Geography Maps for IAS: Important Geography Maps for IAS PDF

Geography Maps for IAS are an essential part of the learning strategy. Owing to this reason, the maximum number of questions in the exam is based on the History and Geography of India and the world. A lot of questions based on maps are framed every year. Not only for the written exam but maps act as an essential element for the UPSC Interview round too. Studying maps for UPSC Exam and having complete knowledge of them is also helpful in learning the current affairs section with ease. However, most beginners often struggle to effectively study the Geography Maps for IAS. The reason for this is lack of knowledge and correct technique for it. 

In a bid to aid the readers, our Testbook UPSC Coaching team has come up with this article that provides the correct insight into mastering the map for UPSC preparation.

Top 25 UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims Official PYQs with in-depth Solutions

Geography Maps for IAS PDF

Candidates can get the important maps for UPSC and tips to study maps in this PDF. By downloading the Maps for UPSC PDF candidates can make use of it on their devices or even print it for better understanding and noting down points on the maps. Click on the below-given link to easily download the PDF for free.

Geography Maps for IAS PDF Download
Preparation Guide For UPSC Maps	Download PDF

Benefits of Studying Maps For UPSC Mains

Many reports have claimed that studying with images or visual effects may help retain memory for a longer period. Hence, maps prove beneficial in remembering historical dates or events for a longer period.

The following are the major benefits of studying maps for the UPSC exam.

• Maps are one of the best ways to study the geopolitical conditions of a country. It also helps in pinpointing major historic events as history is one of the most crucial subjects in the UPSC IAS exam.
• Maps help to learn the land routes, coastal routes and other geographical locations of the country.
• The other benefit that maps provide is by helping the candidates in studying world history with ease. While studying for a particular historical topic, if the candidate uses the map then it will help in learning about the geographical locations of all the countries that were important in that event.
• Coupling the learning process with maps will not only help in devising a visual experience but also help the candidates in knowing the geographical locations of the countries.

Basics of Studying Maps For UPSC Exam

If you're preparing for the UPSC exam, then you know that maps are an essential part of the Geography syllabus. However, studying maps can seem overwhelming for beginners. In the video below, we will go over the basics of studying maps for UPSC, including the types of maps, their components, and the skills required to interpret them. Have a look at the following video to start with the basics of Map work for UPSC exam.

Enroll now in our Geography Optional Coaching here!

Important Geography Maps for IAS

Prior to learning, the candidates must first think and analyse what topics are important to prepare in maps for the UPSC exam. As per previous year’s questions, most of the questions in the maps are asked from India and the world. To be exam ready, the candidates should first prepare those topics that have been previously asked in the exam. We have compiled a list of topics so that the candidates can cross-check the same and start their UPSC map preparation.

Important Geography Maps for IAS
Topics	Sub-topics
India	Neighbouring countries Indian states Important longitude and Latitude Rivers and their tributaries Natural vegetation Monsoon cycle National parks
World	Important world lines World channels and canals International Lines

How to Study Maps for UPSC?

Various factors & tactics need to be considered to study the map for UPSC Preparation so that it gets easy to analyse and remember the maps. Let’s understand important points to understand the methods to study maps for UPSC Exam.

• A well-defined strategy would be helpful in covering the aforesaid mentioned topics for Maps.
• One of the most important things to keep in mind while studying maps is keeping the mind attentive.
• Then, follow the topic-wise strategy mentioned in the space below to ace this section.

Step 1: Study The Political Map of India For UPSC

The maximum number of questions asked in the maps section of the UPSC are based on India. It is hence, really crucial to know this section well and cover each subtopic before moving to the world map.

Neighbouring Countries Map For UPSC

• Make pointers related to all neighbour countries.
• Note down the names of the important borderlines.
• Give preference to the countries situated in the Indian subcontinent.
• Mark major degrees, ocean names, peninsula etc for all of these countries.
• There are nine neighbouring countries of India: Bhutan, China, Maldives, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. You can study from the below map which shows all 9 neighbouring countries of India

Indian States Map For UPSC

• Develop the skill to make the Indian political map in at least 30 minutes
• Study each state along with their coordinates, major crops, animals
• Incorporate current affairs while studying states and give more focus to state that has been in news recently
• You can study the placement of each state of India through the map given below.

1. Which one of the following pairs of States of India indicates the easternmost and westernmost State? (UPSC 2015)

1. Assam and Rajasthan
2. Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan
3. Assam and Gujarat
4. Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat

Important Longitude and Latitude Map For UPSC Preparation

• Mark important states that are situated in the major lines of the country
• Note down the longitude and latitude of major states. Take the help of previous year papers to know which states have been given more importance over the years.
• Try to study more about coastlines, peninsular lines etc.

You can study the important Longitude and Latitudinal extent of India from the map given below.

1. Among the following cities, which one lies on a longitude closest to that of Delhi? (UPSC 2018)

1. Bengaluru
2. Hyderabad
3. Nagpur
4. Pune

Step 2: Study the Physical Map of India For UPSC

The physical map of India can be studied by keeping the following pointers in mind.

