Geography Notes for UPSC Optional – IAS Indian Geography Notes

In earlier articles, we have covered the optional subjects and the best books for the optional subject. In this article, we have covered the complete information on the Indian Geography Optional Notes for UPSC. Therefore, read the complete article and know about the ias geography notes in Hindi.

Introduction – Geography Notes for UPSC

To begin with, Geography is one of the optional subjects in the UPSC main exam. It is one of the popular optional subjects as many students prefer to take this subject. Further, in geography notes in Hindi, there are three main sections.

1. Physical Geography
2. Human Geography
3. Environmental Geography

Some of the major topics are

• Geomorphology
• Climatology
• Oceanography
• Biogeography
• Then, Environmental Geography
• Perspectives in Human Geography
• Economic Geography
• Population and Settlement Geography
• Regional Planning and Physical and Cultural Setting of India
• Further, we have Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography
• Resources, Agriculture, Transport, Communication and Trade in India
• Lastly, Contemporary Ecological Issues and Biodiversity

Geography Notes for UPSC

Now we will look into the main part of the article. Below we have added the IAS Indian geography optional notes, and you can make the points and study them during the exam. We have tried adding notes on the major topics, but there are many topics in the subject as the IAS paper comes with the longest syllabus. Then, one must choose the optional subject for the main paper. There are three stages in the IAS. Further, the first is in prelims, the second is the main paper, and the last one is the interview round. Besides, if you want to know about the IAS exam history and other details related to the exam, you can visit here for more information. Read More.

Indian Geography – Basics of India

In the first place, we will begin by understanding the basics of India as a part of the Geography Notes for UPSC.

1. Indian Geography – Basics of India – As we all know, India is a country-rich country known as Hindustan, Bharat, the Republic of India; India is the 7th largest country across the globe. Below we have listed the neighborhood countries of India.
2. Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east
3. Sri-Lanka to the south-east
4. The Maldives to the south-west
5. China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north
6. Afghanistan and Pakistan to the northwest

Further, below find out the Union territories and their capitals

Name of the Union Territory	Capital
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Port Blair
Chandigarh	Chandigarh
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	Silvassa
Delhi	New Delhi
Ladakh	Leh
Lakshadweep	Kavaratti
Puducherry	Puducherry
Jammu and Kashmir	Jammu in winter and Srinagar in summer

The Himalayas – History, Map and Facts

1. The Himalayas – History, Map, and Facts – The Himalayas are located on the Tibetan plateau, northwest of the Indian terrain, and are Popularly referred to as “Him Parvat” or the “abode of snow”. Further, it is located in Nepal, on the Tibetan plateau, northwest of the Indian terrain. They formed as a result of a collision between the tectonic plates of India and Eurasia. Further, this collision took place around 50 million years ago and continues to collide even today. Then, below we have added forests found in the Himalayas.
   1. Tropical Rain Forests
   2. Tropical Deciduous Forests
   3. Alpine Forests
   4. Temperate Forests
   5. Further, the soil at the Himalayas

Below we have added some interesting facts on the Greater Himalayas (The Himadris)

• The highest range of the Himalayas
• The most integrated mountain ranges
• Perennially covered with snow
• Comprises Nabga Parvat in the northwest and Namcha Barwa in North-east
• Paramount peak points like Mount Everest Kanchenjunga lie on the Himadis
• Lastly, the origination point of Gangotri and Yamunotri glaciers

Minerals and Mineral Industries in India

These both play a significant role in Indian Geography and the economy. Further, it serves as the backbone of the economic growth and development of the country. Besides, minerals like iron core, copper, crude oil, natural gas, coal, and bauxite are worthy of extraction from the Indian terrain. India consisted of around 95 different minerals within its territorial boundaries. Later, this mineral distribution includes ten metallic, twenty-three non-metallic, four fuels, three atomic, and fifty-five minor minerals.

Below we have added the details of the Mineral Belts in India

• Chota Nagpur Belt (Northeastern Plateau region)
• The Himalayan Belt
• The Indian Ocean
• The Midland Belt
• The Western Belt
• Lastly, The South-western Belt

Major Dams in India – Highest, Longest, Oldest Dams in India

Now in the Geography Notes for UPSC, will talk about the dams in India. India is home to around 5200 dams present across different states of the country. Besides, Maharashtra alone has 1845 dams, the highest number of dams in one state.

