Geography optional strategy

Geography is one of the lengthiest and trickiest optionals for this exam. I took this optional because of my earth science background and because it overlapped with parts of GS1 and GS3 papers. I didn't change my optional in any attempt because I always found it more difficult to prepare a new optional from scratch rather than improving the one already prepared. This optional unfortunately has not performed well in last few years but UPSC is unpredictable, so you have to take your own call.

From my last selection to this selection, the only addition was Himanshu Sharma's notes for human geography, especially geographical thoughts part. I didn't do his coaching but joined 8 tests test series and gave 3 tests. For rest of the tests, I just saw the solutions. I had bought his notes of human geography from the market. Rest of the approach and sources remains the same .

Geography is a lengthy optional therefore it should be prepared along with current affairs throughout the year. Paper 1 needs more investment as paper 2 is more like GS, therefore start with paper 1 first. Please solve last year question papers and identify which parts are more important than others and try covering them first. They definitely fetch more marks.

My sources and strategy for Geography -> (we did not take any coaching, the notes mentioned were brought from the market. Rest of the notes were prepared from basic books)

1. Physical Geography : 

  • Sources: 
    • Physical Geography by Savinder Singh, Geomorphology by Savinder Singh, Spectrum Geography for diagrams, 11th and 12th NCERTs, Soil part is nicely covered by Neetu Singh as well (I had purchased her notes from the market)
  • Approach : 
    • Read only those chapters which are mentioned in the syllabus, make notes only of those chapters which require multiple sources . For example: for soil formation, weathering etc I had made notes from NCERT, Spectrum and Savinder Singh.You need not make notes for oceanography and climatology as they have been comprehensively covered by Savinder Singh. 
    • My sample notes for some topics can be seen in the given link..
  • Answer writing: 
    • Use as many diagrams as possible. This is the scientific part of the paper which requires concepts to be explained clearly, with examples and diagrams. See notes for hint of answer writing as well.
    2.    Human geography:
  • Sources:
    • Himanshu Sharma and Majid Hussain for geographical thoughts.
    • Majid Hussain , Spectrum and Human And Economic Geography by Morgan and Leong for Population and Settlement. This may sound huge but it will hardly take one week to finish. Our notes for the same are available in the link given below.
    • Himanshu Sharma and Morgan and Leong for Economic Geography
    • Neetu Singh, NCERT and Spectrum for Regional Geography
    • Majid Hussain Models book and Neetu singh for models part. This is more than sufficient. If you find some of the models difficult then try seeing presentations on them on slideshare. It helps sometimes especially w.r.t diagrams and examples.
  • Approach:
    • Again try to prepare topic wise. UPSC has been continuously asking questions from out of the syllabus in thoughts part, therefore you might have to read a bit more here. Himanshu Sharma is sufficient.
    • This is more like arts paper. You have to mention the names of the geographers frequently in your answers. For example, if there is a question on determinism, you have to mention Ratzel, Semple, Huntington etc, use their important statements as it is, mention the names of their books in which they made their arguments in support of determinism. This is the minimum which you have to do.
    • For population and settlement and economic geography part, use maps as much as possible. A geography person should know how to draw maps quickly, therefore practice them. Example of maps for this section can be seen in majid hussain as well as spectrum. Also, you can see United Nations Population Fund for latest maps of population distribution, migration flows, population growth rate etc. Try using names of theories here as well whenever their is a question regarding migration or population growth and mention the names of relevant geographers. (See our notes)
    • For models, you have to draw diagrams, include examples of situations where those models are applicable and try including important modifications of these models . Neetu Singh has covered this beautifully for most of the parts. 
  • Answer writing: Already covered in approach section.
3. Indian Geography :
  • Sources:
    •  NCERTs of Class XI and XII, Neetu Singh notes for Physiography, Agriculture and Industry and Khullar for every topic.
  • Approach and answer writing
    • I had not prepared notes for it separately. I used to read directly from Neetu Singh and Khullar and NCERTs. You don't have to read Khullar cover to cover but only the chapters mentioned in the syllabus. Refer Spectrum for maps and diagrams.
    • I have continuously scored good in this paper (my marks had been same as that of topper's marks in every mains in Paper 2). The trick to score good in this paper is to do the following:
      • Treat this paper like GS paper, therefore you have to link your answers to the current scenario. For eg:  for agriculture, infrastructure and industry, revise your GS 3 notes before going for this paper and include schemes, policies, the relevant statistics, examples and case studies in your answers. You can write these things down in your geography notes while preparing for GS3. This will save time later.
      • Draw the relevant maps and label them properly. Minimum 1 map per answer.
      • Try linking paper 1 and paper 2 . For example, in a question of agriculture mechanization or new seeds/ technology in agri etc, you should mention and draw Innovation diffusion model explaining how introducing this particular program can bring the required change.
    • Map Practice: Neetu singh covers this nicely for static portion. For the current affairs, we used to keep an eyes for such locations while reading newspaper and maintained a separate google map for this purpose. While writing the  description of location, write why in news and in second line, write its geographical importance. 
  • My geography paper -2  answer copy can be seen in the link below.

