What is Geography Syllabus for UPSC?
So, candidates who have opted for geography as their optional will get the advantage of covering the geography section of both UPSC Prelims and Mains exams simultaneously. In the table, let’s see the structure of the geography syllabus for UPSC below.
UPSC Geography Syllabus | |
UPSC Geography Syllabus for Prelims | Indian Geography, World Geography, Physical Geography and Human Geography |
Geography UPSC Mains Syllabus | Distribution of Key natural resources, Geophysical Phenomena, Sailent Features of the World’s Physical Geography |
Geography Optional Syllabus for UPSC | Physical Geography, Human Geography, Geography of India, and World Geography |
The UPSC geography optional syllabus has two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Like every optional subject, each paper contains 250 marks and a total of 500 marks. As we have mentioned above geography syllabus is also a part of the General Studies of UPSC prelims, and GS paper 1 of UPSC mains.
Geography Optional Syllabus
The scoring ability and the ration nature of the UPSC geography optional syllabus is frequently chosen by the candidates from Arts and Science streams. You can comprehend the structure of the geography optional in the UPSC exam.
Geography Syllabus for UPSC | Topics | Marks |
UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus Paper 1 | Physical Geography and Human Geography | 250 |
UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus Paper 2 | Geography of India | 250 |
UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus PDF
The candidates can download Geography syllabus from the official site. However, to simplify this process, we have facilitated the direct link below. The Geo Optional Syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2, along with all important topics, are included.
Geography Optional Syllabus for UPSC
The syllabus will enable the candidates in preparing for the syllabus and assist them in leading toward the formulation of an effective and efficient preparation strategy. Candidates preparing for the IAS Exam in Hindi can also download the UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus PDF In Hindi.
Geography Optional Syllabus for UPSC Paper 1
Paper of 1 of the UPSC geography optional syllabus includes Physical Geography and Human Geography. Paper 1 contributes a total of 250 marks. The geography optional books for UPSC can be referred to by the candidates for getting a deeper knowledge of the concepts and fundamentals.
Geography Optional Syllabus Paper 2
UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus Paper 2 discusses India's Geography, which is further divided into sub-topics. To score highest marks in geography optional knowledge of the core concepts is essential. The detailed knowledge of the Geography syllabus for UPSC has been elaborated here-
Important Topics in Geography Optional Syllabus
UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus Paper 1 is Principles of Geography, which can be divided into physical and human geography. The UPSC preparation strategy determines the success of the candidates. So. it is highly essential for them to mold an effective and efficient preparation strategy for the exam.
Part 1: Physical Geography Syllabus for UPSC
- Geomorphology
- Climatology
- Oceanography
- Biogeography
- Environmental Geography
Part II: Human Geography
- Perspectives in Human Geography
- Economic Geography
- Population and Settlement Geography
- Regional Planning
- Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography
Geography Optional Paper 2: Indian Geography Syllabus
- Physical Setting
- Resources
- Agriculture
- Industry
- Transport, Communication and Trade
- Cultural Setting
- Settlements
- Regional Development and Planning
- Political Aspects
- Contemporary Issues
UPSC Geography Syllabus for Prelims
As you can see in the above table, most topics of the UPSC Geography optional syllabus overlap with the UPSC prelims syllabus. This is why most candidates prepare for their UPSC prelims and the Geography syllabus for UPSC. Preparing for geography in the prelims makes it easier for the mains syllabus completion. Most of the questions from the UPSC geography optional syllabus will be asked in the prelims exam. According to the recent UPSC exam analysis, the difficulty level of geography in the prelims exam will vary from moderate to tough. Below we have mentioned the complete geography syllabus for UPSC prelims and sub-topics covered in it.
- Physical Geography - Geomorphology, Oceanography, and Climatology
- Indian Geography - Physical geography of India, River systems, Climate, Agriculture of India, Natural vegetation and fauna, Minerals and Industries
- World Geography- Major natural regions, Regional geography of developed and developing countries
- Human Geography- Man & environment and their interrelationship and the growth and development, Population, tribes, migration, Economic activities – agriculture, manufacturing, industries, tertiary activities, Urbanization.
Geography Syllabus for UPSC Mains
The topics covered in the CSE General Studies-Paper-I Indian and World Geography are the distribution of key natural resources, geophysical phenomena, and salient features of the world’s physical geography. Candidates who have chosen geography as their optional can cover these topics under the UPSC geography optional syllabus and must check out the complete UPSC mains syllabus.
How to Prepare UPSC Geography Syllabus?
Before gearing up the preparation for the geography UPSC syllabus, candidates must take a strategic approach. Questions from geography will be asked in all stages of the UPSC exam, so it is crucial to have a solid preparation and study it holistically. Here is a strategy to cover the geography syllabus for UPSC efficiently.
- Read NCERTs- candidates should start by covering the geography NCERTs from class VIII to XII. These NCERTs for UPSC cover most of the geography syllabus and help you build a strong foundation.
- Basic Books- Besides reading NCERTs, candidates also need basic UPSC books to complete the Geography Topics for UPSC. These basic books include Geography of India by Majid Husain and Certificate Physical and Human Geography by GC Leong.
- Previous year’s Question paper- Glancing through the UPSC previous year’s paper would help you understand the exam's difficulty level and identify the crucial topics that need to be revised.
- Current Affairs- along with the books, candidates should focus on the trending topics as it is also a part of the geography syllabus for UPSC.
- Choose the best atlas for UPSC as it is a substantial part of the preparation of the geography syllabus.
Important Topics for Geography Syllabus for UPSC
Important topics and concepts are frequently asked in the exam and aspirants must gain a deeper knowledge of the fundamentals, and core concepts. The important topics for the Geography optional syllabus that can be asked in the exam are as listed here-
- Geomorphology
- Climatology
- Oceanography
- Biogeography
- Environmental Geography
- Perspectives of Human Geography
- Economic Geography
- Population and Settlement Geography
- Regional Planning
- Models, Theories, and Laws in Human Geography
- Physical Setting
- Agriculture
Best Books for Geography Syllabus for UPSC
The following are the best books to complete the geography syllabus for UPSC. The selection of an apt book and UPSC study material for covering the Geography syllabus will simplify the concepts and assist the candidates in memorizing the same.
- India: A Comprehensive Geography by D R Khullar
- Human Geography by Majid Husain
- Models in Geography by Majid Husain
- Physical Geography by Savindra Singh
- Geographical Thought by R D Dixit
- Fundamentals of Geographical Thought by Sudeepta Adhikari
- Cities, Urbanisation & Urban Systems (Settlement Geography) by K Siddhartha
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