UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus

UPSC Geography Syllabus

Geography as their optional subject for Mains Exam. Geography is easy to understand and more scientific subject, that's why it is preferred by many aspirants from science, medical and engineering backgrounds.

Each paper of UPSC Geography Optional subject consists of 250 marks i.e. in total marks would be of 500 marks. Check complete UPSC Geography Syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2 from here and prepare as per the topics listed.

Salient Features of World's Physical Geography

Geomorphology

1. Origin & Evolution of Earth
2. Interior of the Earth
3. Distribution of Continents & Oceans
4. Tectonic Theory
5. Distribution of Earthquakes & Volcanoes
6. Rocks & Rock Cycle
7. Geomorphic Processes – Endogenic & Exogenic
8. Landforms & their Evolution

Oceanography

1. Hydrological Cycle
2. Seafloor Spreading
3. Ocean Floor Configuration
4. Temperature & Salinity of Oceans
5. Movement of Oceans – Waves, Tides, Currents

Climatology

1. Earth’s Atmosphere – Composition & Structure
2. Solar Radiation, Heat Budget & Temperature
3. Atmospheric Circulation & Weather Systems
4. World Climate (examples)

Soil Geography

1. Soil & Soil Contents
2. Process of Soil Formation
3. Soil Forming Factors
4. Types of Soils (examples)
5. Soil Erosion & Conservation

Distribution of Key Natural Resources Across the World

Types of Resources

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

Land Resources

1. Land Utilisation
2. Land Use Pattern
3. Land Degradation & Conservation

Forest Resources

1. Types & Distribution – Grasslands, Forests etc
2. Causes of Depletion
3. Conservation of Forests

Water Resources

1. Marine & Freshwater
2. Water Scarcity & Need For Conservation
3. Integrated Water Resources Management

Agricultural Resources

1. Types of Farming
2. Cropping Patterns
3. Contribution to Economy, Employment & Output
4. Food Security

Mineral & Energy Resources

1. Classification of Minerals – Ferrous & Non-Ferrous
2. Occurrence of Minerals
3. Conservation of Minerals
4. Classification of Energy Resources – Conventional & Non-Conventional
5. Occurrence of Energy Resources
6. Conservation of Energy Resources

Factors Responsible for the Location of Industries

Classification of Industries

Location & Distribution of the Industries on the Basis of

1. Raw Material
2. Labour
3. Market
4. Capital
5. Land
6. Grants & Financial Incentives
7. Power
8. Transport
9. Water
10. Communication
11. Distribution of Major Industries – Iron & Steel, IT, Cotton Textile
12. Agglomeration & Footloose Industries

Important Geophysical Phenomena

Earthquakes

1. Why Does Earth Shake?
2. Earthquake Waves
3. Shadow Zone
4. Types of Earthquake
5. Measuring Earthquake
6. Effects of Earthquake

Tsunami

1. What Causes Tsunami
2. Effect of Tsunami
3. Mitigating the Impact of Tsunami

Volcanoes

1. Types of Volcanoes
2. What Causes Volcanoes?
3. Volcanic Landforms

Cyclone

1. Tropical Cyclones
2. Anti-Cyclone
3. Extra Tropical Cyclones

Geographical Features and their Location

1. Factors Causing Changes in Critical Geographical Features
2. Examples of Changing Geographicl Features - Mealting of Ice Sheets, Desertification etc
3. Impact of Changing Geographical Features