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UPSC Geography Syllabus: Prelims, Mains & Geography Optional Syllabus PDF
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Geography is an important subject for all the three stages of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, i.e., for Prelims, Mains as well as the Interview/Personality Test round. In IAS Prelims, Geography questions are asked in GS Paper 1 from Human, Indian and World Geography, including Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World. In the UPSC Mains, Geography forms a crucial section in General Studies Paper 1 (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society).
For candidates who opt for Geography as their optional subject for UPSC, there will be two papers of 250 marks each – Paper VI and VII, conducted for a duration of 3 hours. The Geography Optional syllabus for the UPSC encompasses both physical and human geography. It is divided into two papers –
- Paper I focuses on physical geography, including geomorphology, climatology, oceanography, and biogeography.
- Paper II lays emphasis on human geography, economic geography, and regional planning.
This syllabus is designed to evaluate candidates' understanding of geographical concepts and their ability to apply them to real-world scenarios. In fact, Geography has emerged as a popular and scoring optional subject for UPSC Exam due to its logical structure, overlap with General Studies, and the availability of extensive study materials. Many toppers have chosen Geography as their optional subject for UPSC Civil Services Exam. As per trends of previous years’ UPSC Toppers, Aishwarya Verma secured All India Rank 4 in UPSC 2021 with Geography as her optional subject. Similarly, Ira Singhal topped the exam in 2014 with Geography as optional, and Junaid Ahmad achieved Rank 3 in 2018 with Geography optional. These trends underscore the significance of Geography in the UPSC Examination and its potential to contribute to the overall UPSC Marks.
In this article, let us go through the detailed UPSC Geography Syllabus for Prelims, Mains and optional papers as well as important topics to prepare Geography for UPSC Exam Preparation.
UPSC Prelims Geography Syllabus 2025
Geography is important from the point of view of Prelims General Studies Paper 1. As per the official syllabus PDF, the UPSC Geography Syllabus for Prelims Exam is primarily divided into 3 parts, which are –
- Indian Geography
- Human Geography
- World Geography
This will include all facets of Geography namely, Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World. Important topics from UPSC Geography Syllabus include geomorphology, climatology, oceanography, biogeography, and environmental geography. In Indian Geography, subjects such as the physical features of India, river systems, climate, agriculture, natural vegetation, and economic infrastructure are covered. World Geography delves into major natural regions, regional geography of developed and developing countries, and the geography of South Asia. Candidates appearing for UPSC Prelims must build a solid grasp of these topics to address questions related to geographical features, environmental issues, and socio-economic aspects in the Prelims, Mains as well as Interview rounds. Check the detailed UPSC Geography Syllabus for Prelims in the table below –
|
Geography Syllabus for UPSC Prelims |
|
|
Topics |
Details |
|
Indian Geography Syllabus |
|
|
Natural Vegetation & Wildlife- Characteristics, importance, comparison & Significance |
|
|
Distribution of Forest Area |
|
|
Factors of forest development |
|
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Extent of forest cover |
|
|
Classification of forests in India |
|
|
Forest Problems in India |
|
|
Mineral & Industries |
Mineral distribution, Industrial policies, mining regions and Location |
|
Mineral Resource |
|
|
Types of minerals: Metallic minerals & Non-metallic mineral |
|
|
Distribution, production and international trade of Metallic minerals: Ferrous metals: Iron ore |
|
|
Non-metallic Minerals – Sulphur, Phosphates, Cement |
|
|
Drainage systems (Indian Rivers) – Characteristics, comparison & Significance |
|
|
Regional development and planning |
|
|
Classification of Drainage |
|
|
Himalayan Drainage |
|
|
Indus river system |
|
|
Indus drainage system |
|
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Peninsular River System |
|
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Mains Rivers and their tributaries |
|
|
Famous cities and river banks |
|
|
The basic idea about India |
Location, Latitude, Longitude, Time zone, Local and Standard Time and the International Date Line, Calendar etc. |
|
Important straits in India |
|
|
Indian States and their position |
|
|
States of India with their international boundaries |
|
|
Physical features of India |
Physiographic Sub-Units – Himalayas, Classification of The Himalayan System, Regional Division of the Himalayas. |
|
Great Plains of India and Their Physiographic Division – Geological formation, physiographic divisions, climate, vegetation, soil, biodiversity, significance |
|
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Peninsular Plateau – Geological formation, Central Highlands, Deccan Plateau, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats |
|
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The Islands |
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Mountain System |
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Climate in India |
|
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Mechanism of the Monsoon |
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Classical Theory |
|
|
Modern theory |
|
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Air mass theory |
|
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Seasonal rhythm |
|
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Agriculture & Allied-characteristics & Problems |
Land utilisation |
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Subsistence Agriculture |
|
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Primitive Subsistence Agriculture |
|
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Intensive Subsistence Agriculture |
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Plantation Agriculture |
|
|
Mediterranean Agriculture |
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Viticulture in India |
