90 Days Study Plan for Geography Optional | Geography Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Geography Optional is a dynamic and high-scoring subject for UPSC CSE Mains, blending scientific rigor with socio-economic analysis. Paper 1 (Physical and Human Geography) and Paper 2 (Geography of India) require conceptual clarity, map-based answers, and current affairs integration to excel.

• The Geography Optional syllabus demands a strategic approach to cover physical, human, and Indian geography, with emphasis on diagrams, case studies, and analytical answers.
• With 6-8 hours of daily study, the entire syllabus can be mastered in 3 months (90 days).

This 90-day (12-week) study plan, built on the EduRev Geography Optional course, provides a structured roadmap to cover all topics effectively for UPSC CSE Mains.

Why This 90-Day Plan?

• The UPSC syllabus is vast, and a clear plan prevents feeling overwhelmed.
• EduRev experts designed this to align with the mission of "Study What Matters", focusing on high-yield topics.
• Ensures comprehensive coverage with time for answer writing, map practice, and revision.
• Empowers efficient study, mastery of key concepts, and confidence for UPSC Mains.

Week 1: Syllabus, PYQs & NCERTs (Classes 6-8)

Day 1: Previous Year Questions with Solutions

• Study: Syllabus for Paper 1 & 2, analyze PYQs (2018-2024: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018).
• Task: Identify key themes (e.g., climate change, urbanization), create syllabus checklist.
• Answer Writing: Practice 1 PYQ with diagram (e.g., “Explain plate tectonics.”).

Day 2-3: Class 6 Geography

• Study: The Earth: Our Habitat (NCERT Class 6).
• Task: Focus on earth’s structure, continents, oceans; mark 5 locations (e.g., Himalayas).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss earth’s physical features.”).

Day 4-5: Class 7 Geography, Class 8 Geography

• Study: Our Environment (Class 7), Resources & Development (Class 8).
• Task: Cover climate, resources, landforms; mark 5 locations (e.g., Sahara Desert).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Explain types of rainfall.”).

Day 6: Revision & Practice

• Revise Class 6-8 NCERT notes, practice 3 answer writing questions from EduRev.
• Map Practice: Mark 10 locations (e.g., major rivers, mountains).

Day 7: NCERT Books and Summaries

• Task: Review weak areas, consolidate notes.

Week 2: NCERTs (Classes 9-12)

Day 1-2: Class 9 Geography, Class 10 Geography

• Study: Contemporary India-I (Class 9), Contemporary India-II (Class 10).
• Task: Focus on India’s physical features, climate, population; mark 5 locations (e.g., Deccan Plateau).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss India’s climatic variations.”).

Day 3-4: Class 11 Geography (Fundamentals of Physical Geography, India - Physical Environment)

• Study: Fundamentals of Physical Geography, India: Physical Environment.
• Task: Cover geomorphology, climatology; mark 5 locations (e.g., Western Ghats).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Explain India’s drainage systems.”).

Day 5-6: Class 12 Geography (Fundamentals of Human Geography, India - People and Economy)

• Study: Fundamentals of Human Geography, India: People and Economy.
• Task: Focus on population, settlements; mark 5 locations (e.g., Mumbai).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss India’s urbanization.”).

Day 7: NCERT Books and Summaries

• Task: Revise notes, mark 10 locations (e.g., agro-regions).

Week 3: Physical Geography (Geomorphology & Introduction to Earth)

Day 1-2: Geomorphology, Geomorphology Video Lectures

• Study: Plate tectonics, landforms (Savindra Singh Ch. 1-4; EduRev notes).
• Task: Draw diagrams (e.g., fold mountains), mark 5 locations (e.g., Andes).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss landform evolution.”).

Day 3-4: Introduction to Earth and Universe

• Study: Earth’s origin, solar system (EduRev notes; NCERT Class 11).
• Task: Prepare notes on earth’s structure, mark 5 celestial features (e.g., equator).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Explain earth’s formation.”).

Day 5-6: Revision & Practice

• Revise Geomorphology and Earth notes, practice 3 answer writing questions.
• Map Practice: Mark 10 locations (e.g., rift valleys, tropics).

Day 7: Consolidation

• Task: Review weak areas, consolidate notes, practice 2 additional answer writing questions.

