Subject pillar · 507 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
Start with these
The newest pieces on Geography. Start here if this pillar is new to you.
India’s China+1 lessons lie within its own States
Electric mobility – the way ahead
Warming Himalayas demand a rethink on development
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 →- 01Gilgit Baltistan: India’s Legal Position, 1947 History and the CPEC Question
- 02North Sentinel Island: The Sentinelese, ANPATR 1956 and the No-Contact Rule
- 03Ram Setu (Adam’s Bridge): Geology, Sethusamudram and the Court Case
- 04Western Disturbance: Jet-Stream Storms, Winter Rain and the Rabi Crop
- 05Cold Wave in India: IMD Criteria, Cold Day vs Cold Wave and NDMA Guidelines
- 06Hailstorm: How Hail Forms, Where India Gets It and How Crop Loss Is Insured
- 07Districts in Telangana: Current List and Official Links
- 08Districts in Gujarat: Current List and Official Links
- 09Districts in Tamil Nadu: Current List and Official Links
- 10Districts in Punjab: Current List and Official Links
Study Guides
All study guides →- 01Orient BlackSwan Atlas for UPSC: Choose the Series and Practice Maps
- 02Majid Husain Geography of India: How to Read It for UPSC
- 03Savindra Singh Physical Geography: Edition, Chapters and Plan for the Optional
- 04GC Leong Geography: Which Edition to Buy and What to Read for UPSC
- 05Oxford Student Atlas: Which Edition to Buy and How to Use It for UPSC
- 06Lucent GK: Which Edition to Buy, What to Read and What to Skip for UPSC and State PSC
- 07UPSC 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 507 pieces filed under Geography, newest first. It includes the highlights above.
Solar Eclipse: The Science, Types and Safety
Konkan Railway: Engineering the Western Coast
Dead Sea: Why It Is the Lowest and Saltiest
Mount Kilimanjaro: Africa’s Highest Peak
Highest Population Density State in India
Nanda Devi: India’s Second-Highest Peak
Kanchenjunga: The World’s Third-Highest Peak
State Flowers of India: The Complete List
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