|
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Market Gardening and Horticulture – Truck Farming |
|
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Cooperative Farming |
|
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Collective Farming |
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Animal husbandry |
|
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Government schemes |
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Economic infrastructure |
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Distribution of potential hydro-power |
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Conventional and non-conventional sources of energy |
|
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Energy conservation |
|
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General trends of energy production and consumption |
|
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Reserves and sources of energy |
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Classification of energy |
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Production of conventional energy |
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Transportation – Relative importance of means of transport: Railways, Roads, Pipeline, Oceans, Air transport |
|
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World Geography |
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Regional Grouping of Countries of the World |
Continents Countries and Cities |
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Continents and Important Cities of the World |
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Important Cities Situated on the Banks of Rivers |
|
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Economic Classification of Countries of the World |
|
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Regional geography of developed countries |
Population problems of developed countries. |
|
Regional geography of developing countries |
Population problems of developing countries |
|
Regional geography of South Asia |
Regional geography of South Asia |
|
Events related to current affairs |
Places in News |
|
Human Geography |
|
|
Concept of human resources |
|
|
Economic Factors |
|
|
Geographical Factors |
|
|
Availability of water |
|
|
Socio-cultural factors |
|
|
Census- 2011 of India |
Highest & Lowest population |
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Human Development |
|
|
Economic Activities |
Tertiary |
|
Quaternary |
|
|
Quinary |
|
|
Settlements |
|
|
Current Events |
|
|
Physical Geography Syllabus for UPSC |
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The Hot, Wet Equatorial Climate |
|
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The Tropical Monsoon and Tropical Marine Climates |
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The Savanna or Sudan Climate |
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The Hot Desert and Mid-Latitude Desert Climates |
|
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The Warm Temperate Western Margin Climate |
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The Temperate Continental |
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The Warm Temperate Eastern Margin |
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The Cool Temperate Western Margin |
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The Cool Temperate Continental Climate |
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The Cool Temperate Eastern Margin Climate |
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The Arctic or Polar Climate |
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Crust |
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Mantle |
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Core |
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Earth Quake Waves |
|
|
Theories – Seuss Theory |
|
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The basic idea about Earth |
Universe – Theories of development of Universe |
|
Galaxy – Star and planet formation |
|
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Moon |
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Meteor |
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Kupier belt |
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Comets |
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Dwarf planets |
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Earth Evolution |
|
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Evolution of the Earth Layered Structure – Lithosphere, Atmosphere and Hydrosphere |
|
|
Geomorphology |
Geology and Rock system |
|
Major Elements of the Earth’s Crust |
|
|
Earth’s Surface – Exogenic Forces and Endogenic Forces |
|
|
Mass Movements of landforms, erosion & deposits |
Erosional landforms – Pediments, Pediplains, Playas, Deflation Hollows and Caves |
|
Depositional Landforms – Barchans, Seif, Parabolic, Transverse |
|
|
Ground Water (Karst Topography) |
|
|
Permeable Rocks |
|
|
Percolation |
|
|
Bedding Plains |
|
|
Heat Balance |
|
|
Heating and cooling of atmosphere – Conduction, Convection and Advection |
|
|
Air Mass, Fronts, Cyclones and Jet Stream |
|
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Oceanography |
Hydrosphere |
|
Water on the Surface of the Earth |
|
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Component |
|
|
Processes |
|
|
Types of Ocean Currents of the world – Warm and cold currents |
|
|
Mapping |
Important places in news, biosphere reserves, climatic zones, soils, grasslands etc. |
Download UPSC Geography Notes PDF for important topics from the Prelims & Mains point of view.
| Subjects | PDF Link |
|---|---|
| Download Free Ancient History Notes PDF Created by UPSC Experts | Download Link |
| Grab the Free Economy Notes PDF used by UPSC Aspirants | Download Link |
| Get your hands on the most trusted Free UPSC Environmental Notes PDF | Download Link |
| Exclusive Free Indian Geography PDF crafted by top mentors | Download Link |
| UPSC Toppers’ trusted notes, Now FREE for you. Download the Polity Notes PDF today! | Download Link |
| Thousands of UPSC aspirants are already using our FREE UPSC notes. Get World Geography Notes PDF Here | Download Link |
UPSC Mains GS-I Geography Syllabus 2025
Geography forms an important component of the Paper II that is, GS Paper 1 Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society in UPSC Mains.
