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 2020

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

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

(a) Write a geographical note on Halloween Storm.

(b) Why is mapping important for analysing geo-hydrological
investigations? Explain with relevant examples.

(c) Marine resources are economically very significant. Discuss citing
suitable examples.

(d) Which factors influence the growth of wild plants in India? Discuss
their economic significance.

(e) Discuss the problems associated with the living environment in million
plus cities in India. How can these be managed?

2. (a) Write an essay on the evolution of continents and oceans using various
theories and models. 20

(b) Discuss the concept of coral bleaching, its recovery and macroalgal regime
shifts due to this process. 15

(c) Explain the currents of the North Atlantic Ocean and their significant role in
the climate of Western Europe. 15

3. (a) Explain how various factors influence the origin and development of the
Indian monsoon system. 20

(b) Explain the effects and causes of deforestation, and its impact on the pattern
of agriculture in India.15

(c) Explain the characteristic features of Frontogenesis and Frontolyzes. 15

4. (a) Discuss the problems of erosional surfaces and explain the different
methods to identify them with suitable diagrams. 20

(b) Land use/Land cover and soil types influence forage quantity and quality in
semi-arid regions of the world. Discuss with relevant examples. 15

(c) Discuss the human response to and management of hazards and disasters in
India. 15

SECTION B

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

(a)Analyse India's food security in the context of population growth.

(b) Identify the causes and effects of energy crisis, and suggest suitable
measures to solve the problem.

(c) Distinguish between mobility and migration. What are the causes and
consequences of rural to urban migration in India?

(d) "Where economic growth is sustained over long time periods, its
incidence works towards a progressive integration of the space economy."
Elucidate.

(e) Write a note on the relevance of von Thünen's agricultural location
theory in the present context.

6. (a) Compare and contrast the Malthusian and Neo-Malthusian perspectives in
the context of population growth, resource use and environmental impact. 20

(b) "Land degradation is a threat to productivity and sustainable resource
management." Explain with suitable examples from India. 15

(c) In the modern world, most of the frontiers have been replaced by
boundaries. Explain the reasons. 15

7. (a) Discuss the concept of urban resilience in the context of planning for
sustainable development with reference to towns and cities of India. 20

(b) Analyse the dynamics of industrial location in the metropolitan cities of
India. 15

(c) Write an essay on gender equity and equality in India in the context of
balanced human development. 15

8. (a) Discuss how and why Mackinder modified his concept of Pivot Area after
the World Wars. 20

(b) Provide an account of world population transition in the context of fertility
decline and socio-economic development. 15

(c) "Human ecology is the study of mutual relationship of people and their
environment both natural and social." Discuss in detail using ecological
concepts. 15