Approach for Geography Optional

Geography has traditionally been a very popular optional for CSE Aspirants. Mainly because of two reasons: a) You can get good guidance and study material at most places and b) It is considered to be a good scoring opportunity. Now of these two reasons, the first one stays more or less correct. But the second one is certainly a debatable proposition. Before 2011, aspirants have scored really well in Geography. But in recent years the scores in Geography have been startling. Well the overall scoring pattern of UPSC CSE has taken a hit in these years. But let us restrict the discussion to Geography only. Scoring has become quite tough in Geography, especially with the post 2013 pattern. In fact, I am still searching if anybody has got more than my score of 291/600 in 2012 CSE!

Basically Geography is a semi-scientific humanities subject. So it needs an approach which takes care of both scientific expertise and analytical skills. One needs to be very good in the conceptual part of Physical Geography.  Let us talk about the scientific part first. These concepts like Monsoon, P waves- S waves, Origin of tides etc. need some time to get internalized. Writing answers on these concepts is quite challenging and time consuming.  Plus there are many diagrams which need to be perfected. This is possible by reading, revising and practice. But the real skill lies in the application part. The real test of conceptual understanding is to use them in your answers.

In case of Human Geography, you need more of analytical skills. Here also, there are concepts to understand; especially in the Perspectives part. Topics like Population, Settlement are easy to understand but the questions are quite challenging. Here the questions are mostly current affairs based. These questions seem GS like. But the difference lies in answer writing style. You need to use Geographical concepts and perspective while answering these questions in Optional. [This article can help in this regard]

While writing an answer, take care that it does not become an answer of a single topic. The answer must be a complete one, covering other related topics too. E.g. When locational significance of Rotterdam is asked, the answer should include comments on Climate, Environment, Settlement, Economic Geography of Rotterdam. This type of answer gives a comprehensive analysis of the issue and helps fetch better score.

Coming back to the issue of GS like questions, always remember that Geography is a study of spatial distribution of physical feature, human activities and the interdependence of these two. I highlighted the word ‘spatial’, meaning space related. Keep in mind any answer in Geography should address how the concept in question is distributed cross space, along with the cause and effect. So when it comes to discussion about Air Pollution in India, don’t just talk about data. Instead talk about the distribution across space as in highly polluted regions, moderately polluted regions and less polluted regions of India.

Another phrase I have highlighted is ‘Cause and Effect’. This actually adds scientific flavour to Geography. So after we have discussed the spatial distribution part, add the cause- why it is so, including physical and human factors; and then talk of the effect of this pattern of distribution. So extending the discussion on air pollution, explain why the pollution levels are high in highly polluted regions and what are the probable impacts of it. This spatial distribution and cause-effect discussion should make your answer a solid one. Now all you need is to spice it up with case studies and maps or diagrams.

Geography is one subject where you can get ample case studies. However the sad part is that most aspirants stick to those trivial, ages old, typically bookish case studies spoon-fed by classes or books. 9 of 10 students give the example of Hoover dam in Reservoir Induces Seismicity, because it is there in Savindra Singh. But this is just not done. One should go ahead and find own case studies to add that punch, that impact. Further in Geography one case study can very well be used in multiple topics. I personally had prepared the continent of South America in details covering all syllabus topics. Easy to draw the map, full of diversity and something different from others, South America was my patent case study if I didn’t have another specific one. Be it forest related issues (Amazon rainforest), urbanization (cities of Brazil) or agriculture (cropping patterns in Uruguay), South America helped me a lot to make my answers special.

Mapping is another crucial part in Geography. This needs to be done on a regular basis taking one page of Atlas per day. Further, all the geographical features appearing in the news must be tracked in the Atlas. One must remember that merely mapping the point is not enough. One needs to get the description part right. For this your core knowledge of Geography will help. For points where you are totally blank, at least write some common sensical things in description. I practised mapping feature-wise i.e. Rivers in one session, mountain ranges in next session. Drawing pin-point maps in answer also helps a lot. In answers, never write in words what you have depicted in Maps. Plus draw only that part which is needed. For instance no need to draw entire Europe if you want to locate only high HDI Scandinavian countries. Small things like the North direction arrow, not forgetting islands etc. help to better your maps.

Conventionally, Paper I deals with general aspects of Physical and Human Geography whereas Paper II is about its application for India. But nowadays the distinction between Paper I and II is also getting irrelevant with India focused questions being asked in Paper I.  So be ready for such shocks. It is absolutely okay to use concepts from Paper I in Paper II answers. In fact this is what we should do.

Theories and thinkers are most neglected in Geography. But honestly, they matter a lot. Be very good in the Perspectives and Models and Theories topics. Use them in answers wherever it seems reasonable. A mention of von Thunen’s model while explaining cropping pattern of South India or mention of Semple and her Feminist approach in Geography while discussing Gender issues adds a lot of value to your answers.

Regarding preparation strategy, never forget that Geography needs heavy writing practice as the paper is quite lengthy and exhausting to write. The strategy which I followed was Read- Understand concept- Make Q&A type notes – Practice. Question- Answer type notes are very effective in Geography, wherein you can just mention the Introduction, Framework of answer, Conclusion and Case study; in one page. I feel the era of traditional notes making is over with 10/15/20 marks questions.

Finally, here is the book list I referred to. This is not the perfect one but it worked well for me.

Paper I:

1. Climatology- Savindra Singh Physical Geography. For topics not covered in this book, refer D.S. Lal or Strahler.
2. Oceanography- – Savindra Singh Physical Geography. For topics not covered in this book, refer Wattal.
3. Geomorphology- Savindra Singh Physical Geography. For topics not covered in this book, refer Savindra Singh Geomorphology.
4. Biogeography- Savindra Singh Environmental Geography, Old NCERT (Soil related topics).
5. Environmental Geography- Savindra Singh Environmental Geography, Any good GS Environment book.
6. Perspectives in Geography- Majid Hussain Geographical Thought.
7. Population and Settlement Geography- Majid Hussain Human Geography.
8. Economic Geography- Rupa’s Geography made simple (for concepts), K. Siddhartha Economic Geography (only relevant topics)
9. Regional Geography- Majid Hussain Geographical Thought (Concept of Region), Yojana (Regional Development).
10. Models and Theories in Geography- Majid Hussain Models, Theories and Laws.

Paper II:

Majid Hussain OR Khullar Geography of India.

Yojana and India Year Book- Only topics in syllabus.

Book will give you concepts and facts in Paper II but the questions will be based on Current Affairs.

General:

Any good Atlas, Newspaper (Indian Express is preferable as it gives Geographical details in news. Hindustan Times online edition is good).

Any good set of notes for referring and covering uncovered topics- Neetu Singh/ Alok Ranjan/ IP Singh.

And then there is Internet, which must be used as and when needed (but with caution of avoiding unnecessary overuse and diversion).

In Geography, the key is to cover all the topics and use them at right places. Focus must be given on keywords (e.g. Notogean realm) which are often ignored. Overall it is a very good optional but it demands dedication and hard work. But once mastered, it will give a lot of confidence. A large chunk of GS also gets covered and additionally you get better prepared in topics of Environment and Economics too. To conclude, I must say that I owe a lot to this particular optional. I thoroughly enjoyed preparing for Geography. I focused more on concepts- understanding and bringing them in answers. Hope this humble effort from my side helps to make studying Geography an enjoyable and fruitful process for you all.