Geography of India PYQ Analysis (Prelims)

Sampurna Geography - Geography for UPSC IAS Civil Services Exam - PMF IAS

Map of India - Geography of India: An Introduction - Civils daily

Vegetation in India

1. Types and Characteristics
2. PMF IAS
3. State wise vegetation in India.

Division of India's Costal Region

1. PMF IAS
2. OnlyIAS

Thermal Power Station

1. Thermal Power Plant in India
• Dul Hasti Power Station
2. Maitri Super Thermal Power Project
3. Singareni Thermal Power Plant
4. The problems plaguing Thermal Power Generation
5. Kothagudem - AP
6. Raichur - KN
7. Mettur - TN
8. Wanakbori - Gujarat

Hydroelectricity Power Project

1. Hydro electricity in Himalayas
2. Impact of Hydro power electricity in Himalayan Region
3. Ratle Hydroelectricity Project
4. Shanan Power Project
5. Suban Siri Lower Hydroelectric Project
6. War Hydroelectric Project
7. Hydropower Potential in India
8. Arun 3 Hydro Project
9. Mentioned in PYQs
• Tapovan (Chamoli district of Uttarakhand)
• Vishnugarh (Same)
10. Tehri Hydropower complex - Bhagirathi river
11. Vishnugadh Pipalkoti Hydroelectricity Project - Alaknanda river
12. Tapovan Vishnugadh Hydropower Project - Dhauliganga

Irrigation Project

1. Irrigation Projects and Schemes
2. Access to assured Irrigation
3. Irrigation Benefit Types and Efficiency
4. Available ground water available of states in sequential manner.
• Ground water resource assessment report
• Status of ground water in India
• Per capita water availability
• Extraction of Ground water
5. Mentioned in PYQs
• Damanganga (Gujarat)
• Gima (Jalgaon area of Maharashtra)
• Pamba (Kerala)

Multipurpose Project

1. Multipurpose River Valley Project in India
2. Same BYJU'S
3. Multipurpose Project in India
4. Sapt Kosi High Dam Project
5. Dibang Multipurpose Project
6. Omkareshwar Project (World's largest floating solar project) - Narmada river

Nuclear Power Plant 

1. Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant
2. India's Nuclear Power Capacity
3. Nuclear Power plant in India - List

Important Dams (River, Forest cover - Biosphere reserve, National Park, WLS etc.)

1. Tehri Dam
2. Koteshwar Dam
3. Nizam Sagar Dam
4. Gandhi Sagar Dam - Chambal
5. Kosi Project
6. Damodar Valley Project
7. Bhakhra Nangal Project

Nuclear Power Plant

1. Koodankulam
2. 
   

Mountain Ranges 

Hills of the peninsular India (Origin of Rivers, Correct sequence of hills)

1. Mahabaleshwar
2. Badrinath
3. Amarkantak
4. Nasik
5. Anna Mudi - Highest peak in the Western Ghats
6. Nilgiri area 
• Toda live in Nilgirs area

Mountain Passes

Wetlands

1. Theory
2. Ramsar sites in India
3. Ramsar Convention on wetlands and Montrex record 
4. Important wetlands PYQs
• Harike wetlands
• Keoladeo Ghana NP
• Kolleru lake
5. Compare state wise wetlands.
6. Largest Inland saline wetlands - Rajasthan

Wind System

1. Types of winds - Permanent, Secondary and Local Winds
2. Monsoon in India

Minerals ores - Location Map

Iron

1. Iron and Steel Industry
• Raw Material - Iron ore, Coal, Limestone etc.
2.  Impurities
• Silicon ==> small quantity ==> deoxidizing agent ==> good.
• Sulphur ==> Brittle ==> Reduce strength ==> Very bad.
• Phosphorus - Affect ductility and resistance to shock - Very bad.
• Lead ==> Improve machinability ==> small quantity good.
• Manganese ==> Most effective deoxidant ==> Good effect on Sulphur
• Tin ==> Form low melting point brittle film => Make steel very useless
• Oxygen ==> Bad influence property of steel.
3. Input in Iron blast
• Ore ==> iron ore
• Fuel ==> coke
• Flux ==> limestone
4. Destructive distillation ==> Coal is cooked to produce coke (90-93% carbon).
5. Output - Liquid slag, Pig iron (Liquid iron) and gases.
6. Role of Limestone = Remove Sulphur
7. Pig Iron ==> Fe (93-95%) + Si + S + Mg + P + Ti + C (all in small quantity)
8. Caste Iron = C(<2%) + Si ==> Automotive industry parts, cast iron pan.
9. Steel = C > 2.1%
10. Stainless steel = Chromium (min 5%) + Ni + Mn + Molybdenum 
11. Wrought iron 
• Made by mixing liquid iron with some slag.
• Much lower carbon content
12. Distribution of Iron ore across the world.

