The book “Geography of India”, is written mainly for candidates preparing for competitive examinations. The flagship title is entering its 9th edition. The book is an established manual and a bestseller in the segment. It’s a widely read reference book that deals with relevant topics of India’s geographical landscape in a systematic and comprehensive manner. The book is updated with latest change in status of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. All updates are inserted in the form of Maps, Data and statistics. Updated current events, especially to mention the Amphan Cyclone, COVID- 19 situation in India along with NRC, CAA, Vizag gas leak, Indo-China Issues, Locust menace and much more forms a part of this edition. Varied topics covered are Resources of India, different types of irrigation, cropping patterns of India, transport and public distribution system and food security, disasters and Government initiatives. It is also being increasingly referred to by graduates and postgraduates of the subject and by researchers and academicians. Salient Features: • Completely revised book with latest amendments in India’s Administrative boundary for the newly designated UT of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. • Based on current UPSC syllabus, strong in theoretical concepts, supplemented with additional original maps and diagrams • Updated data and statistics • Revised chapters on current affairs with topics like Urban disasters, cyber-crime and social media. • Thoroughly revised content on Niti Ayog, Integrated watershed development programmes, Government schemes and initiatives, National New Mineral policy 2019 • Thoroughly revised chapters on Regional Development and Planning, Agriculture, Minerals and Resources, Transport and Communication systems in India. • Content represented in form of mind maps, flowcharts, tabular format and statistical techniques for better understanding.

Preface to the Ninth Edition ...vii
Preface to the First Edition ...ix
Acknowledgements ...xiii
About the Civil Services Examination ...xv
Geography Syllabus for Main Examination ...xix


1. Geological Structure and formation of India Structure of India 1.1-1.20
Introduction 1
The Archaean Formations (Pre-Cambrian) 3
Dharwar System (Proterozoic Formations) 6
The Cuddapah System (The Purana Group) 8
The Vindhyan System 9
The Palaeozoic Group (Cambrian to Carboniferous Period) 10
The Mesozoic Era (The Gondwana System) 10
The Cretaceous System (The Deccan Trap) 12
The Tertiary System (The Cenozoic Era) 13
The Quaternary Period (The Pleistocene and Recent Formations) 15
Geodiversity and Geotourism 15
Fossil Parks 17 References 1.20


