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.
CIVIL SERVICES (II) EXAME 2003
Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 300
SECTION A
1. Mark on the outline map of India supplied any ten of the following entries. Write brief notes (not exceeding 30 words) on the significant aspect of each entry [6 × 10 = 60]
i. Loktak Lake
ii. Elephanta Island
iii. Kali Sindh River
iv. Ranikhet
v. Girnar Hills
vi. Alwaye
vii. Shillong
viii. Gold Mines
ix. Salem
x. Rohtang Pass
xi. Gobind Ballabh Pant Sagar
xii. New Mangalore
2. Highlight the salient differences between the Himalayan and the Peninsular drainage systems. [60]
3. Give an account of the success and prospects of Blue Revolution with comments on its impacts on rural economy of India. [60]
4. Discuss the growing importance of ports in foreign trade of India. [60]
SECTION B
1. Answer any three of the following in 200-words each: [20 × 3 = 60]
a. Discuss the census definition of urban areas in India
b. Explain the concept of Command Area Development in respect of Multi-Purpose
Projects of India.
c. Identify the drought-prone areas of India and discuss the measures of their development.
d. Make an appraisal of the role of India in the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean.
2. Discuss the programmes and policy of development of dry areas in India. [60]
3. Present an account of the experience of regional planning in India in the context of Damodar Valley. [60]
4. Explain the causes of regional disparities in economic development of India. [60]