UPSC MAINS EXAM

How to prepare

for

GEOGRAPHY (optional)

By

Md.Rizwan

Hyderabad Study Circle (A Non Profit Registered Society Since 1976)

1-2-365/25/C, Near Indira Park ‘X‘ Roads, Domalguda, Hyderabad-500029 Ph.No:040-27638527/9490755375

Website: hyderabadstudycircle.net Email:hyderabadstudy_circle@yahoo.com

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Decide Geography rather lingering on. Why to Choose Geography? Is it

good? Am I capable ? Is it interesting ?

Meaning says rather Definition.

A great scientist Ken Jenningssays

“The decline of geography in academia is easy to understand: we live in an age of ever-increasing

specialization, and geography is a generalist's discipline. Imagine the poor geographer trying to

explain to someone at a campus cocktail party (or even to an unsympathetic adminitrator) exactly

what it is he or she studies.

"Geography is Greek for 'writing about the earth.' We study the Earth."

"Right, like geologists."

"Well, yes, but we're interested in the whole world, not just the rocky bits. Geographers also study

oceans, lakes, the water cycle..."

"So, it's like oceanography or hydrology."

"And the atmosphere."

"Meteorology, climatology..."

"It's broader than just physical geography. We're also interested in how humans relate to their

planet."

"How is that different from ecology or environmental science?"

"Well, it encompasses them. Aspects of them. But we also study the social and economic and cultural

and geopolitical sides of--"

"Sociology, economics, cultural studies, poli sci."

"Some geographers specialize in different world regions."

"Ah, right, we have Asian and African and Latin American studies programs here. But I didn't know

they were part of the geography department."

"They're not."

(Long pause.)

"So, uh, what is it that do study then?”

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Geography is the scientific study of the earth‟s surface, physical features, divisions, products,

population etc.

Many of you are aware of the basic fact what geography does? It is a subject of learning about

the physical features of a particular region (General perception). But is not restricted to physical

features and also known as the way in which a particular aspect of life or society is influenced by

geography or varies according to geography.

Many says optional which covers G.S topics is good to choose, at this juncture is it viable to

choose Geography as an optional subject?

Why Geography is the best optional Subject ?

If you are the religious follower of the previous year papers from the general studies papers, you

can understand the very nature of the geography in various domains. If you observe the above

flow chart, it covers various domains from general studies and the most interesting thing is that

itis the most chosen and highly followed optional by Science, Engineering and Medical students.

Let us see the trends

Let us analyze the optional trends

Optional Subject No.of aspirants selecting various

optional for mains

History Approx. 3000

Geography Approx. 3000

Public Administration Approx. 3000

Sociology Approx. 3000

Philosophy + Psychology + Political Science +

Economics

Nearly 2000

Others (Science +Arts ) <1000

Literature Sub‟s <1000

Total Approx..15,000

The above table clearly says it (Geography) is the most chosen optional. And if you look at the

below table, it clearly says it is the most successful optional subject as it is securing more ranks

than the ranks below hundred. It is the best optional for repeaters and selected people.

Why these Science, Eng.., Medical students opted for Geography, albeit, it is a social subject?

Because

1) It is easily understandable subject

2) It is covering most of the subjects

3) It is the most interesting subject due to its uniqueness of map pointing

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4) It is a conceptual subject

5) It is required 3 to 4 months in depth revision

I will give you the detailed picture of how many are looking at the Geography Optional

2014 -15 final result analysis

In the top 100 All Ranks

Subject 2014 2014

Geography 11 111

Sociology 16 89

Public Admin 10 93

Anthropology 8 36

History 3 41

Telugu lit.. - 5

If you observe the above data, it is clearly depicting the picture of number of selections each year

from every optional. The trend analysis says, the number of selections been increasing year after

year. But the same trend not followed by other optional. It is the uniqueness in Geography

Optional

Figure 1No.Of Selections

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Geography Sociology Pub Ad Anthro History Telugu Lit

2014

2015

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Say if you choose geography optional you can cover G.S syllabus of the following and is

most chosen and highly followed optional by Science, Engineering and Medical students

1. Preliminary Geography syllabus

2. Geography syllabus of mains Paper II – G.s I

3. Ecology, Environment, Disaster Management topics in Paper IV – G.S III

4. You will be having Economic geography, which covers most of the topics given

under Paper IV – G.S III

5. Social Geography covers the society and social issues part ( Paper II – G.s I)

6. And the most interesting subject

And is High scoring optional with it multidisciplinary characteristics

Every year around 15000 students are appearing for upsc mains exam out of those nearly

3100 candidates are appearing with Geography and most successful optional too

Apart from having scientific orientation , easy availability of coaching-materials and the

perceived high success rate , some parts of the syllabus like economic , environmental

and human geography.

Besides being helpful in essays and other GS papers, topics like Human Development

,Agri issues , resources distribution are very interesting

Perception:

The perceptions about easy scoring , high scoring etc can change any year .

In the end your optional needs to be mastered by you if you want to tide over bouncers

and be in the top bracket in your optional.

Overall for Geography I would say the syllabus needs effort but as said earlier if you

have interest in the subject and are willing to work for it do choose it.

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Syllabus: (for details refer last pages)

Total 20 chapters {Paper-I (10 Chapters), Paper-II (10 Chapters)

Sl # Paper-I Paper-II

1 Geomorphology Physiography of India

2 Climatology Resources

3 Oceanography Agriculture

4 Biogeography Industry

5 Environmental Geography Transport

6 Perspective in Human Geography Cultural settings

7 Economic Geography Settlements

8 Settlement & Population Geography Regional Development

9 Regional Planning Political aspect

10 Models & Theories Contemporary issues

strategy : Follow the syllabus while preparing the subject.

Follow one source for one topic, preferably from among the references and most

importantly class notes.

Practice drawing World map and India map also parts of World & India.

Prepare synopsis of each topic.

Prepare structure of answers and read them frequently.

Value addition can be done at the last stage of preparation, at initial stages focus

on the concepts and clarity of the topics.

Frequently visit the previous year‟s question papers.

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Try to establish relation between Paper-I & Paper-II.

