Geography (HUQP08)

Syllabus
for
Geography (HUQP08)

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 Geography (HUQP08)

Note:
i. The Question Paper which will have 75 questions.
ii. All questions will be based on Subject-Specific Knowledge.
iii. All questions are compulsory.
iv. The Questions will be Bilingual (English/Hindi).

Geography (HUQP08)
PART-A
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Section I: Geomorphology

Solar system and the Earth - Origin of the earth: important theories - Earth's interior - Geologicaltime scale-
Earth's Materials and minerals - Rocks classification and characteristics - Earth surfaceconfiguration - Order
of landforms - Wegner's theory - Plate tectonics.

Endogenic processes: Folds, Fault, Dome and their resultant landforms - Earthquakes andVolcanic
activities: causes, resultant landforms and world distribution.

Exogenic processes: Weathering, Mass wasting and resultant landforms - Formation of regolith and soil-
Geomorphic agents and processes: Fluvial, Glacial, Coastal, Arid and Karst landforms - Geomorphic hazards
and their effects

Section II: Climatology

Elements of weather and climate –

Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere - Head budget

Atmospheric pressure: Vertical and horizontal distribution - Winds and their causes of circulation - Types
of planetary, Periodic and local winds - Temperature: factors and distribution - Temperature inversion.

Atmosphere moisture: Humidity, evaporation and condensation - Hydrological cycle - Types, regional and
seasonal distribution – Monsoon.

Air masses and Fronts- Atmospheric disturbances: Tropical and Temperate cyclones- Anti- cyclones - El-
Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) - Recent climatic variability phenomenon.

Climatic classification - Basis of Koppen's and Thornthwaite's classification - Role of climate inHuman life
- Atmospheric pollution and global warming: general causes and consequences.

Section III: Oceanography

Surface configuration of the ocean floor - Hypsographic curve: continental self, continental slope,
abyssal plain, trenches and deeps - Relief of Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

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Distribution of temperature and salinity of oceans and seas - Circulation of oceanic waters, waves
and currents - Currents of Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans - Tides: causes, types and theories.

Marine deposits - Coral reefs: types and their formation - Costal environment - Ocean as store house.of
resources for the future

Section IV: Biogeography

Biosphere: Meaning and concept - Components of ecosystem and ecology-Biomes: World majorbiomes and
their characteristics

Functions: Trophic levels, energy flows, cycles (geo-chemical, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen), food
chain, food web and ecological pyramid

Human interaction and impacts - Environmental ethics - Environmental hazards and disasters (global
warming, urban heat island, atmospheric pollution, water pollution, land degradation). Environmental
policies - Environmental impact assessment

Section V: Physical Geography of India

Land of diversities - Geological structure - Physical features and divisions- Drainage pattern - Soil types and
distribution - Natural vegetation

Climate: Seasons - Monsoon (origin, regional and seasonal variations) - Distribution of temperature and
rainfall- Local winds

Mineral and power resources: Major types and their potential, distribution and production –
Sources of non-conventional energy

PART-B
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Section V Geographic Thought

Nature and scope of geography - A brief historical overview of geography as a discipline – Branches of
geography: general characteristics and inter-relationships.

Contributions of Greek, Roman, Arab, Chinese and Indian Scholars - Contributors for the development
of modern geography- Recent Trends in Geography.

Dualisms in geographic studies (physical vs. human, regional vs. systematic, qualitative vs.
quantitative, ideographic vs. nomothetic) – Paradigm shift - Perspectives in geography(positivism,
behaviouralism, humanism, structuralism, feminism and postmodernism).

Section VII: Population Geography

Division of mankind - Racial groups and culture: systems, characteristics and distribution - Human
Adaptation to the environment - Adaptation in modern society - Globalization and culturalchange - Language,
communication and belief.

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 Geography (HUQP08)

Distribution and density of population: Factors, growth and distribution- Population composition -
Population theories - Health and wellbeing

Migration: Internal and international - Settlements: rural and urban - Urbanization process - Patterns and
world distribution – Population policies

Electoral geography – Frontiers and Boundaries- Geopolitics and world order – Geopolitical conflicts

Section VIII: Geography of Resources

Nature and components of resources - Resources and environment interface - Classification of resources:
renewable and non-renewable, biotic and abiotic resources.

