Important Topics in Geography for UPSC MAINS Optional Paper 2
Paper II Section A
Physical Setting…
- Physiographic features of India – Himalayas
- Physiographic features of India – Northern Plains
- Physiographic features of India – Peninsula
- Antecedent draiange of Himalayas
- Himalayan & Peninsuar drainage system
- Comparison of Himalayan & Peninsular Drainage System
- Climatic regions of India (Kendrew & Stamp)
- Climatic regions of India (Koppen, Thornthwaite)
- Climatic Regions of India (Trewartha)
- Indian Monsoon
- Rainfall Pattern
- Floods & Droughts (Also covered in Paper II section B)
- Major Soil Types of India & their distribution
- Vegetation of India
- Watershed (short note)
- Tropical Cyclones in India (Also covered in Paper II section B)
Resources
- Fossil Fuel resources (Energy Crisis – Discuss Renewable resources)
- Conservation
- Non Conventional Energy Resources
- 3 Agriculture Role of infrastructural Factors (Irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, power etc)
- Role of Institutional Factors (Land holding, land tenure & land reforms)
- Role of Irrigation & Irrigation pattern in India.
- Green Revolution
- Second Green Revolution (Short Note)
- Imperatives of Ushering Second Green Revolution (Short Note)
- Dry Farming (Full Length)
- Agro & Social Forestry
- White Revolution (Full Length)
- Agricultural efficiency (Short Note)
- Agricultural Productivity (Short Note)
- Agricultural Intensity (Short Note)
- Land Capability (Short Note)
- Agro-Climatic zones of India & its basis
- Animal Husbandary in India (Full Length)
- Crop Combination Regions
- Sericulture
- Poultry
- Apiculture
- Aquaculture
4 Industry
- Industrial regions of India & their characteristics
- Growth, Location & Distribution of Iron & Steel Industries
- Growth, Location & Distribution of Cotton textile Industries
- Growth, Location & Distribution of Fertilizer Industries
- Liberalization & New Industrial Policy
- Special Economic Zones
- Growth of Indian Industry esp since independence
- Tourism & Ecotourism
5 Tranport & Trade
- Road Transport of India (Cover Golden Quadrilateral from Direction)
- Golden Quadrilateral (Short Note)
- Rail Transport of India
- Water Transport of India
- Air Transport (Short Note)
- Pipelines
- Ports & their role in foreign trade
- Development of Communication technology in India
Paper II Section B
Cultural Setting
- Population – growth & distribution
- Distribution pattern of Population density in India (Full Length)
- Demographic Attributes – Sex ratio (short note)
- Literacy & how to improve it (short note)
- Population Policy of India
- Tribal Areas of India – its problems & role of tribal devp blocks
- Genesis of racial diversity (short note)
- Migration (inter-regional, intra-regional & international)
2 Settlements
- Types, Patterns & morphology of rural settlements
- Morphology & Patterns of Rural Settlements
- Slums & how to address the problem
- Morphology of Indian cities.
- Salient Features of Indian Urbanization & Problems
- Characteristic of Rural Urban Fringe in India (short Note)
3
Regional Development & Planning
- Regional development planning in 5 year plans
- Command Area Development (Short Note)
- Watershed as a planning unit
- Multi-Level Planning
- Rural Development Program
- Regional Disparities (Short Note)
- Drought Prone Areas Programme (Short Note)
- Desert Development Programme (Short Note)
- Regional Planning in India
4 Political Aspects
- Role of India in geopolitics of the Indian Ocean
- International Boundary of India & related issues
- Regional Consciousness
- Geographical Basis of Indian Federalism (short note)
- State Reorganization since 1950s (Short Note)
5 Contemporary Issues
- Earthquakes
- Floods
- Droughts
- Environment Impact Assessment
- Landslides (short note)
- Tropical Cyclones in India
- Interlinking of Rivers
