Physical Geography:
Human Geography:
Environmental Geography:
Geographic Thought and Techniques:
Regional Geography:
* This syllabus may vary depending on the specific requirements of the course.
Shabbir A Bashir is one of the co-founders of Edukemy and industry’s most lauded professor in UPSC preparation. He has been in the industry...
Ideally, a student must have revised his basic synopsis 3-4 times, written a lot of answers, and completed all the static portions before attempting any mock test. But, what if these things have not been done beforehand? Our Geography Optional Mains Support Program with Test Series is not a CRASH Course - claiming to complete the syllabus by teaching from basics. Rather, the focus is on a lot of answer-writing practice according to the trend and pattern of PYQs. Hence, the structure is such that before giving the Mock Test, you read and revise 20 Practice questions based on PYQ with their model answers to help you write with confidence in the real exam.
First rule of presentation:Maps and Diagrams in every question. Sometimes one map or diagram per page. Ensure that the diagrams are relevant, although maps can be drawn in almost all questions where the scope of a diagram is not there.
Example: 1. In the question on religious minorities in border states, draw a map of India shading the border states, UTs and cities in which there are religious minorities.
2. In characteristics of biological deserts, draw a world map showing deep ocean regions, Artic and Antarctic region.
3. Intensity of energy crisis varies regionally. Explain. In this question draw a world map with demarcations as Regions of Severe Crisis, Moderate Crisis and Low Crisis.
Second rule of presentation: Incorporate both physical and human dimensions in most questions. Except for core questions like Geographical Thought, try to provide a human angle in questions of physical nature.
Example - A question on difference between Himalayan and Peninsular Drainage can be enriched by mentioning the difference in cropping pattern and industrial use of drainage water at the end. This also gives the answer an administrative orientation which is marks fetching. A pure geographical orientation is required in only a few topics. Rest of the paper, especially Paper 2 should be attempted by an administrative
- geographical perspective.
Third rule of presentation: Write answers along the lines of syllabus such as terrain, drainage (Geomorphology), climate (Climatology), soil or vegetation (Biogeography), environmental issues (Env Geo), Human geography parts such as population and
settlement, agriculture and industries (Economic Geography), development and planning etc. Thus you can generate 7-8 points on a general topic. This will not only help in incorporating the human angle but will also provide enough diversity and content in most questions
Any aspirant with Geography as their Optional Paper and targeting Mains 2024.
The Edukemy program for UPSC Geography Optional Mains Support, featuring a Test Series, aims to enhance aspirants' performance in the Geography optional subject for the UPSC exam. This program is designed with a focus on comprehensive guidance provided by experienced teachers, who simplify complex topics outlined in the UPSC Geography Optional Mains Syllabus, ensuring an engaging learning experience. Here's how the program is structured to support candidates:
Mr. Shabbir A. Bashir, the co-founder of Edukemy is the best geography teacher for UPSC preparation. With experience of over 20 years in the industry, he provides exceptional guidance to each & every student in his/her upsc journey. The geography optional classes taken by Shabbir sir follow a module-wise approach. His pedagogy involves initiation classes, moving on to foundational principles, and ultimately to advanced/enriched learning.
Watch this YouTube video in which Shabbir sir, the best geography optional teacher for upsc on YouTube, guides the students on how to prepare for the geography optional for upsc exam.
To best prepare for the geography optional exam, you should be well-versed in the geography optional syllabus in UPSC.
Here’s a broad view of the geography optional syllabus for the civil services examination:
Physical Geography contains the following topics:
Human Geography contains the following topics:
Indian Geography contains the following topics:
To conquer the geography optional in the civil services examination every aspirant needs to prepare from the best upsc coaching, either online or offline. The preparation requires consistent effort, effective note-making, and regular practice of answer writing. The best faculty, resources, and strategy make for a winning combination and Edukemy offers all of them in its geography optional foundation course!
To navigate the UPSC Geography Mains Exam Pattern effectively, aspirants must sharpen their Geography Mains Answer Writing skills. Engaging with both online and offline Geography Optional Test Series provides a practical experience related to the actual exam environment and helps in boost their confidence.
Strategies to enhance their performance in the UPSC Geography Optional Mains:
To start your geography preparation journey - schedule a FREE counseling session with us now!
Q1. Which is the best Geography Mains Test Series?
Answer: When it comes to preparing for the Geography mains test in the UPSC exams, Edukemy offers one of the best test series available, especially under the expert guidance of Shabbir Sir. Shabbir Sir is renowned for his deep knowledge and engaging teaching style, making complex geographical concepts easy to understand. Edukemy’s test series is designed to cover the entire syllabus comprehensively, with a mix of challenging and practice-oriented questions that mimic the actual exam pattern. The feedback and personalized attention provided in this series help students identify their weak areas and improve their answer-writing skills. With Edukemy and Shabbir Sir's test series, aspirants can be confident in their preparation and maximize their chances of scoring high in the Geography mains.
Q2. How many Geography Optional papers are in UPSC mains?
Answer: In the UPSC Mains exam, if you choose Geography as your optional subject, you will have to write two Geography papers. These are known as Paper I and Paper II. Each paper is 250 marks, making the total for the optional subject 500 marks. Paper I generally covers the principles and concepts of geography, such as physical geography, climate, and geomorphology. Paper II focuses on human geography and the geography of India, including topics like economic geography, population, and regional planning. Both papers require a deep understanding of the subject, analytical thinking, and the ability to write clear, well-structured answers.
Q3. What is the pattern of the UPSC mains exam?
Answer: The UPSC mains exam follows a structured pattern designed to thoroughly assess candidates' understanding and analytical abilities across various subjects. It consists of nine papers, out of which two are qualifying in nature and seven are counted for merit. These papers cover subjects like Essays, General Studies (four papers), Optional Subjects (two papers), and a qualifying paper in Indian languages or English. Each paper is designed to test different aspects of knowledge, critical thinking, and writing skills. The mains exam aims to evaluate candidates on their depth of understanding, ability to analyze issues and articulate well-structured arguments, preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities of administrative roles.