How is Geography Optional helpful for General Studies

• About 25 to 30% of the questions asked in UPSC Prelims every year are directly from Geography and Environment sections. Aspirants who have opted for Geography as an optional have clear edge in these questions. In last few years the cut off in UPSC Prelims Examination has come down to 45 to 50% of marks. So you need to score about 50% marks to qualify IAS Prelims. In such scenario if you have an edge on 25 to 30% of questions which are from Geography and Environment sections, you are on the safer side.
• About 2-3 questions every year in Civil Services Prelims Exams are based on the location of the places that were in news. The students of Geography who consistently have to go through maps are in advantageous position in these questions also.
• In Civil Services Mains Examination as well, Geography as an optional is highly useful . The syllabus of Geography Optional overlaps with almost 40% of the GS syllabus. Questions from Physical Geography, Human Geography, India and World Geography are directly asked in Paper 1 and Paper 2 of General Studies.
• Besides direct overlapping with GS syllabus questions in Paper 1 and Paper 2, the syllabus of Geography and the temperament developed while preparing the subject indirectly helps in other sections of General Studies as well. Information of geography is very handy in answering questions on International Relation specially the Geopolitics, sea lines communication, etc.
• Students of geography are well versed in drawing Maps and diagrams. If they draw the maps and diagrams in GS papers as well for other subjects like History, Culture and International Relations they can impress the examiner with their uniqueness and innovation. This can help them to score very high marks in these sections as well.
• Even in essay at least one question that is directly related to geography or environment is asked every year.

Weightage of Geography related topics in IAS Prelims (Trend Analysis)