Manganese

1. Most important Mn ore is pyrolusite.
2. Primarily used in Iron and Steel Industries.
3. Basic raw material for manufacturing of alloys.
4. 6 Kg of Mn ore is required for manufacturing of one tons of steel.
5. Also used in manufacturing of bleaching powder, insecticides, paints and batteries.

State wise reserves - Odisha > Karnataka > Madhya Pradesh > Maharashtra > Andhra Pradesh > Jharkhand and Goa > Rajasthan, Gujarat, and West Bengal.

Distribution in India 

1. India second largest reserves after Zimbabwe.
2. Fifth largest producers after China, Gabon, South Africa and Australia.
3. Maharashtra (27.66%) - Nagpur and Bhandara district, Ratnagiri Hills.
4. MP (27.59%) -  Balaghat and Chhindwara district
5. Odisha (24%) - 1st in reserve but 3rd in production
6. Gondite deposite (Sundargarh district)
7. Kodurite and Khondolite deposits in Kalahandi and Koraput district.
8. Lateritic deposits in Bolangir and Sambalpur district.
9. Andhra Pradesh (13%)
• Srikakulam and Vishakhapatnam district.
• Cuddapah, Vijayanagaram and Guntur districts.
10. Karnataka (6%) - Uttara Kannada, Shimoga, Bellary, Chitradurg and Tumkur district.
11. Other producers
• Goa
• Panchmahal and Vadodara in Gujarat.
• Udaipur and Banswara in Rajasthan.
• Singhbhum and Dhanbad district in Jharkhand.

Export of Manganese

1. 4/5th total production consumed domestically.
2. Export decreasing - Increasing domestic demands.
3. Japan largest buyer.
4. Other buyers - USA, UK, Germany, France, Norway.

1. Chromium - Copper - Nickel
2. Bauxite - Lead-Zinc - Tungsten - Pyrite 
• Lead Poisoning
3. Dolomite
4. Tin
5. Asbestos
• Mesothelioma
6. Coal 
7. Gold 
8. Mica, Limestone and other Non-Metallic Minerals
9. Graphite
10. Lead
11. Salt
12. Silver
13. Bentonite
14. Chromite
15. Kyanite
16. Sillimanite
17. Feldspar
18. Tungsten
19. Quartz
20. Magnesium
21. Diamond
22. Zinc
23. Diamond bearing kimberlite - Raipur

Energy Minerals

1. Coal
• Namchik Namphuk coal field - Arunachal Pradesh 
2. Uranium
3. Natural Gas
4. Shale Gas
• Cavery basin (Mehsana, Ahmedabad and Bharuch district of Gujarat)
• Cambay basin (Nagapattinum Tamil Nadu)
• Krishna-Godavari basin (East and West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh)
5. Petroleum

Important Acts

1. MMDR Act 1957
• Amendment 2023
• Net Zero Emission Target
2. India Forest Act 1947
3. Scheduled Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of forest rights) Act 2006
4. Forest Conservation Act 1980
5. Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
6. Environment Conventions and Protocols

Major and Minor Minerals and Forest Produces

1. Minor Minerals
• Sand
• Large nonmetallic and Non energy minerals fall under minor category.
2. Major Minerals - Metallic Minerals are mostly in the major minerals category.
3. Minor forest produce
4. Major forest produce

Major Industrial Location

1. Industrial Region in India
2. Distribution of Major Industries - Location factors
3. Woolen textile
4. Aluminum
5. Fertilizer 
6. Cement 
7. Iron and Steel

Maharatnas, Navratna and Miniratnas

Important Industrial Towns

1. Badrachalam
2. Chanderi
3. Kancheepuram
4. Karnal

Name of Islands and their Significance

1. Tipis
2. Barkhans 
3. Phoomdis
4. Izba

National Park - Location, Topography, River, Climatic zones, Natural vegetation

1. Manas National Park
2. Namdapha National Park
3. Neora Valley National Park
4. Valley of Flower National Park
5. Corbett National Park
6. Kaziranga National Park
7. Silent Valley National Park
• Nilgiris hills
• Pathrakkadavu Hydroelectric Project
• Kunthi river
8. Chandra Prabha - Varanasi
9. Karera - Jhasi
10. Jaisamand - Udaipur
11. Nahargarh - Jaipur
12. Bondala Wildlife Sanctuary - Goa
13. Kangerghat National Park - Chandigarh
14. Orang Sanctuary - Assam
15. Ushkothi Wildlife Sanctuary - Odisha

Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO World Heritage Site

1. Champaner - Pavagadh - Archeological Site
2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station
3. Mahallapuram
4. Sun Temple (Konark Temple)
5. Complete List

Biodiversity Hotspot in India

Lakes / Dam in India

1. Kodaikanal (TN) - Artificial Lakes
2. Kolleru (Andhra P)
3. Nainital (UK)
4. Renuka (HP)
5. Govind Sagar
6. Ukai Reservoir
7. Wular Lake

Indian Sericulture

1. Oak Tasar Silk

State wise ranking for Ground water Resources for Irrigation

Mineral Oils

Atomic Mineral Division of Department Atomic Energy

Population density

Language spoken in different states and region in India.