Do not ratify or mug up the data or facts.

Map pointing should be done simultaneously and should not be left for the last

hour.

Practice answer writing after finishing every chapter of the syllabus.

Get answers evaluated so that any deviation can be corrected well at the

beginning.

Use diagrams and flowcharts in your answers.

Last, Geography is reliable, consistent and short subject provided the above tips

are systematically followed.

coverage of entire syllabus with a mixture of coaching notes , reference books .

Begin with NCERTs , GC Leong and then move onto more advanced things

Regular updation of current notes on contemporary events and analyzing news

from geographical point of view especially for handling part B of both papers.

Test series , answer writing and diagram practice.

After the NCERTS and GC Leong , go through notes repeatedly and have them

committed to memory .

Stick to one source and keep on adding information concepts from other sources

like internet , test series , reference books etc .

Do not hop from one book to other and just use time more efficiently to plug the

gaps or weakness after having established sound knowledge in the subject.

Many people get coaching notes from various coaching institutes and in the end are

confused what to read what not to . About 80% all notes are repetition of each other and

you will waste a lot of time .

Answers in geography optional:

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Spatial examples in most topics are helpful in maps and makes the answers more

comprehensive .

To the point coverage on topic, condensed form especially for the theory based

questions like mountain belts , their origin , plate tectonics etc.

map pointing : In the map questions apart from importance of place ( which you may

not know ) use your knowledge from climate , soil structure , vegetation and

physiography . 10 words on each will be sufficient.

Adding certain points from current affairs for topics like sustainable developments ,

disaster management .

facts supplemented with data make a more convincing case.

Diagram work in most topics

Role of Current affairs in answers:

For geography topics like IPCC , Flood control , HDI , Food Security etc as topics

which needs constant updation.

Newspapers : The Hindu , Indian Express

Online : Google topics like IPCC , global warming , sustainable development etc .

Magazines :Kurukshetra ( Agri issues ) , Geography and You , Terra Green ,The Hindu

Environment Survey

How to read current affairs with geo perspective ?

For instance a topic like food security . Apart from issues of lack of access to food and

water , how climate change is affecting productivity of crops , how shift of cropping

patterns away from pulses is affecting nutrition security , how poor and tribals are

disproportionately affected in various parts of our country ( draw a map ) and solutions

like biofortication , social forestry etc can be looked into .

In case of falling Child Sex Ratio apart from numbers and maps it may be linked to how

regional development has led to falling numbers in Maharashtra ,, even Kerala whereas

tribal regions show an uptick.

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Make In India one can focus on the issues of manufacturing industries like iron and steel ,

aluminum ,how we lack sufficient silicon industry for electronics , transport issues due to

poor regional development , spatial map of electricity shortage etc .

Newspapers are a rich source of maps and data as well . These information will not be

usually given in one article at one place . Hence the need to maintain topic wise notes and

continuously add points to it .

Maps and answer writing

Often we read books , or see a good diagram but fail to catalogue it properly . GC leong ,

NCERTs have some excellent diagrams and since we do not revise them before exams

we tend to forget them .

Hence whenever u see a good diagram , a map , cut and paste or draw then and there .

Even from the reference books like Majid Hussain remember drawing world diagrams

on urbanization , forest degradation and distribution , land degradation etc.

During answer writing you would always feel that there is no time / need to make a

diagram for you have said it all in the answer or draw a sketch at the end of the answer .

That is a very bad strategy .Infact try and make one diagram per question and at the

appropriate place for a picture speaks a thousand words.

For instance coal issues make a map of distribution of coal resource and in your answer

link how people in Jharkhand suffer from lung disease due to it . Always have a link to

the question .

Self written , comprehensive answers with sufficient diagrams , examples data are ready

made material that come very handy in exams .

So practice previous year questions as much as possible !

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GEOGRAPHY MAINS Syllabus

Paper - I (Fundamentals)

Paper - II (Geography of India )

The topics: Geomorphology, Climatology,

Oceanography, Biogeography and

Environment Geography are the true

scientific headings. They also form the

most fundamental avenue of the study.

This is the application paper or regional

approach paper with two sections though

the division is different from Paper I.

Physical Geography is the only physical

topic, the others are application or regional

approach subjects.

Section - A: Physical Geography

1.Geomorphology

2.Climatology

3.Oceanography

4.Biogeography

5.Environmental Geography

Section – A

1.Physical Geography

2.Resources

3.Agriculture

4.Industry

5.Transport, Communication & Trade

Section - B: Human Geography

Section – B

1.Perspective in Human Geography

2.Economic Geography

3.Population & Settlement Geography

4.Regional Geography

5.Model, Theories & Laws In Human

Geography

1.Cultural Setting

2.Settlement

3.Regional Development & Planning

4.Political Aspects

5.Contemporary Issues

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The Detailed syllabus given under here

PAPER-I

PRINCIPLES OF GEOGRAPHY

Physical Geography:

A)Geomorphology :

1. Factors controlling landform development;

2. endogenetic and exogenetic forces;

3. Origin and evolution of the earth's crust;

4. Fundamentals of geomagnetism;

5. Physical conditions of the earth's interior;

6. Geosynclines;

7. Continental drift;

8. Isostasy;

9. Plate tectonics;

10. Recent views on mountain building;

11. Vulcanicity;

12. Earthquakes and Tsunamis;

13. Concepts of geomorphic cycles and Landscape development ;

14. Denudation chronology;

15. Channel morphology;

16. Erosion surfaces;

17. Slope development ;

18. Applied Geomorphology:

19. Geohydrology, economic geology and environment

B. Climatology :

1. Temperature and pressure belts of the world;

2. Heat budget of the earth;

3. Atmospheric circulation;

4. atmospheric stability and instability.

5. Planetary and local winds;

6. Monsoons and jet streams;

7. Air masses and fronto genesis, Temperate and tropical cyclones;

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8. Types and distribution of precipitation;

9. Weather and Climate;

10. Koppen's, Thornthwaite's and Trewartha's classification of world climates;

11. Hydrological cycle;

12. Global climatic change and role and response of man in climatic changes, Applied

climatology and Urban climate.

