Geography has ‘overlapping’ topics which covers Environment, Economics (Human geography- Demograpy) and Current Events. Preparing for the Geography section in the UPSC Civil Services Exam is like setting out on an exciting expedition.

Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern:

The UPSC exam includes Prelims, Mains, and an Interview. Geography is an integral part of both Prelims (General Studies Paper I) and Mains (General Studies Paper I and Optional Subject). The Prelims test objective knowledge, while Mains require subjective, analytical answers.

Prelims Syllabus

Broadly:  Indian & World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World.

More detail:

Indian Geography

• Basics of India
  • Location, latitude, longitude, time zone, etc.
  • Neighbours
  • Important straits
  • States and their position
  • States with international boundaries
• Physical features
  • The Himalayas – geological formation, climate, vegetation, soil, biodiversity, physiographic divisions, major passes, significance
  • The Great North Indian Plains – geological formation, physiographic divisions, climate, vegetation, soil, biodiversity, significance
  • Peninsular Plateau – geological formation, Central Highlands, Deccan Plateau, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats
  • Indian Desert
  • Coastal plains and islands
• River systems
  • Himalayan rivers
  • Peninsular rivers
  • River basins
  • Regional development and planning
  • Hydropower projects, major dams
  • West-flowing and east-flowing rivers
  • Interlinking of rivers
• Climate
  • Monsoons – driving mechanism, El Nino, La Nina
  • Seasons
  • Cyclones
• Minerals and industries – mineral distribution, industrial policies, location
• Agriculture
  • Land utilization
  • Types of agricultural practices
  • Green revolution
  • Soils and crops
  • Irrigation
  • Land reforms
  • Animal husbandry
  • Government schemes
• Natural vegetation and fauna
  • Classification of natural vegetation
  • Rainfall distribution in India
  • Biosphere reserves, national parks, etc.
  • Red-listed species
• Economic infrastructure
  • Transportation (highways, inland waterways, etc.)
  • Power and energy sector
  • Conventional and non-conventional sources of energy
  • Energy conservation
• Human Geography
  • Demographics
  • Recent census

World Geography

• Major natural regions
• Regional geography of developed countries
• Regional geography of developing countries
• Regional geography of South Asia

Physical Geography

• Geomorphology

• Origin of the earth
• Interior of the earth
• Types and characteristics of rocks
• Folding and Faulting
• Volcanoes, earthquakes
• Interior of the earth
• Weathering
• Landforms formed by fluvial, aeolian and glacial actions

• Climatology

• Atmosphere – structure and composition
• Temperature
• Pressure belts of the Earth
• Wind systems
• Clouds and types of rainfall
• Cyclones and anti-cyclones
• Major climatic types

• Oceanography

• Ocean relief
• Temperature, salinity
• Ocean deposits
• Ocean currents
• El Nino and La Nina
• Waves and tides

• Biogeography

• Soil – origin and types
• Major biomes of the world
• Ecosystem, food chain
• Environmental degradation and conservation

Human Geography

• Man & environment; relationship, growth and development of human geography; determinism and possibilism
• Population, tribes, migration
• Economic activities – agriculture, manufacturing, industries, tertiary activities
• Settlements, urbanization, functional classification of towns, million-cities and megacities

Mains Syllabus

Geography is part of the GS paper I in the IAS mains exam:

• Distribution of key natural resources across the world including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent; factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world including India
• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones etc., 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
• Salient features of the world’s physical geography (geomorphology, climatology, oceanography, biogeography and environmental geography)
  • Geomorphology – the interior of the earth, tectonics, physical phenomenon, mountain building, volcanoes, earthquakes, weathering & erosion, rocks, landforms
  • Climatology – atmosphere, temperature distribution, jet streams, pressure & wind systems, air masses, fronts, cyclones, humidity, precipitation, geographical phenomenon, climatic regions of the world
  • Oceanography – ocean relief, temperature distribution, ocean currents, salinity, coral bleaching, marine pollution, sea level change, UN laws, etc.
  • Biography – soil profile, degradation, conservation), biotic regions, deforestation and conservation of forests, changes in critical geographical features, environmental pollution

Books and Resources for Geography Preparation

NCERT Textbooks:

NCERTs are important for UPSC aspirants. They are simple, straightforward, and form the backbone of your geography preparation.

