Geopolitics of Resources — Strategic Geography, Maritime Routes, Polar Regions

What should you study in Geopolitics of Resources?

• Heartland-Rimland theories — geopolitical significance
• Maritime geography — SLOC, chokepoints (Malacca, Hormuz, Suez)
• Arctic & Antarctic — strategic importance, climate indicators
• Resource geopolitics — oil, water, critical minerals as conflict drivers

How often is Geopolitics of Resources asked in UPSC Mains?

Asked in 3 of 10 years, including 1 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

1. 2016: not asked
2. 2017: not asked
3. 2018: asked
4. 2019: not asked
5. 2020: asked
6. 2021: not asked
7. 2022: not asked
8. 2023: asked
9. 2024: not asked
10. 2025: not asked

About the Mains GS Paper I paper

GS Paper I is a 250-mark descriptive Mains paper covering Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world, and society. See all 41 Mains GS Paper I topics.

Related topics to study next

• Physical Geography — Geomorphology, Landforms & Geomorphic ProcessesHigh-yieldasked 3/10 yrs
• Climatology & Monsoons — Atmospheric Systems, Cyclones, El Niño/La Niña ImpactHigh-yieldasked 5/10 yrs
• Oceanography — Ocean Currents, Upwelling, AMOC, Coral Bleaching & Marine Resourcesasked 2/10 yrs
• Water Geography — Rivers, Groundwater Depletion, Inter-Basin Issues & Water SecurityHigh-yieldasked 4/10 yrs
• Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis & Seismic Hazard ZonesHigh-yieldasked 3/10 yrs
• Cyclones, Floods, Droughts & Disaster Geography of IndiaHigh-yieldasked 4/10 yrs
• Natural Resource Distribution — Minerals, Energy, Forests, Critical MineralsHigh-yieldasked 5/10 yrs
• Economic Geography — Industrial Corridors, Transport Routes, Special ZonesHigh-yieldasked 4/10 yrs