SCHEME AND SYLLABUS TO THE POST OF FOREST SECTION OFFICER
IN A.P. FOREST SUBORDINATE SERVICE

SCHEME FOR EXAMINATION
(As per G.O.Ms.No.3, General Administration (Ser-A) Dept., dated:
04.01.2019)
WRITTEN EXAMINATION (OBJECTIVE TYPE)- Degree Standard
PAPER Subject No. of
Questions
Duration
Minutes
Maximum
Marks
Qualifying
Test
General English (50
marks) & General
Telugu (50 marks)
(To be Qualified in
English & Telugu
individually)
(SSC STANDARD)
100 100 100
PAPER-I General Studies &
Mental Ability 150 150 150
PAPER-II Mathematics (SSC
standard) 150 150 150
PAPER-III General Forestry 150 150 150
TOTAL 450
NEGATIVE MARKS : As per G.O.Ms. No.235, Finance (HR -I, Plg &
Policy) Dept.,Dt.06/12/2016, for each wrong answer will be penalized
with 1/3rd of the marks prescribed for the question.
N.B.:1. Candidates are required to undergo a walking test
and also a Medical Examination (conducted by a Medical
Board). Both the tests shall be arranged by the Forest
Department, duly taking concurrence of A.P.P.S.C. for
this purpose the Commi ssion will pick up eligible
candidates in the ratio of 1:2 with reference to total
number of vacancies as per General Rule 22 & 22A.

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SYLLABUS FOR WRITTEN EXAMINATION
QUALIFYING TEST (100 Marks)
GENERAL ENGLISH AND GENERAL TELUGU (SSC
Standard)
General English Test
(50 Marks)
a) Comprehension
b) Phrases and idioms
c) Vocabulary and
punctuation
d) Logical re-arrangement of
sentences
General Telugu Test
( 50 Marks)
a) Synonyms &
Vocabulary
b) Grammar
c) Telugu to English
meanings
d) English to Telugu
meanings
****
PAPER – I (150 Marks)
GENERAL STUDIES AND MENTAL ABILITY

1. Major Current Events and Issues pertaining to International,
National and State of Andhra Pradesh.
2. General Science and its applications to the day to day life
Contemporary developments in Science & Technology and
Information Technology.
3. History of India – emphasis will be on broad general
understanding of the subject in its social, economic, cultural
and political aspects with a focus on AP and Indian National
Movement.
4. Geography of India with focus on Andhra Pradesh.
5. Indian polity and Governance: constitutional issues, public
policy, reforms and e-Governance initiatives.
6. Indian Economy and planning
7. Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection

8. Disaster management: vulnerability profile, prevention and
mitigation strategies, Application of Remote Sensing and GIS
in the assessment of Disaster
9. Logical reasoning, analytical ability and logical interpretation.
10. Data Analysis: Tabulation of data Visual representation of data
Basic data analysis (Summary Statistics such as mean, median,
mode and variance) and Interpretation.
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PAPER-II (150 Marks)
MATHEMATICS (SSC Standard)

1. ARITHMETICS:
a) Number System-Natural numbers, Integers.
b) Rational and Real numbers.
c) Fundamental operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, square roots, Decimal fractions.
d) Unitary method-time and distance, time and work, percentages,
applications to simple and compound interest, profit and loss,
ratio and proportion, variation.
e) Elementary Numbe r Theory – Division algorithm, Prime and
composite numbers. Tests of divisibility by 2,3,4,5,9 and 11.
f) Multiples and factors, factorisation Theorem. H.C.F. and
L.C.M. Euclidean algorithm. Logarithms to base 10, laws of
logarithms, use of logarithmic tables.

2. ALGEBRA:
a) Basic Operations, simple factors, Remainder Theorem, H.C.F.,
L.C.M.
b) Theory of polynomials, solutions of quadratic equations, relation
between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be
considered). Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns –
analytical and Graphical solutions. Simultaneous linear in
equations in two variables and their solutions.
c) Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations
or in equations in two variables or quadratic equations in one
variable and their solutions.
d) Set language and set notation, rational expressions and
conditional identities, laws of indices.

