How to prepare for Geography Optional for UPSC CSE?

With well defined UPSC syllabus and easily available resources, Geography is one of the popular optional subjects for UPSC CSE Mains. Choosing Geography as an optional subject can simplify the preparation strategy for aspirants. Geography forms a significant part of the UPSC CSE Prelims syllabus. Other than this, the syllabus for UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper I and GS Paper III overlap with the syllabus for Geography optional. This versatility of the subject can be strategically used by the aspirants to prepare for the exam.

        

How to prepare for Geography Optional?

Like any other optional subject for UPSC, Geography as an optional requires diligent and consistent efforts to score well in the exam. Following points should be considered for the preparation of the subject.

  • Limited resources: This is the mistake committed by the aspirants during their UPSC preparation journey that they keep collecting varied resources. Number of resources to be used for the preparation should be limited.
  • Study Plan:  A consolidated study plan should be made based on the analysis of UPSC CSE Mains previous years’ questions. Areas of Geography optional that overlap with GS syllabus should be marked separately.
  • Prioritizing Topics: Understanding the key concepts of the Geography subject should be focused upon. Different topics of the Geography syllabus should be prioritized based on the understanding of previous years’ questions.
  • Answer Presentation: Maps, flow charts and diagrams should be practiced regularly for better presentation in answer writing for UPSC CSE Mains. The focus should be on enriching the answers rather than doing the laborious answer writings.
  • Mock Tests: Practicing mock tests for optional subjects is a must. Frequent evaluation of answers by the subject matter experts can provide an edge in the UPSC CSE Main examination.
  • Toppers’ Analysis:Analyzing Toppers’ mock answer sheets of Geography optional can provide the aspirants a fair idea of adopting which methods can improve the scores.
  • Current Affairs Value Addition:The overall preparation of Geography optional preparation should be updated with relevant current affairs related to the key topics in the syllabus.

Why should one choose Geography as an optional subject for UPSC CSE Mains?

  • Geography as an optional subject has a huge overlap with Prelims GS I and Mains GS I and GS III. Strategic study plans can help in cutting down the overall time for the preparation.
  • Aspirants have to spend a lot of time preparing their optional subjects. Geography is an interesting subject, and can invoke a genuine sense of curiosity in students.
  • Basic texts and resources are easily available and can be accessed by aspirants easily.
  • Nittin Singh (AIR-32, 2022), Aishwarya Verma (AIR-4, 2021), Anjali Shrotriya (AIR-44, 2021), Pratham Kaushik (AIR-5, 2017), Saumya Pandey (AIR-4, 2016) and many more have cleared the exam with Geography optional. As reflected in their UPSC CSE Mains marks, Geography is a scoring subject.
  • Unlike other optional subjects like Mathematics and Law, aspirants preparing Geography optional do not require a previous educational qualification in the subject. It can be taken up by anyone as an optional subject.
  • An integrated approach towards UPSC Preliminary and Main Examination.

Next IAS- Geography Optional Foundation Course for CSE 2024

  • Geography Optional Foundation Course is a one stop solution to all the issues related to preparation of Geography as an optional subject for UPSC CSE Mains.
  • The course has been designed under the able guidance of one of the best faculties for the subject in the field- Mr. Alok Ranjan.
  • The course helps the aspirants prepare their optional subject in four months.
  • Students do not have to worry about the resources or conceptual clarity of the topics, as the course provides a holistic coverage of both static and dynamic parts of the syllabus. Experts in the area help the students to plan their optional preparation accordingly.
  • As the Geography optional has a dynamic component as well, Next IAS understands the significance of Current Affairs and students will be provided with an updated Current Affairs Booklet for value addition.
  • The course offers extra doubt clearing classes for better understanding of concepts after the classes.
  • Answer writing is the most important aspect of scoring well in any optional subject for UPSC CSE. The Geography Optional Foundation Course offers Model Test Papers with model answers to enhance answer writing skills.
  • Comprehensive evaluation of answer sheets with detailed feedback help students in getting an edge over their competitors. The course also provides special guidance on map work, diagrams for better presentation of answers.
  • The course offers insightful detailed discussion on previous years’ pattern analysis, familiarizing the students with requisites of the examination.
  • The course is available in both online as well as offline (Classroom) formats, making it accessible to aspirants all across the country.
 
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