Subject pillar · 62 pieces
Physical Geography
UPSC GS-I: Geomorphology, climatology, oceanography and biogeography. Mains — General Studies Paper I Salient features of world’s physical geography. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.; geographical features and their location; changes…
About this pillar
What's covered
UPSC GS-I: Geomorphology, climatology, oceanography and biogeography.
Official UPSC CSE syllabus
UPSC Syllabus for Physical Geography
Mains — General Studies Paper I
- Salient features of world’s physical geography.
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.; geographical features and their location; changes in critical geographical features 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 Physical Geography. Start here if this pillar is new to you.
Foundations · Physical Geography
Notes & guides at a glance
Side-by-side: the most recent revision-ready Study Notes and the deeper Study Guides on Physical Geography. Numbered so you can scan in seconds.
Study Notes
All study notes →- 01Coriolis Force: Ferrel’s Law, Zero at the Equator and the Bathtub Myth
- 02Mercator vs Equal Earth Projection: Why the UN Voted to Correct the World Map
- 03The Interior of the Earth: How It Is Known
- 04The Hjulström Curve: Erosion, Transport and Deposition
- 05Ekman Transport, Upwelling and the Ocean Gyres
- 06Rossby Waves, Vorticity and the Index Cycle
- 07Milankovitch Cycles: Eccentricity, Obliquity, Precession and the Ice Ages
- 08Cycle of Erosion: Davis, Penck and King Compared
- 09UPSC Geography Optional Question Paper 2016: Paper I and Paper II, All Questions
- 10UPSC Geography Optional Question Paper 2017: Paper I and Paper II, All Questions
News in Physical Geography
Latest current affairs
The 6 newest Why-in-News pieces filed under Physical Geography, each with GS mapping and a practice question.
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
- 06
Everything in Physical Geography
All Physical Geography pieces
The complete index of all 62 pieces filed under Physical Geography, newest first. It includes the highlights above.
The Interior of the Earth: How It Is Known
Ekman Transport, Upwelling and the Ocean Gyres
Rossby Waves, Vorticity and the Index Cycle
Cycle of Erosion: Davis, Penck and King Compared
Preparing for UPSC CSE 2026? Sit in a free demo class.
No sales call. No brochure. Watch a real Monday-morning GS session taught by ex-Rau's IAS faculty.