Deogarh District Collector Somesh Upadhyay has a special love for Geography, a subject that has fascinated him since his childhood days. In fact, this was the reason why he took Geography as his Optional in the UPSC CSE exam. However, during his preparation, he noticed that there was a huge gap in resources that needed to be filled. The books that were available mostly catered to graduation level study, not to UPSC exam requirements. Thus, the idea to come up with a Geography book specifically for CSE aspirants was born in his mind.
And, finally, the 2017-batch IAS officer has unveiled his well researched and meticulously written book, Indian Geography Through Maps. The book is designed specifically for aspiring civil servants and simplifies the complex subject of Indian geography, thereby enhancing the chances of success in the highly competitive examination.
WHY GEOGRAPHY
The four-year endeavour to compile the book reflects Mr. Upadhyay’s dedication and passion for Geography, a subject that has captivated him since his school days. Upon choosing Geography as his Optional subject for CSE, he soon identified the gap in available resources. He observed that existing geography books catered more to graduation-level studies rather than the focused requirements of the UPSC exam.
After clearing the exam, he shared all his materials on the subject on his portal called ‘ias34.com’.
“I knew there was some gap in the UPSC preparation where the book for Geography was not specifically designed for the UPSC exam. So, I realised that there’s a need for a crisp and compact book which will benefit the aspirants, save their time, and give them the latest information in a concise manner,” the officer told Indian Masterminds.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The book, spanning a mere 150 pages, covers the entirety of the Indian Geography syllabus. It is enriched with hand-drawn maps and diagrams, which serve as invaluable guides for students to quickly and accurately replicate the same in the demanding exam setting. One of the standout features of the book is its incorporation of the most current data, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared to tackle questions requiring up-to-date information.
The book also contains solved previous years papers of Prelims (2014-2023) and unsolved previous years papers of Geography optional and GS 1 (2014-2022).
CHALLENGING JOURNEY
Undoubtedly, producing a book of such calibre posed its own challenges, like ensuring accuracy, authenticity, and the most recent data required meticulous research and verification. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the book’s completion timeline, adding further hurdles. However, the officer’s perseverance and commitment to help aspirants prevailed, resulting in the completion of a valuable resource.
REASONABLE PRICE
Acknowledging the financial constraints often faced by aspirants, Mr. Upadhyay has priced his book reasonably, aiming to make it accessible to a wide range of students. “I come from a background where purchasing a book priced over Rs. 400-500 was not an easy decision. So, I thought to keep it somewhere around Rs. 300,” he explained. The book is available at a discounted price online, making it even more affordable for students.
FEEDBACK
“I was in that place where most of the aspirants are right now,” Mr. Upadhyay said, emphasizing his relatability to the struggles faced by civil services aspirants. This personal connection has resonated with readers, as the book has received glowing feedback since its recent release. Students across the country have expressed gratitude for the concise, focused, and map-centered approach of the book.
The book has also recently achieved the status of a bestseller on Amazon, solidifying its relevance and popularity among the aspirants. The incorporation of maps as a central feature has particularly impressed students, sparing them the need to frequently refer to atlases.
WHY CSE?
Mr. Upadhyay completed his Masters from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. When asked about why he dropped his plan to pursue a career in that field and opted to pursue civil services instead, he highlighted his desire to bring direct and meaningful change to people’s lives in his country. “Civil services offer that opportunity where one can make changes in people’s lives,” he explained, acknowledging civil services as a means to contribute to society.
Going by the overwhelming success of the book, it has proved itself as a treasure house of guidance and support for civil services aspirants, especially those who want to take Geography as their Optional subject.
Link to the book ‘Indian Geography Through Maps‘-