C)Oceanography :

1. Bottom topography of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans;

2. Temperature and salinity of the oceans;

3. Heat and salt budgets, Ocean deposits;

4. Waves, currents and tides;

5. Marine resources: biotic, mineral and energy resources;

6. Coral reefs, coral bleaching;

7. sealevel changes;

8. law of the sea and marine pollution.

D) Biogeography :

1. Genesis of soils;

2. Classification and distribution of soils;

3. Soil profile;

4. Soil erosion, Degradation and conservation;

5. Factors influencing world distribution of plants and animals;

6. Problems of deforestation and conservation measures;

7. Social forestry;

8. agro-forestry;

9. Wild life;

10. Major gene pool centres.

E) Environmental Geography :

1. Principle of ecology;

2. Human ecological adaptations;

3. Influence of man on ecology and environment ;

4. Global and regional ecological changes and imbalances;

5. Ecosystem their management and conservation;

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6. Environmental degradat ion, management and conservation;

7. Biodiversity and sustainable development;

8. Environmental policy; Environmental hazards and remedial measures;

9. Environmental education and legislation.

Human Geography :

A) Perspectives in Human Geography :

1. Areal differentiation;

2. regional synthesis;

3. Dichotomy and dualism;

4. Environmentalism;

5. Quantitative revolution and locational analysis;

6. radical, behavioural, human and welfare approaches;

7. Languages, religions and secularisation;

8. Cultural regions of the world;

9. Human development index.

B) Economic Geography :

1. World economic development: measurement and problems;

2. World resources and their distribution;

3. Energy crisis;

4. the limits to growth;

5. World agriculture: typology of agricultural regions;

6. agricultural inputs and productivity;

7. Food and nutrition problems;

8. Food security;

9. famine: causes, effects and remedies;

10. World industries: locational patterns and problems;

11. patterns of world trade.

C) Population and Settlement Geography :

1. Growth and distribution of world population;

2. demographic attributes;

3. Causes and consequences of migration;

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4. concepts of over - under-and optimum population;

5. Population theories, world population problems and policies, Social well-being

and quality of life;

6. Population as social capital.

7. Types and patterns of rural settlements;

8. Environmental issues in rural settlements;

9. Hierarchy of urban settlements;

10. Urban morphology: Concepts of primate city and rank-size rule;

11. Functional classification of towns;

12. Sphere of urban influence;

13. Rural - urban fringe;

14. Satellite towns;

15. Problems and remedies of urbanization;

16. Sustainable development of cities.

D) Regional Planning : Concept of a region;

1. types of regions and methods of regionalisation;

2. growth centres and growth poles;

3. regional imbalances;

4. environmental issues in regional planning;

5. planning for sustainable development.

E) Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography : System analysis in Human

Geography;

1. Malthusian, Marxian and Demographic Transition models;

2. Central Place theories of Christaller and Losch;

3. Von Thunen's model of agricultural location;

4. Weber's model of industrial location;

5. Rostov's model of stages of growth.

6. Heart-land and Rimland theories;

7. laws of international boundaries and frontiers.

Note : Candidates will be required to answer one compulsory map question pertinent to

subjects covered by this paper.

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PAPER-II

Geography Of India

A) Physical Setting :

1. Space relationship of India with neighboring countries;

2. Structure and relief;

3. Drainage system and watersheds;

4. Physiographic regions;

5. Mechanism of Indian monsoons and rainfall patterns, Tropical cyclonesand

western distur - bances;

6. Floods and droughts;

7. Climatic regions;

8. Natural vegetation;

9. Soil types and their distributions.

B)Resources :

1. Land, surface and ground water, energy, minerals, biotic and marine resources;

2. Forest and wild life resources and their conservation;

3. Energy crisis.

C)Agriculture :

1. Infrastructure: irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, power;

2. Institutional factors: land holdings, land tenure and land reforms;

3. Cropping pattern, agricultural productivity, agricultural intensity, crop

combination, land capability;

4. Agro and socialforestry;

5. Green revolution and its socioeconomic and ecological implications;

6. Significance of dry farming;

7. Livestock resources and white revolution;

8. aqua - culture;

9. sericulture, apiculture and poultry;

10. agricultural regionalization;

11. agro-climatic zones;

12. agro- ecological regions.

D)Industry : Evolution of industries ;

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1. Locational factors of cotton, jute, textile, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilizer,

paper, chemical and pharmaceutical, automobile, cottage and agro-based

industries;

2. Industrial houses and complexes including public sector undertakings;

3. Industrial regionalisation;

4. New industrial policies;

5. Multinationals and liberalization;

6. Special Economic Zones;

7. Tourism including eco -tourism.

E) Transport, Communication and Trade :

1. Road, railway, waterway, airway and pipeline networks and their complementary

roles in regional development;

2. Growing importance of ports on national and foreign trade;

3. Trade balance;

4. Trade Policy;

5. Export processing zones;

6. Developments in communication and information technology and their impacts on

economy and society;

7. Indian space programme.

F) Cultural Setting :

1. Historical Perspective of Indian Society;

2. Racial, linguistic and ethnic diversities;

3. religious minorities;

4. major tribes, tribal areas and their problems;

5. cultural regions;

6. Growth, distribution and density of population;

7. Demographic attributes: sex-ratio, age structure, literacy rate, work-force,

dependency ratio, longevity;

8. migration (inter-regional, intra- regional and international) and associated

problems;

9. Population problems and policies;

10. Health indicators.

G)Settlements :

1. Types, patterns and morphology of rural settlements;

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2. Urban developments;

3. Morphology of Indian cities;

4. Functional classification of Indian cities ;

5. Conurbations and metropolitan regions;

6. urban sprawl;

7. Slums and associated problems; town planning;

8. Problems of urbanization and remedies.

H) Regional Development and Planning :

1. Experience of regional planning in India;

2. Five Year Plans;

3. Integrated rural development programmes;

4. Panchayati Raj and decentralised planning;

5. Command area development;

6. Watershed management;

7. Planning for backward area ,desert , drought prone, hill, tribal area development;

8. multilevel planning;

9. Regional planning and development of island territories.

I) Political Aspects :

