Geography Optional

Geomorphology: Fundamentals

Factors controlling landform development; endogenetic and exogenetic forces; origin and evolution of the earth's crust; theories of continental drift and plate tectonics

Landforms: Fluvial, Arid and Glacial

Geomorphic processes and resulting landforms — fluvial cycle, arid cycle, glacial erosion and deposition; coastal landforms; karst topography

Rocks, Minerals and Volcanism

Rock cycle; igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; earthquakes — types, distribution and measurement; volcanoes — types, distribution and associated landforms

Climatology: Atmosphere and Energy

Composition and structure of atmosphere; solar radiation and heat budget; temperature — horizontal and vertical distribution; inversion of temperature; atmospheric pressure and planetary winds

Precipitation, Humidity and Clouds

Evaporation, condensation and precipitation; types of rainfall; cyclones — tropical and temperate; air masses and fronts; ENSO, monsoon and jet streams

Climatic Classification

World climatic types — Köppen's classification; Thornthwaite's classification; climate change and global warming; greenhouse effect; ozone depletion

Oceanography

Bottom topography of oceans; ocean temperature and salinity; ocean currents; tides and waves; coral reefs; continental shelf and marine resources

Biogeography and Soil Geography

Genesis and classification of soils; soil profile; world soil types; soil degradation and conservation; ecosystem concept; major biomes; biodiversity and conservation

Perspectives in Human Geography

Areal differentiation; regional synthesis; dichotomy and dualism; environmentalism; quantitative revolution and locational analysis; behavioural, social welfare and radical approaches; language of geography

Economic Geography

World economic development — measurement and problems; world resources and their distribution; energy resources; mineral distribution; agriculture — world types and problems

Population and Settlement Geography

Population growth, distribution and density; demographic transition; migration — causes and consequences; population theories; rural settlements — types and patterns; urban settlements — morphology and functional classification

Regional Planning

Concept of a region; methods of regionalisation; growth centres and growth poles; regional imbalances; environment planning; rural-urban fringe; satellite towns

Models, Theories and Laws in Geography

System analysis; Malthusian, Marxian and demographic transition models; Central Place Theory (Christaller); Von Thünen's model; Weber's industrial location; Rostow's growth model; world system analysis

Physical Setting of India

Space relationship of India with neighbouring countries; structure and relief; drainage systems; physiographic regions of India

Climate of India

Climatic conditions and variability; monsoon — origin, mechanism and variability; droughts and floods; climatic regions of India; climate change and its impact on India

Soils and Vegetation of India

Soil types and their distribution; soil erosion and degradation; forest types and their distribution; wildlife and biodiversity conservation; environmental issues

Natural Hazards and Disasters in India

Earthquake zones, flood-prone areas, drought-prone regions, cyclone tracks; vulnerability mapping; disaster management in India

Agriculture in India

Infrastructure — irrigation, seeds, fertilisers, power; institutional factors — land holdings, land tenure, land reforms; cropping pattern and agricultural productivity; Green Revolution and its impacts; agricultural problems and policies

Industry in India

Evolution of industries; locational factors; distribution and growth of major industries — iron and steel, cotton textiles, fertilisers, chemicals, electronics; new industrial policy; industrial regions and corridors

Population of India

Population growth and distribution; demographic characteristics; migration — internal and international; population problems and policy; scheduled castes and scheduled tribes; linguistic and religious diversity

Settlements and Urbanization in India

Types and distribution of rural settlements; urban growth; problems of urbanisation; million cities and metropolitan regions; smart cities; slums and urban poverty

Regional Development and Planning in India

Five-year plans and regional development; issues of regional imbalances; tribal areas and their development; hill area development; border area development

Transport, Communication and Trade in India

Road, railway, waterway and air networks; national highways; ports and their hinterlands; foreign trade — composition and direction; trade policy; special economic zones

Geographical Basis of Indian Federalism

State reorganisation; emergence of new states; regional consciousness and inter-state issues; river water disputes; political geography of India

India and World Affairs

India's geostrategic position; maritime boundaries; Indian Ocean geopolitics; India's relations with neighbouring countries; nuclear geography; South-South cooperation