Important UPSC Geography Optional Books for IAS Mains

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:

UPSC Geography Optional Tips Pros and Cons of Geography as an Optional
Geography Questions from UPSC Mains GS 1 UPSC Notes
NCERTs for UPSC Preparation IAS Topper
Free Geography NCERT books NCERT Geography Notes

Frequently Asked Questions on Geography Book for UPSC

Q1

Q 1. How can I cover Geography for UPSC optional?

Ans. Candidates can cover the geography syllabus for UPSC optional by referring to the best book for geography optional. Since, the subject is included in both, prelims and mains, aspirants can check the geography optional book list given in this article.
Q2

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
Q3

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”
Q4

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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