Geography is an important subject for the UPSC Civil Services Exams aspirants, with the subject being a core component of the Prelims and Mains, as well as an Optional subject in the Mains. The subject focuses on India and the world's physical features and atmosphere and human effect on the same, while discussing the distribution of resources, population, and economics. Geography is often considered as the most scoring subject, as the nature of questions pertaining to the subject are mainly application and analytical.
Geography Syllabus Prelims
The UPSC Civil Services Exams Prelims General Studies Paper-1 carries 15-20% questions from Geography alone, thus, making it an important subject for the aspirants. The Geography syllabus deals with the physical, economic and social Geography of India and the world. In recent years, it has been observed that majority of questions pertaining to the Geography section have covered Indian Geography but that does not take away the importance of World Geography as it is a key aspect of the subject.Geography Syllabus for Prelims
Indian Geography
General idea about India
a) Latitude, Longitude, Location, and Time Zone b) Neighbouring States c) Territory of Indian States and States adjacent to International Borders d) StraitsPhysical Features of India
a) The Himalayan Range- Geological Formation
- Physiographic divisions
- Climate, Vegetation, Soil and Biodiversity
- Major passes
- Significance
- Recent issues
- Geological Formation
- Physiographic divisions
- Climate, Vegetation, Soil and Biodiversity
- Significance
- Geological formation
- Deccan plateau
- Central highlands
- Western and Eastern Ghats
- Socio-economy
Indian Riverine System
- Himalayan Rivers
- Peninsular Rivers
- River Basins
- Hydro-Power projects, Power plants and Major Dams
- Regional development and planning
- West flowing and east flowing rivers
- Interlinking of rivers
Climate of India
Monsoon- Driving mechanism
- Effects of El-Nino and La-Nino
- Recent research and theories Seasons in India Natural Calamities
Mineral and industries
i. Distribution of minerals ii. Industrial policies iii. Location and factors iv. Issues and challenges of the industries v. Industrial cluttersAgriculture and Allied-characteristics and Problems
i. Land utilisation ii. Types of agriculture practices iii. Soils and Crops iv. Agricultural Trends (Green Revolution) v. Irrigation vi. Major irrigation projects vii. Land reforms viii. Government policies and schemes ix. Animal husbandry (livestock resources)Natural vegetation and fauna- Characteristics, importance, comparison and significance
i. Classification of natural vegetation ii. Rainfall distribution iii. Wildlife sanctuaries iv. National Forest Policy v. Biosphere reserve vi. National Parks vii. Environmental concerns viii. Endangered speciesEconomic infrastructure
i. Transportation, Road (National Highways)- Railways- Airways- Waterways and its Significance ii. Energy and Power sector iii. Conventional and non-conventional sources of energy iv. Energy crisis and conservation v. Recent developmentsHuman Geography
i. All the attributes Population ii. Recent census- 2011 World Geography Geography is an important subject for the UPSC Civil Services Exams aspirants, with the subject being a core component of the Prelims and Mains, as well as an Optional subject in the Mains. The subject focuses on India and the world's physical features and atmosphere and human effect on the same, while discussing the distribution of resources, population, and economics. Geography is often considered as the most scoring subject, as the nature of questions pertaining to the subject are mainly application and analytical.Geography Syllabus Prelims
The UPSC Civil Services Exams Prelims General Studies Paper-1 carries 15-20% questions from Geography alone, thus, making it an important subject for the aspirants. The Geography syllabus deals with the physical, economic and social Geography of India and the world. In recent years, it has been observed that majority of questions pertaining to the Geography section have covered Indian Geography but that does not take away the importance of World Geography as it is a key aspect of the subject.Geography Syllabus for Prelims
Indian Geography
General idea about India
a) Latitude, Longitude, Location, and Time Zone b) Neighbouring States c) Territory of Indian States and States adjacent to International Borders d) StraitsPhysical Features of India
a) The Himalayan Range- Geological Formation
- Physiographic divisions
- Climate, Vegetation, Soil and Biodiversity
- Major passes
- Significance
- Recent issues b) The Great Plains of Northern India
- Geological Formation
- Physiographic divisions
