This is a comprehensive, structured UPSC Geography Module designed to cover both the Preliminary and Mains (GS Paper I & Optional) syllabi. It is organized into four distinct phases to ensure logical flow and retention.

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Phase I: Fundamentals of Physical Geography (World)

 

Focus: Conceptual clarity. This forms the base for understanding Indian Geography.

 

1. Geomorphology (The Earth's Crust)

 

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• The Interior of the Earth: Crust, Mantle, Core; Seismic discontinuities.

• Plate Tectonics Theory: Continental Drift, Sea Floor Spreading, and Plate Boundaries (Convergent, Divergent, Transform).

• Endogenic & Exogenic Forces:

  • Volcanism & Earthquakes: Distribution of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

  • Rock Cycle: Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic rocks.

  • Landforms: Fluvial (River), Aeolian (Wind), Glacial, and Karst (Limestone) topography.

 

2. Climatology (Atmosphere & Weather)

 

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• Structure of Atmosphere: Troposphere to Exosphere; Composition.

• Insolation & Heat Budget: Why the earth doesn't boil or freeze; Albedo effect.

• Atmospheric Circulation: Planetary winds (Trade winds, Westerlies), Pressure Belts, and the Tri-cellular model (Hadley, Ferrel, Polar cells).

• Cyclones:

  • Tropical Cyclones: Formation conditions, naming conventions.

  • Temperate Cyclones: Frontogenesis (Warm/Cold fronts).

• Koppen’s Climate Classification: Major climatic regions of the world.

 

3. Oceanography (Hydrosphere)

 

• Ocean Relief: Continental Shelf, Slope, Rise, and Abyssal Plains.

• Ocean Currents: Warm vs. Cold currents (Gulf Stream, Kuroshio, Peru Current) and their impact on local climate and fishing industries.

• Temperature & Salinity: Vertical and horizontal distribution.

• Tides & Coral Reefs: Formation, types (Fringing, Barrier, Atoll), and Coral Bleaching.

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Phase II: Geography of India (High Yield for Prelims & Mains)

 

Focus: Application of physical concepts to the Indian context.

 

1. Physiography of India

 

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• The Northern Mountains: Division of Himalayas (Trans, Greater, Lesser, Shivalik) and their significance.

• The Northern Plains: Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, Khadar regions.

• The Peninsular Plateau: Deccan Trap, Western vs. Eastern Ghats.

 

2. Drainage System

 

• Himalayan Rivers: Antecedent drainage; Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra systems.

• Peninsular Rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi (East flowing vs. West flowing).

• River Interlinking Projects: Pros, cons, and current status.

 

3. Climate of India

 

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• Mechanism of Monsoon: ITCZ shift, Jet Streams, El-Nino/La-Nina, and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD).

• Rainfall Distribution: Areas of high, medium, and low rainfall.

• Western Disturbances: Impact on winter crops (Rabi).

 

4. Soils & Vegetation

 

• Soil Types: Alluvial, Black (Regur), Red, Laterite; Soil erosion and conservation.

• Natural Vegetation: Tropical Evergreen, Deciduous, Mangroves; Social Forestry.

 

5. Economic Geography of India

 

• Agriculture: Major crops (Rice, Wheat, Millets, Cotton, Tea); Green Revolution; Irrigation types.

• Mineral Resources: Iron ore, Coal (Gondwana vs. Tertiary), Petroleum, Uranium, Thorium.

• Industries: Location factors for Iron & Steel, Cotton Textile, Sugar, and Automobile industries.

• Transport: Road (Bharatmala), Rail (Dedicated Freight Corridors), Ports (Sagarmala).

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Phase III: Human & Economic Geography (World)

 

Focus: Demographics, patterns, and resource distribution.

• Perspectives in Human Geography: Determinism vs. Possibilism (for Optional mostly).

• Population: Growth theories (Malthusian, Demographic Transition), Migration patterns (Push/Pull factors).

• Settlements: Rural vs. Urban; Urbanization trends; Smart Cities.

• Economic Activities:

  • Primary: Agriculture types (Subsistence, Plantation, Mixed).

  • Secondary: Industrial location theories (Weber’s Least Cost Theory).

  • Tertiary/Quaternary: Trade routes, Communication networks.

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Phase IV: Mapping & Current Affairs Application

 

Focus: Scoring low-hanging fruit marks.

• Places in News: Mapping conflict zones (e.g., Ukraine, Middle East), volcanic eruptions, or new Ramsar sites.

• Static Mapping:

  • Mountain ranges and passes (e.g., Zoji La, Nathu La).

  • Straits and Isthmuses (e.g., Strait of Malacca, Suez Canal).

  • Mineral belts of the world (e.g., Ruhr Valley, Great Lakes region).

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Suggested Resource List

 

1. NCERTs (Class 11 & 12): The Bible for Geography fundamentals.

2. Certificate Physical and Human Geography (G.C. Leong): For World Physical Geography.

3. Geography of India (Majid Husain OR D.R. Khullar): For comprehensive India coverage.

4. Oxford Student Atlas: Mandatory for mapping practice.