GEOGRAPHY (853)

Aims and consequences of natural hazards and

suggest ways of coping with them through
1. To enable candidates to acquire knowledge
sustainable development.
(information) and to develop an understanding
of facts, terms, symbols concepts, principles, 3. To develop skills of drawing maps, surveying,
generalizations, hypotheses, problems, trends, and drawing statistical diagrams and thematic
processes and methods of Geography at the maps.
national and global level.
4. To develop an interest in Geography.
2. To apply the knowledge of the principles of
Physical Geography in explaining the causes

CLASS XI

There will be two papers in the subject: – The conceptual and intellectual ideas of
Paper I – Theory (3 hours) ….70 marks a number of new approaches to
contemporary human geography should
Paper II – Practical and Project Work …30 marks be examined to understand the
PAPER I: THEORY (70 Marks) strengths and limitations of each
There will be one Theory paper of three hours approach within the context of Human
duration divided into two parts: Geography and Social Sciences.
Part I (30 marks) will be compulsory and will (ii) Regional approach: Regional/ Area Studies,
consist of Section A and Section B. Regional Planning, Regional Development.
Section A will include compulsory short answer Future prospects of Geography to be discussed:
questions testing knowledge, application and skills • In the area of GPS, GIS, Remote Sensing for
related to elementary/fundamental aspects of the resource identification.
entire syllabus.
Section B will consist of one question on map work. • Applied geography in town and country
planning, environment management and law,
Part II (40 marks) will consist of seven questions. cartography and mapping, geography
Candidates will be required to answer four out of education, map analysis, travel and tourism
seven questions. Each question in this part shall (to be taught only for the sake of awareness,
carry 10 marks. not for testing).
GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL
GEOGRAPHY
1. Geography - its interdisciplinary approach
and future prospects 2. Formation of the Earth
Geography as an integrating discipline. Physical Theories of formation; Methods of measuring age
Geography and Natural Sciences; Geography and of the earth; Structure and Composition; Rocks.
Social Sciences.
(i) Theories of formation of the earth: the Big
Branches of Geography: Bang theory..
(i) Systematic approach: Physical Geography
(ii) Methods of measuring age of the earth: Tidal
(Geomorphology, Climatology,
force, Sedimentation, Rate of Erosion,
Hydrology); Human Geography
Salinity of the Ocean, Radioactivity – a brief
(Historical, Social, Population and
understanding.
Settlement, Economic, Political).

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 (iii) Structure and composition of the earth’s (iv) Earthquakes.
interior: crust, mantle, core; their properties Origin of earthquakes, waves and their
- temperature, pressure, thickness. Sources of behaviour, hypocentre (focus), epicentre;
information – direct and indirect; seismic their causes and distribution; effects;
waves, their behaviour and inferences. isoseismal and homoseismal lines, sea
(iv) Rocks: Definition of rocks and minerals. The quakes, tsunamis; measuring earthquakes
mineral groups responsible for different and their intensity.
rocks formed on the earth: silicates, Studying the effects of earthquakes on a
carbonates, sulphides, metals. country like Japan.
Classification of rocks by origin: igneous, (v) Exogenetic process and associated landforms.
metamorphic and sedimentary rocks – their
distribution in India; characteristics, types, Weathering and gradation – difference
economic importance. between the two. Role of weathering in
gradation. Different types of weathering.
The rock cycle.
(vi) Soil.
3. Changing Face of the Earth The factors affecting soil formation; soil
Landforms and Processes of Gradation profile; physical and chemical properties,
distribution and characteristics of soils in the
(i) Endogenous processes: theory of plate
world - zonal, azonal and intrazonal– only
tectonics and the process of drifting
broad characteristics related to Indian soils
continents, theory of Isostasy by Pratt and A.
to be done (detailed distribution not
Holmes.
required).
Definition of endogenetic force, difference
Alluvial, red, yellow, black and laterite soils
between slow and sudden forces, vertical and
in India and the problems related to their
horizontal forces and their effects. Folding
management.
and Faulting – types, Sea floor spreading,
continental drifting and isostacy. (vii) Fluvial processes and associated landforms.
(ii) Landforms – mountains, plateaus and plains Work of rivers - concept of baselevel;
and their types. processes of erosion, transportation and
deposition. Types of erosion - headward,
Meaning and differentiation between the
vertical, lateral; transportation mode and
three main landforms of the earth.
deposition.
Classification of mountains on the basis of
Landforms made by the river - V shaped
their origin or mode of formation: fold,
valley, gorges, rapids, waterfalls, alluvial
block, volcanic and residual with examples
fans, levees, floodplains, meanders - river
from the world.
cliff, slip-off slope; braided channels, oxbow
Classification of plateaus on the basis of lakes, deltas – delta plains.
their situation: intermontane, piedmont and
Development of river valleys, drainage
continental with examples from the world.
patterns. Diagrams and examples from
Classification of Plains on the basis of India with photographs.
formation: structural, erosional and
(viii) Aeolian processes and associated landforms.
depositional with examples from the world.
(iii) Vulcanicity – materials and processes. Major Process of wind erosion – abrasion, attrition,
volcanic forms. deflation. Ideal conditions for erosion in hot
deserts; landforms resulting from erosion -
Explanation of how volcanoes are formed; deflation hollows, pedestal rocks, yardangs,
identification of the type of volcano; desert pavement; landforms resulting from
recognition of the properties of volcanic deposition - sand dunes and their types,
materials; explanation of why volcanoes are loess. Diagrams and examples from India
more in the areas of converging plates. and Asia.