3. TRIGONOMETRY:
Sine x, Cosine x, Tangent x when O o = x = 90 o values of sin x,
cos x and tan x, for x= O o, 30 o, 45 o, 60 o and 90o, Simple
trigonometric identities. Use of trigonometric tables, Simple
cases of heights and distances.

4. GEOMETRY:
i) Lines and angles, Plane and plane figures.
ii) Theorems on
a) Properties of angles at a point.
b) Parallel lines.
c) Sides and angles of a triangle.
d) Congruency of triangles.
e) Similar triangles.
f) Concurrence of medians and altitudes.
g) Properties of angles, sides and diagonals of a parallelogram,
rectangle and square.
h) Circles and its properties including tangents and normals.
i) Loci.

5. MENSURATION:
a) Areas of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangle and circle.
b) Areas of figures which can be split up into the figures (Field
Book).
c) Surface area and volume of cuboids, lateral surface and
volume of right circular cones and cylinders, surface area and
volume of spheres.

6. STATISTICS:
a) Collection and tabulation of statistical data.
b) Graphical representation – frequency polygons, histograms, bar
charts, pie charts etc.
c) Measures of central tendency.
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PAPER-III (150 Marks)
GENERAL FORESTRY
1. Plant Science:
a) Introduction to plant science, cell structure, and
classification of plant kingdom.
b) Principles of plant physiology with reference to plant
nutrition, absorption, transactions and metabolism of
nutrients.
c) Diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies and their amelioration
d) Photosynthesis and respiration, growth and development,
auxins and hormones in plant growth.
e) Significance of D.N.A and R.N.A in the cytology.
f) Vegetative, asexual and sexual methods of reproduction.
Pollination and fertilization, Sexual incompatibil ity.
g) Principles and classification of plant propagation
methods.
h) Sexual propagation and its importance and the factors
affecting germination and pre-germination treatments.
i) Development, structure, dormancy and germination of
seed.
j) Seed production and seed collection techniques in
forestry crops
k) Plant Diseases – factors affecting infections.
l) Chemical, biological and genetic methods of disease
control(including transgenic plants).
m) Ecological adaptation.
n) Types of vegetational – zones and forests of Andhra
Pradesh.
o) Deforestation, Afforestation, Wasteland reclamation.
p) Plant Varieties: Origin, importance, export potential,
varieties, climate, soil requirements, propagation and
planting and after care.
2. Forests & Ecology:
a) Definition of biodiversity.
b) Genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.
c) Structure and functions of an ecosystem -role of
Producers, consumers and decomposers.
d) Ecological succession, Food chains, food webs and
ecological pyramids.
e) Biogeographical classification of India and value of
biodiversity.
f) Biodiversity at global, National and local levels.
g) Hot-spots of biodiversity.
h) Threats to biodiversity such as habitat loss, poaching of
wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts.

i) Endangered and endemic species of India.
j) In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity and,
k) Convention of Biological Diversity. (CBD)
l) Threats and injuries to forests and the forest protection
measures.
m) Role of afforestation and forest regeneration in carbon
sequestration.
3. Horticulture:
a) Definition and different branches of horticulture.
b) Importance of horticulture in terms of economy,
production, employment generation, environmental
protection and human resource development.
c) Nutritional value of horticultural crops. Divisions of
horticulture and their importance.
d) Propagation of plants by cuttage, Types of cuttings, and
the factors affecting regeneration of plants from
cuttings.
e) Propagation by layerage and the factors affecting
regeneration of plants by layerage and the most common
methods of layerage.
f) Propagation by grafting, importance of graftage and the
factors for successful grafting. Selection of rootstock
and scion, methods of budding and grafting.
g) Importance and scope, production of crops in
greenhouse.
4. Soil Science:
a) Basics of earth, rocks and minerals.
b) Study of folds, joints, faults, foliation and lineation in
geological formation.
c) Use of clinometer compass in the field measurements of
bed, foliation, folds joints, faults and lineations in the
field.
d) Types of soils, their field identification and classification.
e) Forest soils and their classification, factors affecting soil
formation.
f) Physical, chemical and biological properties of soils.
g) Soil conservation — definition and causes for erosion,
types of erosion, agents of erosion.
h) Conservation and management of eroded soils/areas.
i) Role of wind breaks, shelter belts in arresting soil erosion,
sand dunes.
j) Reclamation of saline and alkaline soils, water logged and
other waste lands.
k) Role of forests in conserving soils.
l) Importance of manures and fertilizers.

