goegraphy prelims syllabus

GEOGRAPHY-PRELIM 2008


Section-A
Physical Geography
i) Geomorphology: Origin of the earth; Geological Time Scale; Interior of the earth; Types and
characteristics of rocks; Folding and Faulting; Volcanoes; Earthquakes; Weathering; Landforms caused by
fluvial, aeolian and glacial actions.
ii) Climatology : Structure and composition of atmosphere; Temperature; Pressure belts and Wind systems;
Clouds and rainfall types; Cyclones and anti-cyclones; Major climatic types.
iii) Oceanography : Ocean relief; Temperature; Salinity; Ocean deposits; Ocean currents, El Nino and La
Nino; Waves and tides.
iv) Biogeography : Origin and types of soils; Major biomes of the world; Ecosystem and food chain;
Environmental degradation and conservation.
Section-B
Human Geography
i) Man and Environment Relationship : Growth and development of Human Geography; Concepts of
Determinism and Possibilism.
ii) Population : Races of mankind and tribes; growth and distribution of world population; migration;
population problems of developed and developing countries.
iii) Economic Activities : Food gathering and hunting; pastoral herding; fishing and forestry; Types of
agriculture-shifting, subsistence, commercial and plantation; Mining, Power; Manufacturing -locational
factors of textile, iron and steel, sugar and fertilizer industries; Tertiary activities-trade, transport,
communication and services.
iv) Settlements : Origin, types and patterns of rural settlements; Processes of urbanisation; morphology and
functional classification of towns; million-cities and mega-cities.
Section-C
Geography of the World
i) Major Natural Regions : Characteristics, economic base and human adaptation.
ii) Regional Geography of Developed Countries : Canada, U.S.A., Western Europe, Russia, Japan, Australia
and New Zealand.
iii) Regional Geography of Developing Countries : S.E. Asia, S.W. Asia, China, Southern Africa and Brazil.
iv) Regional Geography of South Asia.
Section-D
Geography of India
i) Physical Setting :Landforms, drainage, climate, soils and natural vegetation.
ii) Economic Base : Minerals & energy resources, aquatic resources, forest resources; irrigation, agriculture
and industries; trade and commerce.
iii) Population : Growth, distribution and density; demographic characteristics.
iv) Environmental problems, developmental issues and regional planning.
Section-E
Geographical Thought
i) Ancient Period : Contributions of Indians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs.
ii) Pre-Modern Period : Contribution of Verenius, Kant, Humboldt and Ritter.
iii) Modern Period : Dichotomy of determinism and possibilism; contributions of Ratzel, Semple, Huntington
and La Blache.
iv) Recent Period : Quantitive Revolution; Radicalism, Behaviouralism and Humanism.
Section-F
Techniques of Geographical Analysis
i) Maps : Scale and types, uses.
ii) Diagrams : Types and uses
iii) Projections : Types, characteristics and uses.
iv) Remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) : Aerial photographs and imagery, GIS.