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 (II) EXAME 2007

Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 300

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

Candidates should attempt all question strictly in accordance with the instructions given under each questions.

The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question.

Illustrate your answers with suitable sketch map and diagrams.

SECTION A

1. Mark on the outline map of India supplied any ten of the following entries.
Write brief notes (not exceeding 30 words each) on the significant aspects of the same ten entries: 6x10=60
(a). Nagarjuna Sagar
(b). Dharmasala
(c). Aizawl
(d). Konkan Railway
(e). Kovalam Beach
(f). NagaIjuna Sagar
(g). Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
(h). ICRISAT
(i). Vishakhapatnam Port
(j). Panna
(k). Nuclear Fuel Complex
(l). Gurgaon
(m). Bodh Gaya

2. Explain the different views put forth about the origin of Himalayas and divide
Himalayas into vertical divisions. 60

3. Discuss the need of conservation and utility of water resource in India. 60

4."The institutional factors have grip over the crop pattern and crop productivity
on Indian agriculture." Justify.60

SECTION B

5. Answer any three of the following in about 200 words each: 20x3=60

a) Discuss the policies and programmes of Integrated Rural Development
Programmes in India.

(b) Explain the causes and consequences of migration.

(e) Write a critical note on the Cauvery River Dispute.

(d) Critically examine the Panchayati Raj setup.

6. Bring out the impact of multinationals and liberalization on the Industrial
Economy Pattern of India. 60

7. Discuss environmental problems of India in the context of rapid economic
development and population growth. 60

8."Slums are urban menace." Elucidate with Indian cities as examples. 60