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 (ix) Glacial processes and associated landforms. (ii) Atmospheric temperature.
Continental and mountain or valley glaciers, Heating and cooling of the atmosphere,
processes of glacial erosion – plucking, radiation, conduction, convection. Insolation
abrasion, attrition; erosional features, e.g. and factors influencing it – angle of sun’s
cirque and its components, U shaped and rays, duration of day, transparency of
hanging valleys, roche moutonnes, crag and atmosphere. Heat budget i.e. balance
tail, depositional formations, moraines of between insolation and terrestrial radiation-
various types. Some Indian glaciers - areas of surplus and deficit heat in different
Siachen, Gangotri, Baltoro. Diagrams and latitudes resulting in latitudinal heat
examples from India. balance.
(x) Work of ground water and associated Factors controlling its horizontal and
landforms. Water Conservation. vertical distribution, temperature anomalies
and their nature. Isotherms: their
Definition of ground water, water table,
characteristics; isotherm maps of the world
aquifers, springs. Process of erosion by
in July and January. Reasons for the
groundwater solution, corrasion. Features
variations in temperature. Practical work on
formed by underground water (karst
temperature measurement and graphs to
topography) – sink holes, dolines, caves,
show variations in temperature of one or
caverns, karst lakes, depositional features –
more cities of India.
stalactites, stalagmites, cave pillars,
dripstones: their formation. Diagrams and (iii) Atmospheric Pressure.
examples from India and Australia.
Its horizontal and vertical distribution,
Emerging water problems and conservation factors affecting the distribution,
of water resources. characteristics of isobars on world maps for
July and January. Patterns and the causes
(xi) Marine processes and associated landforms.
for the distribution of isobars.
Erosional process of sea waves – abrasion,
Pressure belts and winds – types of winds,
attrition, solution and hydraulic action;
air masses and atmospheric disturbances,
coastline and shoreline, erosional features;
cyclones of temperate and tropical areas;
sea cliffs, sea caves, sea arch, headland inlet,
anticyclones – their types and associated
stacks and depositional landforms, e.g. -
weather. World map showing major paths of
bays, bars and lagoons; Coral reefs: types –
cyclones. Jet Streams – concepts to be
fringing, barrier and atolls; submerged and
introduced with reference to India.
emergent coastlines. Diagrams and examples
from India, Australia and West Europe Practical work on pressure measurement.
(wherever relevant).
(iv) Atmospheric Moisture.
Note: For topics (viii) to (xii) only diagram or
Processes of evaporation, condensation and
photograph based questions will be asked.
precipitation; relative and absolute humidity;
Photograph based information should be made
forms of condensation - cloud, fog, dew,
use of to emphasize the different processes of
frost; precipitation – its forms: snow, hail,
gradation.
rain; types of rainfall: orographic, cyclonic,
4. Atmosphere convectional. Monsoons – origin and factors
(i) Composition and structure of atmosphere. that affect. Examples from different parts of
the world.
Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere,
stratosphere, ozonosphere, mesosphere, Practical work on measuring rainfall and
ionosphere; their height; composition; use of bar graphs to show variations in
special characteristics of each layer; ozone rainfall in one or more cities of India.
depletion.

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5. The Realms of Water East region, desert vegetation in Rajasthan,
thorn and scrub forests in the plateaus, etc.
(i) Submarine relief and deposits of the Atlantic,
Pacific and Indian Oceans. (iv) Loss of biodiversity - threatened,
endangered and extinct species.
The depth and the features. The sea floor
deposits and their characteristics, the Understanding the implications of loss of
importance of marine resources. Ocean biodiversity.
pollution and ways to overcome them.
Categorizing species in different groups like
(ii) Ocean water - salinity, temperature, density. - threatened, endangered and extinct.
Examples of plants and animals.
Composition of seawater and factors that
control distribution of salinity, density and (v) Strategies for conservation of biodiversity –
temperature. in-situ and ex-situ.
(iii) Ocean water movements. Looking at various in-situ and ex-situ
strategies for their efficacy and viability:
Direct and indirect tides – origin, time,
spring and neap tides. Waves – parts, In-situ strategies - protected areas
characteristics, formation. Currents - factors (biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife
affecting currents, currents of Indian, Pacific sanctuaries).
and Atlantic oceans. Role of currents in
Ex-situ strategies - captive breeding, zoo,
modifying climates of coastal areas.
botanical garden, gene banks and their use.
Introduction to El Nino and El Nina as
conditions that affect the intensity of the 7. A. World Climatic types
monsoons over India.
Low latitude / tropical climates
6. Biosphere – Life on the Earth (i) Equatorial (ii) Monsoon and trade wind
littoral (iii) Dry tropical (desert).
(i) Nature of Biosphere, concept of ecosystems,
components of ecosystem. Mid latitude/temperate climates -
(i) Mediterranean (ii) Marine west coast
Meaning, nature of interaction between the
(iii) Dry sub-tropical (iv) Dry mid latitude
different components of the biosphere.
(cold deserts).
Understanding the concept of biodiversity.
To appreciate various reasons for valuing High latitude/polar climates - (i) Boreal
and conserving biodiversity (ethical, moral, (ii) Tundra
economic, aesthetic). For each of the above climatic types, the
(ii) Biodiversity for sustenance of mankind. following is to be studied:
The various roles played by biodiversity in • Location, climatic conditions and areas;
sustaining mankind - as a source of food, • Description of major human activities
medicine, pollution control, etc. (both farming and forestry.)
(iii) India as a mega diversity nation.
B. Climate Change – causes/factors of climatic
A basic understanding that India with its changes in the recent past.
varied climate and landscape is home to a
variety of unique ecosystems and endemic Natural and man-made factors, with special
species e.g. the largest mangrove forest in reference to climatic changes in India.
the world - the Sundarbans, vast mountain Measures taken to adapt to these changes in
forests in the Himalayas, tropical evergreen urban and rural India.
forests in the Western Ghats and the North-

