Red Book – Best Geography Book For UPSC Mains and Prelims Exam

Geography is a fundamental subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, encompassing a wide range of topics from physical geography to human-environment interactions. It is an integral part of both prelims and mains examination. Despite its importance, many aspirants find geography challenging due to its vast syllabus and the complexity of concepts. Therefore, selecting the best geography book for UPSC Prelims and mains is utmost important. Best Geography Book For UPSC Mains and Prelims Exam

With the right study material, once you understand the concepts of geography, it is easy to remember and write about it.

What are the issues faced by Students in Preparing Geography?

Vast and Diverse Syllabus: Geography’s extensive scope, covering physical, human, and environmental geography, can be overwhelming for students. Just like history, it requires immense effort, if the right study material is not used.

Need to Cover Multiple books: Students often find themselves needing to read numerous books to cover every topic listed in the syllabus. As very few resources comprehensively cover physical, economic, and Indian geography in a single volume.

Difficulty in Visualizing Concepts: Many geographical concepts require a strong spatial understanding, which can be hard to develop without the right materials.

Integrating Current Affairs with Geographical Knowledge: Given the close connection between geography and current events, students frequently struggle to incorporate this information into their studies effectively.

How Can Geography Red Book Help?

The Red Book is the best Geography book for UPSC, due to its following salient features:

Single book for all: One stop solution for Physical, World, Human, Economic Geography and Indian Geography.

Structured and Comprehensive Approach: The Geography Red Book offers a structured approach to cover the entire geography syllabus efficiently.

Facilitation of Visual Learning; The book’s extensive use of maps, diagrams, and tables aids in the visualization and comprehension of complex geographic concepts.

PYQs: The chapter concludes with the inclusion of Previous Year Questions (PYQs).

Up-to-Date Content: Regular updates ensure the book reflects the latest geographical research, concepts and global events. Which keeps students ahead in their preparation.

Comprehensive Topic Coverage: The book thoroughly addresses topics such as the location of industries and the distribution of key natural resources. Which majority of the other geography textbooks often overlook.

Table of Content of Geography Red Book

SECTION – A (Physical Geography)

1. THE EARTH …..1 – 8
1.1. Origin of the Earth …..1
1.2. Evolution of the Earth …..4
1.3. Standard Time and Time Zones …..6

2. THE INTERIOR OF EARTH …..9 – 11
2.1. Introduction …..9
2.2. Sources of Information about the interior of the earth …..9
2.3. Structure of the Earth …..10

3. GEOMORPHOLOGY …..12 – 58
3.1. Introduction …..12
3.2. Continents and Ocean Basins …..13
3.3. Continental Drift Theory – Alfred Wegener …..13
3.4. Post Drift Studies …..16
3.5. Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism …..18
3.6. Mantle Plumes and Hotspots …..20
3.7. Plate Tectonics …..22
3.8. Geomorphic Processes …..28
3.9. Orogeny/Mountain Building …..30
3.10. Plateaus …..35
3.11. Plains …..35
3.12. Earthquake …..36
3.13. Volcanism …..46
3.14. Rocks …..55

4. EXOGENIC PROCESSES …..59 – 68
4.1. Introduction …..59
4.2. Weathering …..59
4.3. Chemical Weathering …..60
4.3.1. Types of Chemical Weathering …..60
4.4. Physical Weathering …..61
4.4.1. Types of Physical Weathering …..61
4.5. Biological Weathering …..62
4.6. Significance of Weathering for Human Life …..63
4.7. Mass Movement …..63
4.7.1. Causes Preceding Mass Movement …..63
4.8. Rapid Movements …..64
4.8.1. Types of Rapid Movements …..64
4.9. Slow Movements …..65
4.9.1. Types of Slow Movements …..67
4.10. The Water Table …..68

5. LANDFORMS …..69 – 93
5.1. Introduction …..69
5.2. Landforms Produced by Running Water …..69
5.3. Landforms Developed by Groundwater …..75
5.4. Landforms Developed by Glaciers …..77
5.5. Landforms Developed by Wind …..81
5.6. Coastal Landforms …..82
5.7. Lakes …..86
5.8. Islands …..91

6. OCEANOGRAPHY …..94 – 131
6.1. Introduction …..94
6.2. Ocean Bottom Relief …..94
6.3. Divisions of the Ocean Floor …..94
6.4. Other Important Relief Features …..96
6.5. Maritime Zones …..97
6.6. Temperature of Ocean Waters …..98
6.7. Salinity of Ocean Waters …..102
6.8. Ocean Currents …..105
6.9. Currents in Indian Ocean …..110
6.10. Importance of Ocean Currents …..111
6.11. Thermohaline Circulation (Deep Water Circulation) …..112
6.12. Tides …..112
6.13. Tsunami …..118
6.14. Coral Reefs …..120
6.15. Marine Resources …..124
6.16. Marine Pollution …..126
6.17. Ocean Acidification …..128
6.18. Sea Level Rise …..129
6.19. Miscellaneous …..129

