For a UPSC Civil Services aspirant, Geography forms a central part of the exam, especially in the General Studies Paper-1. The section on this subject consists of questions from the economic, social, and physical geography of India as well as the world. Geography is a crucial part in both UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains examination.
In case you have a question, “What books to consider for geography to clear Civil Services?” in your mind, then this article will definitely clear all your doubts. Following are some highly recommended books to study geography for the UPSC Civil Services Exams (CSE).
1. Geography of India by Majid Hussain
Geography of India by Majid Hussain is the most referred book for both the prelims and mains exams of UPSC. This book is indispensable from UPSC point of view and provides in-depth knowledge on the Indian geography in a lucid language. All the details are provided with the help of updated maps and diagrams to give a comprehensive understanding to the candidates on the Indian geography.
2. World Geography by Majid Hussain
World Geography by Majid Hussain provides extensive and coherent knowledge about the various countries of the world. The book imparts information on the distribution of people over the earth, and also discusses the various geographical regions of the world in its eighteen chapters. Wide information is also provided on the individual nations falling in these regions. The author has written this book in a logical, effective and convincing way, and has made use of the latest data, maps, and illustrations to increase the viability of the information provided in the book.
3. Oxford School Atlas
The Oxford School Atlas depicts 200 precise and easy-to-understand maps (including 94 thematic maps of India) with the help of the charts and diagrams. The book consists of detailed physical and political maps of India; new and informative introductory pages; and focuses on the extensive coverage of important thematic issues like climate, natural vegetation, wildlife, agriculture, minerals, industry, demography, human development, environmental concerns, and natural hazards in a completely new form and layout.
4. Certificate of Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong
Certificate of Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong is an important book to deal with the questions related to physical geography. The book contains elementary details on climate change, types of natural vegetation, mountain chains, deserts, and other natural phenomena. It also provides detailed information on geography in a simple language with the help of photographs, maps, and illustrations.
5. Physical, Human and Economic Geography for Civil Services Examination by D R Khuller
D R Khuller is a renowned author of many books on geography but his Physical, Human and Economic Geography is one of the great books on the subject to be referred while preparing for the UPSC Civil Services exam. It examines the major topics relating to the physical, human and economic geography. The simple language of the text in the book is supported by plenty of maps, diagrams, charts, and updated data.
Additional Geography reference books for Civil Services Prelims and Mains
- Geography Through Maps by K.Siddhartha
- Terms and Concepts of Geography – Majid Husain
- Indian and World Geography: Objective Questions with Explanatory Notes for Civil Services Preliminary Examination.
- Objective Indian and World Geography by Majid Husain
- Geography of India by Surender Singh (substitute of Majid Husain)
- India: A Comprehensive Geography by D.R Khuller (substitute of Majid Husain)
- Physical Geography by Savindra Singh. (substitute of Goh Ching Leong)
Must read books for UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains aspirants
The best way to prepare for geography for UPSC Civil Services Prelims and Mains exams is by referring to NCERT Geography textbooks from class 6th to class 12th. These books will help in developing a stronger base and the simple language of these books will help in understanding the topics much more quickly and easily.
How to Study Geography for IAS Exam?
Extensive knowledge of the Indian and World Geography is significant to score good marks in the geography section of Paper 1 (General Studies). We would highly recommend the appearing candidates to refer to the above-mentioned books on geography along with the mock test series. These test series will give you a gist of the exam pattern adopted for the geography question papers by the UPSC paper setters. DON’T FORGET to go through the previous years question papers.