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 MAN- ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION Water Bodies (bays, gulfs, straits, sea, oceans):
Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean,
8. Natural hazards, their causes and Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean, Beaufort Sea,
management Hudson bay, Gulf of California, Gulf of Mexico,
(i) Hazards of volcanic eruptions and Panama Canal, Bering Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, Sea
of Japan, East China Sea, South China Sea,
earthquakes.
Yellow Sea, Timor Sea, Tasman Sea, Persian
Major volcanic areas and their problems; Gulf, Red Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea,
major earthquake prone areas - effects on Caspian Sea, Arabian sea, North Sea, Baltic Sea,
land and human life. Seismic zones of India Suez Canal, Strait of Magellan, Bay of Biscay,
and measures to reduce the fury of Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, Lakshwadweep
earthquakes. Sea.
(ii) Identification of major drought prone areas. Rivers: Mississippi, Missouri, Mackenzie,
Amazon, Orinoco, St. Francisco, Parana,
Characteristics of drought prone areas.
Orange, Nile, Zaire, Niger, Zambezi, Rhine,
Causes, problems and remedial measures
Rhone, Seine, Danube, Volga, Euphrates, Tigris,
(like rain water harvesting) adopted with
Thames, Ob, Yenisei, Lena, Amur, Hwang Ho,
special reference to India.
Yangtze Kiang, Sikiang, Mekong, Irrawaddy,
(iii) Areas prone to floods / landslides - India. Salween, Indus, Ganga, Godavari, Murray,
Darling.
Landslides - causes, effects and measures
adopted to check (Himalayan region). The Ocean Currents: North Pacific current, Alaska
causes of flooding and checking floods (like current, North Atlantic Drift, Gulf Stream,
construction of dams and afforestation) Labrador current, North Equatorial current,
– with special reference to India. South Equatorial current, Equatorial Counter
current, Peru current, South Pacific current,
9. Map Work South Atlantic, Current, West wind drift, South
Indian current, Benguela Current, Brazilian
A question on map work will be set to identify, current, Southwest Monsoon current, Indian
label and locate any of the following items counter current, Mozambique current, West
studied in topics from Principles of Physical Australian current, KuroShio current, Oyashio
Geography and cities from Climatic Regions current, East Australian current, Guinea current,
only. Falkland current.
MAP LIST Islands: Greenland, Hawaii, Aleutian, West
Indies, Tierra del Fuego, Galapagos, Baffin,
Mountains: Himalayas, Hindukush, Elburz, Newfoundland, Iceland, British Isles, Canaries,
Zagros, Kirthar, Caucasus, Alps, Pyrenees, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Madagascar, Sri
Carpathians, Urals, Khingan, Kunlun, Altai, Lanka, Philippines, Papua New Guinea,
Drakensburg, Kjolen, Andes, Rockies, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand,
Appalachian, Great Australian Alps, Tasmania.
Verkhoyansk, Great Dividing Range, Southern Climatic Regions: Equatorial, Monsoon, trade
Alps. wind littoral, Dry tropical (desert),
Plateaus: Tibetan, West Australian, Iranian, Mediterranean, Marine west coast, Dry sub-
Anatolian, Pamirs, Ethiopian, Bolivian, Deccan, tropical, Dry midlatitude (cold deserts), Boreal,
Guiana, Colorado, Brazilian, Labrador, Arabian. Tundra.

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 PAPER II: PRACTICAL WORK AND 2. Project Work (Assignment)
PROJECT WORK (30 Marks)
Fieldwork to understand any physical
phenomena in the local or selected area to
Candidates will be required to undertake the
illustrate the physical processes (One topic as an
following Practical work and Project work:
assignment. Sketches and drawings will be given
1. Practical Work credit).
Any three of the following four topics to be (i) Take any physical feature in your
undertaken. immediate locality:
(a) Surveying - elementary principles; preparing (a) draw sketches or take photograhs to
plans of the school compound or a small area highlight physical features.
with the help of chain and tape.
(b) survey how these features have been
(b) Statistical diagrams - line graphs (simple and used and prepare a report.
multiple), composite bars, pie diagram, flow
(c) suggest ways by which the area of
and star diagram, (the data used will be that
study could be better used keeping in
used in Paper I ).
view the needs of the people of the
(c) Map projections – uses, construction and region.
properties of the following:
(ii) Choose any island area of the world or
(i) Cylindrical equal area. India and:
(ii) Simple conical with one standard parallel. (a) trace the map of the area and show
(iii) Zenithal equidistant. physical features, towns and port cities.

(d) Aerial photographs – Introduction; (b) prepare a project report using

definition; difference between map and an photographs and pictures from
aerial photographs; uses of aerial brochures and magazines to show:
photographs, advantages of aerial - its origin and formation.
photography.
- soil types, vegetation.
Types of Aerial Photographs:
- human occupations.
(i) Based on the position of the cameral axis
(iii) Any natural hazard like drought, flood,
– vertical photographs, low oblique, high
erosion, landslides, etc. in a local area.
oblique (only definition and
explanation). Choose a natural hazard in the local area.
Describe the nature of damage by
(ii) Based on Scale – (a) Large scale
consulting newspaper reports, studies,
photographs (b) Small scale
interviews with local people. Identify the
photographs. Scale of Aerial Photograph
nature of damage before and after – land,
– (a) by establishing of relationship
building, public property, soil, vegetation,
between photo distance and ground
animals, etc. What are the chances of it
distance; (b) by establishing relationship
occuring again and what precautions are
between photo distance and map
being taken?
distance.

