Geography Optional Subject Preparation Strategy for BPSC Interview
(Based on Real Interview Board Behaviour)
Introduction
In the BPSC Interview (Personality Test), questions related to a candidate’s optional subject are frequently asked, especially when the optional is Geography. This is because Geography is a subject that has direct administrative relevance, strong linkage with current affairs, and wide application in policy formulation and governance. This article explains how to prepare Geography optional for BPSC interview, what areas to focus on, and what mistakes to avoid.
Based on practical experience from BPSC interview guidance programs, it is clear that the interview board does not test Geography optional like the Mains examination. Instead, it evaluates whether the candidate has conceptual clarity, applied understanding, and administrative orientation in Geography.
How the BPSC Interview Board Approaches Optional Subject Questions
Before preparing Geography optional for the interview, aspirants must understand one fundamental fact: The interview board does not test depth of theory, but relevance, clarity, and application.
Key observations from interview experience:
- Most optional-related questions are:
- Current-affairs linked
- Conceptual, not factual
- Applied in nature
- The board avoids:
- Lengthy definitions
- Mathematical or technical details
- Mains-level theoretical depth
Therefore, running behind excessive facts is counter-productive.
Correct Approach to Prepare Geography Optional for BPSC Interview
1. Focus on Concepts, Not Data
Candidates should:
- Develop clear understanding of basic geographical concepts
- Avoid mugging up statistics
- Think in terms of cause–effect–solution
The board expects practical clarity, not textbook reproduction.
2. Link Geography with Administration
One of the most frequently tested areas is:
Role of Geography in Administration
Candidates must be able to explain:
- How geography helps in:
- Disaster management
- Urban planning
- Resource management
- Environmental protection
- Border management
This reflects administrative suitability, not academic excellence.
Important Topics of Geography Optional for BPSC Interview
Based on interview guidance experience, the following topics are most relevant and frequently discussed:
Core Conceptual Areas
- Definition and scope of Geography
- Environmental determinism and possibilism
- Role of Geography in administration
Climatology & Oceanography
- Monsoon and its impact on Indian economy
- Jet stream
- El Niño and La Niña
- Southern Oscillation
- Tropical cyclones
- Tsunami
- Coral bleaching and coral distribution in the Indian Ocean
- Mangroves and their significance
- Ram Setu (Gulf of Mannar)
Geomorphology & Natural Hazards
- Plate tectonics
- Volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain formation
- Ring of Fire (Pacific Ocean)
Environmental Geography
- Air pollution and AQI
- Global warming and its impact on humans
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Desertification and solutions
- Land erosion
- Conservation of flora and fauna
- Sustainable development and limits to growth
Water Resources & Agriculture
- Groundwater management
- Floods and droughts in India
- Rain shadow areas
- River linking project
- Major hydro projects (pros and cons)
- Green Revolution and its environmental impact
- Agricultural distress in India
Urban & Population Geography
- Demographic Transition Theory
- Migration: causes and impacts
- Urban flooding and waterlogging
- Urban Heat Island
- Illegal and forced migration
Economic & Transport Geography
- Food processing industry
- Inland waterways
- Major seaports of India
- Sagarmala Project
Geopolitical Geography
- International border management of India
- Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean
- Geopolitics of South Asia
Geography of Bihar: A Mandatory Area
Apart from general Geography, Geography of Bihar must be prepared extensively.
Candidates should focus on:
- Flood-prone regions
- River system
- Agriculture and irrigation
- Urbanisation issues
- Migration (especially post-COVID)
- Environmental challenges
Interview questions often combine: Geography optional + Bihar state profile + current affairs
How to Answer Geography Optional Questions in BPSC Interview
Use this simple structure:
- Brief conceptual explanation
- Current relevance
- Administrative implications
- Practical solution
Avoid:
- Overuse of technical terms
- Lengthy answers
- Data-heavy responses
Common Mistakes Aspirants Make
- Preparing Geography optional like Mains
- Memorising facts without understanding
- Ignoring current affairs linkage
- Giving theoretical answers with no administrative angle
These mistakes reduce interview marks significantly.
Conclusion
Preparation of Geography optional for BPSC interview requires a shift in mindset. The focus must move from theoretical depth to conceptual clarity, current relevance, and administrative application. Candidates who understand Geography as a tool for governance and policy-making, rather than an academic discipline, perform far better in the interview.
A balanced, applied, and experience-oriented approach to Geography optional can significantly improve a candidate’s confidence, clarity, and final interview score.
About the Author
Shahid Eqwal is a BPSC-qualified candidate (Rank 39, 63rd BPSC) and (Rank 207, 60-62nd BPSC) with experience in BPSC Prelims, Mains, and Interview guidance. He shares exam-oriented, experience-based strategies to help aspirants avoid common mistakes and prepare smartly. Read full author profile
Also Read…