List of all major books for Geography Optional Subject

The books are important in the order suggested here. Books 11 and 12 are specialized books. You would already have covered these topics well in Strahler and Savindra Singh. However, it is necessary that you read through these books so that you have a deeper understanding of the topic.

Do not be worried about the number of books and the quantum of stuff you have to study. After the first f8 books, all the others are the same. Even between the first 8 books, around 30% would be repeated content. So, even as you finish studying all these books, you would have repeatedly read all the important topics.

A note on the books: Some of these books can be difficult to buy. But if you want, you can find them.

Paper 1: You are supposed to read each of the topics from all the sources listed above. The topics and the corresponding books are listed here to emphasise the point that you are supposed to perfect the content in these books for the particular topics.

1. Geomorphology – Strahler & Strahler, Savindra Singh
2. Climatology – Strahler & Strahler, Savindra Singh, D.S. Lal
3. Oceanography – Strahler & Strahler, Savindra Singh, R.C. Sharma and M.Vatal
4. Biogeography – Strahler & Strahler, Savindra Singh, Physical Geography Made Simple Books by Rupa
5. Environmental Geography – 9^th and 10^th standard ICSE books, Downtoearth website,
6. Human & Population Geography – NCERT 12^th standard book, Human Geography by Majid Hussain
7. Human Geography theories – Human Geography by Majid Hussain
8. Settlement Geography – Also refer Rajiv Ahir’s Geography, Spectrum Publications
9. Economic Geography – Economic and Social Geography Made Simple by Rupa, Human Geography by Majid Hussain
10. Regional Planning –
11. Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography – A modern dictionary of Geography, K. Siddartha, Evolution of Geographical thought by Majid Hussain

Paper 2:

Indian Geography by Khullar will cover all the topics for this paper. Make sure you read the book well.

Note:

Answer writing practice

Begin by answering the question papers of the last 20-25 years. Learn to write effective answers within the prescribed word limit. There will not be enough time during the exam to think and write. Your mind should be trained enough that it should be able to answer a question upon first seeing it. Write and practice as much as you can. The importance of practicing writing answers cannot be overstressed. Make use of diagrams as effectively as possible. Practice drawing them. Use Maps wherever possible.

Initially just practice writing good answers and compiling points. After 2 months of answer writing everyday, you can start writing answers by timing it appropriately. For example, a 20marks question should be allotted no more than 12 minutes.

Revision

Needless to say, you will have to revise the entire syllabus at least 3 times. Make your own notes if necessary. The more you revise, the more you will retain.

Work hard. Work smart!