The UPSC Mains exam is a true test of consistency, stamina, and clarity of thought. By the time aspirants reach the optional papers, they have already written 3 days of continuous exams—Essay, GS1, GS2, GS3, and GS4. Mental fatigue is natural, yet the optional subject is often the rank-decider.
For Geography optional students, La Excellence’s Sai Praveen Sir has shared a set of last-minute preparation strategies. These are not about learning something new, but about optimizing the final five days so that every answer in the exam hall carries impact. Let’s break down his advice step by step, along with practical explanations.
1. Don’t Focus on Reading the Entire Content – Just Skim the Syllabus
At this stage, rereading bulky notes or standard books like Savindra Singh or Majid Husain is counterproductive. Instead:
- Passively glance through every word of the syllabus. This ensures that no topic feels alien if it appears in the question paper.
- The idea is to create mental recall triggers. Even if you don’t revise deeply, you can reproduce 2–3 key points in the exam.
👉 Why it matters: The syllabus is your roadmap. A quick scan keeps your memory activated without draining your energy.
2. Quick Last-Minute Revision of Only Important Things
Discretion is key. Not every topic carries equal weight. In the last few days:
- Revise only high-yield areas (Agriculture, Models & Theories, Urbanization, Population, Regional Planning, Industrial Location).
- Use short notes, diagrams, and mnemonics instead of bulky readings.
- Focus on interlinkages—one concept explained well can be reused in multiple answers.
👉 Tip: Make a “Last 48-Hour File”—a 20–25 page handout with only formulas, thinkers, maps, and key statistics.
3. Avoid Repetition: Skip Questions Asked in Last Two Years
UPSC usually doesn’t repeat themes in consecutive years.
- Go through last two years’ questions and mark those topics for light revision only.
- Instead, spend your time on untouched portions of the syllabus.
👉 Why this works: It saves time and boosts efficiency. For example, if “Von Thünen’s Model” was asked in 2023, chances of a repeat in 2024 are slim.
4. Keep a Ready List of Theories and Geographers
Every chapter has associated theories and geographers. Prepare a dump list:
- Example:
- Geomorphology: Davis, Penck, Hack
- Population: Malthus, Boserup, Demographic Transition
- Urban Geography: Christaller, Burgess, Hoyt
- In the exam, insert at least 2–3 names per answer. Even if you don’t remember precisely, you can create or generalize names (Sai Sir stresses this).
👉 Why: Examiners love to see geography’s intellectual tradition. Dropping names adds depth and academic flavor.
5. Practice Only Diagrams and Maps from Every Chapter
Diagrams are the lifeline of geography optional. In fact:
- One diagram per page is the thumb rule.
- Keep them simple, neat, and labeled.
- Practice small supporting diagrams for substantiation (e.g., triangular trade, migration flows, climatic graphs).
👉 Map Practice: India maps for Paper 2 are non-negotiable. Practice locating rivers, industries, minerals, soil regions, cities.
6. Focus on Map Reading – Last 10 Years’ Questions
Map-based questions are the easiest marks if practiced.
- Solve last 10 years’ map questions—3 to 4 themes repeat almost every year.
- For example, questions on rivers, physiographic features, mineral belts, and industrial hubs are recurring.
👉 Tip: Don’t just memorize locations—learn one fact/example about each location. This adds richness.
7. Integrate Paper 1 and Paper 2
One of the smartest strategies.
- In Paper 2 (Indian Geography), weave in Paper 1 theories. For example:
- Use Central Place Theory to explain India’s urban system.
- Apply Rostow’s stages to India’s economic regions.
- This shows conceptual depth and makes your answers stand out.
👉 Remember: Integration = extra marks.
8. Practice Time Management – It’s a Race Against the Clock
In the actual exam, content is not the only challenge—time pressure is huge.
- Practice brainstorming outlines within 2–3 minutes for each theme.
- During writing, use time slots (e.g., 30 minutes for short notes, 60 minutes for 20-markers).
- Keep checking your pace every hour.
👉 Why: Many aspirants leave questions incomplete due to poor time management. Avoid this trap.
9. Keep Last Two Days for Factual Topics
Factual areas are memory-based and fade quickly. Hence:
- Push them to the last two days before the exam.
- Examples: minerals distribution, crop patterns, census data, schemes, regional planning case studies.
👉 This ensures: Facts are fresh in your mind when you write.
10. Exam Day Mindset – Sai Sir’s Golden Rules
a) Attempt All Questions
Even partial answers fetch marks. Skipping = zero.
b) Choose Questions Wisely
- Pick those where you can provide clarity + depth, especially 20-mark questions.
- Analytical questions are less attempted—taking a risk here can reward you.
c) Answer Sequence
- Attempt 20m and 15m questions first. Secure big chunks of marks early.
d) Time Slots and Checks
- Allocate 30 min, 60 min etc (or your own pattern).
- Keep checking your pace after every hour.
e) Content Strategy
- 2–3 theories and geographers per answer. Even invented/geographically inspired names can work.
- One diagram per page—small diagrams for every substantiation.
- Add case studies + spatial examples (even self-created ones). Example: instead of vague “mineral industries in India,” cite “Bailadila mines in Chhattisgarh with specific steel plants.”
Practical 5-Day Division
- Day 1: Syllabus skim + Revise major theories (Paper 1).
- Day 2: Indian Geography (Paper 2 core topics).
- Day 3: Practice maps, diagrams, PYQs.
- Day 4: Integrated answer writing + timed practice.
- Day 5: Factual revision + “Last 48-Hour File”.
Final Message:
Geography optional is a game of smart revision and strategic presentation. Content alone doesn’t guarantee high marks—how you present it with theories, diagrams, and examples makes all the difference.
Sai Praveen Sir’s tips remind aspirants that the last five days are not for new learning, but for smart polishing. With the right mindset, efficient revision, and tactical writing, even exhausted aspirants can turn these final days into a rank-boosting opportunity.
Key Takeaways:
- Skim syllabus, not books.
- Dump thinkers and diagrams in every answer.
- Attempt everything, manage time like a hawk.
- Integrate Paper 1 & 2.
- Play to your strengths but don’t fear analytical risks.
With these strategies, your Geography optional can become the decisive edge in cracking UPSC Mains.
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