth in dicot and monocot stems 

4. Brief account of nodal anatomy, wood anatomy and floral anatomy 

MICROTECHNIQUE 

1. Tools in microtechnique -microscopy, micrometry, camera lucida, cryostat, microtomes (rotary and sledge) 

2. Fixing, killing, dehydration, clearing, embedding, staining and mounting - reagents used in each step 

3. Brief account on vital staining, double staining, whole mount, maceration and histochemical tests for carbohydrates, proteins and lipids 

EMBRYOLOGY 

1. Microsporogenesis and male gametophyte development 

2. Megasporogenesis and embryosac development 

3. Pollination, fertilization and embryogeny in both monocots and dicots 

4. Endosperm types, polyembryony, parthenocarpy and apmixis

PALYNOLOGY 

1. Ultrastructure of pollen wall, pollen morphology, - NPC system of classification of pollen apertures 

2. Contributions of Dr. PKK. Nair to palynology 

3. Palynology in relation to taxonomy 

4. Aeropalynology and melitto palynology and pollen allergy 

PLANT BREEDING 

1. Methods in crop improvement and achievements - plant introduction, selection, mutation breeding, polyploidy breeding and hybridization 

2. Consequences of inbreeding, heterosis and incompatibility 

3. Back cross breeding, resistance breeding (disease resistance and stress resistance), vertical and horizontal resistances 

4. Seed production and certification, major centres of crop production in India 

5. Plant breeder's rights, national biodiversity policy 

6. Methods of vegetative propagation of plants 

EVOLUTION 

1. Origin of life - theories of evolution, classical and modern 

2. Speciation 

MODULE-III - 10 Marks 

TAXONOMY 

1. Principles of taxonomy - plant nomenclature, taxonomic hierarchy, phylogeny of angiosperms, taxonomic keys 

2. Classification systems - artificial, natural and phylogenetic 

3. Interdisciplinary approaches to angiosperm systematic (anatomy, embryology, morphology, cytology, palynology, chemotaxonomy, numerical taxonomy, molecular taxonomy) 

4. Study of the following families and their characteristic features: Ranunculaceae, Magnoliaceae, Capparidaceae, Polygalaceae, Cryophyllaceae, Malvaceae, Leguminosae, Myrtaceae, Melastomaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Rubiaceae, Asteraceae, Asclepiadaceae, Boraginaceae, Lamiaceae, Amaranthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Orchidaceae, Scitamineae, Liliaceae, Commelinaceae, Arecaceae, Araceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae. 

MORPHOLOGY 

1. Flower as a modified shoot 

2. Floral whorls and their parts - fruits and seed morphology 

3. Vegetative morphology = leaf, root and stem 

ECONOMIC BOTANY 

1. Common cereals, millets and pulses 

2. Vegetables, spices, beverages crops 

3. Timbers, fibres, sugar and oil yielding crops 

4. Medicinal plants 

ETHONOBOTANY 

1.Methods of ethnobotanical studies 

2. Contributions of SK. Jain to ethnobotany 

3. Common plants of ethnobotanical importance in Kerala 

4. Sacred groves and their importance 

PHYTOGEOGRAPHY 

1. Factors affecting plant distribution 

2. Phytogeographic zones of India 

3. Soil, climate and vegetation of India

FOREST BOTANY 

1. Major and minor forest products with special reference to Kerala 

2. Significances of forest on environment 

3. Consequences of deforestation and industrialization 

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY 

1. Habitat ecology - terrestrial, fresh water, wet land and marine 

2. Population ecology - community ecology and ecological succession 

3. Ecosystems - structure, function and types and biomes , 

4. Species interactions - competitions, herbivory, carnivory, symbiosis etc.. 

5. Biogeochemical cycles and environmental pollution - air, water and noise 

6. Global environmental problems - ozone depletion, global warming, acid rain, nuclear hazards, El-nino, climate change, 

7. Environmental impact assessment and major programmes - UNEP, IUCN, MAB, Earth Summit, CBD 

MODULE - IV - 10 Marks 

CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 

1. A brief account on structure, function of cells and cell organelles, - prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cytoskeleton - organization and mobility 

2. Origin, Ultrastructure and function of cell membrane, cell organelles 

3. Chemistry of chromosomes - DNA, RNA, kinetochore, NOR and constriction of chromosomes 

4. Numerical and structural variations of chromosomes 

5. Cell divisions - stages, synaptonemal complexes, theories and mechanism of crossing over and molecular mechanism of crossing over 

6. Cell differentiation - characteristics and mechanisms 

7. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA replication 

8. Molecular nature of genes 

9. Molecular tools for studying genes and gene activities 

10.Techniques of DNA analysis - preparation of DNA and RNA probes, hybridization, autoradiography, DNA finger printing 