5. Management of water resources and watersheds:
A) Water Resource Management:
a) Surface and subsurface water resources.
b) Predicting demand for water.
c) Impurities of water and their significance.
d) Physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis, water
borne diseases.
e) Standards for potable water.
f) Pumping and gravity schemes.
B) Watershed Management:
a) Concepts of watershed.
b) Role of mini-forests and forest trees in overall resource
management.
c) Forest hydrology.
d) Watershed management and environmental functions
of forests.
Water-harvesting and Soil conservation.
6. General Silviculture, Agro -forestry and Social forestry
and Community participation:
A. General Silviculture:
a) Definition and principles of General Silviculture.
b) Ecological and physiological factors influencing
vegetation, natural and artificial regeneration of
forests.
c) Economic importance of some of the forestry tree
species of India such as Acacia Sundra, Acacia nilotica
Albizzia lebbeck, Albizzia procera, Anthocephalus
Cadamba, Anogeissus latifolia, Azadirachta indi ca,
Bamboo spp, Butea monosperma, Casuarina
equisetifolia, Dalbergia sisoo, Emblicaofficinalls,
Eucalyptus spp, Gmelina arborea, Hardwickiabinata,
Lagerstoremia lanceolata, Pterocarpus marsupium,
Pterocarpus santalinis, Santalum album, Tectona
grandis, Terminalia tomentosa, Tamarindus indica.

B. Agro-forestry:
a) Agro forestry, its definition, scope and necessity.
b) Role of agroforestry in the life of people and domestic
animals and in integrated land use, planning especially
related to soil and water conservation.
c) Agro forestry systems under different agro -ecological
zones, selection of species and role of multipurpose
trees and NTFPs, techniques, food, fodder and fuel
security.

B. Social Forestry: The objectives, scope and necessity of
social forestry including the urban forestry in Andhra
Pradesh.

C. Aim and objectives, principles, methodology and
benefits of AP community forest management.
7. Animal health & nutrition:
a) Role of nutrition in animal health and production.
b) Conservation of feeds and fodder and utilization of agro
by-products.
c) Feed supplements and additives.
d) Nutrition deficiencies and their management.
e) Major contagious diseases affecting cattle, buffaloes,
sheep and goats.
f) Etiology, symptoms, pathogenicity, di agnosis, treatment
and control of major bacterial, viral, rickettsia and
parasitic infections.
g) Animal Feed management in Zoological parks.
8. Economic Zoology:
a) Beneficial and harmful insects including insect vectors of
human diseases, Industrial fish, prawn and molluscs of
India, Non -poisonous and poisonous snakes of India,
Venomous animals-centipede, wasp, honey bee.
b) Basics on the diseases caused by aberrant
chromosomes/genes in man.
c) Genetic counseling.
d) DNA as a tool for forensic investigation.
9. Forest Economics, Legislation & Administration:
A. Forest economics:
a) Basic fundamental principles of forest economics.
b) Cost-benefit analysis.
c) Estimation of demand and supply.
d) Role of private sector and cooperatives.
e) Role of corporate financing.

B. Forest Legislation & Administration:
Basic objectives and essence of the following important
Forest Laws:
 AP Forest Act-1967.
 Wildlife Protection Act-1972.

