pmfias::How to study Geography for UPSC

Table of Contents

• 1 Prelims syllabus
• 2 Mains Syllabus
• 3 Topic wise breakup of syllabus
  • 3.1 Physical Geography
    • 3.1.1 Geomorphology
    • 3.1.2 Climatology
    • 3.1.3 Oceanography
    • 3.1.4 Biogeography and Environmental Geography
  • 3.2 Physical Geography of India
  • 3.3 Economic Geography
• 4 Prelims Syllabus Analysis
• 
  
•  In this post I have tried to explain How to Study Geography General Studies UPSC IAS CSE.
  The first basic step towards success in UPSC CSE is understanding the Syllabus followed by understanding the nature of questions. I have focused on these two aspects in this post.
  • 1
    Understanding Syllabus
  • 2
    Booklist
  • 3
    Topicwise Breakup of Questions

  Watch these videos

  
  

  Prelims syllabus

  • Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and World

  Mains Syllabus

  • 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.

  Topic wise breakup of syllabus

  Physical Geography

  Geomorphology

  • Earth’s Interior
  • Tectonics

  1. Continental Drift
  2. Seefloor Spreading
  3. Plaeomagnetism
  4. Plate Tectonics

  • Mountain Building [Orogeny]
  • Physical Phenomena
  • Earthquakes, Volcanoes, etc..
  • Rocks
  • Weathering & Erosion
  • Erosional and depositional Landforms [No need to study in detail. Just 10-15 points under each heading]
  • Fluvial landforms
  • Glacial Landforms
  • Marine Landforms
  • Arid Landfroms
  • Karst Landfroms

  Climatology

  • The Atmosphere
  • Temperature Distribution
  • Pressure systems and Wind systems
  • Jet streams
  • Airmasses
  • Fronts
  • Frontal Cyclones or Temperate Cyclones
  • Humidity and Precipitation
  • Geographical Phenomena
  • Cyclones – Tropical and Temperate cyclones
  • Climatic regions of the World

  Oceanography

  • Ocean relief
  • Temperature Distribution
  • Salinity
  • Ocean Currents
  • Tides
  • Coral Bleeching
  • Sea level change
  • Marine pollution
  • Laws related [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea etc..]

  Biogeography and Environmental Geography

  • Soil Profile
  • Soil degradation and conservation
  • Biotic regions [Topic closely related to Climatic regions of the world]
  • Deforestation and Conservation of forests.
  • Changes in critical geographical features – flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
  • Environmental Pollution [Coincides with ‘Conservation, Environmental pollution …..’ topic of GS 3]

  Physical Geography of India

  • Topics 1-9 [Introduction to Environment] from India A Comprehensive Geography By Khullar [Don’t read from page to page. Read only necessary Headings]

  Economic Geography

  • Resource distribution
  • Marine resources
  • Water resources
  • Agricultural resources
  • Land resources
  • Mineral and Non-mineral resources
  • Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India). Mrunal.org articles
  • For India Economic Geography
  • Selective Headings from Kullar
  • Ex: Water resources, Land utilization, Green Revolution, Mineral and Energy resources etc..
  • Topics of GS 3 like Cropping Pattern, Irrigation Topics can be studied from Kullar.

  Prelims Syllabus Analysis

  Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and World

  
  

  • Most Viewed Articles Under Geography Section

    

    Physcial Geography

    • Geomorphic Processes.
    • Endogenic Forces and Evolution of Land forms.
    • Volcanoes: Everything You Need To Know.
    • Earthquakes: Everything You Need To Know.
    • Exogenic Forces and their classification.
    • Erosion and Deposition: Action of Running Water and Groundwater
    • Erosion and Deposition: Action of Glaciers
    • Countries of the World Listed By Continent.
    • Interesting Facts and Figures Regarding World Geography.
    • Soils of India: Classification and Characteristics.
    • Different soil types in India: Understand the differences.
    • Causes of Soil Degradation and Methods for Soil Conservation.
    • Urban Heat Islands.

    Human Geography

    • Sectors of Economy : Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary and Quinary
    • Factors Responsible for the Location of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sector Industries in Various Parts of the World (Including India)
    • Distribution of Major Industries : Location Factors

    Books to study Geography?

    The best source to study Geography is NCERT Text books from Standard 6 to 12. Most of the topics are explained in very simple language in the basic text books and it’s really helpful for the exam. Other useful books for Geography topics are:
    1. Geography of India – Majid Husain.
    2. Oxford School Atlas – Oxford OR Orient Blackswan Atlas.
    3. Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong.
    4. India: A Comprehensive Geography – D.R. Khullar.
    5. Physical Geography – Savindra Singh.
    6. Human Geography – Majid Hussain.
    Also read:  Geographical Indication (GI) Tags in India: Memorize Faster

    Indian Geography In Brief : Topics To Cover

    Indian Geography can be divided into three – Physical Geography, Economic Geography and Social Geography. The major sub-topics under Physical Indian Geography are Physio-graphic divisions, Drainage, Climate, Vegetation, Natural Resources etc. Topics related to environment like Wild-life, Soil, Flora etc should be given stress too. Economic and Social Geography related aspects of Indian Geography should the studied in parallel to Physical Geography. Tip : NCERT Books will turn really handy for preparation of Economic and Social Geography.

    Physio-graphic regions

    1. Mountains (Himalayas).
    2. Northern Plains.
    3. Peninsular Plateau.
    4. Coastal Plains.
    5. Islands.

    Drainage

    1. Himalayan Rivers.
    2. Peninsular Rivers.

    Climate + Four Seasons of India

    1. Hot Weather Season.
    2. Advancing Monsoon.
    3. Retreating Monsoon.
    4. Cold Weather Season.

    Vegetation

    1. Tropical Rain-forest.
    2. Tropical Deciduous Forests. (Monsoon Forests)
    3. Mountain Vegetation.
    4. Desert Vegetation.
    5. Marshy land Vegetation.

    Natural Resources

    1. Minerals including Petroleum and Natural Gas.
    2. Wild Life.
    3. Forests.
    4. Water.
    5. Soil.

    Human Geo: Economic Geography

    Study in detail about the economic activities related to Agriculture, Industries and Services in different areas of India. Learn how the geography of a region affect the economic prosperity of the same.

    Human Geo: Social Geography

    Learn more the details like Demographics, poverty, hunger, literacy rates, unemployment etc. in a geography perspective.