For more details, reach out to us at +91 9773890604 Available in English only
For more details, reach out to us at +91 9773890604
Available in English only

Geography Optional by Shabbir Sir - Integrated Course

"I didn't have any idea about Geography, It is all due to Shabbir Sir" - Preksha (Rank 30)

"I got to know about Edukemy in Pratham Kaushik's (327 marks, 2017) strategy and liked the format where foundation, enrichment & Test Series was being covered before Prelims" - Shubham (Rank 41)

"I learnt Geography as well as a lot of other things about life from you. Grateful to Edukemy" - Nitin Singh (Rank 32)

Not only is Geography Optional one of the most chosen options among UPSC Aspirants, it is also more loved because of its classes being offered by Shabbir Sir!

The unique, module-wise, marathon-focused, and mission-oriented Geography Optional Classes by Shabbir Sir focuses on pedagogical elements like initiation classes, moving to foundational principles, and then ultimately to the Enriched/Advanced part of learning!!

Learn from the best faculty of Geography optional and be a part of the legacy of highest geography marks every year without fail.

 

150+

PDF Notes

150+

Live Classes

5

Sectional Tests

4

Full-length Tests

"I didn't have any idea about Geography, It is all due to Shabbir Sir" - Preksha (Rank 30)

"I got to know about Edukemy in Pratham Kaushik's (327 marks, 2017) strategy and liked the format where foundation, enrichment & Test Series was being covered before Prelims" - Shubham (Rank 41)

"I learnt Geography as well as a lot of other things about life from you. Grateful to Edukemy" - Nitin Singh (Rank 32)

Not only is Geography Optional one of the most chosen options among UPSC Aspirants, it is also more loved because of its classes being offered by Shabbir Sir!

The unique, module-wise, marathon-focused, and mission-oriented Geography Optional Classes by Shabbir Sir focuses on pedagogical elements like initiation classes, moving to foundational principles, and then ultimately to the Enriched/Advanced part of learning!!

Learn from the best faculty of Geography optional and be a part of the legacy of highest geography marks every year without fail.

 

No Cost EMI Plans available
No Cost EMI Plans available for all modes of courses.
Select a batch below to know more details about EMI plans.
No Cost EMI Plans available
No Cost EMI Plans available for all modes of courses.
Select a batch below to know more details about EMI plans.

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New batch starts from 8th Nov, 2024
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Online Live Classes

Classroom

  • 150+ Live Interactive classes with Class Notes
  • Learning Art of Synopsis Writing
  • Module Based Approach
  • Completion through Module Wise Workbooks
  • Comprehensive Test Series with 9 Tests
    • 5 Sectional Tests (Evaluation of all)
    • 4 Full Length Tests (Only evaluation of 2)
    • 10 Practice Tests (No Evaluation)
  • 200+ L1 & L2 Level Questions with Model Answers (PDF)
  • 14 Geography Optional Booklets (PDF)
On-going Batches
5% OFF

Geography Optional Online - (Integrated October Batch - 2026)

₹23,200/month for 3 months
Full Course Fee: ₹69,600 ₹73,600
Choose your budget-friendly EMI option
Scheduled Batches
5% OFF

Geography Optional Online - (Integrated November Batch - 2026)

₹23,200/month for 3 months
Full Course Fee: ₹69,600 ₹73,600
Choose your budget-friendly EMI option
Know more about the Geography Optional Course!

Know more about the Geography Optional Course!

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Free Resources

Preksha Agarwal - Rank 30

Topper Copy 1

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Geography Optional PYQ Sample

Geography Optional PYQ 2023 - Solved Sample

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Synopsis Sample

Synopsis Made by a Student at Edukemy!

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Preparing for Geography

Optional Strategy

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Geography Optional – Syllabus given by UPSC

Syllabus of Geography Paper – I (PRINCIPLES OF GEOGRAPHY)

Physical Geography

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Resources: Land, surface and ground water, energy, minerals, biotic and marine resources, Forest and wildlife resources and their conservation; Energy crisis.
  3. 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 regionalisation; Agro-climatic zones; Agroecological regions.
  4. Industry: Evolution of industries; Locational factors of cotton, jute, textile, iron and steel, aluminum, fertiliser, paper, chemical and pharmaceutical, automobile, cottage, and ago-based industries; Industrial houses and complexes including public sector undertakings; Industrial regionalisation; New industrial policy; Multinationals and liberalisation; Special Economic Zones; Tourism including ecotourism.
  5. 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 programme.
  6. 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.
  7. 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 urbanisation and remedies.
  8. Regional Development and Planning: Experience of regional planning in India; Five Year Plans; Integrated rural development programmes; Panchayati Raj and decentralised planning; Command area development; Watershed management; Planning for backward area, desert, drought-prone, hill tribal area development; Multi-level planning; Regional planning and development of island territories.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.