1. Geographical basis of Indian federalism;

2. State reorganisation;

3. Emergence of new states;

4. Regional consciousness and inter state issues;

5. international boundary of India and related issues;

6. Cross border terrorism;

7. India's role in world affairs;

8. Geopolitics of South Asia and Indian Ocean realm.

J) Contemporary Issues :

1. Ecological issues: Environmental hazards: landslides earth quakes , Tsunamis ,

floods and droughts, epidemics;

2. Issues relating to environmental pollution;

3. Changes in patterns of land use;

4. Principles of environmental impact assessment and environmental management;

5. Population explosion and food security;

6. Environmental degradation;

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7. Deforestation, desertification and soil erosion;

8. Problems of agrarian and industrial unrest;

9. Regional disparities in economic development ;

10. Concept of sustainable growth and development;

11. Environmental awareness;

12. Linkage of rivers;

13. Globalisation and Indian economy.

NOTE: Candidates will be required to answer one compulsory map question pertinent to

subjects covered by this paper

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General Studies Subjects Covers 90% of the optional syllabus, it means if you opt for Geography

optional, entire General Studies Syllabus been covered except Paper IV(ethics).

Now it is the time to examine How Geography Syllabus is related to General Studies Syllabus

for Preliminary and Mains Examination . I have simplified the syllabus as to remove the

redundant topics and made it into a single topic for your better convenience, which saves your

valuable time in preparation.

Topic Wise Analysis

Polity:

Polity is the toughest subject for Preliminary and Mains Examination for a new comer this is the

reason I choose polity first

1. Environmental education and legislation. ( Geo Paper I : Environmental Geography )

2. Languages, religions and secularisation; ( Geo Paper I : Perspectives of Human

Geography )

3. Food Security Act ( Geo Paper I : Economic Geography )

4. Institutional factors: land holdings, land tenure and land reforms; (Geo Paper II:

Agriculture)

5. Geographical basis of Indian federalism; (Geo Paper II: Political Aspects)

6. State reorganisation; (Geo Paper II: Political Aspects)

7. Emergence of new states; (Geo Paper II: Political Aspects)

8. Environmental policy(Geo Paper I: Environmental geography)

9. Regional imbalances; (Geo Paper I: Regional Planning)

10. environmental issues in regional planning; (Geo Paper I: Regional Planning)

11. Linkage of rivers;

Economy:

Next toughest subject for Preliminary and Mains Examination. In Geography optional most of

the topics from Economy covered

1. Radical, behavioural, human and welfare approaches(Geo Paper I: Human Geography)

2. Human development index. (Geo Paper I: Human Geography)

3. World economic development: measurement and problems; (Geo Paper I: Economic

Geography)

4. World resources and their distribution; (Geo Paper I: Economic Geography)

5. Energy crisis; (Geo Paper I&II: Economic Geography&Resources)

6. the limits to growth; (Geo Paper I: Economic Geography)

7. World agriculture: typology of agricultural regions; (Geo Paper I: Economic Geography)

8. agricultural inputs and productivity; (Geo Paper I: Economic Geography)

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9. Food and nutrition problems; (Geo Paper I: Economic Geography)

10. Food security; (Geo Paper I: Economic Geography)

11. famine: causes, effects and remedies; (Geo Paper I: Economic Geography)

12. World industries: locational patterns and problems; (Geo Paper I: Economic Geography)

13. patterns of world trade. (Geo Paper I: Economic Geography)

14. Growth and distribution of world population; (Geo Paper I : Population & Settlement

Geography)

15. demographic attributes; (Geo Paper I : Population & Settlement Geography)

16. Causes and consequences of migration; (Geo Paper I : Population & Settlement

Geography)

17. world population problems and policies, Social well-being and quality of life; (Geo Paper

I : Population & Settlement Geography)

18. Population as social capital. (Geo Paper I : Population & Settlement Geography)

19. Problems and remedies of urbanization; (Geo Paper I : Population & Settlement

Geography)

20. Sustainable development of cities.(Geo Paper I : Population & Settlement Geography)

21. planning for sustainable development ( Geo Paper I : Regional Planning )

22. Urban developments; (Geo Paper II : Settlements)

23. Slums and associated problems; town planning; (Geo Paper II : Settlements)

24. Problems of urbanization and remedies. (Geo Paper II : Settlements)

25. Sphere of urban influence; (Geo Paper I: Population & Settlement Geography)

26. Rural - urban fringe; (Geo Paper I: Population & Settlement Geography)

27. Satellite towns; (Geo Paper I: Population & Settlement Geography)

28. Causes and consequences of migration; (Geo Paper I: Population & Settlement

Geography)

29. Growth and distribution of world population; (Geo Paper I: Population & Settlement

Geography)

30. Urban developments; (Geo Paper II: Settlements)

31. urban sprawl; (Geo Paper II: Settlements)

32. Globalisation and Indian economy.(Geo Paper II: Contemporary Issues)

33. Problems of agrarian and industrial unrest; (Geo Paper II: Contemporary Issues)

34. Regional disparities in economic development ; (Geo Paper II: Contemporary Issues)

35. Concept of sustainable growth and development; (Geo Paper II: Contemporary Issues)

Agriculture :(Geo Paper II )

36. Infrastructure: irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, power;

37. Institutional factors: land holdings, land tenure and land reforms;

38. Cropping pattern, agricultural productivity, agricultural intensity, crop combination, land

capability;

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39. Agro and socialforestry;

40. Green revolution and its socioeconomic and ecological implications;

41. Significance of dry farming;

42. Livestock resources and white revolution;

43. aqua - culture;

44. sericulture, apiculture and poultry;

45. agricultural regionalization;

46. agro-climatic zones;

47. agro- ecological regions.

