Geography Optional is one of the most approved and desired subjects among the UPSC Aspirants. Geography is a subject that combines both science and human aspects—it’s broad, detailed, and has many layers to understand. It’s a great choice among students with a humanities or art background. It covers physical and human geography, blending scientific concepts and real-world issues like climate, resources, population, and urban planning. The subject is well-structured, and with the right preparation, it can be easier to grasp than other optionals. Also, it helps develop a better understanding of current affairs related to the environment, disaster management, and international relations.
Pros & Cons of taking Geography Optional:
Pros of taking Geography Optional UPSC:
- Scoring potential: Geography is known to be a high-scoring subject if prepared well, with straightforward questions and plenty of diagrams.
- Overlap with General Studies: Many topics in Geography overlap with GS papers, especially in areas like environment, disaster management, and world geography, saving time in preparation.
- Visual learning: Geography allows the use of maps, diagrams, and charts, which can make answers more presentable and easier to understand.
Cons of taking Geography Optional UPSC:
- Extensive syllabus: Geography has a vast syllabus, covering both physical geography and human geography. It can take time to cover everything thoroughly.
- Conceptual clarity needed: Some topics in geography require strong conceptual understanding, and mechanical memorization won’t help much.
- High competition: Geography is a popular optional, which means many candidates choose it, leading to tough competition in securing top scores.
Exam Pattern of Geography Optional UPSC:
- The geography Optional Exam consists of two papers, Optional Paper 1 and Optional Paper 2, each paper has 250 marks.
- Papers are in both languages, English and Hindi. There is no negative marking.
- Candidates must choose at least one question from each section, in addition to questions 1 and 5.
- Candidates should illustrate their answers with sketches, maps, or diagrams where appropriate.
- Any page or portion of a page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be struck off.
Geography Optional Syllabus:
Syllabus of Geography Paper – I (PRINCIPLES OF GEOGRAPHY)
Physical Geography
- Geomorphology: Factors controlling landform development; endogenetic and exogenetic forces; Origin and evolution of the earth’s crusts; Fundamentals of geomagnetism; Physical conditions of the earth’s interior; Geosynclines; Continental drift; Isostasy; Plate tectonics; Recent views on mountain building; Volcanicity; Earthquakes and Tsunamis; Concepts of geomorphic cycles and Landscape development; Denudation chronology; Channel morphology; Erosion surfaces; Slope development; Applied Geomorphology; Geomorphology, economic geology, and environment.
- Climatology: Temperature and pressure belts of the world; Heat budget of the earth; Atmospheric circulation; Atmospheric stability and instability. Planetary and local winds; Monsoons and jet streams; Air masses and fronts; Temperate and tropical cyclones; Types and distribution of precipitation; Weather and Climate; Koppen’s Thornthwaite’s and Trewartha’s classification of world climate; Hydrological cycle; Global climatic change, and role and response of man in climatic changes Applied climatology and Urban climate.
- Oceanography: Bottom topography of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans; Temperature and salinity of the oceans; Heat and salt budgets, Ocean deposits; Waves, currents, and tides; Marine resources; biotic, mineral, and energy resources; Coral reefs coral bleaching; Sea-level changes; Law of the sea and marine pollution.
- Biogeography: Genesis of soils; Classification and distribution of soils; Soil profile; Soil erosion, Degradation, and conservation; Factors influencing world distribution of plants and animals; Problems of deforestation and conservation measures; Social forestry, agro-forestry; Wildlife; Major gene pool centers.
- Environmental Geography: Principle of ecology; Human ecological adaptations; Influence of man on ecology and environment; Global and regional ecological changes and imbalances; Ecosystem their management and conservation; Environmental degradation, management, and conservation; Biodiversity and sustainable development; Environmental policy; Environmental hazards and remedial measures; Environmental education and legislation.
Human Geography
- Perspectives in Human Geography: Areal differentiation; regional synthesis; Dichotomy and dualism; Environmentalism; Quantitative revolution and locational analysis; Radical, behavioral, human, and welfare approaches; Languages, religions, and secularisation; Cultural regions of the world; Human development index.
- Economic Geography: World economic development: measurement and problems; World resources and their distribution; Energy crisis; The limits to growth; World agriculture: a typology of agricultural regions; Agricultural inputs and productivity; Food and nutrition problems; Food security; famine: causes, effects, and remedies; World industries: location patterns and problems; Patterns of world trade.
- Population and Settlement Geography: Growth and distribution of world population; Demographic attributes; Causes and consequences of migration; Concepts of the over-under-and optimum population; Population theories, world population problems and policies, Social well-being and quality of life; Population as social capital. Types and patterns of rural settlements; Environmental issues in rural settlements; Hierarchy of urban settlements; Urban morphology; Concept of primate city and rank-size rule; Functional classification of towns; Sphere of urban influence; Rural-urban fringe; Satellite towns; Problems and remedies of urbanization; Sustainable development of cities.
- Regional Planning: Concept of a region; Types of regions and methods of regionalization; Growth centers and growth poles; Regional imbalances; Regional development strategies; environmental issues in regional planning; Planning for sustainable development.
