Cracking UPSC Geography Optional: 6 Expert Tips from an IRMS Officer

In a quiet village in Uttar Pradesh, Aryendra Kumar's childhood was steeped in simple dreams. The rare visits from district magistrates to his government school were transformative events, sparking aspirations in the still air.

“On those days, we would be served good quality and nutritious meals,” he laughs.

The power and respect carried by these civil servants inspired Aryendra, planting in him the desire to one day wield that same ability to make a difference.

So, after graduating in 2019 from the esteemed IIT Kharagpur with a degree in electrical engineering, Aryendra’s heart was set on civil services. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam became his new mountain to conquer.

His first two attempts were marked by disappointment, as he was unable to surmount the preliminary stage. Yet, his resolve only solidified, the fire of his dream burning ever brighter.

In 2021, he cleared the state Provincial Civil Services (PCS) exam and juggled his role as a Naib Tehsildar along with his studies. The relentless struggle to divide time between duty and dream tested his endurance. His journey was peppered with moments of self-doubt and questioning, yet his heart never wavered from the course.

By his third attempt in 2022, he quit his job and reached the interview stage. By 2023, he had achieved what once seemed insurmountable: passing the UPSC and earning his IRMS posting.

Throughout these attempts, he chose geography as his optional subject — a decision driven by a love for the subject’s blend of fixed objectivity and conceptual depth. For Aryendra, opting for geography as his optional set the course for his preparation. He saw it as a bridge between general studies and his deep-seated interests.

Selecting the right optional subject for the UPSC exam is pivotal, given that it accounts for a substantial 500 marks out of the total 1750 in the Mains examination. A strong performance in this area can greatly influence your overall ranking and selection prospects, serving as a key differentiator among candidates who have similar scores in the general studies papers.

In conversation with The Better India, Aryendra shares six useful tips to master geography as an optional paper.

1. Be passionate about the subject

Aryendra advocates choosing interest and passion over perceived ease when selecting optional subjects. His love for geography was not merely academic; it was a wellspring of motivation.

“Interest is the key. Ensure you can study your chosen subject for years without growing weary. In my case, it was Geography,” he smiles.

“Aligning your optional subject choice with your strengths and interests can enhance your performance and ultimately lead to a higher rank in the UPSC exam,” he adds.

For Aryendra, geography’s objectivity, and the overlap with general studies papers, were decisive factors. He preferred it over his engineering subjects for its clear and fixed nature of answers. “For instance, a question on how landforms were formed will remain the same throughout,” he points out.

2. When to start optional preparation

Aryendra recommends starting the preparation for the optional subject as soon as you begin UPSC preparation, integrating it with GS foundation studies. “The sooner you start, the earlier you will be able to complete it. It took me about five months to complete my optional subject. I would study daily for about 12 hours, and of this, I would devote half of my time to the optional,” he says.

3. Keep long study hours

Aryendra would begin his day at five in the morning with a session of meditation, which helped instil discipline and maintain focus.

“From 6 am to 9 am, I dedicated myself to studying. Afterwards, I took an hour’s break from 9 am to 10 am for breakfast. Then, I resumed studying from 10 am to 1 pm. Following a lunch break from 1 pm to 2 pm, I studied for another session from 2 pm to 4 pm, followed by a slot from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. My final study session was from 7 pm to 9 pm, and I would wrap up my day with sleep at 10 in the night,” he says.

“Meditation played a significant role in my routine. It not only enhanced my discipline and ability to maintain longer study hours but also alleviated stress and kept me motivated throughout the long and arduous journey,” he adds.

4. Active recalling over mnemonics

Mnemonics are considered invaluable for UPSC preparation, serving as a powerful tool to boost memory and recall complex information across diverse subjects. “I was not required to focus on mnemonics. I instead practised active recalling. I would close my eyes and try to recall all that I had studied,” he says.

“Secondly, revising from notes directly may help you recall topics but it only gets saved in your passive memory. There could be instances when you see a question on the same topic, and you feel it is familiar but you might not be able to accurately recall the concept. Personally, active recalling worked for me and boosted my confidence while answering questions,” he adds.

5. Standard books and note-making

In Geography Paper I, Aryendra advises referring to the book by Savindra Singh for the physical geography section and Majid Husain for human geography. In Geography Paper II, he suggests referring to DR Khullar for Indian geography.

“These standard books provide essential conceptual clarity. Additionally, I referred to Himanshu sir’s comprehensive book which significantly boosted my performance. This helped me secure 255 marks, which is considered good for optional,” he says.

“Once you are done with your syllabus and note-making, try solving previous years’ question papers. If you are unable to manage a good number of questions with those notes, try supplementing your notes with reference sources,” he adds.

6. Maintain separate registers for maps

Aryendra advises including maps in answers. “I also prepared topic-wise registers just for maps. With geography as your optional, you’re already adept at crafting maps. This skill also benefits your GS papers. Precise maps aren’t necessary; rough sketches suffice, as long as they resemble the original. Try including as many maps and related examples in answers as you can,” he suggests.

Edited by Arunava Banerjee; photo credit: Aryendra Kumar.