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 CLASS XII

There will be two papers in the subject: (b) The three-fold physiographic divisions: the
Paper I – Theory (3 hours) ...70 marks Himalayan mountain complex, the Indus-
Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains and the
Paper II – Practical and Project Work …30 marks Peninsular Plateau.
PAPER I: THEORY (70 Marks)
• Himalayan mountain complex:
There will be one Theory paper of three hours (orthoclinal structure)
duration divided into two parts:
The three parallel ranges, the northwest
Part I (30 marks) will be compulsory and will and northeast offshoots, comparison
consist of Section A and Section B. between Western and Eastern
Section A will include compulsory short answer Himalayas.
questions testing knowledge, application and skills
Regional divisions of the Himalayas
related to elementary/fundamental aspects of the
(Kashmir/ Punjab Himalayas, Himachal/
entire syllabus.
Uttranchal/ Kumaon Himalayas, Nepal
Section B will consist of one question on map work. Himalayas, Assam Himalayas).
Part II (40 marks) will consist of seven questions. • Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains
Candidates will be required to answer four out of
seven questions. Each question in this part shall The relief features – bhabar, tarai,
carry 10 marks. bhangar, khaddar, bhur, barind,
barkhans, doabs. Regional divisions of
INDIA IN THE WORLD’S CONTEXT the plains: Rajasthan plain (the Great
Indian desert), Punjab plain, Ganga
1. Physical Environment plain, Brahamaputra/ Assam plain.).
(i) Locational setting - India: size and area.
• The Peninsular Plateau
Present importance of the location of India
with reference to the Indian Ocean Rim The Malwa plateau, Chotanagpur
countries and the Northern and Western Plateau and Deccan Plateau: the relief
frontiers. Comparison with China and features - badland, Western Ghats,
Australia. Eastern Ghats, Aravalis. Comparison
Extent, position with reference to latitude between the Western Ghats and the
and longitude, length of coastline and Eastern Ghats.
frontiers with neighbouring countries. The The above three physical divisions are
locational advantages of India in the Indian to be studied with reference to their extent,
Ocean and as a subcontinent. altitude, slope and landform characteristics.
(ii) Structure of India – Geological formation, • Coastal Plains
relief and drainage; major physiographic
divisions and their characteristics. Comparison between Western and
Eastern Coastal Plains and their
(a) Outline of the geological evolution and
divisions. The relief features: Lagoons,
structure: basic definitions – geology,
estuaries, deltas.
era, periods, physiography, geological
structure, stratigraphy. • Islands
Names of the main Standard and Indian Difference between Andaman and
geological eras with reference to Indian Nicobar and Lakshwadweep islands.
Geology.
(c) Drainage (i.e. rivers) and drainage systems:
Geological evolution of: the Peninsular Names and sources of the main rivers and
Plateau, the Himalayas and the Great their major tributaries (Extent of river basin
Plains. Difference between the area not required).
Peninsular Plateau and the Himalayas.
(The Geological rock formations of India Comparison of Himalayan and Peninsular
are not required). rivers.

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(iii) Climate: India - Factors affecting India’s Classification of vegetation types - tropical
climate: Temperature - factors affecting evergreen, monsoon forests, tropical dry
temperature. Atmospheric pressure forests, arid forests, deltaic forests, mountain
conditions during the year; origin and forests and their geographical distribution
mechanism of the monsoon, Jet streams, and adaptation.
Southern Oscillations; wind and rainfall Importance of forest to man; Impact of
distribution during the year; characteristics of human activity on vegetation. Forest area
the four main seasons - hot and dry, hot and and forest cover in India. Forest
wet, cool and dry, cool and wet with Conservation – need, Social Forestry (Agro
reference to temperature distribution in north forestry, community forestry, commercial
and south India, pressure, wind conditions – farm forestry, non-commercial farm forestry,
distribution of resultant rainfall; variability of urban forestry); Forest Conservation
rainfall, incidence of droughts and floods. Movement: Van Mahotsav, Chipko
Temperature and rainfall graphs of Mumbai, Movement.
Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaisalmer, Leh, and
Hyderabad. National Forest Policy (1988): objectives of
the Forest Policy; Integrated Forest
Role of various factors affecting Indian Protection Scheme.
climate – latitudinal extent, distance from the
sea, northern mountain ranges, 2. Population and Human settlements
physiography, monsoon winds, upper air (i) Population of India compared to six countries
circulation, western disturbances and - China, Australia, USA, Canada, Russia and
tropical cyclones, southern oscillation, El Brazil.
Nino; understanding of the concept and Population of India as compared to the other
mechanism of monsoon; Indian Monsoonal six countries with reference to percentage of
Regime – onset, rain bearing system, break world population and India’s position in the
in the monsoon, retreat of the monsoon; world.
Seasons of India – with reference to (ii) National and State level patterns of
temperature, pressure distribution, wind population distribution.
systems and local winds (loo, kalbaisaki/ Definition of census. Index of concentration
Norwesters, Mango showers; explanation of (highest and lowest index of concentration as
the variability of rainfall in different areas per the latest census), density of population –
over different seasons. arithmetic and physiological.
Droughts and Floods – meaning, causes, Spatial distribution of population in India
affected areas and mitigation programmes. and explanation of the factors influencing it –
Temperature and rainfall graphs of Mumbai, landforms, climate, accessibility and level of
Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Leh, Jaisalmer and development that result in this pattern.
Hyderabad. Comparison of the density at the State level
(iv) Natural vegetation: Major vegetation types and factors influencing it.
of India, their geographical distribution with (iii) Pattern of population growth in the last three
reference to rainfall and temperature decades; implications for development.
conditions – description of the important tree Meaning of terminologies such as
types and their adaptation to the climate. population, birth rate, death rate, population
Forest – area covered, importance, use, growth rate, natural growth rate and
misuse and potential both for exploitation absolute growth of population, migratory
and conservation. Present forest policy. growth, positive and negative growth.
Distinction between vegetation and forest, Population growth of India at national level
virgin vegetation; factors affecting – trends of 1921, 1951 and 1981 to the latest
vegetation. Census, absolute growth rate of population.
Demographic characteristics of India at the

