(i) Location, Physical Features, and Natural Resources
- Location
- Geographical location of India
- India’s position in the world map
- Neighboring countries
- Latitudinal and longitudinal extent
- Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn
- Standard Meridian of India
- Geographical location of India
- Physical Features
- Major physical features:
- Himalayas: Divisions (Trans-Himalayas, Greater Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, Shiwaliks), major peaks
- Northern Plains: Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains, Punjab Plains
- Peninsular Plateau: Central Highlands, Deccan Plateau, major hills
- Indian Desert: Thar Desert, climate, vegetation
- Coastal Plains: Western and Eastern Coastal Plains, major deltas
- Islands: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands
- Characteristics and significance of each feature
- Major physical features:
- Monsoon, Rainfall, Weather, and Climate
- Monsoon system in India
- Mechanism of Southwest and Northeast monsoons
- Factors affecting monsoon
- Seasonal distribution of rainfall
- Spatial variation in rainfall
- Rain shadow areas
- Weather patterns and climatic zones
- Classification of Indian climate: Tropical, arid, temperate, etc.
- Influence of altitude, latitude, and distance from the sea
- Monsoon system in India
- Water Resources
- Major water bodies: rivers, lakes, reservoirs
- River systems: perennial and seasonal rivers
- Major lakes: natural and artificial
- Irrigation and hydroelectric projects
- Dams and reservoirs: Bhakra Nangal, Sardar Sarovar, Hirakud
- Canal systems: Indira Gandhi Canal
- Major water bodies: rivers, lakes, reservoirs
- Rivers in India
- Major river systems
- Ganga River System: Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi
- Brahmaputra River System: Brahmaputra and its tributaries
- Indus River System: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej
- Peninsular Rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Mahanadi, Narmada, Tapti
- River basins and their importance
- Economic, cultural, and ecological significance
- Major river systems
- Soil
- Types of soil in India
- Alluvial soil, black soil, red soil, laterite soil, desert soil, mountain soil
- Soil erosion and conservation methods
- Causes of soil erosion: water, wind, human activities
- Soil conservation techniques: contour plowing, terracing, afforestation
- Types of soil in India
- Minerals and Natural Resources
- Major minerals
- Metallic minerals: iron ore, copper, bauxite, manganese
- Non-metallic minerals: mica, limestone, gypsum
- Distribution and importance of mineral resources
- Major mining areas
- Economic significance and environmental impact
- Major minerals
- Forest and Wildlife
- Types of forests
- Tropical evergreen, tropical deciduous, thorn, mangrove, mountain
- Major wildlife sanctuaries and national parks
- Corbett, Kaziranga, Gir, Ranthambore, Sundarbans
- Conservation efforts and challenges
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Project Tiger, Project Elephant
- Types of forests
- Agricultural Pattern
- Major crops
- Food grains: rice, wheat, maize, millets
- Cash crops: sugarcane, cotton, jute, tobacco
- Plantation crops: tea, coffee, rubber
- Horticultural crops: fruits and vegetables
- Crop seasons
- Kharif, Rabi, Zaid
- Agricultural practices and issues
- Green Revolution, organic farming, sustainable agriculture
- Major crops
(ii) Transport and Communication
- Transport
- Types of transport
- Road transport: national highways, state highways, rural roads
- Rail transport: major railway zones, freight and passenger services
- Air transport: major airports, domestic and international routes
- Water transport: inland waterways, major ports, shipping
- Major national and international highways
- Golden Quadrilateral, North-South and East-West Corridors
- Important railway zones and airports
- Northern Railway, Central Railway, Southern Railway
- Indira Gandhi International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
- Inland and coastal waterways
- National Waterways, inland transport projects
- Types of transport
- Communication
- Evolution of communication systems
- History of postal services, telegraph, telephone
- Modern communication systems
- Mobile phones, internet, satellite communication
- Role of communication in socio-economic development
- Digital India initiatives, e-governance
- Evolution of communication systems
(iii) Social Geography
- Population Density and Distribution
- Population density: factors affecting density
- High and low-density regions
- Distribution patterns
- Urban and rural population
- Regional disparities
- Census data and demographic trends
- Population growth rates, sex ratio, literacy rates
- Population density: factors affecting density
- Racial and Linguistic Groups
- Major racial groups in India
- Aryan, Dravidian, Mongoloid, Negrito
- Linguistic diversity
- Major language families: Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman, Austroasiatic
- Official languages and their distribution
- Major racial groups in India
- Major Tribes
- Distribution of major tribes
- Santhal, Bhil, Gond, Khasi, Naga, Toda
- Cultural and social characteristics of tribes
- Tribal customs, festivals, livelihood
- Government policies for tribal welfare
- Tribal Sub-Plan, Forest Rights Act
- Distribution of major tribes
(iv) Natural Calamity and Disaster Management
- Natural Calamities
- Types of natural calamities
- Earthquakes, floods, cyclones, droughts, landslides, tsunamis
- Causes and impact of natural disasters
- Human and economic losses, environmental impact
- Types of natural calamities
- Disaster Management
- Disaster management cycle
- Preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs)
- Structure, roles, and responsibilities
- Community-based disaster management
- Local-level planning, capacity building, awareness programs
- Disaster management cycle
- Environmental Pollution: Reasons and Preventive Measures
- Types of pollution
- Air, water, soil, noise, radiation
- Causes and effects of pollution
- Industrial emissions, vehicular emissions, deforestation, waste disposal
- Pollution control measures and laws
- Environmental Protection Act, 1986
- National Green Tribunal
- Types of pollution
- Climate Change
- Causes and effects of climate change
- Greenhouse gases, global warming, melting glaciers
- Global and national initiatives to combat climate change
- Paris Agreement, National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
- Role of individuals and communities in addressing climate change
- Sustainable living practices, renewable energy use
- Causes and effects of climate change
- Green Energy
- Importance of green energy sources
- Solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydro
- Government policies and schemes promoting green energy
- National Solar Mission, wind energy programs
- Benefits and challenges of transitioning to green energy
- Environmental benefits, economic opportunities, technological challenges
- Importance of green energy sources