Geography as a subject constitutes a significant part in all competitive examinations. It holds great significance in both Prelims and Mains examination of the IAS Exam. It is a vast subject dealing with the spatial association between individuals, places, and the earth and it broadly covers all spheres. If the approach to the subject is right, this is the most scoring optional that also helps in general studies paper. Many candidates have cracked UPSC Mains examination by opting geography as their optional subject.
IAS aspirants who have opted for Geography as their optional subject may also check UPSC Geography Strategy at the linked article.
Geography Optional Books PDF:-Download PDF Here
| Candidates preparing for the upcoming UPSC Prelims examination are advised to go through the following links to align their preparation: |
Geography Optional Books for IAS
Geography Optional Paper-I Books
An IAS aspirant should be in consistent touch with UPSC Geography Syllabus and should not go off-track while preparing for the civil services exam.
The table below mentions UPSC Geography Optional Books for Paper-I:
| A Geography by Population – R.C. Chandna |
| Agricultural Geography – Majid Husain |
| Climatology – D.S.Lal |
| Economic and Social Geography – Made Simple – R.Knowles & J.Wareing |
| Economic Geography- Hartshorn & Truman A |
| Environmental Awareness – R.C.Chandna |
| Environmental Geography – Savindra Singh |
| Environmental Geography – H M Saxena |
| General Climatology – Critchfield |
| Geomorphology – Savindra Singh |
| Human Geography -Majid Husain |
| Oceanography- Sharma & Vatal, NCERT |
| Evolution of Geographic Thought-Majid Husain |
| Physical Geography – Made Simple – Richard H Bryant |
| Physical Geography – Savindra Singh |
| Introducing Physical Geography – Alan Strahler |
| Physical Geography in Diagrams -Bunnett |
| Political Geography -R.D.Dixit |
| Principles of Geomorphology-W.D. Thornbury |
| Regional Planning in India – Chand & Puri |
| Urbanization & Urban Systems in India- R. Ramachandran |
IAS aspirants focussing on UPSC 2023 may check the linked article to get updates on civil services exam-pattern, notifications, syllabus, and more.
Geography Optional Books (Paper-II)
The table below mentions UPSC Geography Optional Paper-II Booklist:
| A Geography of India -Gopal Singh |
| Agriculture Geography – Majid Husain |
| Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong |
| Economic and Commercial Geography of India – C.B. Mamoria |
| Economic and Commercial Geography of India – Sharma & Coutinho |
| Economical and Commercial Geography of India – C.B. Mamoria |
| Environmental Awareness – R.C.Chandna |
| Environmental Geography – Savinder Singh |
| Environmental Geography – Saxena |
| Geography of India – Majid Husain |
| Geography of Population- R.C.Chandna |
| Hindu’s Survey on Agriculture |
| Human Geography – Majid Husain |
| India Disasters Report |
| Oxford School Atlas – Oxford |
| Modern Political Geography of India – B.L. Sukhwal |
| Regional Planning in India – Chand and Puri |
| Urbanization and Urban Systems in India – R. Ramachandran |
| Environmental Geography – Saxena |
UPSC Geography Optional Booklist:-Download PDF Here
Aspirants can also get geography optional books in Hindi. Translated versions of the same are also available, other books curated by experts are also easily available for candidate’s reference, both online and offline.
You can also check the articles relevant to UPSC Geography Syllabus and also IAS exam preparation in the table below:
Frequently Asked Questions on Geography Book for UPSC
Q 1. How can I cover Geography for UPSC optional?
Q 2. Which are the best geography books for UPSC mains?
Ans. Given below are a few of the best geography books for IAS mains optional preparation:
- Geography NCERT-XI & XII
- Human Geography by Majid Hussain
- Models and theories by Majid Hussain; (other Majid Hussain books for UPSC)
- Physical Geography- By Savindra Singh
- Geographical thought by Sudipta Adhikary
- Majid Hussain geography book for UPSC are highly recommended by IAS toppers and other experts
Q 3. Which are the best physical and human geography books for UPSC preparation?
Ans. The best geography books for physical and human geography are:
- Physical Geography book for UPSC – Savindra Singh’s “Physical Geography” comprising five specific books on physical geography (Geomorphology, Oceanography, Climatology, Environment Geography, Biogeography
- Human Geography book for UPSC – Majid Hussain’s “Human Geography” and Goh Cheng Leong’s “Certificate Physical and Human Geography”
Q 4. Name the best world geography book for UPSC preparation.
Ans. Booklist for geography optional, most suitable for World Geography are as follows:
- Economic and Social Geography – Made Simple – R.Knowles & J.Wareing
- Evolution of Geographic Thought-Majid Husain
- Physical Geography – Made Simple – Richard H Bryant
- Oxford School Atlas – Oxford
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