Geography Books for UPSC Prelims
Geography is an important subject for the UPSC Prelims Test, as it covers the physical, social, economic and political aspects of the earth and its inhabitants. Here is a list of recommended Geography books important for candidates to prepare for the UPSC Prelims Exam:
NCERT Geography Books
Advanced UPSC Geography Books
- Go Cheng Leong – Certificate Physical & Human Geography.
- School Atlas – Orient Black Swan.
- Oxford Student Atlas.
Geography Books for UPSC Mains
To prepare for Geography in UPSC Mains GS, candidates should focus on integrating geographical knowledge with various subjects and their interdisciplinary connections. A sound understanding of maps, regional geography, and contemporary issues is essential for effective answer writing. There are many books that can help you prepare for the geography section of the UPSC Mains exam. Some of the most recommended books are:
- Geography of India by Majid Husain: This book covers almost all the sub-topics of Indian Geography, such as resources, irrigation, cropping patterns, transport, food security, etc.
- World Geography by Majid Husain: This book covers various geographical regions of the world in eighteen chapters, with detailed text on individual nations within each region.
- Oxford School Atlas: This book provides over 200 clear and easy-to-read maps, charts, and diagrams, supported by 94 thematic maps of India, including physical and political maps.
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong: This book gives elementary details of most topics that comprise of physical and human geography, with many photographs, illustrations, and maps for explanation.
- Physical, Human and Economic Geography for Civil Services Examination by D R Khuller: This book comes in two parts: Part 1 covers Physical Geography while Part 2 covers Human and Economic Geography. This book is good for understanding the concepts with an explanation.
Geography Optional Books
The UPSC Geography Optional consists of two papers, each with 250 marks and 3 hours duration. The papers are divided into two sections, A and B, each with four questions. The candidates have to attempt five questions in total, including at least one question from each section. The geography optional papers require a good understanding of the concepts, theories, and models of geography, as well as the ability to apply them to the Indian context. The candidates also need to have a good command of maps, diagrams, and charts to illustrate their answers.
Geography Optional Books – Paper 1
The geography optional paper 1 covers the principles of geography, such as physical geography, human geography, and geographical thought. Some of the topics included in this paper are geomorphology, climatology, oceanography, biogeography, population geography, settlement geography, regional planning, etc. Here is a list of recommended books for Geography Optional Paper-I preparation:
- Human Geography by Majid Husain
- A Geography by Population by R.C. Chandna
- Goh Cheng Leong
- Oceanography by Sharma & Vatal
- Physical Geography – Made Simple, Rupa Publisher
- Physical Geography by Savindra Singh
- Economic and Social Geography – Made Simple by Rupa Publisher
- Environmental Geography by Savindra Singh
- Environmental Geography by Saxena
- Environmental Awareness by R.C.Chandna
- Agricultural Geography by Masjid Husain
- Political Geography by R.D.Dixit
- General Climatology by Critchfield
- Physical Geography in Diagrams by Bunnett
- Economic Geography by Hertshorn& Alexander
- Principles of Geomorphology by W.D. Thornbury
- Geomorphology by Savindra Singh
- Economic and Social Geography – Made Simple, Rupa Publishers
- Urbanization & Urban Systems in India by Ramachandran
- Perspectives in Human Geography: Evolution of Geographic Thought by Majid Husain
- Economic and Social Geography – Made Simple, Rupa Publisher
- Regional Planning: Regional Planning – by Chand &Puri
- Settlement Geography by K Siddhartha
- Climatology by D.S.Lal
- Physical Geography by Strahler & Strahler
UPSC Geography Books for Optional Paper II
The geography optional paper II covers the geography of India, such as physical setting, resources, agriculture, industry, transport, trade, cultural setting, regional development, etc. Some of the topics included in this paper are physiography, drainage, climate, soils, natural vegetation, mineral and energy resources, irrigation, cropping patterns, food security, etc. Here is a list of recommended books for Geography Optional Paper-II preparation:
- Economic and Commercial Geography of India by Sharma & Coutinho
- Economic and Commercial Geography of India by C.B. Mamoria
- Geography of India – Majid Husain
- Transport, Communication, and Trade
- Regional Development and Planning
- Agriculture Geography by Majid Husain
- Urbanization and Urban Systems in India by Ramachandran
- Human Geography by Majid Husain
- Economical and Commercial Geography of India by Sharma & Coutinho
- Economic and Commercial Geography of India by C.B. Mamoria
- India Year Book published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong
- Economical and Commercial Geography by Sharma & Coutinho
- Political Aspects: Modern Political Geography of India by B.L. Sukhwal.
- Geography of Population by R.C.Chandna
- A Geography of India by Gopal Singh
- Regional Planning and Development by Chand and Puri
- Indian Geography by D R Khullar
