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Download UPSC Geography Optional Paper 2025 PDF. Check previous year questions, detailed exam analysis, and success rate insights to help with your UPSC Mains preparation.
Gaurav Soni
July 15, 2025
UPSC Geography Optional Paper 2025: Among the various optional subjects offered by UPSC, Geography is one of the 48 Optional Subjects available to candidates. The Geography optional subject consists of two papers in UPSC Mains, namely Paper I and Paper II. Each of these papers carries a weightage of 250 marks, summing up to a total of 500 marks for this optional subject.
UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 began on August 22 and concluded with the optional subject papers on August 31, 2025. Candidates who chose Geography as their optional subject can download the unofficial UPSC Geography Optional 2025 question paper here. This resource allows aspirants to review the paper and prepare effectively for future exams.
The UPSC Mains Geography Optional 2024 papers were held on September 29, 2024, in two shifts. Geography Paper 1 was held during the first shift from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and Geography Paper 2 in the second shift from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. You can access and download the PDF of the UPSC Mains Geography Question Paper 2024 here.
| Question Paper | Download PDF |
| UPSC Geography Optional Paper-I | Click Here |
| UPSC Geography Optional Paper-II | Click Here |
For UPSC aspirants, the choice of their optional subject holds great significance as it carries a weightage of 500 marks, approximately 25% of the total marks encompassing both the written exam and personality test. The selection of Geography as an elective course is one of the available choices for the UPSC Exam 2025. The UPSC Geography Optional Paper was conducted on 31 August 2025. Here is an overview of the UPSC Geography Optional Paper:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024 |
| Optional Papers | 2 Papers (Optional Paper I and Optional Paper II) |
| Optional Weightage | 25% of the total marks of the Written Exam and Personality Test |
| Geography Optional | Geography Optional Paper-I and Geography Optional Paper-II |
| Date | 31 Aug 2025 |
| Total Marks in Optional | 500 Marks (250 marks each) |
The UPSC Geography Optional Syllabus covers a wide spectrum of topics physical geography, human geography, and geographical thought. The Geography Optional Paper syllabus is divided into Sections A and B, requiring candidates to answer all questions, including a mandatory map question.
Paper 1 focuses on theoretical topics like climatology and oceanography, while Paper 2 covers Indian geography, including physiographic regions, resources, and agriculture. The Geography Optional tests candidates’ knowledge of fundamental geographical concepts, theories, and their ability to analyze and apply geographical principles to real-world scenarios.
UPSC Geography Optional Question Papers from 2018 to 2024 are readily available for aspirants seeking to enhance their preparation. To access the UPSC geography optional question papers in PDF format, click on the direct download links provided here:
| Download UPSC Geography Optional Previous Year Question Papers | |
|---|---|
| Year | UPSC Geography Optional PDF Links |
| UPSC Mains 2024 | |
| UPSC Mains 2023 | |
| UPSC Mains 2022 | |
| UPSC Mains 2021 | |
| UPSC Mains 2020 | |
| UPSC Mains 2019 | |
| UPSC Mains 2018ups | |
Over the span of six years, from 2015 to 2020, more than 1000 dedicated aspirants chose Geography as their optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Mains examination. The table below offers a comprehensive overview of the success rate achieved by candidates who opted for Geography during this period:
| UPSC Geography Optional Success Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Number of Candidates | Number of Candidates Selected | Success Rate (%) |
| 2020 | 1322 | 95 | 7.2% |
| 2019 | 1916 | 105 | 5.5% |
| 2018 | 1993 | 101 | 5.1% |
| 2017 | 2669 | 147 | 5.5% |
Geography is a highly-scoring and significant optional subject due to the recurrence of 5–6 key themes directly or indirectly in the exam each year. To succeed in this subject, aspirants should embrace the trends, stay current, and adopt a strategic approach to answer writing. Candidates should focus on understanding core concepts, integrating current affairs with geographical themes, and practicing map-based questions.
Regular revision and the use of diagrams can enhance answers, making them more visually appealing and informative. Overall, a well-rounded preparation and a strong foundation in geography can significantly enhance your overall performance in the UPSC Geography Optional Paper.
Geography can be an excellent choice for several reasons:
The UPSC Geography Optional Paper presents a promising choice for aspirants. To succeed, candidates must adapt to the evolving trends, maintain a strong foundation in both physical and human geography, and practice answering questions with a focus on current affairs and practical application. Success in this optional paper can significantly boost a candidate’s overall score and pave the way for a successful career in civil services.
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