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 2011

Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

Each question is printed both in Hindi and in English. 

Answers must be written in the medium specified in the Admission Certificate issued to you, which must be stated clearly on the cover of the answer-book in the space provided for the purpose. No marks will be given for the answers written in a medium other than that specified in the Admission Certificate.

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 Section.

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, wherever considered required.

An outline map of India is attached to this question paper for answering Question No. 1. This map is to be carefully detached from the question paper and attached securely to the answer book by the candidate.

SECTION A

1. On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of ALL of the following for which 1 (one) mark is given to each correct entry. Write in your answer script the significant geographical relevance or strategic importance of these
locations, whether physical/commercial/economic/ ecological/environmental/cultural in not more than 30 words for each entry. Four (4) marks are allotted for each write-up of these correctly marked locations. 5x12=60
(a) Badami
(b) Mandvi
(c) Dodital
(d) Yanam
(e) Netarhat
(f) Shamsabad
(g) Lakshmantirth River
(g) Bara-Lacha La
(i) Kakolat Fall
(i) Singrauli
(k) Dafla Hills
(l) Tree Island

2. Present a comparative analysis of the regimes of Himalayan and Peninsular rivers of India and examine their implications in the irrigation system of the country. [60]

3. (a) Identify the major biosphere reserves of India and discuss their role in the conservation of forest and wildlife. [30]

(b) Give an account of potentiality and prospects of development of marine resources of India.[30]

4. (a) Discuss the potentiality and status of aquaculture in the Ganga Plain. [30]

(b) Assess the scope and development of Pharmaceutical Industry in India. [30]

SECTION B

5. Write about the following in about 200 words each: 15x4=60

(a) Prospects of Rainbow Revolution in India.

(b) Karewa Deposits and their economic significance.

(c) Impact of land tenure on agricultural productivity in India.

(d) Agro-forestry. in India.

6. (a) Assess the growing importance of air transporting India and examine its role in the regional development of the country. [30]

(b) Discuss the spatial pattern of intra-regional migration in India and examine its implications in regional development. [30]

7. (a) Differentiate between conurbations and metropolitan regions. Give a reasoned account of emerging conurbations in India. [30]

(b) Identify the ravine-affected areas in India and discuss the environmental and economic impacts of their reclamation. [30]

8. (a) Discuss the problems of environmental degradation generated by urban wastes in India. [30]

(b) Analyse the causes of desertification in India. Represent the decertified areas of the country on a sketch map and suggest remedial measures to control it. [30]