- Climate, Vegetation, Soil and Biodiversity
- Significance
- Geological formation
- Deccan plateau
- Central highlands
- Western and Eastern Ghats
- Socio-economy
Indian Riverine System
- Himalayan Rivers
- Peninsular Rivers
- River Basins
- Hydro-Power projects, Power plants and Major Dams
- Regional development and planning
- West flowing and east flowing rivers
- Interlinking of rivers
Climate of India
Monsoon- Driving mechanism
- Effects of El-Nino and La-Nino
- Recent research and theories
Mineral and industries
i. Distribution of minerals ii. Industrial policies iii. Location and factors iv. Issues and challenges of the industries v. Industrial cluttersAgriculture and Allied-characteristics and Problems
i. Land utilisation ii. Types of agriculture practices iii. Soils and Crops iv. Agricultural Trends (Green Revolution) v. Irrigation vi. Major irrigation projects vii. Land reforms viii. Government policies and schemes ix. Animal husbandry (livestock resources)Natural vegetation and fauna- Characteristics, importance, comparison and significance
i. Classification of natural vegetation ii. Rainfall distribution iii. Wildlife sanctuaries iv. National Forest Policy v. Biosphere reserve vi. National Parks vii. Environmental concerns viii. Endangered speciesEconomic infrastructure
i. Transportation, Road (National Highways)- Railways- Airways- Waterways and its Significance ii. Energy and Power sector iii. Conventional and non-conventional sources of energy iv. Energy crisis and conservation v. Recent developmentsHuman Geography
i. All the attributes Population ii. Recent census- 2011World Geography
Universe i.Theories of Solar System ii.Theories on formation of Universe iii.Recent updatesBasic Understanding of Earth
i.Motion of Earth-Revolution and Rotation ii.Longitudes and Latitudes iii.Earth's Axis and its effect on Indian seasons iv.Solar and Lunar EclipseGeomorphalogy
i.Exo-Genetic and Endo-Genetic Movement of Earth ii.Volcanic activities and earthquakes iii.Continental Drift Theory, Tectonic Plate theory, Sea-bed stretching iv.Earth's Interior v.Lithosphere vi.Lithosphere's interaction with other spheres vii.Mass Land movement, erosion, and deposit viii.Basic information about geographical landforms and their significance ix. Rock system and Classification of RocksClimatology
i.Structure and composition of atmosphere ii.Factors controlling temperature distribution iii.Insolation and terrestrial radiation iv.Heat budget v.Global warming and ozone layer vi.Humidity and condensation vii.Clouds Classification of clouds viii. Precipitation Precipitation mechanism Different types and forms of precipitation ix Pressure belts x. Atmospheric circulation Winds i. Planetary Winds ii. Seasonal and local Winds Cyclones Tropical and Temperate cyclone Formation of cyclone, characteristics and impact Jet streams Various atmospheric phenomenonThe Hydrosphere
i.Bottom relief of ocean ii.Salinity and temperature variation iii.Ocean currents iv.Ocean deposit v.Ocean resources vi.Recent issues and development with reference to oceanography- Eg: UNCLOSBiosphere
i.Major Biomes ii.Flora and fauna iii.International organisation for biodiversity iv.Conservation of Biodiversity v.Recent problemsEconomic geography
Map work
Places in newsGeography Syllabus Mains
Geography is also an integral in Mains as the subject is part of the General Studies Paper-1 as well as an Optional Subject. Here is the Geography syllabus for General Studies Paper-1:- Factors responsible for the geographical location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in several parts of the world including India; distribution of key natural resources across the world including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent.
- Geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features including water-bodies and ice-caps, and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. Important Geophysical occurrences such as Tsunami, earthquakes, cyclone, volcanic activity, etc.
- Geomorphology – interior of the earth, physical phenomenon, tectonics, mountain building, volcanoes, weathering & erosion, rocks, earthquakes, landforms
- Climatology – atmosphere, temperature distribution, precipitation, cyclones, pressure & wind systems, jet streams, air-masses, fronts, humidity, climatic regions of the world, geographical phenomenon
- Oceanography – ocean currents , temperature distribution, ocean relief, salinity, coral bleaching, sea level change, marine pollution, UN laws, etc.
- Biography – soil profile, conservation, degradation, biotic regions, changes in critical geographical features, deforestation and conservation of forests, environmental pollution.
