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 2015

Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions.
There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH. The candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted Choosing at least ONE question from each Section.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it. Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.

Illustrate your answers with suitable sketches/maps and diagrams, wherever considered necessary. These shall be drawn in the space provided for answering the question itself. Attempts of questions shall. be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, the attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

SECTION A

Q1. Answer the following in about 150 words each: 10x5=50

(a) Attempt a classification of geomorphic processes from the zonal point of view.

(b) Discuss as to how frontogenesis contributes to weather instability.

(c) Describe the characteristics of different types of pelagic deposits.

(d) Explain the characteristics of ecological succession.

(e) Comment on the impact of environmental education on quality of life.

Q2. (a) Discuss the contributions of the American School of Subaerial Denudation in geomorphology. [20]

(b) What is Potential Evapotranspiration? Explain how it is used in assessing the water balance in an area. [15]

(c) Discuss the methods of conserving biodiversity for sustainable development. [15]

Q3. (a) Discuss the basis of Köppen's climatic classification. Bring out the salient characteristics of 'Cs' type of climate. [20]

(b) Explain with examples as to how channel dynamics has been responsible for the development of alluvial fans and cones. [15]

(c) Classify soils based on their zonal distribution and describe the characteristics of pedocals. [15]

Q4. (a) Explain the different stages of ecological adaptation of man and bring out the changing balance between man and environment. [20]

(b)"Present-day landforms bear more complexity than simplicity." Elucidate. [15]

(c) Explain the meridional circulation of the atmosphere and its importance in world climate. [15]

SECTION B

Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words each: 10 x 5 = 50

(a) "The welfare face of geography makes it an inter-disciplinary subject." Elaborate.

(b) “Energy mix is a step towards sustainability." Discuss.

(c) Discuss Nelson's method of functional classification of towns.

(d) "Marx's view on population is more humanistic." Comment.

(e) "Development planning has a component of environmental cost." Discuss.

Q6. (a) "Regional synthesis is the crux of geographical studies." Elaborate. [20]

(b) "Man-induced famines are becoming more common than nature-induced ones." Comment. [15]

(c) Critically examine the theories on population migration.[15]

Q7. (a) Discuss the relevance of Von Thunen's model on agricultural location in the contemporary context. [20]

(b) "Cultural ions are the most suited units to study the diversity of an area." Comment.[15]

(c) Discuss the approaches to the study of behavioral geography.[15]

Q8. (a) "There is a rejuvenation of environmentalism as a paradigm in geographical studies." Comment.[20]

(b) "Geographical traits lead to regional imbalances." Examine.[15]

(c) "Vital statistics are necessary ingredients for development planning. “Elaborate.
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