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    Geography Optional — UPSC Notes

    UPSC Geography Optional notes for Papers I and II: geomorphology, climatology, oceanography, biogeography and environment, perspectives, models and theories of human geography, economic, population and settlement geography, regional planning, and the geography of India from physical setting to contemporary issues, with the map question, every previous-year question (2014–2026) and model answers, in English and Hindi.

    How to study Geography OptionalShow

    What UPSC asks most

    Optional Papers I and II (250 marks each): physical and human geography with models and theories (Paper I), the geography of India with the compulsory map question (Paper II).

    Traps to avoid

    • Writing answers without maps, diagrams or named Indian examples.
    • Quoting old data; give figures with their year and source.

    How to study it here

    1. Read one chapter, then write two of its past questions under time and compare with the model answers.
    2. Practise the outline map of India weekly, and draw a labelled sketch or diagram in every answer.

    Mains: Optional: define the concept with its geographer, explain the process, add a map or diagram and Indian examples with current data, and end with a way forward.

    Geography Optional

    UPSC Geography Optional: Papers I and II

    Geography Optional Playlist

    26 chapters • 0 completed

    1

    Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Strategy

    3 topics

    2

    The Earth's Interior and Tectonics

    5 topics

    3

    Geomorphic Processes and Landscape Development

    6 topics

    4

    Climatology: Atmosphere and Circulation

    5 topics

    5

    Climatology: Weather Systems, Climates and Climate Change

    5 topics

    6

    Oceanography

    6 topics

    7

    Biogeography

    5 topics

    8

    Environmental Geography

    5 topics

    9

    Perspectives in Human Geography

    6 topics

    10

    Economic Geography

    6 topics

    11

    Population Geography

    5 topics

    12

    Settlement Geography

    6 topics

    13

    Regional Planning

    5 topics

    14

    Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography

    5 topics

    15

    India: Physical Setting I

    5 topics

    16

    India: Physical Setting II

    5 topics

    17

    Resources of India

    5 topics

    18

    Agriculture in India

    6 topics

    19

    Industry in India

    5 topics

    20

    Transport, Communication and Trade

    4 topics

    21

    Cultural Setting and Population of India

    5 topics

    22

    Settlements in India

    5 topics

    23

    Regional Development and Planning in India

    5 topics

    24

    Political Aspects

    5 topics

    25

    Contemporary Issues

    6 topics

    26

    Places for the Map Question

    6 topics

    Progress (0%)
    0 / 26 complete

    Chapter 15: India: Physical Setting I

    5 topics•Estimated reading: 15 minutes
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    Geography Optional: chapter-wise UPSC notes

    Read any chapter as a full page in English or Hindi. 26 chapters · 135 topics.

    1. 1. Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Strategyहिंदी
    2. 2. The Earth's Interior and Tectonicsहिंदी
    3. 3. Geomorphic Processes and Landscape Developmentहिंदी
    4. 4. Climatology: Atmosphere and Circulationहिंदी
    5. 5. Climatology: Weather Systems, Climates and Climate Changeहिंदी
    6. 6. Oceanographyहिंदी
    7. 7. Biogeographyहिंदी
    8. 8. Environmental Geographyहिंदी
    9. 9. Perspectives in Human Geographyहिंदी
    10. 10. Economic Geographyहिंदी
    11. 11. Population Geographyहिंदी
    12. 12. Settlement Geographyहिंदी
    13. 13. Regional Planningहिंदी
    14. 14. Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geographyहिंदी
    15. 15. India: Physical Setting Iहिंदी
    16. 16. India: Physical Setting IIहिंदी
    17. 17. Resources of Indiaहिंदी
    18. 18. Agriculture in Indiaहिंदी
    19. 19. Industry in Indiaहिंदी
    20. 20. Transport, Communication and Tradeहिंदी
    21. 21. Cultural Setting and Population of Indiaहिंदी
    22. 22. Settlements in Indiaहिंदी
    23. 23. Regional Development and Planning in Indiaहिंदी
    24. 24. Political Aspectsहिंदी
    25. 25. Contemporary Issuesहिंदी
    26. 26. Places for the Map Questionहिंदी