The Geography Syllabus for UPSC Mains is designed to assess candidates' understanding of both physical and human geography, and the interrelationship between physical and human phenomena, evaluating a candidates’ ability to analyze and interpret geographical data critically.
|
Focus Areas for GS Paper 1 ✅Salient features of World’s physical geography ✅Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent) ✅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, cyclone 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. |
Go through the detailed topic-wise Geography Syllabus in the table below –
|
Geography Mains Syllabus |
|
|
Geography Mains Syllabus Topics |
Details |
|
Natural Resources |
Distribution of key natural resources across the world including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent |
|
Location of Industries |
Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world including India |
|
Important Geophysical phenomena |
|
|
Geographical Features and Their Location |
|
|
Changes in Critical Geographical Features (Including Water-Bodies and Ice-Caps) |
|
|
Flora and Fauna |
|
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Effects of Such Changes |
|
|
Salient features of the world’s physical geography |
|
|
Environmental Geography |
|
|
Geomorphology |
The Interior of the Earth |
|
Physical Phenomenon |
|
|
Mountain Building |
|
|
Climatology |
|
|
Precipitation |
|
|
Geographical Phenomenon |
|
|
Climatic Regions of the World |
|
|
Oceanography |
|
|
UN Laws |
|
|
Biogeography |
|
|
Conservation |
|
|
Biotic Regions |
|
|
Conservation of Forests |
|
|
Changes in Critical Geographical Features |
|
Read Daily UPSC Current Affairs to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest happenings in the world of Geography!
UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus 2025
The Geography UPSC optional syllabus is categorized into two different papers on distinct focus areas. Paper 1 would contain all those topics which are about physical geography, like natural phenomena and physical features of the earth. Paper 2 would contain all topics of human geography and regional development particularly relating to India. Thus, it is essential to read and understand topics under the optional geography syllabus UPSC for comprehensive preparation.
UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus PDF Download!
Geography UPSC Optional Syllabus for Paper 1
Geography UPSC Optional Syllabus for Paper 1 deals with Physical Geography. Paper 1 comprises 250 marks covering topics like geomorphology, climatology, oceanography, biogeography, environmental geography, and even modern environmental problems. Candidates can check the detailed UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus topic-wise in the table below –
|
Syllabus for Geography Optional UPSC Paper 1 |
|
|
Topics of UPSC Optional Syllabus Geography |
Subtopics |
|
Physical Geography |
|
|
Geomorphology |
Factors controlling landform development |
|
Origin and evolution of the Earth’s crusts |
|
|
Fundamentals of geomagnetism |
|
|
Physical conditions of the earth’s interior |
|
|
Geosynclines, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis |
|
|
Concepts of geomorphic cycles and Landscape development |
|
|
Continental drift, Isostasy, Plate tectonics, Recent views on mountain building, volcanic processes |
|
|
Denudation chronology, Channel morphology |
|
|
Erosion surfaces, Slope development |
|
|
Applied Geomorphology, Geomorphology in economic geology and environment |
|
|
Climatology |
Temperature and pressure belts of the world |
|
Heat budget of the earth |
|
|
Atmospheric circulation, 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, 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, and wildlife management |
|
|
Major gene pool centers |
|
|
Environmental Geography |
Principles of ecology |
|
Human ecological adaptations |
|
|
Influence of man on ecology and environment |
|
|
Global and regional ecological changes and imbalances |
|
|
Ecosystems and their management and conservation |
|
|
Environmental degradation, management, and conservation |
|
|
Biodiversity and sustainable development |
|
|
Environmental policy and legislation |
|
|
Environmental hazards and remedial measures |
|
|
Environmental education |
|
|
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, limits to growth |
|
|
World agriculture: 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 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 |
|
|
Functional classification of towns |
|
|
Sustainable development of cities |
|
|
Regional Planning |
Concept of a region |
|
Types of regions and methods of regionalization |
|
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Growth centers and growth poles |
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Regional imbalances |
|
|
Regional development strategies |
|
|
Environmental issues in regional planning |
|
|
Planning for sustainable development |
|
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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 theories |
|
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Von Thunen’s model of agricultural location |
|
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Weber’s model of industrial location |
|
|
Ostov’s model of stages of growth |
|
|
Heartland and Rimland theories |
|
|
Laws of International Boundaries and Frontiers |
|
Attempt UPSC Geography PYQ for Prelims Now!