Week 4: Physical Geography (Climatology & Oceanography)

Day 1-2: Climatology, Climatology Video Lectures

• Study: Atmospheric circulation, monsoon (Savindra Singh Ch. 5-8; EduRev notes).
• Task: Draw diagrams (e.g., pressure belts), mark 5 climatic zones (e.g., Mediterranean).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Explain monsoon mechanisms.”).

Day 3-4: Oceanography, Oceanography Video Lectures

• Study: Ocean currents, coral reefs (Savindra Singh Ch. 9-12; EduRev notes).
• Task: Draw heat budget diagram, mark 5 currents (e.g., Kuroshio).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss coral bleaching.”).

Day 5-6: Revision & Practice

• Revise Climatology and Oceanography notes, practice 3 answer writing questions.
• Map Practice: Mark 10 locations (e.g., ocean trenches, monsoon regions).

Day 7: Consolidation

• Task: Review weak areas, consolidate notes, practice 2 additional answer writing questions.

Week 5: Physical Geography (Biogeography & Environmental Geography)

Day 1-2: Biogeography, Biogeography Video Lectures

• Study: Ecosystems, biodiversity (Savindra Singh Ch. 13-15; EduRev notes).
• Task: Mark 5 biomes (e.g., tundra), prepare notes on conservation.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss biodiversity loss.”).

Day 3-4: Environmental Geography, Environmental Geography Video Lectures

• Study: Climate change, sustainable development (EduRev notes; current affairs).
• Task: Prepare case study (e.g., Himalayan glaciers), revise UN frameworks.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Analyze sustainable development.”).

Day 5-6: Revision & Practice

• Revise Biogeography and Environmental Geography notes, practice 3 answer writing questions.
• Map Practice: Mark 10 locations (e.g., biodiversity hotspots).

Day 7: Consolidation

• Task: Review weak areas, consolidate notes, practice 2 additional answer writing questions.

Week 6: Human Geography (Perspectives & Economic Geography)

Day 1-2: Perspectives in Human Geography, Perspectives Video Lectures

• Study: Determinism, possibilism (Majid Husain Ch. 1-3; EduRev notes).
• Task: Note thinkers (e.g., Vidal de la Blache), mark 5 trade routes.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Explain possibilism.”).

Day 3-4: Economic Geography, Economic Geography Video Lectures

• Study: Industrial location, trade (Majid Husain Ch. 4-5; EduRev notes).
• Task: Study Weber’s theory, mark 5 economic zones (e.g., Silicon Valley).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss industrial location.”).

Day 5-6: Revision & Practice

• Revise Perspectives and Economic Geography notes, practice 3 answer writing questions.
• Map Practice: Mark 10 locations (e.g., global trade hubs).

Day 7: Consolidation

• Task: Review weak areas, consolidate notes, practice 2 additional answer writing questions.

Week 7: Human Geography (Population, Settlement & Regional Planning)

Day 1-2: Population and Settlement Geography, Population and Settlement Video Lectures

• Study: Migration, urban morphology (Majid Husain Ch. 6-8; EduRev notes).
• Task: Draw diagrams (e.g., sector model), mark 5 cities (e.g., Tokyo).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss migration patterns.”).

Day 3-4: Regional Planning, Regional Planning Video Lectures

• Study: Planning models, regional disparities (Majid Husain Ch. 9; EduRev notes).
• Task: Revise Christaller’s theory, mark 5 planning regions.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Explain regional planning.”).

Day 5-6: Revision & Practice

• Revise Population, Settlement, and Regional Planning notes, practice 3 answer writing questions.
• Map Practice: Mark 10 locations (e.g., smart cities).

Day 7: Consolidation

• Task: Review weak areas, consolidate notes, practice 2 additional answer writing questions.

Week 8: Human Geography (Models) & Indian Geography (Physical Setting)

Day 1-2: Models, Theories & Laws in Human Geography, Models Video Lectures

• Study: Von Thunen, Rostow’s model (Majid Husain Ch. 10; EduRev notes).
• Task: Draw model diagrams, mark 5 agricultural zones.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss Von Thunen’s model.”).

Day 3-4: Physical Setting, Physical Setting Video Lectures

• Study: India’s physiography, drainage (Khullar Ch. 1-2; EduRev notes).
• Task: Mark 5 rivers (e.g., Brahmaputra), prepare notes on relief features.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss India’s physiography.”).