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 National level- birth rate, death rate, and patterns (linear, circular, star shaped,
natural growth rate from 1991 to the latest rectangular, shapeless) of rural settlements
Census. in plains, coastal areas, mountains and
plateau areas.
Drawing general conclusions about the:
(vii) Urban settlements – size classification of
Impact of rapid growth rate on economic
towns as per the latest census. Study of
development, on environment; need for
population growth in Delhi, Mumbai,
planned development (to maintain the
Kolkata and Chennai from1951 till the latest
ecological balance).
census.
(iv) Migration trends over the last 25 years.
Definition of an Urban area according to the
Explanation of the important terms – latest census; Urban agglomeration,
migration, commutation, out migration, in conurbation, urban sprawl, ribbon
migration, step-wise migration and migrant, settlement, infill, metropolis, megalopolis.
push and pull factors.
Trends of urbanization only in Delhi,
Types (National and International migration, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai from 1951 till
inter migration and intra migration, urban the latest census.
migration and rural migration) and trends of
Factors that influence the growth of urban
migration.
centres in India. Problems and advantages of
Streams of migration: (rural-rural, rural- urban growth.
urban, urban-urban and urban-rural).
3. Resources of India and their Utilisation
Causes for migration - natural, economic,
(i) Need for environmental management vis-à-
political and social.
vis development.
Comparing the consequences of each type of
Understanding that from the development
migration on cities and rural areas.
point of view, environment may mistakenly be
(v) Demographic attributes at National level - seen as a ‘resource’ to be exploited, whereas,
trends and patterns of: 1. Rural urban environment needs to be viewed as a
population 2. Age and sex composition ‘capital’ that needs to be managed carefully.
3. Literacy levels 4. Working and non-
(ii) Land resources: Land use pattern in India –
working population; implications for
quality of cultivable land, size of land
development.
holdings.
Study of the causes and trends of rural urban
Defining the term land resource; its
composition, age and sex ratio, literacy level,
importance and problems. Land use pattern –
working and non-working population at the
net sown area, area sown more than once,
National level (highest and lowest figures for
forests, land not available for cultivation,
each of the above) in the latest census.
permanent pastures and other grazing lands,
Implications for development.
land under miscellaneous tree crops,
(vi) Rural settlements – size and number of culturable (cultivable) waste, fallow land,
villages as per the latest census. Types and quality and size of cultivable land holdings.
patterns in hill areas, plains and coastal Methods to reduce fragmentation of land
locations. holdings.
Distinction between Rural and Urban (iii) Water resources and types of irrigation.
settlements; Rural and Urban Population.
Water Resources: Their demand and
Classification of villages as per the latest
utilization. Types of water resources: surface
census.
and ground water.
Factors affecting the types (distinction
Meaning, importance and need for irrigation
between compact and dispersed) and
in India.

74
 Sources of irrigation: Food grains - Rice (Japan), Wheat
(China), Coarse grains – Sorghum
Traditional Methods: wells, tanks, tube wells
(Jowar, Maize), Pennisetum (Bajra or
- Advantages and disadvantages; Study of
Camboo), Eleusine (Ragi), Pulses.
two states where each of the above types of
irrigation is mainly prevalent. Commercial and Industrial crops –
Coffee (Nilgiris and N.E. India), Tea (Sri
Modern methods: tube wells, multi-purpose
Lanka), Cotton (Pakistan), Sugarcane
projects, sprinkler irrigation, Perennial
(China), Jute (Bangladesh), oilseed
canals - Advantages and disadvantages.
cultivation in India particularly of
Names of two canals each in Uttar Pradesh,
Groundnut, Coconut (Sri Lanka).
Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil
Nadu and Maharashtra. Conditions of growth: For each crop, the
type of soil, temperature range, rainfall
Use and misuse of water for irrigation; study
range, the crop seasons are to be done.
of alternative methods of irrigation.
Overwatering - reasons and regions affected Main areas of growth of the above crops,
by it; dangers of overwatering; in the countries specified, and reasons
for growth are to be studied.
Conservation of water resources including
their management; rain water harvesting. Name of the leading producer (country)
in the world for each of the above crops
(iv) Agriculture: Types, development and
(Food grains, commercial and industrial
problems.
crops) and India’s position in the world.
(a) Wet and dry farming, crop rotation and
NOTE: Comparative study between
crop combination, intensity of cropping,
countries with regard to food grains,
problems of Indian agriculture; use of
commercial and industrial crops is not
technology in agriculture. Modern inputs,
required.
change over from subsistence to
commercial agriculture, need for Green Importance of Market Gardening and
Revolution. Diversifying Indian Orchard Farming – reasons and trends in
agriculture – importance of animal development in recent years.
husbandry.
Self-explanatory
Wet and dry agriculture: Crop rotation
(v) Fishing in India, Japan and Bangladesh.
and crop combination. Intensity of
cropping – concept and crops Methods, types of fish caught, fishing
associated; problems of Indian grounds; factors affecting the importance
agriculture; Use of new technology – and development, fishing ports and markets,
Green revolution: Need, impact and need and methods of fish conservation.
problems, second green revolution - Understanding of marine and inland
strategies for second green revolution. fisheries; deep sea and inshore fishing;
Diversification of Indian agriculture – pelagic and demersal fishing should be done.
Animal Husbandry: meaning and its Problems affecting fishing in India, Japan
importance in Indian Agriculture. and Bangladesh should be also taken up.
(b) Study of crops: Two ports and two types of fishes of each
(i) Conditions of growth (soil, coastal State in India should be studied.
temperature, rainfall requirements, crop (vi) Sources of Energy
seasons, secondary crops cultivated with
them). (ii) World production and India’s (a) Minerals and power resources.
position. (iii) Major producing States in Distinguishing between metallic and
India and their rank as producers of the non-metallic minerals; ferrous and non-
following crops: ferrous minerals.

