How to Prepare Geography For UPSC CSE | UPSC Geography Syllabus | Previous Year UPSC Geography Questions & More

Geography is included in the General Studies paper in Prelims as well as GS Paper 1 in UPSC CS(Main) examination. In the UPSC scheme of the syllabus, Geography establishes the relevance of the existence of humans, the elements that are conducive for life, and the elements that are not conducive to human life. Hence, studying these elements would make you better positioned to safeguard the elements that are necessary for life. 

The geography syllabus for UPSC is divided into various micro topics that are discussed in the detailed syllabus below. You should also keep yourself updated on the recent developments in topics such as transportation, disasters, etc.  

Geography Syllabus For UPSC Civil Services Prelims & Mains

Salient Features of World’s Physical Geography

Geomorphology

• Origin & Evolution of Earth
• Interior of the Earth
• Distribution of Continents & Oceans
• Plate Tectonic Theory
• Distribution of Earthquakes & Volcanoes
• Rocks & Rock Cycle
• Geomorphic Processes – Endogenic & Exogenic
• Landforms & their Evolution

Oceanography

• Hydrological Cycle
• Seafloor Spreading
• Ocean Floor Configuration
• Temperature & Salinity of Oceans
• Movement of Oceans – Waves, Tides, Currents

Climatology

• Earth’s Atmosphere – Composition & Structure
• Solar Radiation, Heat Budget & Temperature
• Atmospheric Circulation & Weather Systems
• World Climate (examples)

Soil Geography

• Soil & Soil Contents
• Process of Soil Formation
• Soil Forming Factors
• Types of Soils (examples)
• Soil Erosion & Conservation

Distribution of Key Natural Resources Across the World

Types of Resources

• On the Basis of Origin, Ownership, Exhaustability etc.

Land Resources

• Land Utilisation
• Land Use Pattern
• Land Degradation & Conservation

Forest Resources

• Types & Distribution – Grasslands, Forests etc.
• Causes of Depletion
• Conservation of Forests

Water Resources

• Marine & Freshwater
• Water Scarcity & Need For Conservation
• Integrated Water Resources Management

Agricultural Resources

• Agricultural Resources

Mineral & Energy Resources

• Classification of Minerals – Ferrous & Non-Ferrous
• Occurrence of Minerals
• Conservation of Minerals
• Classification of Energy Resources – Conventional & Non-Conventional
• Occurrence of Energy Resources
• Conservation of Energy Resources

Factors Responsible for the Location of Industries

• Classification of Industries

Location & Distribution of the Industries on the Basis of

• Raw Material
• Labour
• Market
• Capital
• Land
• Grants & Financial Incentives
• Power
• Transport
• Water
• Communication

Distribution of Major Industries – Iron & Steel, IT, Cotton Textile

Agglomeration & Footloose Industries

———————————————————————————————-

Important Geophysical Phenomena:

Earthquakes

• Why Does Earth Shake?
• Earthquake Waves
• Shadow Zone
• Types of Earthquake
• Measuring Earthquake
• Effects of Earthquake

Tsunami

• What Causes Tsunami
• Effect of Tsunami
• Mitigating the Impact of Tsunami

Volcanoes

• Types of Volcanoes
• What Causes Volcanoes?
• Volcanic Landforms

Cyclone

• Tropical Cyclones
• Anti-Cyclone
• Extra Tropical Cyclones

———————————————————————————————

Geographical Features and their Location

• Factors Causing Changes in Critical Geographical Features
• Examples of Changing Geographicl Features – Mealting of Ice Sheets, Desertification etc.
• Impact of Changing Geographical Features