Link for sample notes and Answer copy for Paper 2.


Feel free to ask doubts. I'll be more than happy to answer them. All the best :)



Comments

  1. Thank you Mam.Please keep posting such content.
    Mam, can Geography optional be covered in the time gap between prelims and mains?
    I do understand that this subject is vast. But would like to hear what you would say.

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  2. Mam how to choose a suitable optional because i found myself neutral for every subject.!! One more is that really works to choose a different subject from previous years trends of optional subject.? Please help mam

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    Replies
    1. Choose an optional which is interesting for you to read, has performed ok in last few years if not really well (trust me, it matters and has some standard guidance available from previous years toppers.

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Mam after how many tym reading a book one should make notes. Nd whether is it necessary to make notes on static portion

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    Replies
    1. In some cases its very important to make notes.You have to take your own call in this regard. The basic purpose of notes making is that you should be able to quickly revise your syllabus in less time. generally after second reading, you should make notes.

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  5. Ma'am Himansu sharma and morgan and nitu singh books or market notes???

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  6. Mam I can't access your notes
    It is showing error access denied

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  7. Mam what ever u have kept on your previous blog prelims strategy in that all pdfs I found them so useful can I complete rely on them for preparation it .hope you reply mam

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    Replies
    1. jo topics ki diye hain, unke liye you can rely on them. However I don't claim that they cover everything. They were for my convenience...They are just for your guidance that you should try making notes like these.

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  8. Hello ma'am... Myself Apurva singh from Varanasi...I will give my attempt in 2021...My optional is geography.. .Ma'am there is a confusion about how to revise whole syllabus of the geography...Please help...and please tell me that ki Himanshu sir ka notes printed market me available hai..ma'am vo uncomplete laga mujhe.. Kya aapane vahi market vala hi notes liya tha ??
    Please help me ma'am. .Please

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haan maine wahi market notes liye the. woh incomplete hain par wahi padhe the aur baaki neetu singh aur standard books. Geography is lengthy, therefore it demands continuous revision. And during exam time wahi revise karna jisko baar baar bhool rahi ho ya jo topics exam mein sabse jyada important hain

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  9. Thankiuu so much for giving such advise . It help me in Geography optional

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  10. Mam i am not able to get both neetu mam n himanshu Sir's notes here in market...can u plz help me n also i found various photoshops selling it for 300 to 2000... Can't understand it..plz help mam

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    Replies
    1. These notes are a little expensive. Maine Neetu singh ke direction IAS se hi mangwaaye the seedhe. I had paid them online. Himanshu sir ke toh market mein mil gaye the

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  11. Thank u mam for providing all the analysis for prelims and mains

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  12. GS -1,2,3,4 hand notes also upload ma'am please

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  13. Thank u so much ..But maam ager hindi me hota to jayad achcha hota .

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  14. Respected mam My optional is also geography and i want to see your short notes on geography optional if you can share.i shall be thankful to you 🙏

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  15. Ma'am can u please tell us about how to read newspaper and what topics (page) we have to ignore etc..?

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    Replies
    1. for this you can watch my DKT video. Maine usmein detail mein bataya hai ki newspaper kaise padhna hai

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  16. mam please share in detail your current affairs strategy

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    Replies
    1. uske liye please watch my DKT video on youtube, the old one. I have dealt with this in quite detail there.

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  17. Mam can you please upload answer copy for Paper 1 so that we can learn how to tackle questions related to perspectives, models and geomorphology.
    Also mam it would be very helpful if you can provide some more egs like the above one of agricultural mechanization so that it would give better idea of linking both the papers.