Industry : Evolution of industries ; (Geo Paper II)

48. Locational factors of cotton, jute, textile, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilizer, paper,

chemical and pharmaceutical, automobile, cottage and agro-based industries;

49. Industrial houses and complexes including public sector undertakings;

50. Industrial regionalisation;

51. New industrial policies;

52. Multinationals and liberalization;

53. Special Economic Zones;

54. Tourism including eco -tourism.

Transport, Communication and Trade :( Geo Paper II)

55. Road, railway, waterway, airway and pipeline networks and their complementary roles in

regional development;

56. Growing importance of ports on national and foreign trade;

57. Trade balance;

58. Trade Policy;

59. Export processing zones;

Regional Development and Planning :(Geo Paper II)

60. Experience of regional planning in India;

61. Five Year Plans;

62. Integrated rural development programmes;

63. Panchayati Raj and decentralised planning;

64. Command area development;

65. Watershed management;

66. Planning for backward area ,desert , drought prone, hill, tribal area development;

67. multilevel planning;

68. Regional planning and development of island territories

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Disaster Management

1. famine: causes, effects and remedies; (Geo Paper I : Economic Geography)

Ethics

1. Radical, behavioural, human and welfare approaches;

Society & Social Issues

Cultural Setting :(Geo Paper II)

1. Historical Perspective of Indian Society;

2. Racial, linguistic and ethnic diversities;

3. religious minorities;

4. major tribes, tribal areas and their problems;

5. cultural regions;

6. Growth, distribution and density of population;

7. Demographic attributes: sex-ratio, age structure, literacy rate, work-force, dependency

ratio, longevity;

8. migration (inter-regional, intra- regional and international) and associated problems;

9. Population problems and policies;

10. Health indicators

Ecology & Environment

Environmental Geography :(Geo Paper I)

1. Principle of ecology;

2. Human ecological adaptations;

3. Influence of man on ecology and environment ;

4. Global and regional ecological changes and imbalances;

5. Ecosystem their management and conservation;

6. Environmental degradation, management and conservation;

7. Biodiversity and sustainable development;

8. Environmental policy;

9. Environmental hazards and remedial measures;

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10. Environmental education and legislation.

11. Environmental issues in rural settlements; (Geo Paper I: Population & Settlement

Geography)

12. Land, surface and ground water, energy, minerals, biotic and marine resources; (Geo

Paper II: Resources)

13. Forest and wild life resources and their conservation; (Geo Paper II: Resources)

14. Ecological issues: Environmental hazards: landslides earth quakes , Tsunamis , floods

and droughts, epidemics; (Geo Paper II: Contemporary Issues)

15. Issues relating to environmental pollution; (Geo Paper II: Contemporary Issues)

16. Principles of environmental impact assessment and environmental management;

17. Population explosion and food security; (Geo Paper II: Contemporary Issues)

18. Environmental degradation; (Geo Paper II: Contemporary Issues)

19. Deforestation, desertification and soil erosion; (Geo Paper II: Contemporary Issues)

20. Environmental awareness; (Geo Paper II: Contemporary Issues)

International Relations

Geography covers international relations too in the following topics

1. patterns of world trade. (Geo Paper I: Economic Geography)

2. laws of international boundaries and frontiers. (Geo Paper I: Models, theories, laws of

human geography)

3. Space relationship of India with neighboring countries; (Geo Paper II: Physical Setting)

4. Cross border terrorism; (Geo Paper II: Political Aspects)

5. India's role in world affairs; (Geo Paper II: Political Aspects)

6. Geopolitics of South Asia and Indian Ocean realm(Geo Paper II: Political Aspects)

Science & Technology

1. Developments in communication and information technology and their impacts on

economy and society; (Geo Paper II: Transport , Communication & Trade)

2. Indian space programme(Geo Paper II: Transport , Communication & Trade)

Geography ( Prelims+Mains Only, Optional not included)

Geomorphology (Geo Paper I)

1. Factors controlling landform development;

2. endogenetic and exogenetic forces;

3. Origin and evolution of the earth's crust;

4. Fundamentals of geomagnetism;

5. Physical conditions of the earth's interior;

6. Geosynclines;

23

7. Continental drift;

8. Isostasy;

9. Plate tectonics;

10. Vulcanicity;

11. Earthquakes and Tsunamis;

12. Erosion surfaces;

Climatology : ( Geo Paper I)

13. Temperature and pressure belts of the world;

14. Heat budget of the earth;

15. Atmospheric circulation;

16. atmospheric stability and instability.

17. Planetary and local winds;

18. Monsoons and jet streams;

19. Air masses and fronto genesis, Temperate and tropical cyclones;

20. Types and distribution of precipitation;

21. Weather and Climate;

22. Hydrological cycle;

23. Global climatic change and role and response of man in climatic changes, Applied

climatology and Urban climate.

Oceanography : ( Geo Paper I)

24. Temperature and salinity of the oceans;

25. Heat and salt budgets, Ocean deposits;

26. Waves, currents and tides;

27. Marine resources: biotic, mineral and energy resources;

28. Coral reefs, coral bleaching;

Biogeography : ( Geo Paper I)

29. Classification and distribution of soils;

30. Soil profile;

31. Soil erosion, Degradation and conservation;

32. Problems of deforestation and conservation measures;

33. Social forestry;

34. agro-forestry;

35. Wild life;

24

Physical Setting : ( Geo Paper II)

36. Structure and relief;

37. Drainage system and watersheds

38. Physiographic regions;

39. Mechanism of Indian monsoons and rainfall patterns, Tropical cyclones and western

disturbances;

40. Floods and droughts;

41. Climatic regions;

42. Natural vegetation;

43. Soil types and their distributions

Geography Optional (Topics Which are not covered in General Studies )

PAPER-I

PRINCIPLES OF GEOGRAPHY

Physical Geography:

A) Geomorphology :

1. Recent views on mountain building;

2. Concepts of geomorphic cycles and Landscape development ;

3. Denudation chronology;

4. Channel morphology;

5. Slope development ;

6. Applied Geomorphology:

7. Geohydrology, economic geology and environment

B. Climatology :

8. Koppen's, Thornthwaite's and Trewartha's classification of world climates;

C) Oceanography :

9. Bottom topography of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans;

10. sealevel changes;

11. law of the sea and marine pollution.

