{"id":804610,"date":"2024-01-10T19:07:33","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T13:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/discover\/?p=804610"},"modified":"2024-01-10T19:07:33","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T13:37:33","slug":"exam-prep-how-to-prepare-for-upsc-geography-optional","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/discover\/indian-exams\/exam-prep-how-to-prepare-for-upsc-geography-optional\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare for UPSC Geography Optional?\u00a0Get Full Study Material!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How to Prepare for UPSC Geography Optional: <\/strong>Geography is one of the most demanding subjects for UPSC Optional. Mostly, aspirants with science or engineering background choose Geography as an optional subject for the UPSC exam. In this article, we will be focusing on the tips and tricks to cover UPSC Geography Optional. Also, we will mention important topics and best preparation books for Geography optional subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geography optional has consistently produced excellent results in the Civil Services Exam<\/strong>. It has been a good choice for the optionals, especially among science and engineering candidates due to its scientific nature. The subject’s popularity also arises due to its overlap with the UPSC syllabus<\/strong><\/a>. If you approach the subject with the right strategy and guidance, it is very easy to study and revise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Pros and Cons of Choosing Geography Optional<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here we have mentioned some of the advantages and disadvantages of taking Geography optional:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>Pros<\/strong><\/td>Cons<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
1.<\/td>Students can prepare more easily because the geography syllabus and GS Paper I in preliminary exams overlap. <\/td>The geography optional syllabus can be a lot for students to cover.<\/td><\/tr>
2.<\/td>A good grasp of geography knowledge can be a plus point in the interview (for eg: when talking about hometown)<\/td>There is fierce competition because about 4,000 applicants choose geography as an optional subject each year! <\/td><\/tr>
4.<\/td>Geography is a high-scoring subject because of its conceptual and factual questions, as well as diagrams and map-based questions.<\/td>The sheer volume of the geography syllabus makes it somewhat challenging to memorize. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Must Read<\/strong>: UPSC Geography Mains Questions \ud83d\udcda Get No. of Questions & Important Questions<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Books for Geography Optional Preparation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While preparing for geography optional you will come across basic books, reference books, and additional sources like magazines and newspapers. All the sources somewhere or the other help in updation, enrichment, and conceptual clarity. Here we have listed out the most referred books for geography optional which an aspirant must not miss:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geography Optional Paper I Booklist:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.<\/td>Certificate Physical and Human Geography by GC Leong<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2.<\/td>Human Geography by Majid Hussain<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
3.<\/td>Physical Geography by Savindra Singh<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
4.<\/td>Physical Geography Made Simple<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
5.<\/td>Models in Geography by Majid Hussain<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
6.<\/td>Geographical Thought by RD Dikshit<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Geography Optional Paper II Booklist:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.<\/strong><\/td>Geography of India by Majid Hussain<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2.<\/strong><\/td>India A Comprehensive Geography by Khullar<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
3.<\/strong><\/td>Current Affairs Magazines, Newspapers (The Hindu\/The Indian Express)\u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
4.<\/strong><\/td>Class XI and XII NCERTs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Five-Step Strategy for Geography Optional<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As there is no one-shot method to crack civil services, there is no one-shot method to excel in geography optional. But past year toppers have revealed their success mantras. Here we have stated some of those tips to consider while preparing for Geography Optional:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Begin geography preparation with NCERT because it is suitable for beginners.  It provides a solid foundation for those new to geography.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Analyse the previous year’s question trends to ensure effective preparation.  To ensure that you have the most recent information, consult 2-3 sources for each topic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Practice extensively with world and India maps to improve your ability to answer map-based questions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Take examples from Yojana, Kurukshetra, and Geography. Prepare at least 10 impactful exam answers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Use software such as Evernote or Onenote to take digital notes on current events related to the Geography optional syllabus.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Must Read<\/strong>: Environment and Ecology for UPSC Prelims: Previous Year Questions, Tips and Tricks to Prepare, and Best Books\ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83c\udf93<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Successful Toppers and Geography Optional Success Rate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Since there is more scope for interpretation in humanities subjects, geography becomes a scoring subject. Flowcharts and diagrams can be used to achieve higher grades. In addition, the map-based questions add to the scores. Below we have listed the successful geography toppers from past years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Year<\/strong><\/td>Name<\/strong><\/td>Rank<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    2018<\/td>Junaid Ahmed<\/td>3<\/td><\/tr>
    2017<\/td>Pratham Kaushik<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
    2017<\/td>Ayush Sinha<\/td>7<\/td><\/tr>
    2016<\/td>Saumya Pandey<\/td>4<\/td><\/tr>
    2016<\/td>Shweta Chauhan<\/td>8<\/td><\/tr>
    2016<\/td>Athul J<\/td>13<\/td><\/tr>
    2014<\/td>Ira Singhal<\/td>1<\/td><\/tr>
    2014<\/td>Suharsha Bhagat<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
    2014<\/td>Charusree Thiagarajan<\/td>6<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The below-mentioned table highlights the geography optional success rate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Year<\/strong><\/td>No. of candidates appeared<\/strong><\/td>No. of candidates recommended<\/strong><\/td>Success rate (%)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    2012<\/td>4351<\/td>314<\/td>7.2<\/td><\/tr>
    2013<\/td>3158<\/td>178<\/td>5.6<\/td><\/tr>
    2014<\/td>3515<\/td>255<\/td>7.3<\/td><\/tr>
    2015<\/td>3391<\/td>115<\/td>3.4<\/td><\/tr>
    2016<\/td>4049<\/td>236<\/td>5.8<\/td><\/tr>
    2017<\/td>2669<\/td>147<\/td>5.5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Geography Optional Previous Year Question Papers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here we have provided the links to UPSC Geography optional question papers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    UPSC Geography Optional Question Papers PDF Link<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n