Maps play a crucial role in UPSC examinations and are among the most concerning UPSC syllabus topics. Maps are generally of two types, the India map, and the world map.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to prepare for questions asked on maps in the UPSC exams or how to study maps for UPSC. So let’s start by understanding, What are Maps and why are they used?
A Map is a geographical plan or drawing of the earth’s surface representing countries, borders, rivers, oceans, mountains, plateau, etc. As we all know, India is a huge country comprising a bunch of geographic beauties.
India’s map encapsulates magnificent rivers, mountains, plains, plateaus, States, and other geographical regions. Maps even have latitude and longitude scales listed on them.
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Talking of some of the best IAS coachings in Jaipur, one such IAS coaching institute that comes to my mind is “The Thought Tree.” It is the best upcoming IAS coaching in the country, with an impeccable success rate of training students for the UPSC examinations. The Thought Tree provides both online and offline classes to the students.
Now let’s focus back on what we were about to discuss in this article, “How to study maps for UPSC”.
Tips to Study India Map for UPSC
It would help if you practiced drawing the Indian maps as it will be of great use, particularly in UPSC Mains, General Studies Paper -I and II. You should be thoroughly prepared for various areas under the India map.
1. Neighbouring countries are encircling India like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Srilanka, China, etc. Also, focus on other data like their locations, States sharing boundaries from these neighboring countries, rivers flowing in and out of India, Oceans around the coastal states of India, and the Countries surrounding islands territory of India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep island.)
2. Mark and memorize important longitude and latitude lines like the Tropic of Cancer, Standard meridian; mark the states and cities falling under these lines.
3. You should also know the geographical location of all the states, including their neighboring states. Follow some important cities in the states of India. Try plotting these cities and states on the India map and perfect it.
4. Pay special attention to cities recently in the news or with historical importance. You should also know about the geographical region of these states.
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5. A detailed study on rivers, their Origin, flow paths, and tributaries of all the important rivers in India must be practiced. You should be thorough with plotting these rivers on maps at the end of your preparation for the UPSC exams.
6. Don’t forget to study the mountains, important lakes, national zoos and parks, the monsoon cycle, and climatic changes in India.
Tips to Study World Map for UPSC
It would help if you had a rough idea of the position of all the important countries. Here are some tips on how you can cover areas or regions under the world map.
1. Keep track of the countries that lie under important lines like the tropic of Capricorn, tropic of cancer, Greenwich Meridian, and the Equator.
2. Learn to plot countries in the news lately or have some immensely important historical era on the world map.
3. Practice and keep revising the sea routes and canals. These are exceptionally important to comprehend international relations.
You might have noticed earlier that I’ve mentioned more points on the India map than the world map. This is because the India map is extremely important, and one must cover it entirely to score well in GS papers 1 and 2.
The World map is also a concerning part of the paper since it is quite huge to cover. Examiners ask very little from the world map.
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Practice
As we all know well that “practice makes a man perfect,” the same thought implies here as well while preparing maps for the UPSC exams.
First of all, purchase some blank Political India maps from the market. Learn to draw guidelines on the blank map. You can use Latitude, longitude lines, Indian Standard Meridian, and Tropic of Cancer as a tactic for mapping. Using these guidelines, start plotting some important places (According to what has been asked in previous year’s question papers) on the blank maps.
When you get satisfied with India Political Maps, try the method mentioned above again on the process blank Physical map of India. Value part can be done by adding single points about the place you’ve marked on the map. You can use the same method again in the case of a world map.
Important Tip
Studying maps should not be considered an extra burden. Maps should be claimed as some recreational activity during study breaks. Studying maps and relating them to history, geography, political science, and economics can be very interesting and a good experience.
Well, map work is not that useful in scoring simple marks in the prelims paper. However, suppose you can draw a good map and have mastered the art of locating important states and different geographical locations on the map. In that case, this will benefit you in GS paper -1 Geography, History, and GS paper -3 Economics.
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Conclusion
In this article, we have so far discussed some tips to study maps for UPSC exams. I’m sure that these tips for preparing maps for UPSC exams will help you in your UPSC exams.
We’ve also discussed that one must join IAS coaching to prepare for the UPSC exams much easier and precisely. “The Thought Tree,” in this case, is considered the best institute to prepare aspirants for the UPSC examinations.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article on ‘How to study maps for UPSC’ and must have grasped some part of it to reflect better on the UPSC exams, especially in the exams’ ‘map part’.
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