D) Biogeography :

12. Genesis of soils;

13. Major gene pool centres.

25

Human Geography :

A) Perspectives in Human Geography :

14. Areal differentiation;

15. regional synthesis;

16. Dichotomy and dualism;

17. Environmentalism;

18. Quantitative revolution and locational analysis;

19. Languages, religions and secularisation;

20. Cultural regions of the world;

B) Economic Geography :

21. World industries: locational patterns and problems;

C) Population and Settlement Geography :

22. demographic attributes;

23. concepts of over - under-and optimum population;

24. Population theories, world population problems and policies, Social well-being and

quality of life;

25. Population as social capital.

26. Types and patterns of rural settlements;

27. Hierarchy of urban settlements;

28. Urban morphology: Concepts of primate city and rank-size rule;

29. Functional classification of towns;

D) Regional Planning : Concept of a region;

30. types of regions and methods of regionalisation;

E) Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography : System analysis in Human

Geography;

31. Malthusian, Marxian and Demographic Transition models;

32. Central Place theories of Christaller and Losch;

33. Von Thunen's model of agricultural location;

34. Weber's model of industrial location;

35. Rostov's model of stages of growth.

36. Heart-land and Rimland theories;

26

Settlements :Paper II

37. Types, patterns and morphology of rural settlements;

38. Morphology of Indian cities;

39. Functional classification of Indian cities ;

40. Conurbations and metropolitan regions;

41.

Note : Candidates will be required to answer one compulsory map question pertinent to subjects

covered by this paper.

27

Previous Questions

PAPER I

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

i) Geomorphology

2013 : Differences between Normal cycle and Arid cycle of Davis. (150 Words)

2013 : What is „Base level‟? Explain the types of base level. (250 words)

2014 : Define the term „meander‟ and describe the basic characteristics of entrenched meander

and in grown meander.(150 words)

2014 : State the concept of plate tectonics. How does it help in explaining the formation of the

Himalayas and Appalachian Mountains?

2014 : Explain weathering and mass wasting, and describe their geomorphic significance.

2015 : Attempt a classification of geomorphic processes from the zonal point of view.

2015 : Discuss the contributions of the American School of Subaerial Denudation in

geomorphology. 2015 : Explain with examples as to how channel dynamics has been responsible

for the development of alluvial fans and cones.

2015 : “Present-day landforms bear more complexity than simplicity.” Elucidate

ii) Climatology

2013: DifferentiateStormSurgesandSeiches.(150words)

2013 : With suitable examples, bring out the impact oflocal winds on the climate

of an area.

2013 : Discuss Dew point and the various forms of condensation. ( 250 words)

2014 : Discuss the salient features of „sirocco‟ and „mistral‟.

2014 : Describe the origin and development of thunderstorms with examples. 2014

: Discuss the nature and origin of Indian monsoon and recent techniques of its

prediction.

2015 : Discuss as to how frontogenesis contributes to weather instability. 2015 :

What is Potential Evapotranspiration? Explain how it is used in assessing the water

balance in an area.

2015 : Discuss the basis of Koppen‟s climatic classification. Bring out the salient

28

characteristics of „Cs‟ type of climate.

2015 : Explain the meridional circulation of the atmosphere and its importance in

world climate

iii) Oceanography

2013 : “Offshore Acoustic Study helped the development of the concept of sea

floor spreading.” Explain.( 250 words)

2013 : Compare the Subsidence and Glacial control theories on the formation of

coral reefs. (400 Marks)

2013 :Analyse the reasons for a comparatively poorer development of fishing

grounds in tropical areas.(250 words)

2014 : Illustrate the origin and nature of Sargasso Sea and Lagoon

2014 : Give an account of recent observations on coral bleaching with reference to

Clive Wilkinson‟s Report.

2015 : Describe the characteristics of different types of pelagic deposits.

iv) Biogeography

2013 : Uniqueness of fauna in the Notogean realm.( 150 words)

2013 : Bring out the relationship between climate and vegetation in the Mountain

Biome. (250)

2014 : Give an account of the nature of biosphere as an ecosystem.

2014 : State the uniqueness of the Eurasian Steppe Biome.

2014 : Define zoogeographic region. Also describe the basic faunal makeup of the

Neo-Arctic zoogeographic region.

2015 : Explain the characteristics of ecological succession.

2015 : Classify soils based on their zonal distribution and describe the

characteristics of pedocals.

2015 : Explain the different stages of ecological adaptation of man and bring out

the changing balance between man and environment.

v. Environmental Geography

2013 : Impact of Pleistocene Ice Age on the crust of the Earth. (150 words) 2013 :

Types of endemic plants and their degree of vulnerability to extinction. (150

words)

2013 : What are the characteristics that make CHC a serious threat to the

29

ecosystem? Give examples.(250 words)

2013 : Explain the levels of Noise pollution and the legislative measures to control

it. (400 words)

2013 : “Urban Solid Waste Management poses the greatest challenge in

Metropolitan planning.” Elaborate. (250 words)

2014 : Enumerate the major causes of increasing degradation of environment in

hills and hillslopes, and state its down-valley impact.

2014 : Give a critical account of reasons and consequences of marine pollution.

2015 : Comment on the impact of environmental education on quality of life. 2015

: Discuss the methods of conserving biodiversity for sustainable development.

2015 : “Man-induced famines are becoming more common than nature-induced

ones.” Comment.

SECTION - B

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

i) Perspectives in Human Geography:

2013 : “Ellen Churchill Semple is an ardent supporter of Determinism.” ( 150

words)

2013 : Explain the parameters for assessment and the spatial pattern of Human

Development Indexin the world. (250 words)

2014 : Elaborate the concept of mental map.

2014 : Critically analyze application of models in Geography.

2014 : Discuss the contribution of geographers in the development of radical

geography.

2014 : Giving suitable examples, describe the importance of system analysis in

geographical studies.

2015 : “The welfare face of geography makes it an interdisciplinary subject.”

Elaborate.

2015 : “The welfare face of geography makes it an interdisciplinary subject.”

Elaborate.

2015 : “Regional synthesis is the crux of geographical studies.” Elaborate

2015 : Cultural regions are the most suited units to study the diversity of an area”.

Comment.

