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Syllabus Analysis, Preparation Guidance and Reference Books
UPSC has done some radical changes to the Civil Services mains exam by tremendously increasing the extent of general studies in the mains syllabus. The number of general studies papers have been increased to four and the topics are well defined and extensive in the syllabus. The changes to the exam might have been made by UPSC place keeping in view of the present governance and the challenges faced by the administrative system. Advanced Economic Geography- Dr Alka Goutham Certificate Course in Physical Geography- Gohchong Leong Frank Modern Certificate Geography Economic Survey Indian Geography- Khuller Urban Geography- R.B Mandal India Year Book
The topics of Geography mentioned in the syllabus are:
Paper 2:
- Salient features of world’s physical geography.
- Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent);
- Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
- Geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
- Population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
- Major crops, cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
- Land reforms in India
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc
- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
- Disaster and disaster management
World Geography included: T
here is no mention of world geography in the old pattern whereas it has been included in the new pattern. The salient features of world physical geography mentioned in the paper 2 of general studies is a vast section and is not clearly defined in the syllabus. So there lies some confusion and lack of clarity on the topic. The topic includes world physiography, rivers, soils, climate systems etc where the syllabus the topic is very high.
Applied aspects and recent developments:
Taking note of the overall perspective of the changes, UPSC might have highlighted the applied aspects and recent developments. So in the world's physical geography, present trends and the examiner may ask social and economic developments. For the subjects like world physiography, forests there need not be in-depth coverage but the socio economic factors have to be studied. For example, the economies of Switzerland and Austria depend on the physiography of the countries, so we need to give importance to the countries or regions in news. Another case is of Sudan and Mali where we have to analyse the physiography of the countries influencing the social, economic and political systems.
Studying while linking with causes:
Regarding industries mentioned in the syllabus, the latest developments have to be analysed. For example, the world steel production is rapidly growing in the developing countries. The changes happening in the automobile industry and the effect of globalisation on the growth of industries shall be taken into consideration. Regarding earthquakes, Tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and the recent activity around the globe are to be studied. For example, as the earthquakes, Tsunamis and volcanic eruptions are concentrated around the Pacific Ocean region, we need to analyse it by linking with plate tectonics. Water resources, biodiversity, climate zones have to be studied linking them with global warming, loss of biodiversity and climate change.
- Core economy- 3 subtopics
- Applied economy- 3 subtopics
- Economic geography- 4
- Environment , Disaster management- 2
- Science & Technology- 3
- Internal security - 5
Relieved from Remembering:
Overall, the sectors linked to the economic system like agriculture, industries, unorganised sectors are mentioned and so we can expect clear changes in the question papers to be set by the UPSC. The scope for factual data, programmes, factual information related questions, guides and study materials are limited in the new pattern. So the new format has left the candidates with a sigh of relief as remembering a lot of information has been reduced. Examiners may test the overall understanding, problem solving and clear expression. Genuine candidates have an edge this time as the preparation time decreases. So with determination and hard work for one year, one may crack the Civil services exam in their first attempt itself.
Published date : 08 Apr 2013 02:08PM
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