11.DNA sequencing, chemical synthesis of nucleotides 

12.PCR and FISH and their applications 

GENETICS 

1. Mendelian genetics and gene interaction 

2. Linkage and crossing over, gene mapping 

3. Polygenic inheritance 

4. Extra chromosomal inheritance 

5. Microbial genetics - transduction, transformation and conjugation in bacteria, Lysogeny and lytic cycle in viruses 

6. Nucleic acids - DNA and RNA types, structure, function and replication 

7. Mutations, DNA damage and repair 

8. Genetic code and gene expressions - protein synthesis, gene regulations - prokaryotes and eukaryotes 

9. Translation, post translation and post transcription 

10.Gene synthesis - Khorana -Kornberg 

11.Population genetics - Hardey-Weinberg equilibrium - genetic drift, genetic load, consanguinity and its genetic effects 

12.Human genetics - blood group systems - ABO, Rh and MN blood groups, human karyotype and syndromes caused by its aberrations, genetic counseling, pedigree analysis 

13.Brief account of human genome project 

MODULE-V  - 10 Marks 

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 

1. Water relation to plants - absorption and transpiration of water - opening and closing of stomata - factors affecting water transport 

2. Mineral nutrition - hydroponics, aeroponics 

3. Nitrogen metabolism in plants 

4. Photosynthesis - C3, C4 and CAM cycle in detail, photorespiration 

5. Respiration - oxidative photophosphorylation 

6. Ascent of sap - source and sink relationship 

7. Growth and development - role of phytohormones, photoperiodism, vernalization, florigines 

8. Stress physiology - water, salt, hot and cold stress - heat shock proteins, adaptations 

9. Seed germination - physiological and biochemical changes 

BIOCHEMISTRY 

1. Carbohydrates - structure, function and metabolism, inter conversion 

2. Lipids - structure, function and metabolism, biosynthesis of fatty acids, alpha and beta oxidation 

3. Amino acids and proteins - structure and properties and classification of amino acids and proteins, amino acid metabolism, Ramachandran plot, verification of proteins 

4. Enzymes - major groups, relation of enzyme activity, enzyme kinetics, assay, regulation, allosteric enzymes, isoenzymes, ribioenzymes, coenzymes 

5. Vitamins - classification, function and sources of vitamins and their role as coenzymes 

BIOPHYSICS 

1. pH and buffers 

2. Microscopy - bright field, phase contrast, fluorescent and electron microscope (SEM and TEM), photometry, colorimetry 

3. Chromatogram - gel filteration, ion exchange, affinity, TLC, GC, HPLC, HPTLC, GCMS 

4. Electrophoresis - AGE, PAGE, SDS-PAGE, isoelectrofocusing, ELISA 

5. Centrifugation - density gradient and ultra centrifugation 

6. Biophysical methods for analysis of biopolymers - x-ray diffraction, fluorescent, NMR spectroscopy, UV, visible and ESR spectroscopy, ORD/CD, atomic absorption and plasma emission spectroscopy 

7. Radiation dosimetry, radioactive isotopes, autoradiography, Cerenkov radiation, liquid scintillation techniques 

BIOSTATISTICS 

1. Sampling methods and errors 

2. Process and presentation of data - tables and graphs 

3. Measures of central tendency - mean, median, mode 

4. Measures of dispersion - range, quartile deviation, mean deviation, standard deviation and coefficient of variations 

5. Probability - basic concept, theorems 

6. Experimental design - randomized block, latin square 

7. Tests of significance - T-tests, Chi-square, F-tests, ANOVA 

8. Correlation and regression analysis 

MODULE – VI  - 10 Marks 

BIOTECHNOLOGY 

1. Plant tissue culture techniques - direct and indirect regeneration

2. Somatic cell genetics and somatic clonal variations 

3. Somatic embryogenesis - artificial seeds, protoplast culture, somatic hybridization, impacts in plant breeding 

4. Haploid production- anther and ovule culture - applications 

5. Production of secondary metabolites - cell immobilization - bioreactor technology, in vitro strategies of germplasm conservation 

6. Isolation of genomic and organellar DNA. Methods of gene identification - vector mediated and vectorless PCR, genomic and cDNA libraries 

7. Gene transfer techniques - direct and indirect transposons as vectors - gene silencing 

8. DNA markers - RFLP, RAPD, AFLP and Antisense RNA 

9. Blotting techniques - Northern, Southern and West 

10.Transgenic biology - gene cloning and transformation technique in plants-gene targeting and sequence tag 

11.Genetically modified organisms and foods, social and ethical considerations, IPR issues, patents and biopiracy 

BIOINFORMATICS 

5. Introduction to data structures, database concepts, tools for searching, homology searching 

6. Application of databases in biology 

7. Sequence databases .sequence comparison, structural databases, proteomics and genomics (elementary) 

8. Major bioinformatic resources - NCBI, EBI, EMBL, GENBANK, DDBJ, SWISSPROT, PDB 

9. Tools in bioinformatics - BLAST, CLUSTAL -X, CLUSTAL-W, Phylip, GENSCAN 

10.Applications of bioinformatics - transcriptomics, metabolomics, pharmacogenomics (brief account only) 

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS 

1. Computer application in biology 

2. Computer packages for biostatistics and numerical taxonomy 

3. Hardware and software parts of a computer 

4. Internet online biology resources, public library of sciences, online publications, electronic journals and books 

MODULE – VII  - 10 Marks 

Recent developments in Botany 

PART II

II (a). TEACHING APTITUDE – 5 Marks

• Teaching: Nature, objectives, characteristics and basic requirements;

• Learner's characteristics;

• Factors affecting teaching;

• Methods of teaching;

• Teaching aids;

• Evaluation systems.

