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 2013
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. (a): On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all of the following. Write in your QCA Booklet the significance of these locations, whether
physical/commercial/economic/ecological/environmental / cultural, in not more than 30 words for each entry: 2x5= 10
(i) Mishmi Hills
(ii) Lipulekh Pass
(iii) Beas River
(iv) Rihand Dam
(v) Amarnath
(b)Explain the topographical and structural characteristics of the Siwalik Range.[10]
(c) Discuss the mechanism of Indian Monsoon. [10]
(d) Identify the main industrial clusters of India and account for their development.[10]
(e) Explain the method of delineating crop-association regions with reference to India.[10]
2. (a) Discuss the potentiality and present status of horticulture in the Western and Central Himalaya. [20]
(b) coalfields of India and mention their the Delineate features.[15]
(c) Explain the role of multinationals in globalization of industries India.[15]
3. (a) Distributional pattern of industries in India does not provide requisite basis for division of the country into distinct industrial regions. Elaborate. [20]
(b) Discuss the role of institutional factors in shaping the pattern of Indian agriculture.[15]
(c) What do you understand by 'Young India'? How can the present state of population composition be converted into an asset for the country? [15]
4. (a) Comment on the feasibility of interlinking of rivers of India and its possible contribution to resolution of water crisis. (250 words) [20]
(b) Define agricultural productivity. Mention the methods of its measurement and bring out the disparities in its regional distribution. (150 words) [15]
(c) Discuss the problems in realization of benefits of globalization and liberalization in industrial sector of India. (150 words) [15]
SECTION B
5. For Question Nos. 5(a) to 5(d), write on each in about 150 words and answer Question No. 5 (e) as directed there in:
(a) City-regions as territorial unit for regional planning and development [10]
(b) Snags in the Food Security Policy of India [10]
(c) Demographic dividend and its implications on Indian environment socio-economic [10]
(d) Planning and development of 'Tribal Regions' in India [10]
(e) On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all of the following. Write in your QCA Booklet the significance of these locations, whether
physical/commercial/economic/ecological/environmental/cultural, in not more than 30 words for each entry: 2×5 = 10
(i) Rajgir
(ii) Sindri
(iii) National Highway No. 24
(iv) Churk
(v) Indira Gandhi Canal
6. (a) Write a note on geopolitics of the Indian Ocean realm. (250 words) [20]
(b) Comment on the basis of creation of new States in India in 2000. (150 words) [15]
(c) Enumerate the basic indicators of development and explain their application in identification of the spatial diversity in development in India. (150 words) [15]
7. (a) Write a note on the emergence of National Settlement System in colonial India and discuss the factors contributing to urbanization in post-independence period. (250 words) [20]
(b) Define slums and explain their problems. (150 words) [15]
(c) Discuss the objectives of Vision 2020' in creation of viable village complex in India for Inclusive Rural Development' programme. (150 words) [15]
8. (a)Identify the earthquake-prone management. (250 words) zones and suggest strategy for their [20]
(b) Describe the impact of linguistic diversity on the development of various regions of India. (150 words) [15]
(c) Describe how urbanization creates air and water pollution in India. (150 words) [15]