Key Highlights

Live Interactive Sessions with Recorded Videos
Live Interactive Sessions with Recorded Videos
Complete Syllabus Coverage with Advanced Concepts
Complete Syllabus Coverage with Advanced Concepts
PYQs & Case Study Coverage
PYQs & Case Study Coverage
150+ Class Summaries
150+ Class Summaries

What our learners are saying?

About the Faculty

Shabbir Bashir
Shabbir Bashir

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...

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Ajay Kumar
Ajay Kumar

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Demo Class Videos

Demo Video - Geography Optional by Shabbir Sir - Integrated Course
Demo Video - Geography Optional by Shabbir Sir - Integrated Course
Demo Video - Geography Optional by Shabbir Sir - Integrated Course
Demo Video - Geography Optional by Shabbir Sir - Integrated Course

Frequently Asked Questions

Geography is a good, scoring subject when it comes to choosing it as an Optional for UPSC.

In the Prelims Exam, each year we get around 25-30 questions being asked from Geography & Environment (a part of Geography Optional).

Similarily, the overlap of Geography Optional with GS Mains Subjects like Indian Society, Agriculture, International Relations, Disaster Management, Environment further helps students attempt around 200-220 marks in the GS Mains Paper.

Hence, we can safely say that Geography is a good optional for UPSC.

Yes. Infact, Pratham Kaushik scored 327 in 2017, one of the highest marks in any optional. Over the years, the UPSC Toppers have secured 280-300 marks in Geography.

We would say that the amount of overlap that it has with GS, it also helps you prepare for the GS Papers.

Hence, while it might be considered a lengthy optional, it only makes sense to choose it for the amount of marks it helps an aspirant with in the UPSC Exam!

With over 2 decades of experience, and having produced numerous toppers who chose Geography as an optional and studied with sir, Shabbir Sir is undoubtedly the best Geography Optional Faculty.

No. If someone is telling you that they can teach you Geography Optional in such a short duration, they are definitely doing something wrong, or skipping a part of the syllabus.

Geography Optional minimum requires 6 months of Classes/Self-Study to cover.

Building a strong foundation is necessary for Geography Optional, or any other Optional.

We recommend you start with your basics through NCERTs, GC Leong, and then go to standard books like Khullar or Savinder Singh.

Apart from that, you can also take up Geography Optional Coaching by Shabbir Sir!

 

✅ The first step is to go through the Geography Optional Syllabus. Ensure that you are going through the syllabus in an extensive manner, knowing each part of the mentioned official syllabus.

✅ Next, in the syllabus, you need to note down all keywords and ensure that you have Foundation, and value-added notes for each keyword mentioned.

✅ Third, you need to go through all the topic-wise and module-wise questions and try and understand the level of questions, along with knowing which topics are being repeated.

✅ Knowledge of the trend of questions is an important aspect of UPSC Geography Optional preparation. Post that, you need to do a proper analysis of the UPSC Previous Year Questions.

✅ Next, you need to identify the right sources for Geography Optional. Which books to read? Which sources to refer? A proper booklist of the same is covered here!

✅ Further, it is important to cover the Current Affairs for Geography Optional. Make sure you are referring to KOSMOS Magazine by Edukemy, twice in a month!

✅ The most important part of all the preparation strategy of Geography Optional is - you need to learn to write good and effective answers for the subject. We have made a detailed video on the same, which can be accessed here!

Every Optional has its Pros and Cons. When it comes to popular Optional like Geography, there are some pros, and some cons. Students need to, however, consider their interest in the subject first.


Pros of Geography Optional:

Interest and Passion: If you have a genuine interest and passion for geography, studying it as an optional subject can be enjoyable and fulfilling. It allows you to delve deeper into various geographical concepts, theories, and phenomena.

Scoring Potential: Geography is often considered a scoring optional subject because it is perceived to have a relatively straightforward syllabus and scoring potential. With proper understanding and preparation, candidates can secure high marks in this subject.

Overlapping with General Studies: Geography overlaps with various components of the General Studies paper in competitive exams, particularly in areas such as physical geography, environmental studies, and human geography. This can reduce the overall workload and preparation time for candidates.

Availability of Resources: There are abundant study materials, reference books, online resources, and coaching institutes available for geography optional. This makes it easier for candidates to access quality study materials and guidance for preparation.