- Models, Theories, and Laws in Human Geography: System analysis in Human geography; Malthusian, Marxian, and demographic transition models; Central Place theories of Christaller and Losch; Perroux and Boudeville; Von Thunen’s model of agricultural location; Weber’s model of industrial location; Ostov’s model of stages of growth. Heartland and Rimland theories; Laws of international boundaries and frontiers.
Syllabus of Geography Paper – II
Geography of India
- Physical Setting: Space relationship of India with neighboring countries; Structure and relief; Drainage system and watersheds; Physiographic regions; Mechanism of Indian monsoons and rainfall patterns; Tropical cyclones and western disturbances; Floods and droughts; Climatic regions; Natural vegetation, Soil types and their distributions.
- Resources: Land, surface and ground water, energy, minerals, biotic and marine resources, Forest and wildlife resources and their conservation; Energy crisis.
- Agriculture: Infrastructure: irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, power; Institutional factors; land holdings, land tenure and land reforms; Cropping pattern, agricultural productivity, agricultural intensity, crop combination, land capability; Agro and social-forestry; Green revolution and its socio-economic and ecological implications; Significance of dry farming; Livestock resources and white revolution; Aquaculture; Sericulture, Agriculture, and poultry; Agricultural regionalization; Agro-climatic zones; Agroecological regions.
- Industry: Evolution of industries; Locational factors of cotton, jute, textile, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizer, paper, chemical and pharmaceutical, automobile, cottage, and ago-based industries; Industrial houses and complexes including public sector undertakings; Industrial regionalization; New industrial policy; Multinationals and liberalization; Special Economic Zones; Tourism including ecotourism.
- Transport, Communication, and Trade: Road, railway, waterway, airway, and pipeline networks and their complementary roles in regional development; Growing importance of ports on national and foreign trade; Trade balance; Trade Policy; Export processing zones; Developments in communication and information technology and their impacts on economy and society; Indian space program.
- Cultural Setting: Historical Perspective of Indian Society; Racial linguistic and ethnic diversities; Religious minorities; Major tribes, tribal areas, and their problems; Cultural regions; Growth, distribution, and density of population; Demographic attributes: sex-ratio, age structure, literacy rate, work-force, dependency ratio, longevity; migration (inter-regional, intraregional and international) and associated problems; Population problems and policies; Health indicators.
- Settlements: Types, patterns, and morphology of rural settlements; Urban developments; Morphology of Indian cities; Functional classification of Indian cities; Conurbations and metropolitan regions; Urban sprawl; Slums and associated problems; Town planning; Problems of urbanization and remedies.
- Regional Development and Planning: Experience of regional planning in India; Five Year Plans; Integrated rural development programs; Panchayati Raj and decentralized planning; Command area development; Watershed management; Planning for the backward area, desert, drought-prone, hill tribal area development; Multi-level planning; Regional planning and development of island territories.
- Political Aspects: Geographical basis of Indian federalism; State reorganization; Emergence of new states; Regional consciousness and inter-state issues; International boundary of India and related issues; Cross-border terrorism; India’s role in world affairs; Geopolitics of South Asia and Indian Ocean realm.
- Contemporary Issues: Ecological issues: Environmental hazards: landslides, earthquakes, Tsunamis, floods and droughts, epidemics; Issues related to environmental pollution; Changes in patterns of land use; Principles of environmental impact assessment and environmental management; Population explosion and food security; Environmental degradation; Deforestation, desertification, and soil erosion; Problems of agrarian and industrial unrest; Regional disparities in economic development; Concept of sustainable growth and development; Environmental awareness; Linkage of rivers; Globalisation and Indian economy.
Preparation Strategy for Geography Optional UPSC
- Choose the Best Geography Optional Teacher for UPSC: Selecting the right mentor is crucial for success. Shabbir sir, is highly regarded for his in-depth knowledge of the subject and his ability to simplify complex topics. Shabbir Sir’s teaching style is engaging and student-friendly, making it easier for aspirants to grasp difficult concepts.
- Effective Answer Writing for Geography Optional: Master geography optional answer writing techniques. Regular practice with feedback can refine aspirants’ skills and boost their scores.
- Develop a Personalized Strategy for Geography Optional: Tailor the preparation strategy for geography to strengths and weaknesses. Consistency and dedication are key.
- Practice Geography Optional Answer Writing: Regular answer writing for geography optional helps in managing time and improving clarity. Review and revise students’ answers with guidance from a mentor.
- Evaluate Your Progress: Regular assessments and feedback from the best geography optional mentors help in tracking aspirant progress and identifying areas for improvement.
Recommended books for Geography Optional UPSC:
- NCERT Class 11th and 12th
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography by GC Leong
- Physical Geography By Savindra Singh
- Indian Geography by D R Khullar
- Human Geography by Majid Hussain
- Models and Theories by Majid Hussain
- Geographical Thought by RD Dikshit
- Geography of India by Majid Hussain
- Settlement Geography by K Siddhartha
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