• Class 6-10: For basics and fundamental concepts.
• Class 11-12: ‘Physical Geography’ and ‘India: Physical Environment’.

Advanced Books:

• “Geography of India” by Majid Husain or D R Khullar: It is particularly useful for understanding India’s geographical diversity and topics like agriculture, resources, and regional development.
• “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by G.C. Leong: This is a must-read for physical geography. It covers fundamentals with illustrations, which are extremely helpful for conceptual clarity.

Atlases:

Geography requires visual learning, and atlases help in visualization:

• Oxford Student Atlas: This atlas is comprehensive and has detailed maps that are very helpful for understanding geographical locations and features.
• Orient BlackSwan School Atlas: It covers a wide range of topics such as physical features, political boundaries, historical events, climatic zones, and demographic information.

Importance of PYQ in geography

• Previous Year Question Papers provide excerpts from the most important portions of the topics. As a result, it assists the candidate in comprehending the important areas of the subject. Practicing PYQs acts as a mirror, allowing you to assess your preparedness.

Mains PYQ: https://www.iasgyan.in/mains-previous-year-papers

Prelims PYQ: https://www.iasgyan.in/prelims-previous-year-papers

How to Prepare Indian Geography?

• Start by thoroughly understanding the syllabus, with special emphasis on key areas like India’s physical geography, climatic conditions, river systems, agriculture, minerals, industries, and population.
• Begin with NCERT textbooks from classes 6 to 12, as they provide a solid foundation in the basics. Take notes for quick revisions later. Post NCERTs, delve into more detailed study using advanced books such as Geography of India by Majid Husain/DR Khullar. Link these advanced concepts with the basics you learned from the NCERTs.
• For Indian Geography, Map-based learning is vital. Regularly practice with maps to identify geographical features, agricultural zones, and industrial areas in India. This helps in memorization and is key for tackling map-based questions frequently seen in the prelims.
• Stay updated with current affairs related to Indian Geography. Read newspapers and magazines for the latest developments in environmental issues, government policies, and projects that affect the geography of India. Also, consult government reports for the latest data and policy changes.

How to Prepare World & Physical Geography?

• Start by understanding the syllabus, emphasizing physical geography, climatic zones, biomes, and major physical features like mountains, rivers, and plateaus. Global environmental issues and international policies also form an important part.
• Begin with NCERT textbooks to grasp the basics, and then move to advanced books like Majid Husain’s World Geography for in-depth understanding. Use maps extensively to familiarize yourself with different regions, continents, and their geographical features.
• Incorporate current affairs, focusing on global environmental issues, climate change, and international treaties. Reading international sections of reputed newspapers helps stay updated.

Important Preparation Tips

• Conceptual and Factual: One should invest more time on the Conceptual topics at the beginning of preparation as they form the base on which the process of learning factual topics may be made easier. However, if one has developed sufficient proficiency in the conceptual topics, one may spend more time on the factual topics as the former topics don't require as much revision as compared to the latter.
• Interlink Concepts and Current Affairs: Geography isn’t just about memorizing facts. It’s about understanding how different concepts link together. For example, see how climate change affects agriculture or how the physical layout of a region can shape its culture and economy. Making these connections helps in writing comprehensive answers, especially in the Mains. For example if there’s a major cyclone or an international climate summit, understand the geographical aspects behind these events. This approach will help you in both Prelims and Mains.
• Map Practice: Regularly practice map-based questions. Mark important locations, like national parks, major rivers, or mountain ranges, places in news. This will be incredibly handy for many Prelims questions.
• Diagrams and Flowcharts: In Mains, presenting your answers with diagrams, flowcharts can fetch you more marks. It makes your answer visually appealing and easier to understand. Diagrams are particularly useful in explaining concepts like the water cycle, rock cycle, or urban planning models.
• Revision: Regular revision is the key. Make short notes for quick revisions. Revisit these notes. Repetition will help cement the information in your memory which help you to overcome confusion and built confidence to mark a statement write or wrong which is very much essential in this new pattern in prelims.
• Answer Writing Practice and Multi-dimensional Approach:For Mains, practice writing answers. Time yourself to get better at managing the limited time you have in the exam. Also, focus on structuring your answers well – introduction, body, and conclusion. In Geography, don’t just stick to the geographical aspect. Think about how it intersects with economics, politics, and sociology.