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Geography Books for UPSC CSE Exam

Geography books for UPSC preparation are divided into Indian and world geography. Read on to get the list of the best geography books for UPSC CSE.
authorImageDeeksha Dixit29 May, 2024
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Geography Books For UPSC

Geography Books for UPSC: In the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) geography plays a crucial role in both the Prelims and Mains exams. The geography syllabus covers a wide array of topics from physical geography to human geography in Indian geography and world geography, which is why aspirants need to build a strong foundation in this subject.

To effectively prepare for this section, a variety of geography books for UPSC are available to offer comprehensive coverage of this subject. A list of toppers' recommended geography books for UPSC is available here.

Best Geography Books for UPSC

When preparing for the UPSC exam , aspirants often seek the best resources to study geography. The best geography books for UPSC are ones that offer comprehensive insights and analysis, aiding candidates in understanding complex geographical concepts and phenomena. Physics Wallah offers a range of geography books for UPSC preparation. These books are designed to strengthen candidates' knowledge of essential concepts mentioned in the Prelims and Mains syllabus. Get the best books for UPSC in Hindi and English by clicking on the below links:
Best Geography Books for UPSC Prelims and Mains
Purpose Book Link
UPSC Prelims Books UPSC UDAAN Prelims Wallah
UPSC Mains Books PW ONLYIAS UPSC Wallah Geography
Geography books for UPSC in Hindi UPSC UDAAN भूगोल

Geography Books for UPSC Prelims

On average, geography questions constitute about 15-20% of the General Studies Paper I. This translates to roughly 15-20 questions out of the 100 questions in the paper. The syllabus of UPSC Prelims mentions that topics of Indian and world geography related to physical, social, and economic geography will be covered in the GS 1 question paper. NCERTs combined with GC Leong and Atlas are sufficient for UPSC Prelims preparation. Candidates can refer to the below-mentioned books to complete Geography for Prelims or simply refer to the PW UDAAN static book for Geography:
Geography Books for UPSC Prelims
Book Title Author/Publisher
NCERTs Class VI to XIIth NCERT
Certificate Physical & Human Geography Go Cheng Leong
School Atlas Orient Black Swan Or Oxford Student Atlas

Geography Books for UPSC Mains

The syllabus of geography for UPSC Mains is significantly vast and is included in GS Paper 1. Candidates need to study Indian geography along with the salient features of the world’s physical geography. Topics in the UPSC Mains geography syllabus range from the distribution of key natural resources to factors responsible for the location of industries, important geophysical phenomena, and geographical features. Refer to the given geography books for the UPSC syllabus and practice answer writing after completing each topic for efficient preparation:
Geography Books for UPSC Mains
Book Title Author
Geography of India Majid Husain
World Geography Majid Husain
Physical, Human, and Economic Geography for Civil Services Examination D R Khuller
Indian And World Geography Bhumika Saini

Also Read: How to Read NCERT for UPSC Exam 2024

NCERT Geography Books for UPSC

In UPSC preparation, NCERT geography books serve as indispensable resources for aspirants aiming to build a strong foundation in this subject. NCERT geography books for UPSC from classes 6 to 12 offer a structured and comprehensive approach to studying topics ranging from basic geographical principles to human geography. Many questions have been directly asked in the previous year’s UPSC exam, making the following NCERT geography books essential for aspirants:
NCERT Geography Books for UPSC
Class Book Title
NCERT Class VI The Earth Our Habitat
NCERT Class VII Our Environment
NCERT Class VIII Resource and Development
NCERT Class IX Contemporary India I
NCERT Class X Contemporary India II
NCERT Class XI
  1. Fundamentals of Physical Geography
  2. India – Physical Environment
NCERT Class XII
  1. Fundamentals of Human Geography
  2. India – People and Economy

Geography Books for UPSC Optional Paper

Geography is one of the most popular optional subjects among aspirants. There are two papers in the UPSC Mains Geography Optional , namely Principles of Geography and Geography of India. Unlike Prelims and Mains, questions in optional papers require solid command over the geographical concepts due to a significant weight of 500 marks. Candidates can incorporate the following geography books for UPSC optional preparation
Geography Books for UPSC Optional Paper
Paper Books
Geography Optional Paper 1
  1. Human Geography by Majid Husain
  2. Oceanography by Sharma & Vatal
  3. Physical Geography by Savindra Singh
  4. Climatology by D.S. Lal
  5. Environmental Geography by Savindra Singh
  6. A Geography by Population by R.C. Chandna
  7. Agricultural Geography by Masjid Husain
Geography Optional Paper 2
  1. Economic and Commercial Geography of India by C.B. Mamoria
  2. A Geography of India by Gopal Singh
  3. Transport, Communication, and Trade
  4. India Year Book by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
  5. Political Aspects: Modern Political Geography of India by B.L. Sukhwal.
  6. Regional Planning and Development by Chand and Puri
  7. Urbanization & Urban Systems in India by Ramachandran
Join the Physics Wallah IAS course now and delve into comprehensive Geography preparation tailored for UPSC Prelims, Mains, and beyond. Hurry Up!
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UPSC Prelims Mock Test 2024 UPSC Optional UPSC Prelims Admit Card
UPSC Study Material UPSC Scholarship Test 2024 UPSC Mains Admit Card

Geography Books For UPSC FAQs

Is NCERT enough for geography in UPSC Prelims?

NCERT books are essential for having a foundation understanding of geography but must be supplemented with additional resources to ensure comprehensive coverage of the syllabus.

Which source is best for the UPSC geography syllabus?

The best sources to cover the UPSC geography syllabus are PW UPSC UDAAN Prelims Wallah for prelims and PW OnlyIAS UPSC Wallah Geography for Mains.

Can I skip NCERT Geography for UPSC CSE?

No. Candidates should not skip NCERT books as these are also known for presenting information concisely and clearly, which is beneficial for UPSC preparation.

How to study Geography books for IAS?

To study Geography books effectively for IAS, start with NCERT books to build a strong foundation. Then, move on to reference books and make notes. Solve PYQs and mock tests regularly to fill in gaps and practice for the UPSC exam.

Which Geography book is best for maps in UPSC?

For maps in UPSC, candidates can refer to "School Atlas" by Orient Black Swan or Oxford Student Atlas.
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