Geography Current Affairs Updates For UPSC IAS Mains 2024 Examination
On this page you will find articles that falls under subject Geography for UPSC IAS Mains 2024 examination
On the Impact of La Nina on Air Quality in India
Source: This post on the Impact of La Nina on Air Quality in India has been created based on the article “La Nina impacted air quality in India: what a new study says” published in “Indian Express” on 20th February 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Geography – Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes,… Continue reading On the Impact of La Nina on Air Quality in India
[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #73: Bidyut Behari Swain Board, Geography Optional, volleyball Hobby
Date of Interview: 18 Jan Board: Bidyut Behari Swain Optional: Geography Shift: Afternoon Turn: 4th to enter Keywords: Faizabad, Lucknow, University of Lucknow, Mobile photography, short stories and poems, mentoring, volleyball, GEOGRAPHY. To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman : confirmed my name since in photograph I wasn’t clean shaved Asked about… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #73: Bidyut Behari Swain Board, Geography Optional, volleyball Hobby
Significance of recognizing the pattern of global warming
Source-This post on Significance of recognizing the pattern of global warming has been created based on the article “The patterns of global warming are more important than its levels” published in “The Hindu” on 11 February 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 1- Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical… Continue reading Significance of recognizing the pattern of global warming
Future of Water as a Trading Commodity
Source: This post on Trading of Water as a Commodity has been created based on the article “The future of water” published in “Indian Express” on 3rd February 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Geography – Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent). News: Future of… Continue reading Future of Water as a Trading Commodity
[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #67: Suman Sharma Board, Geography Optional, Rajasthan Home State, Badminton Hobby
Date of Interview: 18/04/2024. Morning shift. 3rd to go Board: Suman Sharma Ma’am Optional: Geography Home State: Rajasthan Hobby: Badminton DAF keywords: Rajasthan, Geography, Badminton, NGO, Cultural Exchange Programme with Germany, (others not asked) To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman No time given to settle down. No basic chit-chat* Started with… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #67: Suman Sharma Board, Geography Optional, Rajasthan Home State, Badminton Hobby
Indian Monsoon and Variability (IMD) – Gearing up for change
Source: This post on the Variability of Indian Monsoon has been created based on the article “Gearing up for change” published in “The Hindu” on 20th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Geography – Important Geophysical phenomena. News: The article discusses the findings of IMD’s data at the sub-divisional (tehsil) level on monsoon… Continue reading Indian Monsoon and Variability (IMD) – Gearing up for change
[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #43: Lt. Gen Raj Shukla Sir Board, Geography Optional, Maharashtra Home State, Sports Hobby
Date of Interview: 10th January, afternoon Board: Lt Gen Raj Shukla Sir Optional: Geography Home State: Maharashtra DAF – Mechanical engineering, Banking, Volleyball, Acrylic painting To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman Where did you graduate from? What are you currently doing? Do you think media is reporting fairly these days? Tell… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #43: Lt. Gen Raj Shukla Sir Board, Geography Optional, Maharashtra Home State, Sports Hobby
[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #39: Lt. Gen Raj Shukla Board, Geography Optional, fruit gardening Hobby
Date of Interview: 12/01/2024 Board: Lt. Gen Raj Shukla Optional: Geography Background: MSc Physics DAF pointers: Sannadha Sena(community volunteer corps), fruit gardening, Physics To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman You know who is Abraham Lincoln? He went on to give a monologue on a quote by Abraham Lincoln (a quote about… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #39: Lt. Gen Raj Shukla Board, Geography Optional, fruit gardening Hobby
[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #4 : Dr. Dinesh Dasa Board, Geography Optional
Date of Interview: 2 Jan 2024, Afternoon Board: Dinesh Dasa Optional: Geography To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman – What are cratonic rocks? Assumed geology and geography to be same – Which mountain ranges separates Peninsular plateau and Northern plains? – Why Narmada flows westwards while other flow eastwards? –… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #4 : Dr. Dinesh Dasa Board, Geography Optional
On the Critical Minerals Sector – Charging growth
Source: This post on the Critical Minerals Sector has been created based on the articles “Charging growth” and “India takes cover as critical mineral imports shoot up” published in “Business Standard” on 15th December 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Geography – Distribution of key natural resources across the world. News: The article discusses… Continue reading On the Critical Minerals Sector – Charging growth
Risks of glacier melting – An icy warning
Source: The post risks of glacier melting has been created on the article “An icy warning” published in “The Hindu” on 9th December 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 1 – Geography – Changes in critical geographical features News: The article discusses the findings of the World Meteorological Organization’s report titled “The Global Climate 2011-2020:… Continue reading Risks of glacier melting – An icy warning
On groundwater extraction – UN report on groundwater extraction: Every drop counts
Source: The post on groundwater extraction is based on the article “UN report on groundwater extraction: Every drop counts” published in “Indian express” on 1st November 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Geography – Distribution of key natural resources across the Indian sub-continent News: The article discusses India’s severe groundwater crisis. Many of the… Continue reading On groundwater extraction – UN report on groundwater extraction: Every drop counts
On India’s role in the Arctic – Breaking the ice: How India can help save the Arctic
Source: This post on India’s role in the Arctic has been created based on the article “Breaking the ice: How India can help save the Arctic” published in The Indian Express Hindu on 27th October 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Geography — Changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and… Continue reading On India’s role in the Arctic – Breaking the ice: How India can help save the Arctic
Why are earthquakes frequent in Afghanistan?