2. Physiography 2.1-2.49
Physiographic Divisions of India 2.1
The HIMALAYAN region 2.1 The Importance of the Himalaya 2.20
The Great Plains of India 2.21
Importance of the Great Plains of India 2.30
The Indian Desert 2.30
Origin and Physiography of the Peninsular India 2.32
The Coastal Plains 2.41
The Indian Islands 2.42
Vulcanicity 2.48
References 2.48
3. The Drainage System of India 3.1-3.60
The Drainage System 3.1
Drainage Patterns 3.2
River Basins of India 3.6
The Multiple River Theory 3.11
River Systems of the Himalayan Drainage 3.11
Main Rivers of Peninsular India 3.24
Easterly Rivers of the Peninsular Region 3.25
Shifting Courses of the Rivers 3.30
Saraswati-The Mystery of A Lost River 3.31
Types of Lakes 3.35
Main Lakes of India 3.36
The Inter-State Water Disputes 3.47
International Agreements for Surface Water Resources 3.49
National Water Grid 3.51
Ground Water Resources of India 3.54
The National Water Policy 2012 3.56
Main Waterfalls of India 3.57
References 3.59
4. Climate of India 4.1-4.57
Introduction 4.1
Indian Monsoon 4.1
Indian Monsoons and the Tibet Plateau 4.6
Jet Stream and Indian Monsoon 4.8
El-Nino and the Indian Monsoon 4.10
Burst of Monsoon 4.15
Breaks in the Monsoon 4.16
Seasons in India 4.19
Tropical Cyclones 4.29
Thunderstorms 4.31
Rainfall Distribution 4.33
Variability of Rainfall 4.34
Climatic Regions of India 4.35
Koppen’s Classification of Indian Climate 4.35
Climatic Divisions by Stamp and Kendrew 4.38
Trewartha’s Classification of Indian Climate 4.41
Climatic Divisions of India by R.L. Singh (1971) 4.43
Droughts 4.45
Floods 4.49
References 4.56
5. Natural Vegetation and National Parks 5.1-5.37
Introduction 5.1
Floristic Regions of India 5.2
Spatial Distribution of Forests in India 5.4
Classification of Forests 5.8
Important Species of Trees and Their Utility 5.13
Forest Products and their Utility 5.16
Problems of Indian Forestry 5.18
The National Forest Policy 5.20
Social Forestry 5.21
Existing Position of Forest Ecosystems 5.23
Forest Conservation 5.24
WildLife 5.25
Biosphere Reserves 5.29
Mangroves 5.32
References 5.37
6. Soils 6.1-6.23
Introduction 6.1
Controllers of Soil Characteristics 6.2
Classification of Soils of India 6.5
Problems of Indian Soils 6.11
Consequences of Soil Erosion 6.18
Soil Conservation 6.19
References 6.23
7. Resources 7.1-7.35
Natural Resources 7.1
Mineral Resources 7.2
Biotic Resources 7.29
References 7.35
8. Energy Resources 8.1-8.35
Sources of Conventional Energy 8.1
Coal Deposits of the Tertiary Period 8.8
Import 8.15
Non-Conventional Energy 8.31
Energy Crisis 8.34
Energy Conservation 8.34
References 8.34
9. Agriculture 9.1-9.78
Land Utilisation 9.2
Characteristics and Problems of Indian Agriculture 9.7
Determinants of Agriculture 9.13
Land Reforms 9.17
Infrastructure and Agricultural Inputs 9.23
Second Green Revolution 9.53
White Revolution 9.54
Blue Revolution 9.58
Aquaculture 9.62
Apiculture (Beekeeping) or Golden Revolution 9.63
Sericulture 9.66
Poultry Farming (Silver Revolution) 9.67
Horticulture 9.69
Dry Farming 9.71
Agribusiness 9.74
National Commission on Farmers 9.75
Indian Agriculture—Challenges and Prospects 9.76
References 9.77
10. Spatial Organisation of Agriculture 10.1-10.30
Cropping Patterns 10.1
Crop Concentration 10.4
Agricultural Productivity 10.6
Agricultural Intensity 10.9
Crop Combinations 10.10
Land Capability 10.14
Contract Farming 10.15
Agricultural Regionalisation 10.15
Agro-Climatic Regions of India 10.21
Agro-Ecological Regions of India 10.27
References 10.30
11. Industries 11.1-11.75
Evolution of Industries 11.1
Industrial Development During the Five-Year Plans 11.2
Industrial Policy 11.4
Cotton Textile Industry 11.6
Jute Textile 11.13
Woollen Textiles 11.16
Silk Textile 11.18
Iron and Steel Industry 11.20
Problems of Iron and Steel Industry 11.26
Automobile Industry 11.30
Fertiliser Industry 11.33
Paper Industry 11.37
Pharmaceutical Industry 11.40
Cottage Industries 11.43
Industrial regions of India 11.44
Multinational Corporations 11.50
Liberalisation 11.52
Industrial Problems of India 11.54
Special Economic Zone (SEZ) 11.55
Public Sector Undertaking 11.57
Tourism 11.59
Tourism in India 11.59
Eco-Tourism 11.64
Community Eco-Tourism Initiative 11.66
The Native and Psycho-Social Impact of Eco-tourism 11.67
Industrial Houses in India 11.69
Industrial Complexes 11.73
References 11.75
12. Transport, Communications and Trade 12.1-12.48
Transport 12.1
Water Transport 12.15
Air Transport 12.24
Pipelines Transportation 12.28
Metro Rail System 12.31
Communications 12.34
International Trade 12.37
Salient Features of Foreign Trade 12.40
Balance of Trade and Balance of Payment 12.41
Trade Policy 12.43
India—Space Programme 12.44
References 12.48
13. Cultural Setting 13.1-13.90
Origin of Mankind 13.1
The Caste System 13.3
Racial and Ethnic Diversity in India 13.5
Religious Minorities 13.11
Scheduled Tribes 13.11
Scheduled Castes (16.60% of The Total Population) 13.26
Cultural Regions 13.27
Demographic Characteristics of Indian Population 13.44
Literacy Rate 13.64
Age Composition 13.70
Migration 13.71
Population Problems 13.80
Health Indicators 13.84
Human Development Index in India 13.85
References 13.89
14. Settlements 14.1-14.61
Introduction 14.1
Classification of Settlements 14.2
City Region and Planning 14.46
Slums and Associated Problems 14.48
Problems of Urbanisation 14.53
Town Planning in India 14.56
Principles of Urban Planning 14.56
References 14.60
15. Regional Development and Planning 15.1-15.59
Planning in India 15.1
Five-Year Plans 15.3
Regional Dimensions of Planning in India 15.8
Integrated Area Development 15.11
Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) 15.12
Development of Backward Areas 15.13
Command Area Development 15.15
Watershed Management 15.16
Area Development Programmes 15.19
National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) 15.32
Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP) 15.32
Multi-Level Planning 15.33
The Damodar Valley Corporation 15.37
The National Capital Region (National Capital Region) 15.41
Poverty in India 15.49
Geography and Regional Planning 15.52
Regional Planning and Development of Island Territories 15.55
References 15.58
16. India–Political Aspects 16.1-16.56
Political Geography 16.1
Structure of Indian Federation 16.7
Regional Consciousness and National Integration 16.12
National Integration in India 16.14
Nationalism 16.15
International Boundaries of India 16.17
Cross Border Terrorism 16.31
India’s Role in World Affairs 16.35
Geopolitics of South Asia 16.36
India and the Geo-Politics of the Indian Ocean 16.38


17. Contemporary Issues 17.1-17.60
Environmental Hazards 17.1
Natural Disasters 17.1
Environmental Pollution 17.24
Environmental Awareness 17.26
Changes in Patterns of Land Use 17.28
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 17.29
Environmental Management 17.29
Population Explosion and Food Security 17.30
Urban Disasters 17.33
Environmental Degradation 17.34
Problems of Agrarian Unrest 17.37
Industrial Unrest 17.40
Regional Disparities in Economic Development 17.41
Relationship between Population and Development 17.46
Globalisation and Indian Economy 17.51
Agriculture and Globalisation 17.54
References 17.58
Multiple Choice Questions M.1-M.26