Interdisciplinary Nature: Geography encompasses aspects of physical sciences, social sciences, and environmental studies, making it an interdisciplinary subject. Studying geography can provide a holistic understanding of various socio-economic and environmental issues.

Cons:

Vast Syllabus: Geography has a vast and comprehensive syllabus, covering both physical and human geography along with regional geography. Mastering all the topics within the limited time frame available for preparation can be challenging. 

Analytical and Conceptual Depth: Geography optional exams often require candidates to demonstrate a deep understanding of concepts and analytical skills to answer questions effectively. Some candidates may find it difficult to grasp complex geographical theories and phenomena.

Dynamic Nature: Geography is a dynamic subject with continuous updates and changes in theories, data, and interpretations. Staying updated with the latest developments and incorporating them into preparation can be time-consuming.

 

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 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.

The course is structured to ensure thorough preparation and includes:

  1. 150+ live interactive classes with class notes
  2. Learning the art of synopsis writing
  3. A module-based approach for better understanding
  4. Completion through module-wise workbooks
  5. Comprehensive test series with 9 tests:
  6. 5 sectional tests (evaluation of all)
  7. 4 full-length tests (only evaluation of 2)
  8. 10 practice tests (no evaluation)
  9. 200+ L1 & L2 level questions with model answers (PDF)
  10. 14 Geography Optional booklets (PDF)

Related Tags

Know more about the Geography Optional Course!

Know more about the Geography Optional Course!

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Related Courses

Enrol in the Best UPSC Geography Optional Course Online/ Offline

For those preparing for the UPSC with Geography Optional, finding the right guidance is crucial. Enrolling in a course led by the best Geography Optional teacher for UPSC can make a huge difference. Edukemy offers one of the best Geography Optional coaching programs, both online and offline, under the expert guidance of Shabbir Sir, renowned as the UPSC Geography Optional best teacher. The course covers the entire syllabus, focusing on key areas like Human, Physical Geography & Indian Geography.

Along with expert teaching, the course focuses intensively on Geography Optional answer writing, with a critical score of 300+ in the exam. Students also get access to a comprehensive booklist for Geography Optional and detailed notes on essential topics.  From rigorous answer writing and workbook sessions to detailed PYQs, NCERT assignments, and case studies, we’ve got everything covered to help you maximum in Geography Optional. Book reading sessions where Shabbir Sir refers to the books in the classes and helps aspirants prioritize the areas that must be covered from books. Book reading sessions, synopses writing, and case study-based approaches have rightly made this course the best Geography optional online and offline course.

Best Geography Optional Teacher for UPSC

Mr. Shabbir A. Bashir, the co-founder of Edukemy is the best geography teacher for UPSC preparation. With experience of over 23 years in the industry, he provides exceptional guidance to each & every student in his/her UPSC journey. The geography 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. Shabbir sir’s Geography Optional course has a legacy of giving toppers year after year. His in-depth mastery of the complete syllabus of Geography Optional is well known and helped the aspirants through extensive answer writing, assignments, and case studies. In weekly power sessions, this course offers at least one Geography Optional PYQ session and two case studies every week. Our toppers are a testament to exceptional guidance.

What Edukemy's UPSC Geography Optional Integrated Course Offers?

Edukemy’s UPSC Geography Optional Integrated Course is a comprehensive program designed by Shabbir Sir, one of the best geography optional teachers for UPSC. Here's what the course includes:

This course is ideal for those looking for the best Geography Optional coaching, whether offline or online. Edukemy provides one of the best Geography Optional coaching in Delhi and beyond, with a focus on both strategies for Geography Optional.

To start your preparation journey - schedule a FREE counseling session with us now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the UPSC Geography Optional Integrated Course?

Answer: The Geography Optional Integrated course by Edukemy is a special program designed to help UPSC aspirants master the geography subject for their exams. It includes detailed lessons, expert guidance, and all the study materials needed. This course aims to make learning easier and more effective, ensuring students are well-prepared and confident for their UPSC Geography optional papers.

Q2. Who should enrol in this course? 

Answer:  Anyone preparing for the UPSC exam with a focus on Geography should enroll in this course. Whether a beginner needs a strong foundation or an advanced student seeking to refine your knowledge, Edukemy's UPSC Geography Optional Integrated course is designed to help every aspirant achieve their goals.

Q3. How does this course help students in the UPSC Geography Optional Exam?

Answer: Edukemy's UPSC Geography Optional Integrated course helps students by providing:

 

 

 

 

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