 Forest Conservation Act-1980.
 Forest rights Act-2006.
C. Forest Administration:
The structure and activities of the AP state Forest
department:
 The genesis and objectives of Indian Forest Services.
 AP State Forest Services.
 AP State Forest Subordinate Services.
10. Forest Mensuration, Remote Sensing and Forest Working
Plan:
A. Forest mensuration:
a) Methods of measuring diameter, girth, height and volume
of trees.
b) Form-factor.
c) Volume estimation of stand.
d) Current annual increment versus mean annual
increment.
e) Yield and stand tables.
f) Basics of forest engineering and surveying.
B. Remote sensing- satellite communication:
a) Forest cover monitoring through remote sensing.
b) Geographic information Systems for management and
modeling.
c) Usage of wireless sets & walky-talkies for communication
and their basics.
C. Forest planning:
a) Forest planning, evaluation and monitoring tools and
approaches for integrated planning.
b) Multipurpose development of forest resources and
forest industries development.
D. Forest Management plans:
a) Working plans Versus Management plan.
b) Complete enumeration vs. sampling.
c) Sampling- need for sampling, basic concepts in
sampling, designing large -scale sample surveys,
sampling and non- sampling errors.
d) Simple random sampling and systematic sampling
cluster sampling.
e) Ratio and regression methods of estimation under
simple and stratified random sampling.

11. A. Environmental science:
a) Definition, scope and importance of environmental
science and the need for public awareness on it.
b) Definition, Causes, effects and control measures of Air
pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Marine
pollution, Noise pollution, Thermal pollution &Nuclear
hazards.
c) Solid waste Management: Causes, effects and control
measures of urban and industrial wastes.
d) Environmental ethics: Issues and possible solutions,
Climate change, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer
depletion, nuclear accidents and holocaust, Wasteland
reclamation, Consumerism and waste products.
B. Renewable and non-renewable resources:
Natural resources and the problems associated with the
natural resources such as forests, water, soil, land,
minerals and energy.
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SCHEME & SYLLABUS OF EXAMINATION OF THE COMPUTER
PROFICIENCY TEST (CPT)
Scheme for Computer Proficiency Test
(As per G.O.Ms.No.26, G.A. (Ser.B) Dept., dt: 24.02.2023)
Scheme of the examination (Practical Type)
Test Duration
(Minutes)
Maximum
Marks
Minimum Qualifying
Marks
SC/ST B.C’s O.C’s
Proficiency in Office
Automation with usage
of Computers and
Associated Software.
60 100 30 35 40

Syllabus for Computer Proficiency Test
PART-A

1. INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS: Introduction to Computers
– Components and their classification – Peripheral devices and
their purpose. Input Devices – Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner,
Lighten, Touch screens, Joystick, Micro phone, Scanner, Digital
camera, Bar code reader, Biometric sensor Outp ut Devices:
Display devices, Printers, Monitor, Speaker, Plotter, Secondary
Storage Devices – Feature- Driven Development (FDD),
Magnetic tape, Universal Serial Bus(USB), Pen Drives, Disks –
The Role of input Processing / output processing devices –
Computing Concepts – Data – Information – Random Access
Memory (RAM) – Read-Only Memory(R OM) – Control Unit –
Memory Unit – Arithmetic Logic Unit(ALU).
2. COMPUTER SOFTWARE TYPES: System Software, Application
Software, Embedded software, Proprietary Software, Open
source software (their purpose and characteristics only).
3. OPERATING SYSTEM: Purpose of operating system, Single
User and Multi User Operating Systems with Examples.
4. WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM: Interfacing Graphical User
Interface (GUI), Differences between C haracter User Interface
(CUI) and Graphical User Interface(GUI) – working With Files
and Folders – More About Files – Running An Application
Through The File Manager – Running an Application Through
The Program Manager – Setting up of Printer, Webcam, Scanner
and other peripheral devices.
5. LINUX/MAC OS (only basic concepts): Introduction to Linux
– Features and advantages of Linux, File handling commands,
directory handling commands – User Management – File
permissions Macintosh Apple Computer (MAC) OS –
Introduction – Advantages of Macintosh Apple Computer (MAC)
OS. Basics commands.
6. INTERNET CONCEPTS (only basic concepts): Minimum
Hardware and Software Requirements for a system to use
internet, Communication Protocols and Facilities – Various
browsers – What is Internet Protocol (IP) Address – Steps
required in connecting system to network – Uploading and
Downloading Files from Internet.