II (b) RESEARCH APTITUDE – 5 Marks

• Research: Meaning, Characteristics and types;

• Steps of research;

• Methods of research;

• Research Ethics;

• Paper, article, workshop, seminar, conference and symposium;

• Thesis writing: its characteristics and format.

PART III

(a) Salient Features of Indian Constitution – 5 Marks

Salient features of the Constitution - Preamble- Its significance and its place in the

interpretation of the Constitution.

Fundamental Rights - Directive Principles of State Policy - Relation between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles - Fundamental Duties.

Executive - Legislature - Judiciary - Both at Union and State Level. - Other Constitutional Authorities.

Centre-State Relations - Legislative - Administrative and Financial Services under the Union and the States.

Emergency Provisions.

Amendment Provisions of the Constitution.

(b) Social Welfare Legislations and Programmes – 5 Marks

 Social Service Legislations like Right to Information Act, Prevention of atrocities against

Women & Children, Food Security Act, Environmental Acts etc. and Social Welfare

Programmes like Employment Guarantee Programme, Organ and Blood Donation etc.

PART IV

(a) Renaissance in Kerala  – 5 Marks

TOWARDS A NEW SOCIETY

Introduction to English education - various missionary organisations and their functioning - founding of educational institutions, factories.printing presses etc.

EFFORTS TO REFORM THE SOCIETY

(A) Socio-Religious Reform Movements

SNDP Yogam, Nair Service Society, Yogakshema Sabha, Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham, Vaala Samudaya Parishkarani Sabha, Samathwa Samajam, Islam Dharma Paripalana Sangham, Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha, Sahodara Prasthanam etc.

(B) Struggles and Social Revolts

Upper cloth revolts.Channar agitation, Vaikom Sathyagraha, Guruvayoor Sathyagraha,

Paliyam Sathyagraha. Kuttamkulam Sathyagraha, Temple Entry Proclamation, Temple Entry Act. Malyalee Memorial, Ezhava Memorial etc.

Malabar riots, Civil Disobedience Movement, Abstention Movement etc.

ROLE OF PRESS IN RENAISSANCE

Malayalee, Swadeshabhimani, Vivekodayam, Mithavadi, Swaraj, Malayala Manorama,

Bhashaposhini, Mathnubhoomi, Kerala Kaumudi, Samadarsi, Kesari, AI-Ameen, Prabhatham, Yukthivadi, etc

AWAKENING THROUGH LITERATURE

Novel, Drama, Poetry, Purogamana Sahithya Prasthanam, Nataka Prashtanam, Library

movement etc

WOMEN AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Parvathi Nenmenimangalam, Arya Pallam, A V Kuttimalu Amma, Lalitha Prabhu. Akkamma Cheriyan, Anna Chandi, Lalithambika Antharjanam and others

LEADERS OF RENAISSANCE

Thycaud Ayya Vaikundar, Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyan Kali.Chattampi Swamikal,

Brahmananda Sivayogi, Vagbhadananda, Poikayil Yohannan(Kumara Guru) Dr Palpu, Palakkunnath Abraham Malpan, Mampuram Thangal, Sahodaran Ayyappan, Pandit K P Karuppan, Pampadi John Joseph, Mannathu Padmanabhan, V T Bhattathirippad, Vakkom Abdul Khadar Maulavi, Makthi Thangal, Blessed Elias Kuriakose Chavara, Barrister G P Pillai, TK Madhavan, Moorkoth Kumaran, C. Krishnan, K P Kesava Menon, Dr.Ayyathan Gopalan, C V Kunjuraman, Kuroor Neelakantan Namboothiripad, Velukkutty Arayan, K P Vellon, P K Chathan Master, K Kelappan, P. Krishna Pillai, A K Gopalan, T R Krishnaswami Iyer, C Kesavan. Swami Ananda Theerthan , M C Joseph, Kuttippuzha Krishnapillai and others

LITERARY FIGURES

Kodungallur Kunhikkuttan Thampuran, KeralaVarma Valiyakoyi Thampuran, Kandathil

Varghese Mappila. Kumaran Asan, Vallathol Narayana Menon, Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer, G Sankara Kurup, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, Chandu Menon, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. Kesav Dev, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Ponkunnam Varky, S K Pottakkad and others

(b) General Knowledge and Current Affairs  (5 Marks)

General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Kerala PSC HSST Botany (Junior) Rank List 2023

Learn more about Kerala PSC HSST Notification 2025 including the Kerala PSC HSST Botany 2025 Notification, Kerala PSC HSST Zoology 2025 notification, Previous Kerala PSC HSST Rank Lists, Cut Off Trends & Advice List Updates, Kerala PSC important questions and answers, HSST Botany previous question papers, PSC HSST general paper and others from the links given below.

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Kerala PSC HSST Botany Preparation 2025

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