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 2021

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 for each entry: 2x10 =
20 30 words
(i) Vadhawan
(ii) Salkhan
(iii) Coorg
(iv) Mhow
(v) Umroi
(vi) Thoothukudi
(vii) Bargarh
(viii) Atal Tunnel
(ix) Gurushikhar
(x) Bum La

1. (b) Climate change has unsettled the rhythm of seasons. Comment with examples and 10 empirical evidences. [10]

1. (c) Discuss the methods of crop residue management in rural India to reduce pollution. 10

1. (d) Has the regional aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir been addressed through reorganization of the state? Make an assessment. [10]

2. (a) Identifying areas covered under tribal sub-plan, discuss the programmes initiated to address their problems.[20]

2. (b) Soil types in India, classified on the basis of colour, possess specific chemical and mineral characteristics. Discuss. [15]

2. (c) The pharmaceutical industry in India depends on the import of raw materials. Evaluate this statement in view of the Indo-Chinese relationship. [15]

3. (a) India has opened-up its space to private sector for satellite-based activities. Critically examine its implications indicating the major security concerns. [20]

3.(b) Identify oilseeds producing areas in India and discuss the measures to promote edible oil industry.[15]

3. (c) Give a reasoned geographical account of changing rural folk houses in India. [15]

4.(a) Border area development is an important national priority. What are the resilient steps needed for peaceful borders? [20]

4. (b) Stunting and wasting among children are major consequences of food insecurity. Discuss various schemes of Government of India to address these problems and their achievements. [15]

4. (c) The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020 aims to deregulate the production, supply and distribution of farm produce. Critically examine its spatial consequences. [15]

SECTION B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:10 x 5 = 50
5. (a) The success of Panchayati Raj depends upon meaningful participation of people at grassroot level.
Examine. [10]

5. (b) Elucidate the benefits of neem coated urea scheme for Indian agriculture. [10]

5. (c) Canal irrigation has led to monocropping in India. Explain with suitable examples. [10]

5. (d) The pattern of growing ecological foot-prints is uneven in nature. Analyse with reference to land resources in India. [10]

5. (e) Identify challenges faced by generative and parasitic towns in India and their possible remedies. [10]

6. (a) Digital Divide in India needs quick redressal to reduce regional disparity in development. Elaborate with suitable examples. [20]

6. (b) Avalanche is a major hazard in the Himalayas. What are its causes and mitigation measures? [15]

6. (c) The process of demographic transition is not uniform in India. Examine this statement in the context of demographic transition theory. [15]

7. (a) Demarcating the seismic zones of India, suggest suitable interventions required in the most sensitive seismic zones for sustainable human settlements.[20]

7. (b) What are the characteristics of Blue Flag-certified beaches? Discuss their significance for beach tourism in India. [15]

7. (c) Urban sprawl around planned cities evolve leading emergence of squatter settlements. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such outgrowth. [15]

8. (a) Analyse the Changing nature of workforce composition vis-à-vis rural-urban divide [20]

8. (b)Describe the economic, maritime and strategic interests of India in South China Sea. [15]

8. (c) What kind of skill promotion programmes have been initiated for job deficient regions in India?
Explain. [15]