30

2015 : Discuss the approaches to the study of behavioural geography

2015 : “There is a rejuvenation of environmentalism as a paradigm in geographical

studies.” Comment.

ii) Economic Geography

2013 : Role of Venezuela in the production and export of oil. ( 150 words) 2013 :

Countries most affected in case of shut-down of Nuclear power. ( 150 words)

2013 : Discuss the changing pattern of production and export of Coffee in the

world. ( 250 words)

2013 : Analyze the causes for changes in the pattern of world trade. ( 400 words)

2014 : Discuss environmental and economic problems associated with coal

production.

2014 : “World is passing through a global resource dilemma.” Comment.

2015 : “Energy mix is a step towards sustainability.” Discuss

iii) Population and Settlement Geography

2013 : Relevance of Heartland theory in Contemporary world. (150 words) 2013 :

What is Geriatrics? What are the problems associated with Geriatric population?

(250)

2014 : Discuss the factors responsible for counter-urbanization

2014 : (b) “Rural sustainability is necessary for urban sustainability”. Discuss the

statement in the backdrop of integrated development approach.

2014 : “Indo-Gangetic hearth is considered to be one of the world‟s richest cultural

realms.” Examine.

2014 : Explain the qualitative and quantitative methods of delineation of the sphere

of urban influence.

2015 : Discuss Nelson‟s method of functional classification of towns.

2015 : “Marx‟s view on population is more humanistic.” Comment.

2015 : Critically examine the theories on population migration.

iv Regional Planning

2013 :Misra‟s theoretical stages of Rural-Urban Process. (150 words)

31

2014 : Explain the relevance of bottom-up and top-down approaches in the

development of agrarian economy.

2014 : Explain the necessary conditions of takeoff and subsequent stages of

development of a nation as propounded by Rostow.

2015 : “Development planning has a component of environmental cost.” Discuss.

2015 : “Geographical traits lead to regional imbalances.” Examine.

2015 : “Vital statistics are necessary ingredients for development planning.”

Elaborate.

V. Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography

2013 : What are the basic postulates in the Central Place Model of Christaller?

(250 words)

2014 : No Question.

2015 : Discuss the relevance of Von Thunen‟s model on agricultural location in the

contemporary context.

32

PAPER II

GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

i) Physical Setting

2013 : Explain the topographical and structural characteristics of the Siwalik

Range. (150 words)

2013 : Discuss the mechanism of Indian Monsoon. (150 words)

2013 : Identify the earthquake-prone zones and suggest strategy for their

management. (250 words)

2014 : How is drainage pattern determined by the water divide?

2014 : Why has agro and social forestry failed to achieve its objectives?

2014 : Bring out the distribution of Laterite soils in India and their specific use for

agriculture.

2014 : Describe the salient climatological characteristics of Rayalaseema region.

2014 : Differentiate between the „intensity‟ and „magnitude‟ of an earthquake and

explain its varying impact in different parts of India.

2015 : Explain the pattern of winter rainfall in India

2015 : How does natural vegetation affect the formation of in situ soils

ii Resources

2013 : Delineate the coalfields of India and mention their distinctive features. (150

words)

2014 : Location of thermal power plants and coal fields in India are not mutually

conducive. Analyze.

2014 : Suggest the measures of wild-life conservation with reference to extinction

of rare species.

2015 : Account for the geographical distribution of groundwater resources of India.

How serious is its depletion in recent decades.

iii. Agriculture

33

2013 : Explain the method of delineating crop-association regions with reference to

India. (150 words)

2013 : Discuss the potentiality and present status of horticulture in the Western and

Central Himalaya. (250 words)

2013 : Discuss the role of institutional factors in shaping the pattern of Indian

agriculture. (150 words)

2013 : Define agricultural productivity. Mention the methods of its measurement

and bring out the disparities in its regional distribution. (150 words)

2013 : Snags in the Food Security Policy of India.

2014 : „In spite of various negative impacts of Green Revolution, there is a demand

for New Green Revolution‟. Elaborate.

2015 : Explain how modernization of Indian agriculture is affected by

unfavourable institutional factors with suitable examples.

2015 : Distinguish between „agricultural productivity‟ and „agricultural efficiency‟,

and bring out the disparity in regional distribution of agricultural efficiency.

2015 : With the help of a map, indicate the principal areas of dryland farming in

the country and account for farmers‟ suicides mainly in those areas.

2015 : Discuss the scope of replication of „White Revolution‟ in India.

iv Industries

2013 : Identify the main industrial clusters of India and account for their

development. (150 words)

2013 : Explain the role of multinational in globalization of industries in India. (150

words)

2013 : Discuss the problems in realization of benefits of globalization and

liberalization inindustrial sector of India. (150 words)

2014 : Describe the problems of agro-based industries in India in general and

cotton textiles in particular.

2014 : What are the desired possible changes in our trade policy to promote the

development of cottage industry?

2015 : Why does the pharmaceutical industry concentrate largely in the western

region of the country?

2015 : Why is the traditional crafts industry in India on the decline?

34

v. Transport, Communication and Trade

2013 : No question.

2014 : Discuss the problems and prospects of National Waterway No. 1

2015 : Evaluate the contribution of Communication and Information Technology

to the development of economy and society, and examine the relevance of the

recently launched „Digital India‟ programme.

i. Cultural setting :

2013 : What do you understand by „Young India‟? How can the present state of

population composition be converted into an asset for the country? (150 words)

2013 : Describe the impact of linguistic diversity on the development of various

regions of India. (150 words)

2014 : Highlight the implications of declining child sex ratio in India.

2014 : Discuss the trends in emigration focusing on its major thrust.

2015 : “Age-sex pyramid is representative of the history of a region.” Explain. (In

about 150 words)

2015 : Discuss the social and spatial ramifications of increasing longevity. 2015 :

In population planning, the thrust of the Government has been „planning the

population‟ not „plan for the population‟. Elaborate.

ii Settlements

2013 : City-regions as territorial unit for regional planning and development 2013 :

Define slums and explain their problems. (150 words)

2013 : Discuss the objectives of „Vision 2020‟ in creation of viable village

complex in India for „Inclusive Rural Development‟ programme. (150 words) 2013

: Describe how urbanization creates air and water pollution in India. (150 words)

2014 : Analyze the feasibility of „Smart Towns‟ Development in India.

