Subject pillar · 491 pieces
Geography
Geography runs through Prelims, General Studies Paper I and Paper III — physical processes, Indian and world regional geography, resources, and the locations that turn up in the news. It is one of the few sections…
About this pillar
What's covered
Geography runs through Prelims, General Studies Paper I and Paper III — physical processes, Indian and world regional geography, resources, and the locations that turn up in the news. It is one of the few sections where a diagram earns marks outright.
The subject splits cleanly into two demands. Physical geography is conceptual and repays understanding a process once — monsoon mechanism, ocean currents, landform evolution. Regional and economic geography is factual and repays revision. Treating both the same way is the usual mistake, and it costs time on the conceptual half and accuracy on the factual one.
Maps, rivers, soils, climate, minerals and locations in news are all covered here.
Official UPSC CSE syllabus
UPSC Syllabus for Geography
Prelims — Paper I
- Indian and World Geography — Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
Mains — General Studies Paper I (Geography)
- Salient features of world’s physical geography.
- Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.; geographical features and their location; changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Source: Official UPSC Civil Services Examination notification — Preliminary & Main Examination syllabus.
Editor's picks
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The newest pieces on Geography. Start here if this pillar is new to you.
Foundations · Geography
Notes & guides at a glance
Side-by-side: the most recent revision-ready Study Notes and the deeper Study Guides on Geography. Numbered so you can scan in seconds.
Study Notes
All study notes →- 01Districts in Andhra Pradesh: Current List and Official Links
- 02Districts in Maharashtra: Current List and Official Links
- 03Districts in Rajasthan: Current List and Official Links
- 04Districts in Bihar: Current List and Official Links
- 05Districts in Karnataka: Current List and Official Links
- 06Siachen Glacier: Saltoro Ridge, Operation Meghdoot and Nubra
- 07Shale Gas: How Fracking Works, India’s Basins and the Missing Output
- 08Structure of the Sun: Core to Corona, Sunspots and the Coronal Heating Puzzle
- 09Carlsberg Ridge: Magnetic Stripes, Sulphide Vents and India’s ISA Contract
- 10Palghat Gap: Real Width, Shear-Zone Geology and the Monsoon Corridor
Study Guides
All study guides →- 01Savindra Singh Physical Geography: Edition, Chapters and Plan for the Optional
- 02GC Leong Geography: Which Edition to Buy and What to Read for UPSC
- 03Oxford Student Atlas: Which Edition to Buy and How to Use It for UPSC
- 04Lucent GK: Which Edition to Buy, What to Read and What to Skip for UPSC and State PSC
- 05UPSC Mains GS 1 Strategy: Art, Culture, History & Geography
News in Geography
Latest current affairs
The 10 newest Why-in-News pieces filed under Geography, each with GS mapping and a practice question.
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Everything in Geography
All Geography pieces
The complete index of all 491 pieces filed under Geography, newest first. It includes the highlights above.
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