Source: This post has been created based on the article “Why are earthquakes frequent in Afghanistan?” published in The Hindu on 20th October 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Geography — Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic activity, cyclones etc. News: This article discusses the reasons behind the phenomenon of frequent earthquakes in… Continue reading Why are earthquakes frequent in Afghanistan?
In law change: a push for electric vehicles, less dependence on battery imports
Source: This post has been created based on the article “In law change: a push for electric vehicles, less dependence on battery imports” published in The Indian Express on 13th October 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Geography — Distribution of key natural resources across the world. GS Paper 3 Indian Economy — Infrastructure:… Continue reading In law change: a push for electric vehicles, less dependence on battery imports
Capturing the rains – on unpredictable weather events
Source: This post is created based on the article ‘Capturing the rains’, published in The Hindu on 3rd October, 2023. Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1, changes in critical geographical features and effect of such changes News: India recorded its first monsoon deficit since 2018. The mains reason is said to be El Nino effect this… Continue reading Capturing the rains – on unpredictable weather events
A FRESH CANVAS FOR MEWAR ART
Source: The post is based on the article “A FRESH CANVAS FOR MEWAR ART” published in Mint on 23rd September 2023. Syllabus: GS 1 – Art and Culture – Indian Paintings Relevance: About Mewar Miniature Paintings News: The article explains the Mewar school of miniature painting. Contents1 What is Mewari miniature painting?2 What are some of the… Continue reading A FRESH CANVAS FOR MEWAR ART
How G20 will strengthen India’s building blocks
Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister Pralhad Joshi writes: How G20 will strengthen India’s building blocks– The meet could consolidate India’s efforts to secure critical minerals’ supply chains” published in “The Indian express” on 8th September 2023. Syllabus: GS1- Geography- natural resources & GS2- International relations – global grouping News: The… Continue reading How G20 will strengthen India’s building blocks
Mark The Sea That Blows Hot & Cold
Source: The post is based on the article “Mark The Sea That Blows Hot & Cold” published in The Times of India on 4th September 2023. Syllabus: GS1- Geography- Important Geophysical phenomena (El Niño) News: The article talks about strange weather patterns this year. It asks if El Niño is really causing the Indian monsoon… Continue reading Mark The Sea That Blows Hot & Cold
Is India’s sugar surplus leading to a crisis?
Source– The post is based on the article “Is India’s sugar surplus leading to a crisis?” published in “The Hindu” on 7th August 2023. Syllabus: GS1- Economic geography. Relevance: Issues related to sugar production News-India became the world’s top sugar producer in 2021-2022, surpassing Brazil with a record of 359 lakh tonnes. However, the extensive… Continue reading Is India’s sugar surplus leading to a crisis?
Mussoorie Misery
Source– The post is based on the article “Mussoorie Misery” published in “The Times of India” on 29th July 2023. Syllabus: GS1- Geography Relevance: Issues related to Himalayan ecosystem News- NGT has ordered the Dhami government to follow 19 recommendations for saving Mussoorie from destruction by construction and tourism. What are some of the recommendations… Continue reading Mussoorie Misery
The anatomy of the Yamuna floodplains
Source: The post is based on the article “The anatomy of the Yamuna floodplains” published in “The Hindu” on 28th July 2023. Syllabus: GS1- changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and icecaps) News: The author discusses the historical and ecological significance of the Yamuna River’s floodplains in Delhi. He highlights how urbanization, construction, and… Continue reading The anatomy of the Yamuna floodplains
Delhi’s relationship with Yamuna river and how it evolved over time
Source- The post is based on the article “Delhi’s relationship with Yamuna river and how it evolved over time” published in “The Indian Express” on 15th July 2023. Syllabus: GS1- Modern History. GS1- Geography Relevance- Historical and geographical aspects related to river Yamuna News- Recently, the water level in Yamuna in Delhi rose to 208.66… Continue reading Delhi’s relationship with Yamuna river and how it evolved over time
North India’s monsoon mayhem
Source– The post is based on the article “North India’s monsoon mayhem” published in “The Hindu” on 12th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 1 – Geography Relevance: Climatology of India News-. The article explains the pattern of monsoon this year and factors influencing monsoon. What has been the pattern of monsoon this year? Monsoon onset was… Continue reading North India’s monsoon mayhem
Will the Indian Ocean Dipole save the monsoon?”