7. ELECTRONIC MAIL (only basic concepts): Sending and
receiving mails, Basic E -Mail Functions, Using your word
processor for E-mail, Finding E-Mail Address, Mailing Lists and
lists Servers.
8. WORLD WIDE WEB (only basic concepts): WWW advantages
of the Web – how to navigate with the Web – Web Searching.
PART – B
1. OFFICE SUITE: MSOFFICE or any open source office like Libre
Office /Apache Open Office Neo office for
Windows/Linux/Media Access Control Address (MAC)OS.
2. GETTING STARTED WITH OFFICE: Introduction to Office
Software- Starting and Exiting the Office Applications –
Introducing the Office Shortcut Ba r – Customizing Office
Shortcut Bar.
3. FILE OPERATIONS IN THE OFFICE: Common Office Tools
and Techniques – Opening An Application – Creating Files –
Entering And Editing Text – Saving Files – Opening Files –
Closing a File – Exiting The Application – Managing Your files
With The Office Applications.
4. TOOLS IN THE OFFICE APPLICATIONS: Key Combinations –
Cut, Copy and Paste – Drag And Drop Editing – Menu Bars And
Toolbars – Undo and – Redo – Spell Checking – Auto Correct –
Find and Replace – Help And The Office Assistants – Templates
and Wizards.
5. WORD PROCESSING (MS WORD or its equivalent in Libre
office /Apache Open Office / Neo office for
Windows/s/Linux/Mac OS): Starting Word
 Title Bar – Menu Bar – Format Bar – Standard Bar – Ruler –
Workspace Area – Scroll Bar – Status Bar – Different Toolbars –
Option a Menu Bar – Creating New Document When Word is
Running – Opening Pre existing Documents When Word is
Running – Designing Your Document – Typing Text – Selection
text – Deleting Text – Formatting text and docum ent – copying
and moving – Saving Document – Page Setup – Properties of a
document – Undo-Redo-Cut-Copy a Document – Pasting a
Document – Print Preview – Printing – Select All – Find – Replace
– Go To – Four Different View Of A Document – Normal, Web
Layout, Print Layout, and Outline Layout- Document Map – Full
Screen – Zoom – Objects – Page Break – Header and Footer –
Page Number – Auto Format – Auto Text – Inserting Date And
Time – Working With Header, Footers -footnotes-Fields-

