Syllabus of Geography Paper - I (PRINCIPLES OF GEOGRAPHY)

Physical Geography

1. Geomorphology

• Factors influencing the formation and development of landforms
• Endogenetic and exogenetic forces
• Origin and evolution of the Earth’s crust
• Fundamentals of geomagnetism
• Physical conditions and structure of the Earth’s interior
• Geosynclines
• Continental Drift Theory
• Isostasy
• Plate Tectonic Theory
• Contemporary theories and views on mountain building
• Volcanicity
• Earthquakes and Tsunamis
• Geomorphic cycles and landscape evolution
• Denudation chronology
• Channel morphology
• Erosion surfaces
• Slope development
• Applied Geomorphology
• Relationship between geomorphology, economic geology, and the environment

2. Climatology

• Global distribution of temperature and pressure belts
• Earth’s heat budget
• Atmospheric circulation
• Atmospheric stability and instability
• Planetary and local wind systems
• Monsoons and jet streams
• Air masses and fronts
• Tropical and temperate cyclones
• Types and global distribution of precipitation
• Weather and climate
• Köppen, Thornthwaite, and Trewartha classifications of world climates
• Hydrological cycle
• Global climate change
• Role of human activities in climate change and human responses to climatic changes
• Applied climatology
• Urban climate

3. Oceanography

• Seafloor topography of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans
• Ocean temperature and salinity
• Heat and salt budgets of the oceans
• Ocean deposits
• Waves, ocean currents, and tides
• Marine resources
  • Biotic resources
  • Mineral resources
  • Energy resources
• Coral reefs and coral bleaching
• Sea-level changes
• Law of the Sea
• Marine pollution

4. Biogeography

• Origin and formation of soils
• Classification and geographical distribution of soils
• Soil profile
• Soil erosion, degradation, and conservation
• Factors governing the global distribution of plants and animals
• Deforestation: challenges and conservation measures
• Social forestry
• Agroforestry
• Wildlife and its conservation
• Major centres of gene pools

5. Environmental Geography

• Fundamental principles of ecology
• Human ecological adaptations
• Impact of human activities on ecology and the environment
• Global and regional ecological changes and imbalances
• Ecosystem management and conservation
• Environmental degradation, management, and conservation
• Biodiversity and sustainable development
• Environmental policies
• Environmental hazards and remedial measures
• Environmental education
• Environmental legislation