Source: The post is based on the article “Will the Indian Ocean Dipole save the monsoon?” published in “The Times of India” on 29th June 2023. Syllabus: GS 1 – Indian geography News: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a normal monsoon despite forecasts of an El Nino event. El Nino typically leads to… Continue reading Will the Indian Ocean Dipole save the monsoon?”
How to Read Geography for UPSC IAS
UPSC IAS Prelims, Mains and Optional Papers mentions about many subjects. Geography is one of them. It is very important and conceptual subject. There are lots of facts as well. This subject we all have studied in our secondary schooling. So, more or less, we all are aware of this subject. Geography for UPSC consists of basic and advanced version of what we have studied earlier.
Geography is very interesting subject and it has overlapping topics for example, Economics (Human Geography), Environment and current events. So, it is important to read Geography for UPSC with right approach as it will be helpful for other subjects also. Every year UPSC ask around 10-12% questions from Geography in Prelims. We will see the trend analysis for Geography in UPSC Prelims exam:
Prelims 2021 – 13
2022 – 6
2023 – 14
| Year | Total number of questions asked |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2015 | 11 |
In this article, we will discuss about how to read Geography for UPSC. First of all, we will see the overview of Geography syllabus for both UPSC Prelims and Mains:
| Exam | Syllabus |
| UPSC Prelims- General Studies -Paper I |
|
| UPSC Mains- General Studies- Paper I |
|
Study approach for Geography for UPSC:
- Read the syllabus: The first and foremost thing before you start studying Geography for UPSC is to read the UPSC Syllabus for Geography multiple times so that you will get what exactly you have to study.
- Start with NCERT textbooks: You must start with Class VI NCERT books for Geography. Preferably you can follow old NCERT textbooks. But if unable to get, can read new one as well. You must cover all NCERT books starting from Class VI to Class XII. Lists of some important NCERT books are:
- Class XI: India: Physical Environment
- Class XI: Fundamentals of Physical Geography
- Class XII: Fundamentals of Human Geography
- Basic books: After completing the NCERT books, you should read some basic books for Geography like Certificate Physical and Human Geography by GC Leong and Geography of India by Majid Husain. It will clear your concepts in detail. Referring a basic book is very important as questions are asked from these books (factual and conceptual).
- Refer Previous Years’ Question Papers: At this stage, you must UPSC Prelims and Mains Past Years’ Question Paper. This will give idea about what kinds of questions are asked in Prelims and Mains. It will also help to identify the important topics from the exam perspective and help you to revise the topic again and again.
- Solve mock tests: You need to solve mock tests as many as possible. It will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses regarding topics. Based on these, you can assess your performance and will focus more on your weak areas and topics.
- Current affairs magazine: You should refer one current affair monthly magazine. This will help you to link and update your preparation with day-to-day events. For example, reasons for early arrival of monsoon, cyclone in particular state or country etc.
- Newspaper reading: You must read one newspaper on a daily basis. Sometimes, articles of newspaper explain some topics which are linked to both static and dynamic portion of Geography for UPSC. For example, El Nino and La Nina.
- Map reading and practice: Reading Geography for UPSC is incomplete without Map. Almost everything is Geography is related to Map, whether it is soils, mining, mineral, ocean, rivers everything. Map makes it easy to understand and related everything with location. With the help of Map, we make a 3D picture in our mind, which helps us to easily represent anything (mainly resources, rivers, places) with exact location. For that you need to practice map. Based on current events, you can identify areas which are in news and you can locate that on your map. From the perspective of UPSC Prelims, it is very important as UPSC asks at least 1-2 questions in Geography map based.
- Miscellaneous sources: You should refer some monthly magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra. It will help in current affairs and will increase the quality of your answer.
- Revise: You should keep revising the subject as many topics are factual and concepts based. Revision will help you to grasp the things easily and will save your time while solving MCQs and writing answers.
Geography is very interesting subject. With correct strategy and study plan, one can score well in the exam.