Symbols-Caption Cross Refere nce-Index-Tabs-Table and
Sorting – Working With Graphics – Inserting Pictures –
Modifying Pictures – Word Art – Inserting Chart – Inserting Files
– Hyper Linking – Bookmark – Using Different Fonts – Paragraph
– Bullets Borders and Shading -Columns-Drop Cap -Theme-
Change Case Background -Frames-Style-Spelling And
Grammar – Set Language – Word Count – Auto Summarize –
Auto Correct – Merge Document – Protect Document – Envelopes
And Labels – – Templates, Wizards And Sample Documents –
drawing Tables – Merge Cell – Spilt Cells – Spilt Table – Table
Auto Format – Auto Fit – Sort – Formula – Arrange All -Split-
Micro Soft Word Help – Macros – Custom Toolbars – Keyboard
Shortcuts – Menus – Mail Merge.
6. SPREAD SHEET (MS Excel or its equivalent in Libre Office
/ Apache Op en Office / Neo office for Windows/s/Linux/
Maa OS):
Features Of Excel – Excel worksheet – Selecting Cell – Navigating
With The Mouse And Keyboard – Entering And Editing Text –
Text Boxes – Text Notes – Checking Spelling – Undoing And
Repeating Action – Entering And Editing Formulas –
Referencing Cells – Order Of Evolution in Formulas – Copying
Entries And Equations To Minimize Typing – More Auto Fill
Examples – Creating Custom Fill Lists Protecting And Un
Protecting Documents And Cell – Creating A New Work sheet –
Excel Formatting Tips And Techniques – Moving cell – Copying
Cells – Sorting Cell Data – Insertion Cells Inserting As You Paste
– Deleting Parts Of Worksheet – Clearing Parts Of A Worksheet
– Excel Page Setup – Changing Column Width And Row Heights
– Auto Format – Manual Formatting – Using style – Format Code
Alter A Number’s Appearance – Format Painter Speeds -Up
Format Copying – Changing Font Size And Attributes –
Adjusting Alignments – Cantering Text Across Column – Using
Border Buttons And Commands – Changing Color And Shading
– Inserting And Removing Page Breaks – Hiding Rows And
Columns – Rearranging Worksheet – Entering Formula – Excel
Functions – Inserting Rows And Columns – Saving A Worksheet
– Printing A Worksheet – Printing Tips For Large Excel Project –
Parts Of A Function – Functions Requiring Add-ins – Function
Wizard – Example Of Functions By Category – Organizing Your
Data – Excel’s Chart Features – Chart Parts And Terminology –
Instant charts with The chart wizard – Creating Chart On
Separating Worksheets – Resizing And Moving Charts – Adding
Chart Notes And Arrows – Editing Charts – Rotating 3-D Charts

– Printing Charts – Deleting Charts Setting The Default Chart
Type – Creating Trend Lines Data Map – Working With Graphics
in Excel – Creating And Pacing Graphic objects – Resizing
Graphs – Possible Sources Of Excel Graphics – Creating and
Running Macro – Sorting Excel Data – Adding Subtotals To
Databases – Customizing Excel – Customizing Workspace –
Comma Separated Value (CSV) File forma t – Using Worksheet
As Databases.
7. PRESENTATION SOFTWARE (MS Power Point or its
equivalent in Libre Office/Apache Open office/Neo office for
Windows/s/Linux/Mac Os): Introduction – Starting
Presentation Software – Views in Presentation Software – Slides
– Terminology – Color Schemes – Formatting Slides – Creating a
Presentation – Using the Auto Content Wizard – Masters- –
Using a Template – Creating a Blank Presentation – Working
with Text in Power Point – Adding Slides Editing And Working
Text – Working in Outlaying view – Spell checking – Finding And
Replacing Text – Formatting Text – Aligning Text – Developing
Your Presentation – Importing images From The Outside World
– The Clipart Gallery – Drawing in Presentation software –
Bringing A Presentation to Li fe – Inserting Objects in Your
Presentation – Inserting A Picture – Working With Graphics –
Multimedia in Power Point – Animating The Objects, Pictures,
Graphics, – Enhancements to the Slide Show Showing Slides
Out Of Order Printing Presentation Elements – Finalizing The
Presentation – Assigning Transitions And Timings – Setting The
Master Slide – Setting Up The Slide Show – Running The Slide
Show.
Assessment Pattern:
Part-A: Test may be designed to assess the candidate by means of
MCQs. (20 %of Total Marks)
Part-B: A computer based assessment test where they need to:
1. Prepare a model document and organize the same in a
formatted manner. This should cover evaluating the typing
speed, organizing the document and covering several other
aspects such as inse rting tables, inserting Images /WordArt,
mail merge, etc.)
2. Evaluating typing speed (25% of Total Marks)
(This may be made mandatory for qualifying based on the
norms existing)

3. Organizing and inserting different objects
(15% of Total Marks)
4. Prepare an Excel Sheet to fill with data and format the sheet,
merging/splitting cells, formulae for calculation in the cells,
conditional formatting, preparation of different graphs based on
the data. (20% of Total Marks)
5. Prepared a Power Point presentation using the standard layouts
available and filling different slides with content (Formatted
text, images, tables, transition effects, animation etc.).
(20%of Total Marks)

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