7. CLIMATOLOGY …..132 – 180
7.1. Atmosphere …..132
7.2. Insolation and Heat Budget …..136
7.3. Air Pressure and Winds …..144
7.4. Humidity and Precipitation …..155
7.5. Air Mass …..162
7.6. Fronts …..164
7.7. Jet Streams …..165
7.8. Cyclones …..167
7.9. World Climate …..176

8. WORLD CLIMATIC REGIONS …..181 – 205
8.1. Introduction …..181
8.2. Factors Influencing Climate …..181
8.3. Distribution Of World Climatic Regions …..183

SECTION – B (World Human Economic Geography)

1. DISTRIBUTION OF KEY NATURAL RESOURCES …..206 – 251
1.1. What is a Resource? …..206
1.2. Classification of Resources …..206
1.3. Mineral Resources of India …..208
1.4. Energy Sources …..216
1.5. Soil Resources …..240
1.6. Forest Resources …..247

2. LOCATION OF INDUSTRIES …..252 – 287
2.1. Introduction …..252
2.2. Geographical Factors …..252
2.3. Non-Geographical factors …..253
2.4. Textile Industries …..254
2.5. Cotton Textile Industry …..256
2.6. Jute Industry …..260
2.7. Silk Industry …..262
2.8. Wool Industry …..263
2.9. Leather Industry …..264
2.10. Food Processing Industry …..266
2.11. Sugar Industry …..267
2.12. Tea Industry …..269
2.13. Coffee Industry …..272
2.14. Metallurgical Industries: Iron and Steel Industry …..273
2.15. Automobile Industry …..278
2.16. Petroleum Refining …..278
2.17. Fertilizer Industry …..281
2.18. Timber Industry/Lumbering …..281
2.19. Pulp And Paper Industry …..283
2.20. Rubber Industry …..283
2.21. Semiconductors …..285
2.22. Information Technology Sector …..285

SECTION – C (Indian Geography)

1. INDIA : LOCATION …..288 – 290
1.1. Introduction …..288
1.2. India and its neighbours …..289

2. PHYSIOGRAPHY OF INDIA …..291 – 316
2.1. Introduction …..291
2.2. The Himalayan Mountains …..291
2.3. The Northern Plain …..303
2.4. The Indian Desert …..307
2.5. The Peninsular Plateau …..308
2.6. The Coastal Plains …..313
2.7. The Indian Islands …..315

3. DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF INDIA …..317 – 329
3.1. Introduction …..317
3.2. Characteristics of Himalayan and Peninsular Drainage System …..318
3.3. The Himalayan Drainage System …..319
3.4. Peninsular Drainage System …..323
3.5. Smaller Rivers Flowing towards the West …..325
3.6. Small Rivers Flowing towards the East …..325
4. INDIAN MONSOON …..330 – 342
4.1. Introduction …..330
4.2. Burst of Monsoon (Onset of Monsoon) …..330
4.3. Rain Bearing System and Rainfall Distribution …..333
4.4. Monsoon Break …..335
4.5. Retreating Monsoon Season …..335
4.6. North East Monsoon …..336
4.7. Characteristics of Monsoonal Rainfall …..336
4.8. Climatic Phenomenon Affecting the Indian Monsoon …..337
4.9. Monsoon and Climate Change …..339
4.10. Rainfall In India …..340
5. CLIMATIC REGIONS OF INDIA …..343 – 347
5.1. Introduction …..343
5.2. Koppen’s Classification of Climatic Regions of India …..343
5.3. Natural Vegetation …..345
5.4. Social Forestry …..345
5.5. Social forestry and Agroforestry can be a better solution for deforestation …..347

Some basic info on the different sections of Geography

Physical Geography

Physical Geography investigates the Earth’s physical processes and features, including its atmosphere, landforms, water bodies, and ecosystems. It examines how these elements interact to shape the environment, influence climate patterns, and support life. This field lays the groundwork for understanding the planet’s natural phenomena and their impacts on human activities.

Economic Geography

Economic Geography focuses on the distribution of economic activities across the world and the factors that influence their location and development. It studies how resources, industries, and services are spatially organized and the role of globalization, trade, and technology in shaping economic landscapes. This discipline helps in understanding the economic disparities and development patterns globally.

Best Geography book for UPSC

Indian Geography

Indian Geography offers an in-depth analysis of the physical and human geography of India. It covers the country’s diverse topography, climate variations, natural resources, and the complexities of its social and economic systems. This field examines regional disparities, population dynamics, agricultural practices, and urbanization trends within India, highlighting the challenges and opportunities unique to the subcontinent.

Human Geography

Human Geography explores the spatial aspects of human existence—how people and their activities are distributed across the Earth, and how they modify and interact with their environments. It covers a range of topics such as urbanization, demography, economic patterns, cultural landscapes, and political organization. This field emphasizes the relationship between humans and their spatial environment.

However, lesser focus has been put on the majority of the parts of this section. UPSC asks a majority of the questions from how they modify and interact with their environments. Whereas, Urbanization and population topics are covered in the Society section.

Unlock the Secrets of the Earth – Conquer UPSC with Geography Red Book.

Best Geography book for UPSC Prelims and Mains Examination