A Must Read for Civil Services Geography Optional of UPSC

For the civil services mains examination, UPSC provides 41 optional subjects. Each aspirant should select one optional paper of their choice and appear in two papers (Paper-I and Paper-II). Among these options, for a long time, Geography has been one of the most popular optional subjects among civil services aspirants. Though the syllabus is vast, it is equally preferred by engineering, science, art, and humanities graduates.

The first step to prepare for the Geography Optional is thoroughly reading and understanding the NCERT Geography Books. Even before that understanding the contents of each of the 10 NCERT Geography Books. With that in mind, the key topics covered in each of these books are given below for a high-level understanding before you dive deep into the option.

GEOGRAPHY

CIVIL SERVICES (I) EXAME 2004

Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 300

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

Candidates should attempt question Nos. 1 and 5 which are compulsory, and any three of the remaining questions selecting at least one question from each Selection. The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question. Illustrate your answers with suitable sketch maps and diagrams.

SECTION A

1. Write short notes on any three of the following in about 200 words each: 20 × 3 = 60
a. Role of seismic waves in the study of earth's interior
b. Soil erosion and conservation
c. A real differentiation
d. Concept of primate city

2. Examine the Heart-land theory, and assess its merits and demerits. 60

3. Discuss Weber's theory of industrial location, and assess its relevance in the present-day context. 60

4. What is a region? Discuss the methods of regionalization. 60

SECTION B

1. Write short notes on any three of the following in about 200 words each: [60] a. Peneplain
b. Pelagic deposits
c. Potential evapotranspiration
d. Growth pole

2. To what extent are the heartlands and rim land theories helpful in understanding the world political situation today? Express your opinion clearly [60]

3. Discuss various strategies for correcting regional imbalances [60].

4. Distinguish between radical and welfare approaches in geographic studies [60].