State wise Population of Schedule Tribe
National Highway

Ports in India (Major and Minor ports)

1. Kakinada
2. Karwar
3. Mangalore
4. Tuticorin
5. Veraval
6. Mahe
7. Pondicherry
8. Yanam
9. Karaikal
10. Kochi
11. Dahej
12. Paradip
13. New Mangalore
14. Region on Map

India's Population

1. India's Demography
2. Population and growth trends - Density, Sex ratio, Literacy, Tribe and Racial group.
3. Population and associated issues.
4. Critically examine the India's population policy of 1976.
5. India at 75.
6. Infant Mortality Rate
• India’s Progress in Tackling IMR, MMR and Malnutrition (drishtiias.com)
• The Big Picture: Tackling Infant Mortality (drishtiias.com)

Time Zones - Calculating local time of particular place following their longitude and latitude.

River Map - Origin - Dam - Irrigation project - Canals - Conservation reserve - Flora and Fauna - Important Tributaries (Learn with correct sequence)

1. Indus and their tributaries
2. Kosi 
3. Gomati
4. Ghaghara
5. Gandaki
6. Teesta
7. Krishna
8. Cavery
9. Godavari
10. Tungabhadra
11. Damodar
12. Mahanadi
13. Yamuna
• Chambal
14. Ganga
• Son
15. Chandrabhaga
16. Malaprabha
17. Vamsadhara
18. Indiravati
19. Pranhita
20. Pennar
21. Barak
22. Lohit
23. Subansiri
24. Brahamputra
• Manas
• Pagladia
• Puthimari
• Dhansiri
• Jia Bharati
• Subansiri
25. Irewaady
26. Mekong
27. Luni
28. Narmada 
• Tapi Narmada linking project

Important Valley

1. Markha Valley - Jammu Kashmir
2. Dzukou Valley - Nagaland
3. Sangla Valley - Himachal Pradesh
4. Yamthung Valley - Sikkim

Waterfalls

1. Kapildhara falls (Narmada)
2. Jog falls (Sharavathi river)
3. Shivasamudram falls (Cavery)

8-, 9- and 10-degree channels

Predominant Language of different regions 

1. Brajbhasha
2. Bhojpuri
3. Maithili
4. Awadhi

Tree Species

1. Teak
2. Deodar
3. Sandalwood
4. Sundari
5. Sal
6. Oak
7. Rhododendron
8. Juniper (Himalayan Region)
9. Mahogany (Carribean, Central and South America}
10. Islver fir (Himalayan Region)
11. Spruce (Himalayan Region)

Wild life

1. Lion
2. Tiger
3. Elephant
4. One horned Rhinoceroses
5. Cheetah
6. Coral Reefs
7. Mollusca
8. Dolphins
9. Tortoise
10. Salt water crocodile (Andaman and Nicobar Island)
11. The Great Indian Bustard
12. Various sea birds
13. Shrew and Tapir (Western ghats of Malabar region)
14. Red Panda (Mountains of Nepal, North-eastern India, China, Bhutan)
15. Slow Loris (Dense forest of North east and Assam)

Protected Area Network

1. Bhitarkanika
2. Desert National Park
3. Eravikulam, Kerala

Marine Sanctuaries in India

Area under forest cover - Percentage of forest cover in total area in state.

• Maharastra < Madhyapradesh < Odisha < Chattisgarh

Major Topography of India

1. Rift valley region
2. Chhattisgarh plain
3. Rain shadow region
4. Chota Nagpur Plateau

Races

1. Australoid race
2. Caucasoid race
3. Mongoloid race
4. Negroid race

Major tribes in India (Region and State)

1. Miri
2. Konyak
3. Apatani
4. Lambada
5. Buksa
6. Kol
7. Munda
8. Korba
9. Changpa 
• Semi nomadic Tibetan ethnic group
• Zanskar region of Jammu Kashmir
• Rear Pashmina goat 
• Kept in category of ST
10. Shompen tribe - One of two mongoloid tribe found in Nicobar Island.
11. Other tribes found in
• Nilgiri hills
• Nicobar Island 
• Spiti Valley
• Lakshadweep Island

GI Tags

1. GI status for Kerala 5 agricultural product

States (Forest cover, Crop production, Climate, Protected Area Network)

Recently discovered something

Important places or region mentioned in PYQs.

1. Sundarbans
2. Kerala Coast
3. Orissa Coast
4. Andaman and Nicobar Island
5. Jurassic Land Mass
6. Aryavart
7. Indiana
8. Gondwana Continent
9. Ravva offshore block
10. Krishna - Godavari basin
11. Cavery basin
12. Mahanadi Basin
13. Palar Pennar Basin
14. Aliyar - (Tamil Nadu)
15. Isapur- Maharashtra
16. Kangsabati - West Bengal
17. Underground Cave System