Must-read books for Geography Optional
The Geography Optional is one of the most popular optional in UPSC CSE preparation. And it is optional with the vast syllabus. One should not worry about the vastness of the syllabus because the syllabus overlaps with most of the GS-1, GS-3 topics. So, one can easily score well in both GS papers. The Optional also helpful in clearing prelims because, one can easily attempt questions related to Physical Geography, Indian Geography, Human Geography, and Environment without much difficulty.
Here the GeoVillae has made an attempt to list the must-read books for Geography Optional and a list of Some Reference books.
| Syllabus | Must-Read Book |
| Physical Geography | |
| Geomorphology all topics except below-mentioned topics | Physical Geography by Savindra Singh |
| Denudation chronology; Channel morphology; | Geomorphology by Savindra Singh |
| Erosion surfaces; Slope development; | Geomorphology by Savindra Singh |
| Applied Geomorphology: Geohydrology, economic geology and environment. | Coaching notes of your choice |
| Climatology | Physical Geography by Savindra Singh |
| Oceanography | Physical Geography by Savindra Singh |
| Environmental Geography | Physical Geography by Savindra Singh |
| Environmental Geography | Environment by Shankar IAS |
| Bio-Geography | Coaching notes of your choice |
| Human Geography | |
| Perspectives in Human Geography: | Evolution of Geographical thought by Majid Hussain or R D Dixit |
| Economic Geography | Coaching notes of your choice |
| Population and Settlement Geography | Human Geography by Majid Hussain and Models & Theories by Majid Hussain |
| Regional Planning | Coaching notes of your choice |
| Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography: | Models & Theories by Majid Hussain |
| Indian Geography entire Syllabus | India Comprehensive Geography by Khullar |
| Must Refer Dictionaries | |
| Physical Geography | The Penguin dictionary of physical geography |
| Human Geography | The Penguin dictionary of human geography |