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    Replies
    1. I am sorry but I don't have Paper 1 copy with me. You can buy Himanshu Sharma 500 plus from market. Usmein you can find multiple examples on how to deal with these questions.

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  18. অসংখ্য ধন্যবাদ আপনাকে। ভালো থাকবেন।

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  19. Mam please upload your optional notes along with your answer sheets..

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    Replies
    1. please see the link given in this blog. I have uploaded my answer copy and few sample notes as well.

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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. Mam,
    Which is better to use either gel pen or ball pen in GS paper?
    Can you please share what you used in GS papers.

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  22. I am preparing for cse 2021.
    is it necessary to go through both year(2020 and 21) economic survey as well as union budget or coming 2021 is enough?

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    Replies
    1. no... just for the coming year is more than sufficient. Usko achhe se karke jana

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    2. Hlo ma'am mera medium hindi hai aur mujhe optional choose krne me paresani ho rhi please aap mujhe suggestions dijiye ki mere liye optional best kon rhega mera background science hai aurvmaine agriculture me BSC ag kr rha hu 🙏🙏🙏🙏

      Delete
  23. Maam are case studies important in paper 2.if yes how to source them

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  24. Madam please reply me
    1.majid Hussain is it ok for Indian geography for paper 2 or khullar.. By your experience give me an advice.
    2.madam I have collected various model answers for each topic as per portion as 500+himanshu sir and enrichment class shabbir sir.. Is it enough or else I have to cover neetu singh class notes for some topics...

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  25. maam ,i am not referring anyone notes,i am reading books savinder singh,RD dixit,Majid hussain,Khullar and current affairs +internet,am making notes on each subtopics of syllabus,please tell me maam am i going right?? please reply me

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  26. Ma'am can I get your perspective in human geography notes. Which u had prepared so that I can take the topic names, study and prepare my notes as keeping your notes as guide?? Plss share it ma'am

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  27. maam,can i totally rely on your notes for population and settlement geography?

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  28. mam plz share geo-optional current affairs resources

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  29. mam can you pls upload your test series answer copy of paper1 of geography optional..
    and in case you dont have it can you pls tell me where i can get toppers answer copies of geography optional..

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  30. Mam can you please tell your sources for ur paper 2 maps plz they are extremely enriching!!

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  31. madam, can you please share your guidance ias (himasnhu sir) test series solution ? It will be very helpful. Thankyou.

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  32. Hi maam,I'm little bit confused in chosing geography as my optional. it is my graduation sub i do like geo but i hv short listed three optional anthro,sciology and geography.My concern is that if you want to take geography as an optional you must know to draw all continents maps,world map as well as every states also,Is it true maam..?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi maam,I'm little bit confused in chosing geography as my optional. it is my graduation sub i do like geo but i hv short listed three optional anthro,sciology and geography.My concern is that if you want to take geography as an optional you must know to draw all continents maps,world map as well as every states also,Is it true maam..?

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hello ma'am, congratulations, first of all. Ma'am, I have chosen Geography as my optional. Can you suggest me an institute for answer writing?
    Because I am lacking answer writing.

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  35. Tnx mam aap ke baje se aur aur motivational huwa ☺️

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  36. Pls tell me apne kabhi coaching ku nahi join ki
    I want to talk you mam for Geography optional
    Please help me mam
    8081917448

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hlo ma'am mera medium hindi hai aur mujhe optional choose krne me paresani ho rhi please aap mujhe suggestions dijiye ki mere liye optional best kon rhega mera background science hai aurvmaine agriculture me BSC ag kr rha hu 🙏🙏🙏🙏

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    Replies
    1. Agriculture will be the best optional ..I m also doing agriculture

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  38. What were your marks in optional in 2019 vs. 2017

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  39. Hello ma'am this Shreyash this side
    ma'am can you please check my book list for geography optional and please give me some suggestion on it
    Booklist :
    Paper 1
    Savindra Singh Geomorphology , Climatology , Oceanology
    { separate books - syllabus wise }
    Rupa Part 1 and 2 - for Environment and Settlement


    Majid Hussain - Models , Perspective
    Himanshu Sir notes , Rupa 2

    Paper 2
    Khullar with NCERT

    ma'am please give your suggestion as i am self studying and i have not joined any coaching
    Please !

    ReplyDelete

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