Choosing Geography as an optional subject can be highly rewarding in the UPSC and OPSC Civil Services Examinations, especially for aspirants with a scientific or map-based analytical mindset. At SRIAS, our Geography Optional Foundation + Test Series offers a blend of comprehensive conceptual clarity, intensive answer writing, and high-quality mentorship.
Paper I – Physical and Human Geography
Geomorphology, Climatology, Oceanography
Biogeography and Environmental Geography
Perspectives in Human Geography
Economic, Population, and Settlement Geography
Paper II – Indian Geography
Physical features, drainage, climate, natural vegetation
Resources, agriculture, industry, transport
Cultural settings and regional development
Contemporary issues: floods, droughts, migration, urbanization
Test Series Features
Sectional & Full-Length Tests (Paper I & II)
Map-based questions in every test
Detailed answer evaluation and model answers
One-on-one answer improvement mentorship
Test feedback sessions after each submission
UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)
Paper I – Principles of Geography
Physical Geography
Geomorphology: continental drift, plate tectonics, mountain-building theories, geomorphic cycles, slope development, applied geomorphology.
Climatology: heat budget, atmospheric circulation, monsoons, jet streams, air masses, fronts, cyclones, climatic classification (Köppen, Thornthwaite), climatic change.
Oceanography: ocean-floor topography (Atlantic, Indian, Pacific), temperature-salinity distribution, currents, tides, coral reefs, marine resources.
Biogeography: soil genesis & classification, plant/animal distribution, deforestation, conservation, social forestry, agro-forestry.
Environmental Geography: ecosystems, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, pollution, global warming, biodiversity loss.
Human Geography
Perspectives in Human Geography: determinism–possibilism debate, quantitative revolution, behavioural, welfare and radical approaches, post-modernism.
Economic Geography: world agriculture, mineral & energy resources, industries, transport & trade, globalization.
Population & Settlement Geography: demographic transition, migration, urban morphology, rural-urban fringe, sustainable cities.
Regional Planning: growth poles, regional disparities, environmental issues in planning, sustainable development.
Models & Theories: Von Thünen, Weber, Lösch, Christaller, Rostow, Myrdal, Malthus, Demographic Transition, Rank-Size Rule, Gravity Model.drishtiias
Paper II – Geography of India
Physical Setting: space relations, structure & relief, drainage, climate, soils, vegetation.
Resources: land, water, forest, mineral, energy and their conservation.
Agriculture: cropping patterns, technological inputs, agro-ecological regions, food security.
Industry: locational factors, major industries, industrial policies, SEZs, MSMEs.
Transport, Communication & Trade: road, rail, air, water, ICT infrastructure, international trade patterns.
Cultural Setting: tribes, languages, religion, cultural regions.
Settlements: rural service centres, urbanization, metro regions, smart-city issues.
Regional Development & Planning: development indicators, multi-level planning, watershed, command-area planning, hill-area development, special economic zones.
Political Aspects: changing political map, interstate disputes, international boundaries, maritime boundaries.
Contemporary Issues: environmental hazards, regional disparities, river-linking, climate change impacts, sustainable development goals. A compulsory map-based question is included.drishtiias
OPSC Odisha Civil Services Examination (OAS)
The Odisha syllabus is largely aligned with UPSC but with state-specific emphasis, each paper carrying 300 marks.
Paper I – Principles of Geography
Section A: Physical Geography
Geomorphology, Climatology, Oceanography, Biogeography, Environmental Geography (topics identical to UPSC description).
Section B: Human Geography
Perspectives in Human Geography, Economic Geography, Population & Settlement Geography, Regional Planning, Models & Theories (same scope as UPSC).
Paper II – Geography of India and Odisha
Physical Setting: physiography, climate, soils, vegetation of India; detailed emphasis on Odisha’s relief, river basins and coastline.
Resources: land, mineral (iron-ore, bauxite, chromite), water (Mahanadi basin projects), forest, marine & energy resources of India and Odisha.
Agriculture: Green Revolution regions, rice-wheat systems, Odisha’s paddy, pulses & horticulture, irrigation projects.
Industry: iron-steel, aluminium, textiles; Odisha’s mineral-based industries, port-led industrial corridors.
Transport & Communication: Golden Quadrilateral, rail freight corridors, National Waterway 5, Paradip & Dhamra ports, digital connectivity in tribal districts.
Cultural Setting: linguistic groups, tribes (with focus on Odisha’s Kondh, Bonda, Dongria), folk traditions.
Settlements: growth of Bhubaneswar–Cuttack, mining towns, rural service centres in KBK districts.
Regional Development & Planning: backward-region grants, KBK special plan, coastal zone management.
Political Aspects: interstate water disputes (Mahanadi), border issues with Andhra Pradesh, impact of Chilika coastal erosion.
Contemporary Issues: cyclones, coastal flooding, mining-induced displacement, deforestation in Eastern Ghats, climate resilience of coastal Odisha.