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 Production and distribution (three 4. Infrastructural Resources (Development of
leading States and three leading centres Transport and Communication).
in each State) of Iron ore, mica, coal,
(a) Railways, Roadways, Water transport (inland
manganese and petroleum; their uses.
and coastal), Air transport, Pipelines - these
Iron ore, mica, coal: their types. modes of transport are to be studied with
regard to –
The main power resources - Nuclear
thermal, hydel; three main States for Location and state wise distribution of air,
generation of nuclear thermal and hydel road and rail routes; location of waterways
power in India. and pipelines; natural and economic factors
that govern their distribution; density and
(b) Conventional energy sources - fossil
growth. Patterns in India.
fuels and firewood, potential (Indian
context) and limitations of each source, The present position, areas well and poorly
methods of harnessing and served by each mode.
environmental consequences of their
Problems – comparative advantage of each
use.
mode of transport, national goals to be
Conventional energy sources: achieved in the development of modes of
transport (The Golden quadrilateral - its
Firewood – for heating and cooking
north-south and east-west corridor).
along with agricultural and animal
waste. Ports, their location and advantage; major
exports and imports of different ports. Nature
Coal, Petroleum, diesel, LPG - their
and direction of trade from the ports.
potential and limitations in India.
International trading patterns and products in
Environmental concerns with regard to
the last five years.
their use (global warming, thermal
pollution in waters, fly ash, atmospheric Distinguishing between harbour and port;
pollution, etc.). natural and artificial harbours. Location of
major ports in India and their advantage;
(c) Non-conventional energy sources - types of
main items of export and import from
non-conventional sources (bio-mass, solar,
different ports and the patterns in the last
wind, ocean, hydel, geothermal, nuclear),
five years.
potential (Indian context) and limitations of
each source; their environmental (b) Communication – importance of
consequences; need to promote non- communication in rural development and its
conventional energy sources. policy. Importance of infrastructure as key to
the development of an industrial economy.
Advantages and limitations of each non-
conventional energy source. Modern means of communication - satellites
and remote sensing - Geographic
Uses of these energy sources and
Information Systems (GIS), cellular phones,
distribution.
radio, doordarshan, internet; difference
Understanding the need to promote non- between mass communication and tele
conventional energy sources. communication. Prasar Bharti.
(The study should include uses and the Infrastructure as key to the development of
distribution of the above energy resources). an industrial economy.

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5. Industries Iron and Steel:
(a) Study of the location and distribution of TISCO (Jamshedpur), Vishweshvarya Iron
important industrial centres; a general and Steel Plant (Bhadravati), Bhilai Iron
comparison of disparities. and Steel Plant (Bhilai), Rourkela Iron
and Steel Plant (Rourkela), Hindustan
Self-explanatory. Steel Limited Plant (Durgapur), Bokaro
(b) Major and minor industrial regions – factors Iron and Steel Plant (Bokaro), Salem Iron
governing their growth. and Steel Plant (Salem),
Vishakhapatnam Iron and Steel
Reasons for the spread of industrial areas; Plant (Vishakhapatnam),
Understand how the distribution of heavy POSCO(Paradwip).
and consumer industries varies in the
different regions; Understanding why certain (Integrated and mini steel plants:
industries are more in a particular region. meaning, advantages and disadvantages
also to be studied.)
Major Industrial regions: Mumbai-Pune,
Hooghly, Bengaluru-Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Aluminium:
Chota Nagpur, Vishakhapatnam-Guntur, INDAL (Hirakud), HINDALCO
Gurgaon-Delhi-Meerut. (Renukoot).
Minor Industrial regions: Ambala-Amritsar, Cement:
Saharanpur-Muzaffarnagar, Northern
Malabar. Katni Cement and Industrial Company
Limited (Katni), Andhra Pradesh
Factors governing the growth of the above to (Krishna, Vijaywada), Rajasthan (Savai
be studied. Madhavpur, Udaipur).
(c) Location, production and growth of the Transport equipment:
following industries:
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works
(i) Agro based industries – Sugar, cotton (Chittaranjan), Diesel Locomotive Works
textile and ready-made garments. (Varanasi), TELCO (Jamshedpur), BHEL
Sugar Industry: (Bhopal).
Maharashtra (Ahmednagar and Pune), Automobile Industry:
Uttar Pradesh (Muzaffarnagar and Maruti Udyog (Gurgaon), Premier
Saharanpur), Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore Automobiles (Mumbai).
and North Arcot).
Ship Building Industry:
Cotton Textiles:
Hindustan Shipyard Limited
Maharashtra (Mumbai and Pune), (Vishakhapatnam), Cochin Shipyard
Gujarat (Ahmedabad and Surat), West Limited (Kochi), Mazgon Dock (Mumbai)
Bengal (Kolkata and Howrah), Tamil Garden Reach Workshop(Kolkata).
Nadu (Madurai and Chennai).
Aircraft Industry:
Ready-made garments:
HAL-Hindustan Aeronautics limited
Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata (Nasik, Koraput, Bengaluru).
(ii) Mineral based industries – Iron and steel, Petro Chemicals:
aluminium, cement, and transport
equipment. Petrochemicals, including UDEX (Koyali), IPCL (Vadodara).
refineries and fertilizers. Oil refineries:
The following industrial centres of each IOCL (Barauni, Haldia and Digboi),
industry are to be studied. HPCL (Mumbai and Vishakhapatnam).