Day 5-6: Revision & Practice

• Revise Models and Physical Setting notes, practice 3 answer writing questions.
• Map Practice: Mark 10 locations (e.g., Peninsular plateaus).

Day 7: Consolidation

• Task: Review weak areas, consolidate notes, practice 2 additional answer writing questions.

Week 9: Indian Geography (Resources, Agriculture & Industry)

Day 1-2: Resources, Resources Video Lectures

• Study: Minerals, energy resources (Khullar Ch. 3-4; EduRev notes).
• Task: Mark 5 resource belts (e.g., Jharia coal field).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Analyze India’s mineral resources.”).

Day 3-4: Agriculture, Agriculture Video Lectures

• Study: Cropping patterns, Green Revolution (Khullar Ch. 5-6; EduRev notes).
• Task: Mark 5 agro-regions (e.g., Rice bowl of India).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Evaluate Green Revolution impacts.”).

Day 5-6: Industry, Industry Video Lectures

• Study: Industrial corridors, policies (Khullar Ch. 7-8; EduRev notes).
• Task: Mark 5 industrial regions (e.g., Bengaluru IT hub).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss Make in India.”).

Day 7: Consolidation

• Task: Review weak areas, consolidate notes, practice 3 answer writing questions.

Week 10: Indian Geography (Transport, Cultural Setting & Settlements)

Day 1-2: Transport, Communication & Trade, Transport Video Lectures

• Study: Transport networks, ports (Khullar Ch. 9-10; EduRev notes).
• Task: Mark 5 transport routes (e.g., NH-44), note trade policies.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Analyze India’s port infrastructure.”).

Day 3-4: Cultural Setting, Cultural Setting Video Lectures

• Study: Population, tribes (Khullar Ch. 11; EduRev notes).
• Task: Mark 5 tribal areas (e.g., Bastar), prepare demographic notes.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss India’s population challenges.”).

Day 5-6: Settlements, Settlements Video Lectures

• Study: Urbanization, smart cities (Khullar Ch. 12; EduRev notes).
• Task: Mark 5 urban centers (e.g., Pune), note smart city initiatives.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Analyze urbanization issues.”).

Day 7: Consolidation

• Task: Review weak areas, consolidate notes, practice 3 answer writing questions.

Week 11: Indian Geography (Regional Development, Political Aspects & Contemporary Issues)

Day 1-2: Regional Development & Planning, Regional Development Video Lectures

• Study: Regional disparities, five-year plans (Khullar Ch. 13-14; EduRev notes).
• Task: Prepare case study (e.g., Northeast development), mark 5 regions.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss regional planning in India.”).

Day 3-4: Political Aspects, Political Aspects Video Lectures

• Study: Interstate disputes, geopolitics (EduRev notes; current affairs).
• Task: Study Cauvery dispute, mark 5 disputed areas.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Analyze interstate water disputes.”).

Day 5-6: Contemporary Issues, Contemporary Issues Video Lectures

• Study: Urban flooding, climate change (EduRev notes; current affairs).
• Task: Prepare case study (e.g., Chennai floods), mark 5 affected areas.
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss disaster management.”).

Day 7: Consolidation

• Task: Review weak areas, consolidate notes, practice 3 answer writing questions.

Week 12: Revision & Revision

Day 1-2: NCERT Summary

• Revise NCERT summaries (Classes 6-12) from EduRev.
• Task: Focus on key concepts, mark 10 locations (e.g., agro-climatic zones).
• Answer Writing: 2 questions (e.g., “Discuss India’s resource distribution.”).

Day 3-4: Paper 1 & 2 Revision

• Revise EduRev notes for Paper 1 (Physical, Human Geography) and Paper 2 (Indian Geography).
• Task: Practice 4 answer writing questions, mark 10 locations (e.g., industrial corridors).

Day 5-6: Practice & Analysis

• Practice questions from EduRev resources for Paper 1 and Paper 2.
• Task: Analyze answers, refine structure, incorporate diagrams.

Day 7: Final Revision

• Revise key diagrams, case studies, and map locations (20 mixed locations).
• Task: Relax, stay confident, and prepare mentally.

With our timetable, keep your progress tracked and study what matters.

We hope this plan empowers you to conquer Geography Optional for UPSC CSE Mains. Save/bookmark this plan and refer to it daily during your 90-day journey.