Water, forests and soil resources: Types, distribution, economic and environmental significance - problems
of deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution.

Exploitation of natural resources - Impact of Human activities: deforestation, mining, agriculture and
industrialization on environment- Population pressure and resources utilization - Population explosion and
food security Environmental hazards: pollution and its related problems -Emerging environmental problems -
Global warming - Environmental conservation, preservation,and sustainable resource use.

Section IX: Economic Geography

Sectors of economic activity: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary - Favourable geographicalconditions for
different economic activities.

Agriculture: Primary crops (wheat, rice and maize), commercial crops (cotton, sugarcane, tea, coffee,
rubber) distribution and production - Livestock and Fisheries-Important fishing grounds.

Mining economy: Factors governing the exploitation of minerals - World reserves and productionof Iron ore,
Manganese, Bauxite and Copper.

Fuel and power resources of the world - Distribution and production of coal, petroleum,
hydroelectric power, atomic energy and non-conventional sources of energy.

Manufacturing industries: Factors affecting location - growth and distribution of majorindustries - World
production and distribution.
Nature and trends in the International trade - World trade of wheat, cotton, tea, coffee, petroleum, gold,
silver, gems and jewelry.

Transport: Relative significance of different means of transport - Factors affecting land, water and air
transport - World oceanic routes - Important inland waterways and important canals - Impact of globalization
on world economy

Section X: Human Geography of India

Cultural landscape: Population growth, distribution and density - Population composition - Settlements and
Urbanization

Agriculture: Major crops, impact of green revolution, Regionalization of Indian agriculture

Industrial development - Location and distribution of iron and steel, cement, cotton textile and sugar
industry - Industrial Regions and their characteristics - Industrial Policies in India
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Transport Networks (railways, roadways, waterways, airways and pipelines) - International
Internal and External Trade (trend, composition and directions)

Regional development planning in India - Globalisation and its impact on Indian Economy- Changing nature
of Indian economy - Socio-economic development - Impact of development on environment and natural
resources

PART-C
GEOGRAPHICAL TECHNIQUES

Section XI: Cartography

Elements of Map Science - Concepts of scale and map - Types of maps and scales - Construction of
graphic/linear scales - Enlargement and reduction of maps: methods and procedures - Map compilation and
generalization.

General principles and classification of projections: construction, properties, limitations and uses
of Zenithal, Conical and Cylindrical projections.

Methods of showing relief- (hachure, shading, and contours) - Contour interpolation - Profiles:
drawing of profiles and their relevance in landforms mapping and analysis - Identification of
different rocks-SOI Toposheets - Interpretation of physical and cultural topographic sheets.

Methods and instruments for collection of weather data - Construction of climograph and
hythergraph, isotherm, isobars and isohyets - Preparation of weather maps-Symbols used in
weather maps - Interpretation of Indian daily weather maps.
Mapping techniques of population, social, economic and cultural data - dot, isopleth, andchoropleth
methods.

Section XII: Surveying Techniques

Basic principles of surveying - Types of surveying - Surveying instruments - Basic principles offield work
- Techniques in physical and socio-economic field surveys- Data collection methods.

Chain and tape survey - Prismatic compass survey - Plane Table survey- Levelling techniques -Electronic
surveying instruments (Theodolite and electronic devices)

Section XIII: Statistical Techniques

Statistical Methods: Frequency distribution and histograms - Measures of central tendency anddispersion
- Diagrammatic representation of geographical and statistical data.

Sampling Techniques - Tests of significance - Probability distributions: normal, binominal andPoisson-

parametric and non-parametric tests-Correlation and regression.

Section XIV: Remote Sensing and GIS

Remote sensing principles - Types of remote sensing - Aerial photography-Satellite images -
Application of Remote Sensing Techniques.

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Components and function of GIS - Spatial and non-spatial data - Vector and raster format - GISanalysis -
Application of GIS.

Basic principles of Global Navigation Satellite System- Segments and applications.