Geography Optional Syllabus for UPSC
The UPSC Geography optional is examined in two Mains papers of 250 marks each, 500 marks in total. Paper I has 7 topics and Paper II has 7 topics, listed below with their subtopics.
Geography Paper I syllabus
1. Physical Geography
- Geomorphology, climatology
- Oceanography, biogeography
- Environmental geography
2. Human Geography
- Population, settlement
- Regional planning
- Models & theories
3. Geomorphology
- Landform development
- Erosional & depositional features
- Applied geomorphology
4. Climatology
- Atmospheric circulation
- Climate classification
- Climate change, variability
5. Oceanography
- Ocean floor, currents
- Marine resources
- Ocean-atmosphere interaction
6. Biogeography
- Ecosystem dynamics
- Biodiversity, conservation
- Environmental management
7. Geographic Thought
- Determinism, possibilism
- Quantitative revolution
- Contemporary approaches
Geography Paper II syllabus
1. India: Physical Setting
- Physiography, drainage
- Climate, natural vegetation
- Soils, natural hazards
2. India: Resources
- Land, water resources
- Mineral, energy resources
- Resource conservation
3. India: Agriculture
- Cropping patterns
- Agricultural development
- Food security, irrigation
4. India: Industry
- Industrial regions
- Industrial policy
- Industrial development
5. India: Transport & Trade
- Transport network
- Trade patterns
- Globalization impact
6. India: Cultural Setting
- Population distribution
- Urbanization
- Regional disparities
7. India: Regional Planning
- Planning regions
- Development programs
- Sustainable development
Other Social Sciences optionals
Track your Geography preparation
Follow Paper I and Paper II topic by topic, with revision counts — free.
Start tracking — free