1.  To begin with, Bhavani Sagar dam – Tamil Nadu – It is 130ft tall and 8.4 km long with a capacity of 8 megawatts.
2. Tehri Dam – Uttarakhand – with a height of 855 ft and a length of 1,886 ft.
3.  Bhakra Nangal Dam – Himachal Pradesh – It is 741 ft high and the third-largest reservoir in India.
4.  Nagarjuna Sagar Dam – Andhra Pradesh – with a height of 407 ft and it is the second-largest reservoir in India.
5. Tungabhadra Dam – Karnataka
6. Koyna Dam – Maharashtra – It is 339 ft high, and It one of the largest dams in Maharashtra.
7. Kallanai Dam – Tamil Nadu stands 18ft high on the Kaveri river and comes under the Tamil Nadu government.
8. Mettur Dam – Tamil Nadu – It is 214 ft high.
9. Jayakwadi Dam – Maharashtra – This dam comes under the government of Maharashtra and covers an area of 21,750 km.
10. Somasila Dam – Andhra Pradesh – It is an earth fill and gravity dam covering an area of 212.28 km.
11. Ujani Dam – Maharashtra – This dam is an earth fill and gravity dam and is 185ft high.
12. Further,Ukai Dam – Gujarat – This dam is 345ft high and creates the Vallabhsagar reservoir.
13. Mukkombu Dam – Tamil Nadu – This is one of the smallest dams in India with a height of 685 meters.
14. Cheruthoni Dam – Kerala – This is the largest gravity dam in Kerala with a height of 453 ft. 

List of Highest Mountain Peaks in India – Statewise

Lastly, we will look into the list of mountains as part of the IAS Indian geography optional notes for the UPSC. India is home to seven major mountain ranges that have peaks over 1000 meters. The most famous are the Himalayan ranges which are divided into two parts – Greater Himalayas and Lower Himalayas. Know which are the highest mountain peaks in different states of India.

• In the first place, we have K2 – It is India’s highest mountain peak.
• Nanda Devi – It is situated in Uttarakhand, it is part of Garhwal mountain ranges. Besides, this is the 23rd highest peak in the world.
• Kangtoh – This present on the Arunachal-Pradesh and China border. 
• Kanchenjunga : This present on the Sikkim-Nepal border and it is the 3rd highest peak in India.
• Reo Purgyill : This belongs to the Western Himalayan Range.
• Mount Saramati : It is the highest peak in the mountain range. 
• Sandakphu – It is present in the Darjeeling district in West Bengal.
• Mount Tempu , and this is also known as Mount Iso.
• Anamudi – It is present in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghat in Kerala.
• Lastly, Shillong Peak,  it is the highest peak in the Shillong Plateau.

Conclusion – Geography Optional Notes for UPSC

In summary, we have added all the details of IAS geography notes in Hindi in the above article. Further, You will get information on the various Indian geography optional notes in Hindi to help you with the exam. It is one of the popular optional subjects in the UPSC main exam. So, we have tried covering all the essential topics. One needs to cover everything to get the best results in the exam. Besides, selecting the optional subject is vital for the exam. Further, one must go through the complete syllabus and read the previous year’s question papers. Later, if you are interested in the other optional subjects, we have added details of the other optional subjects for the UPSC main exam. So, click here for more, it will help you with the exam.

FAQs – Geography Notes for UPSC

Lastly, check out some FAQs on the topic discussed above.

Editor’s Note | Geography Notes for UPSC

To conclude, in the article, you will find all the details related to the IAS Indian Geography Notes in Hindi for UPSC exam. Besides, one must choose the right optional subject to get the best results in the exam. Further, we have added notes for some of the topics in the subject. So, you can try to make some important points and study during the exam. Besides, this exam will check your patience and hard work towards your goals, along with the subject knowledge. Therefore, with the right plan you can fulfill your dream of becoming an IAS officer. Finally, good luck with your exams, prepare well for the exam.