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 Fertilizers: 7. Map Work
FCI (Sindri), HFCL (Barauni), IFFCO A question on map work will be set to identify, label
(Kandla). and locate any of the following items studied in
NOTE: Factors responsible for the topics 1-6:
location, development and present status
MAP LIST:
of the Agro and Mineral based industries
mentioned above, as well as the Locational setting of India:
distribution centres are to be studied. 804’N-3706’N, 6807’E- 97025’E (Latitudinal and
Difference between key and footloose longitudinal extent of India); 23.5 0 N (Central
latitude) and 82.5 0 E (Central longitude); Indira Col
industry; industrial clusters and indices to
and Cape Comorin (Northern and Southern point of
identify industrial clusters; industrial
mainland India).
inertia.
Mountains:
Maps and sketches of Industrial regions
and centres (location of agro based and 3 parallel ranges of Himalayas, Trans Himalayan
mineral based industries) should be the range – Karakoram, Pir Panjal, Ladakh, Zaskar.
basis for explaining the pattern of Aravallis, Vindhyas, Satpura, Western and Eastern
Ghats, Nilgiris, Cardamom hills, Garo, Khasi,
industrial development.
Jaintia hills, Patkoi hills, Naga hills, Mizo hills.
(d) Tourism industry – Major natural and Peaks:
cultural tourist areas in India. Their special
features and level of development - impact Mount Everest, Godwin Austin, Kanchenjunga,
on environment and local economy. Tourist Gurushikhar, Dodabetta, Anaimudi, Mahendragiri,
flows. Plains:
Definition of tourism, growth of tourism, Indus-Ganga-Brahmapurtra region, Konkan,
advantages of tourism, important places – Kanara, Malabar, Coromandel, Northern Circars.
both natural and cultural. Positive and Plateaus:
negative impact of tourism, problems of Malwa, Chota Nagpur, Deccan, Meghalaya.
tourism and measures for developing eco-
tourism. Peninsula:
Kathiawar, Kachchh.
6. Regional Economic Development Lakes:
(Case studies) Chilika, Pulicat.
Case studies will be preceded by a brief Waterbodies:
understanding of the meaning of development, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Palk Strait, Gulf of
multilevel planning and planning regions. These Kachchh, Gulf of Khambat,
case studies will be undertaken with reference to Passes:
the advantages and disadvantages that have
accrued to the people and area - aspects covered Karakoram, Shipki La, Nathu La, Bomdi La,
will be their geographical location, resource base, Palghat, Bhorghat, Thalghat.
developmental history, present trends of Rivers:
population, occupations, agriculture and Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Ganga,
industrial activities, issues of development. Yamuna, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Chambal,
1. Area development in Chattisgarh region – Betwa, Ken, Son, Damodar, Luni, Narmada, Tapi,
mining, silk industry and farming. Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri,
2. Electronics industry in Bengaluru– reasons Brahmaputra.
for its development, extent, national and Climate of India:
international linkages and problems. Movement of Southwest and North east monsoon
3. Growth of Haldia port, its industries and winds from season to season, area of low and high
hinterland. pressure varying from season to season, direction of

