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Geography Syllabus for UPSC – Geography Prelims and Optional Syllabus PDF

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

The Geography optional syllabus is divided into various micro topics, such as Indian Geography, World Geography, Physical Geography, and Human Geography. The geography syllabus for UPSC is a part of the general studies paper in Prelims, and GS Paper 1 in Mains, and is an optional subject. That is why it is one of the most popular optional subjects in the mains examination. The candidates can get access to the geography syllabus for UPSC to get the complete details of the essential topics and the concerned topics.

The topics covered in the geography optional syllabus PDF and syllabus for Prelims & Mains establish the relevance of humans’ existence, elements that are instrumental and that are not instrumental to human life. Hence, covering the geography syllabus for UPSC would benefit the candidates and make them better positioned to learn the elements required for life.

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, and Salient 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 comprises two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Like all the optional subjects, each paper carries 250 marks and a cumulative of 500 marks. As has been illustrated above geography syllabus is also a segment of the General Studies of UPSC prelims, and the GS paper 1 syllabus of UPSC mains.

Geography Optional Syllabus

The Geography optional subject is usually preferred by the candidates because of its scoring ability and rational nature. You can comprehend the structure of the geography optional of the 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 get the Geography syllabus from the official site. However, to simplify this process, we have facilitated the direct link below. The Geography 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 1 of the UPSC geography optional syllabus comprises 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

Geography Optional Syllabus for UPSC

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-

UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus
Geography Syllabus for UPSC – Geography Prelims and Optional Syllabus PDF

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 preparation for UPSC 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

  1. Geomorphology
  2. Climatology
  3. Oceanography
  4. Biogeography
  5. Environmental Geography

Part II: Human Geography

  1. Perspectives in Human Geography
  2. Economic Geography
  3. Population and Settlement Geography
  4. Regional Planning
  5. Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography

Geography Optional Paper 2: Indian Geography Syllabus for UPSC

  1. Physical Setting
  2. Resources
  3. Agriculture
  4. Industry
  5. Transport, Communication, and Trade
  6. Cultural Setting
  7. Settlements
  8. Regional Development and Planning
  9. Political Aspects
  10. Contemporary Issues

UPSC Geography Syllabus for Prelims

As you can see in the above table, most topics of the UPSC Geography optional syllabus coincide with the prelims syllabus. This is why most candidates prepare for their prelims and the Geography syllabus for UPSC simultaneously. 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 the 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 for UPSC Geography Syllabus?

Before accelerating the preparation for the geography UPSC syllabus, candidates must lay a strategic plan for covering the syllabus. Questions pertaining to geography will be asked in all the recruitment stages of the IAS exam, so it is pivotal to have strong preparation and study it comprehensively. Here is a detailed preparation method to cover the geography syllabus for UPSC effectively.

  • Read NCERTs: Candidates can initiate by reading and strengthening the concepts of geography from NCERTs of class VIII to XII. These NCERT books for UPSC cover most of the geography syllabus and help you build a strong foundation.
  • Basic Books: Besides reading NCERTs, candidates also need basic Geography optional books for UPSC to complete the essential 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 papers: Glancing through the UPSC previous year question 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 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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