Geography UPSC Optional Syllabus for Paper 2
UPSC Geography Optional Paper Syllabus Paper 2 mainly deals with human geography and the geographical aspects of India. Paper 2 is conducted for a total of 250 marks. Also, there will be one compulsory map question pertinent to subjects covered by this paper. Check the topic wise Geography Optional Syllabus for UPSC in the table below –
|
Syllabus for Geography Optional UPSC Paper 2 |
|
|
Topics of UPSC Optional Syllabus Geography |
Subtopics |
|
Physical Setting |
Space relationship of India with neighboring countries |
|
Structure and relief |
|
|
Drainage systems 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 groundwater, 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 |
|
|
Agro-ecological regions |
|
|
Industry |
Evolution of industries |
|
Locational factors of cotton, jute, textile, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizer, paper, chemical and pharmaceutical industries |
|
|
Industrial houses and complexes including public sector undertakings |
|
|
Industrial regionalisation |
|
|
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 and Trade Policy |
|
|
Export processing zones |
|
|
Developments in communication and information technology and their impacts on the economy and society |
|
|
Indian space programme |
|
|
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 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 in regional planning in India |
|
Five Year Plans |
|
|
Integrated rural development programs |
|
|
Command area development |
|
|
Watershed management |
|
|
Planning for backward areas, deserts, 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 the 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 |
|
|
Globalization and Indian economy |
|
Also check – UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage
Highest Scores Achieved in Geography Optional
Geography as an optional subject is pretty popular because it is interdisciplinary in nature, involving all these aspects like physical landscapes, human settlements, environmental issues, and geopolitical dynamics. The subject has consistently proven to be a high-scoring optional in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, with several aspirants achieving highest scores in the UPSC Geography optional.
For instance, the following toppers obtained the highest marks in Geography optional in the UPSC CSE Exam –
|
Year |
Name |
All India Rank |
Geography Marks |
Total Marks |
|
2023 |
Deepti Rohilla |
39 |
323 |
1012 |
|
2021 |
Aishwarya Verma |
4 |
Not disclosed |
1039 |
|
2021 |
Yasharth Shekhar |
12 |
306 |
1025 |
|
2017 |
Pratham Kaushik |
5 |
327 |
1117 |
|
2018 |
Junaid Ahmed |
3 |
321 |
1077 |
|
2016 |
Shweta Chauhan |
8 |
326 |
1101 |
These exceptional scores highlight the potential of Geography as an optional subject for aspirants aiming for top ranks in the UPSC examination.
UPSC Geography Optional Previous Year Question Papers
Solving previous year question papers is one of the brilliant ways to ensure that you cover the important Geography topics from the UPSC Syllabus in a mixed-question format. Actual exam question papers prepare the students for exam pattern, general level of difficulty, and the type of questions asked in the examination. Regular practice can definitely upgrade one's capacity to handle intricate questions, and also make time management efficient at the time of exams.
|
Geography Optional Previous Year Question Papers |
||
|
Year |
Paper |
Download Link |
|
2021 |
Geography Optional Paper I |
|
|
Geography Optional Paper II |
||
|
2022 |
Geography Optional Paper I |
|
|
Geography Optional Paper II |
||
|
2023 |
Geography Optional Paper I |
|
|
Geography Optional Paper II |
||
|
2024 |
Geography Optional Paper I |
|
|
Geography Optional Paper II |
||
Check some more UPSC IAS Previous Year’s Question Papers for other subjects here.
|
Related UPSC Syllabus for Other Subjects |
|
We hope you found this article on UPSC Geography Syllabus to be useful and informative for exam prep. To start the preparation for your examination, download the Testbook App to get access to world-class educations, mock tests, etc.
Geography Syllabus for UPSC Prelims and Mains FAQs
What are the key areas of Geography for UPSC Mains?
The major heads of Geography for UPSC Mains are, physical geography, human geography, regional geography, distribution of resources, and environmental issues.
Is Geography a part of General Studies or an optional subject?
Geography is part of General Studies in Prelims and Mains; it can also be chosen as an optional subject.
Which books to be read for UPSC Geography preparation?
NCERTs, G.C. Leong's "Physical Geography," Majid Husain's "Geography of India," and Atlas by Oxford or Orient Blackswan.
How to prepare Indian Geography for UPSC?
Focus on rivers, mountains, climate, soil types, agriculture, resources, and economic and social geography of India.
What are the key Geography topics covered in UPSC Prelims?
The syllabus encompasses physical geography, climate, vegetation, Indian geography, environmental geography, and world geography for conceptual clarity.