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westerly and easterly jet streams, average annual Aluminium: INDAL (Hirakud), HINDALCO
rainfall distribution in India, Main drought prone (Renukoot);
and flood prone areas. Cement: (Katni) and (Udaipur);
Natural Vegetation: Transport equipment: Chittaranjan Locomotive
Main area of: Tropical Evergreen, Tropical Works (Kolkata) and DLW (Diesel Locomotive
Deciduous, Tropical dry, Deltaic and Arid forests. Works - Varanasi).
Population: Automobile Industry: Maruti Udyog (Gurgaon),
The States of India (according to the latest Census) Premier Automobiles (Mumbai).
for the following: The Lowest density of population, Ship Building Industry: Hindustan Shipyard Limited
highest density of population, highest level of (Vishakhapatnam), Cochin Shipyard Limited (Kochi),
urbanization, lowest level of urbanisation, highest Mazgon Dock (Mumbai); Garden Reach Workshop
Index of Concentration of population, the highest (Kolkata).
sex ratio, the lowest sex ratio, the highest literacy, Aircraft Industry: HAL - Hindustan Aeronautics
the lowest literacy; Limited (Nasik, Bengaluru, Kanpur);
Urban cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Petro Chemicals: UDEX (Koyali) and IPCL
Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, (Vadodara);
Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, (metropolitan and capital
cities). Oil refineries: IOCL (Digboi, Barauni and Haldia);
Resources of India: Fertilizers: FCI (Sindri), IFFCO (Kandla).
Main region of intense cropping in India; Main Transport:
State/regions of India for: wells, tanks, tube wells, Trace the route of: National Highway 1, National
perennial canals. Highway 2, National Highway 6, National highway
Agriculture: 7, Golden Quadrilateral - 4 sides, North south
Corridor, East West Corridor; State with the Highest
Main producing States/regions of India for: Rice, Density of roads.
Wheat, Maize, Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Pulses, Coffee,
Tea, Cotton, Jute, Sugarcane, Groundnut, Coconut. Ports:
Minerals: Kandla, Mumbai, Marmagao, New Mangalore,
Kochi, Tuticorin, Haldia, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam,
Iron Ore (Keonjhar, Bellary, Raigarh, Singhbhum), Kolkata.
Coal (Jharia, Bokaro, Raniganj), Petroleum (Digboi,
Mumbai High, Ankleshwar, Bassein), Manganese Hinterland:
(Sundergarh, Nagpur) Mica (Nellore, Bhilwara). Kolkata, Haldia.
Power resources: Case studies:
Nuclear Power (Kaiga, Kalpakkam, Tarapur, Tracing of the Chattisgarh region, city of Bengaluru
Rawatbhata, Narora, Kakrapara), Thermal Power and its connectivity (road and rail ways) with the
(Bongaigaon, Santaldih, Panipat, Ahmedabad, adjacent megacities & ports and hinterland of
Chandrapur, Nevyelli, Trombay, Vijaywada); Haldia.
Hydroelectric power stations (Bhakra Nangal,
Hirakud, Damodar, Nagarjunasagar, Tungabhadra, SKETCH MAPS
Rihand). Candidates should be able to draw, label, understand
Industries: and interpret the sketch maps related to the following
Sugar Industry: Ahmednagar, Pune and Coimbatore; topics:
Cotton Textiles: Mumbai, Ahmedabad Surat and • Locational setting of India;
Madurai. • Relief and drainage of India;
Iron and Steel: TISCO(Jamshedpur), Bhilai Iron and • Climate;
Steel Plant (Bhilai), Vishakhapatnam Iron and Steel • Population;
Plant (Vishakhapatnam);
• Industries.

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 PAPER II: PRACTICAL WORK AND (i) Agricultural land use survey.
PROJECT WORK (30 Marks) Choose a district or topographical map of an
Candidates will be required to undertake the area 1: 250000 and make a sketch map
following Practical work and Project work . showing land use; compare the patterns of
these. Alternatively, a local village could be
1. Practical Work:
chosen and the fields mapped from the
Any four of the following topics to be cadastral map with information on the crops
undertaken: grown in different seasons and the location
(i) Drawing of scales: linear, graphic scales of the village, its roads and landmarks, if
showing primary and secondary divisions; any.
representative fractions and statement of (ii) Household survey of about 30-60 households
scale methods. of a village or locality.
(ii) Drawing of cross-section or profiles of Family size, age structure, educational
important contours, viz. ridge, plateau, background, occupation, involvement of men
escarpment, valley, conical hill, types of and women in economic activity, educational
slope, sea cliffs, waterfalls, spurs, by using service. Draw conclusions to reflect the
vertical exaggeration and horizontal economic development of the households.
equivalent.
(iii) Amenity study.
(iii) Understanding and illustrating location
Study of hospitals in a city, schools (school
references of SOI maps.
where you studied), post offices, municipal
(iv) Map reading and interpretation of survey of zones within the city (blocks in a village
India maps: Study will be based on study) – reasons for travel (based on the
representative portions of any two importance and demand for the place), travel
topographical sheets. It will include the time, travel distance, mapping the hinterland
description of location, extent, relief features, of the service.
drainage, land use, settlement patterns,
(iv) Study of a manufacturing industry or a self-
communications and inferences about human
employed person.
occupations and stage of economic
development of the area. Visit a manufacturing unit or self-employed
person – cycle or car repair shop, small
(v) Introduction to Geographic Information
fabricating unit, factory if nearby and find
System: Elements of visual interpretation of
out – source of raw material, supply routes,
remote sensing maps/ images.
final product, areas where it is sent,
Colour significance in the image and true manpower strength and their organization.
colour (false colour composition): texture;
(v) Area development of a multipurpose river
size; shape; shadow; association.
valley project – impact on the region.
(Reference material – Wikipedia, Google.
Self-explanatory.
earth, IIRS Hyderabad).
(vi) Elementary principles of surveying an area: The Practical Work and the Project Work will be
preparing two plans of school compound assessed by the teacher and a Visiting Examiner
and/or a small area using Plane table/ GPS. appointed locally and approved by the Council.
2. Project Work (Assignment): No question paper for practical work and project
work will be set by the Council.
Local field surveys on any one of the following
will be submitted as Project Report. These Evaluation of Practical Work and Project Work will
surveys should be organized with a table of be as follows:
contents, sample taken and statistical methods Practical file (Sessional Record): 10 marks
used, interview schedule. The report should be Assignment (Project Report): 10 marks
organized systematically, and the conclusions
should be clearly stated. Viva voce: 10 marks

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