2014 : Account for the multiple problems of urban agglomerations.

2014 : How has an inappropriate urban land use policy accounted for undesirable

development in and around metropolitan cities?

2015 : “Mono-functional towns are economically vulnerable.” Discuss.

2015 : Reduction in regional disparities has been one of the priority goals of

national planning in India. How the proposed new Smart urban centres may

contribute to the process?

iii. Regional Development and Planning

35

2013 : Planning and development of „Tribal Regions‟ in India.(150 words) 2013 :

Enumerate the basic indicators of development and explain their application in

identification of the spatial diversity in development in India. (150 words)

2014 : Comment on the criteria of identifying Drought Prone Areas in India. 2014 :

Evaluate the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme.

2014 : How can a meaningful skill development programme contribute to the

economic growth of hill areas?

2014 : Discuss the concept of Command Area Development and evaluate its

success with reference to Indira Gandhi Canal.

2015 : Discuss the relationship of watershed approach to village level planning. (In

about 150 words)

2015 : Decentralized planning through the strengthening of the Panchayat systems

is the focus of planning in India in recent times. Suggest a blueprint for an

integrated regional development plan.

2015 : Is planning for a cluster of villages a viable option, when planning for

backward areas of the country? Discuss with suitable examples

2015 : Discuss the concept of multi-level planning as practised in India, and

explain the implications of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in this

respect.

iv Political Aspects :

2013 : No Question

2014 : Discuss the implications of India‟s strategic location with reference to the

Indian Ocean.

2014 : India is involved in a number of border disputes. Explain the reasons and

remedies.

2015 : How has India‟s „Look East‟ policy taken shape in the past two decades and

how it may affect India‟s external trade?

2015 : Indian island territories are vulnerable to the sea level rise. Explain. 2015 :

Give a reasoned account of river water disputes related to the River Krishna.

v. Contemporary Issues :

2013 : Comment on the basis of creation of new States in India in 2000. (150

words)

2013 : Write a note on geopolitics of the Indian Ocean realm. (250 words) 2014 :

36

No Question 2015 : Outline the Government of India‟s strategies of conservation

of the Western Ghats.

2015 : Account for the growing frequency and intensity of floods in India, and

suggest short- and long-term remedial measures indicating the chronically flood-

prone areas.

2015 : How does climate change affect the process of desertification of India?

PAPER II

Write in your answer script the significant geographical relevance or strategic

importance of these locations, whether

physical/Commercial/economic/ecological/environmental/ cultural in not more

than 30 words

2013:

(1) Mishmi Hills

(2) Lipulekh Pass

(3) Beas River

(4) Rihand Dam

(5) Amarnath

(6) Rajgir

(7) Sindri

(8)National Highway No. 24

(9)Churk

(10) Indira Gandhi Canal

37

2014 : On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all of the

following. Write in your Q&A Booklet, the significance of these locations,

whether physical/ commercial/economic/geological/environmental/cultural, in not

more than 30 words for eachentry.

Section -A

(i) Guru Shikhar

(ii) BhorGhat

(iii) Shravanabelagola

(iv) Kalibangan

(v) Ganga Sagar

Section -B

(i) Mundra Port

(ii) Chandipur

(iii) Mahendragiri

(iv) Hazira

(v) Vembanad Lake

2015 :

Section -A

(i) Tharangambadi

(ii) NamchaBarwa

(iii) Narcodam

(iv) Khajjiar

(v) Chunchanakatte

Section -B

(i) Nokrek

(ii) Gorakhnath Peak

(iii) Indrakiladri Peak

(iv) Polavaram

(v) Anaimudi

38

References:

Paper-I

1. Physical Geography – Majid Hussain/ Savindra Singh

2. Modern Physical Geography – Strahler and Strahler (Optional)

3. Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong

4. Physical Geography Made Simple – Rupa Publication

5. Dictionary of Physical Geography – Penguin

6. Evolution of Geographical Thought – Majid Hussain

7. Economic and Social Geography Made Simple – Rupa Publication

8. Models in Geography – Majid Hussain

9. Dictionary of Human Geography

10. Oxford Student Atlas

Paper-II

1. India – A Comprehensive Geography – Khullar

2. Regional Planning in India – Mahesh Chand

3. India Year Book – Publication Division

4. Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazines

HYDERABAD STUDY CIRCLE

(A Non Profit Registered Society Since 1976)

1-2-365/25/C, Near Indira Park ‘X‘ Roads, Domalguda, Hyderabad-500029 Ph.No:040-27638527/9490755375 Website: hyderabadstudycircle.net Email:hyderabadstudy_circle@yahoo.com

Fresh Batch for Civil Services Mains-Cum-Prelims Faculty for Mains

Note:-Additionally all Case Studies for Paper IV would be dealt by Serving and retired bureaucrats

More than 3000 selections in All India, Central & State Civil services since 1976

GS Paper-I

History & Culture K.Krishna Reddy

Geography Mohammed Rizwan

Society Prof.Nadeem Husnain

GS Paper-II

Polity & Governance D.M.Ravi Kumar

Social Justice Y.Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy

International Affairs K.Krishna Reddy

GS Paper-III

Economy Arunesh Singh (ALS, Delhi)

S&T, Envi Venkat Mohan & Sanjay Pandey (ALS, Delhi)

Internal Security M.V.Krishna Rao, IPS Rtd.

GS Paper-1V

Ethics and Emotional Intelligence-Ch.1 & 4 K.M.Pathi (ALS, Delhi)

Values and Contribution of Thinkers-Ch.1 & 5 K.Krishna Reddy

Attitudes & Civil Services Aptitude-Ch.2 & 3 D.M Ravi Kumar

Public Service Values and Ethics-Ch.6 K.M.Pathi (ALS, Delhi)

Probity in Governance-Ch.7 D.M.Ravi Kumar

Essay Paper

K.M.Pathi & T.S.Bala

Optionals Offered:

History:

K.Krishna Reddy

& MA Srinivasan

Geography:

Mohammed Rizwan

Telugu Literature:

Dr.P.Nagaraju