Rivers and their Tributaries Map for UPSC Exam

• Draw river drainage basin and mark all major tributaries related to the rivers
• Study and mark the origin, routes, tributaries, states on the banks of the rivers, state that these rivers are crossing etc.
• Repeat this process for every state in the country.
• The below physical map of India shows major rivers in India. You can study the drainage pattern of major rivers from the below map

Q . With reference to the Indus River system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct? (UPSC 2021)

1. Chenab
2. Jhelum
3. Ravi
4. Sutlej

Natural Vegetation Map for UPSC Exam Preparation

• Study the natural vegetation of the country and state
• Mark the major crops like Rabi and Kharif Crops, forests (for eg: Tropical Deciduous and Evergreen Forest, Tropical Rain Forests, Montane Forests and more), etc for a particular state and then go state-wise, subsequently covering the entire country.
• You can study the natural vegetation in India from the map given below.

1. Consider the following States:

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Himachal Pradesh
• Mizoram

In which of the above States do ‘Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests’ occur? (UPSC 2015)

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Mountains in India Map For UPSC 

• Begin with covering the Himalayas and note down the major & highest mountain peaks of the various Himalayan ranges. Then, move to the other mountain ranges and cover the same. Try to cover the major national parks, flora and fauna associated with these.
• Locate the major glaciers of the state and also try to mark the major mountain ranges and glaciers etc. 
• You can study the important mountain peaks of India from the map given below.

1. Consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? (UPSC 2022)

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3
4. 3 only

Candidates can learn about the major mountain passes through maps in the below-attached video.

Indian National Parks Map For UPSC

Locate the major parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves for a particular state. Try to mark all these on the political map of India. You can also study the national parks from the given map of India.

1. From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats? (UPSC 2017)

1. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
2. Nallamala Forest
3. Nagarhole National Park
4. Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

Biosphere Reserves in India Map For UPSC Exam 

There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India. You can study all the biosphere reserves from the map given below.

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched? (UPSC 2013)

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

Step 3: Study World Map For UPSC

• Study and mark the coordinates of major lines, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Arctic Circle, and the Equator. Also, study important lines i.e. Prime Meridian and International Date Line. 
• Mark countries, capitals, important cities, and ports that have been in the news lately. 
• Mark examples of major biodiversity hotspots and conversation areas around the world.
• Make a note of the important physiographic features around the world. Mark them on a physical or a political map.
• Mark major countries and international projects associated with them.
• Major news locations, and order on the map (North-South or East-West), for example, Afghanistan, Albania & Angola.
• Also, understand the location of the Rocky Mountains, Lake Baikal, the Alps, the Ural Mountains, and other major geographical features. Mark the nations through which the Amazon or Nile River flows.

Check out the below world map of India for reference.

1. Consider the following countries:

• Azerbaijan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Tajikistan
• Uzbekistan
• Turkmenistan

Which of the above has borders with Afghanistan? (UPSC 2022)

1. 1, 2 and 5 only
2. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
3. 3, 4 and 5 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Methods To Draw & Study Maps For UPSC

We have put a lot of emphasis on drawing maps easily within 30 seconds. However, there are a lot of tips and tricks that help in doing so. One of the simple methods for drawing maps is to break them up into smaller sections and practice drawing each section separately. You can then begin sketching a whole map of India from whichever part you feel most comfortable with once you have mastered drawing each section.

We have mentioned some of the best methods that could help in drawing Indian maps easily for the UPSC CSE exam.

• Buy blank India political maps. Make sure to keep a stack of maps ready for practice whenever you need.
• Indian Standard Meridian and Tropic of Cancer can be your guidelines to begin. Then draw the subcontinent. 
• Next, draw the Kutch and Kathiawar peninsulas. 
• Once done, mark the northern and eastern borders of the country.
• Next, mark the major towns, cities, important lakes, and major ports on the eastern and western coasts and draw all the neighbouring states.
• Mark states with bigger areas i.e. Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan and so on. Mark all the states on the map along with their capitals.
• Next, draw the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Island and Sri Lanka.
• With the basics of the Indian political map now mastered, you can move on to the physical map and start marking the major mountain ranges, rivers and tributaries on the map. 
• Feel free to use colours to differentiate. 
• Try marking as many features as possible on the same map, cleanly and clearly.

Preparation Strategy for Mastering Geography Maps for IAS

Following the preparation strategy mentioned below can help master the UPSC maps questions for the IAS 2024 exam:

• Begin with buying the best atlas for UPSC, you can always go for the one recommended by previous year students. The atlas should be such that every map topic like rivers, oceans, and currents is available in it in the most appealing manner to retain them for a longer period.
• Master the basic maps in the beginning i.e. country, world and then go for the tougher ones like rivers, terrains, currents etc. Practice a lot so that you can draw a map within 30 seconds or less. You can also use things the other way, like if you are reading about a state then mark the historical events that may have happened there.
• Practice previous year questions based on maps and check if you can solve them. Although this is the oldest technique, it is useful as it helps in knowing the preparation level of the candidate.
• Revision is one of the best things that a candidate can do to ace up his preparation levels. Make a list of all the important topics and revise them by practising daily.

Helpful Articles
Mind Maps For UPSC	How To Prepare Geography For UPSC?	UPSC Geography Optional Previous Year Papers
UPSC Geography Previous Year Questions	UPSC Geography Mock Test	Geography Notes For UPSC
Geography Optional Book List	NCERT Geography Notes For UPSC	Best Pen For UPSC Mains

Check out UPSC Geography Optional Question Papers here.

That’s it, folks! We hope this article about “How to study maps for UPSC?” might have given clarity and tips on map preparation for the UPSC exam. We would request you to download the Testbook App and stay updated with all important information.