General Studies I · Subtopic
Climatology
Official syllabus
Salient features of world’s physical geography.
UPSC CSE 2026 notification
What this covers
Climatology studies the atmosphere, the controls of climate and the spatial and temporal organization of weather. Begin with atmospheric composition and vertical structure, then trace solar energy through radiation, heat balance, temperature and pressure. Connect pressure gradients, planetary rotation and friction to winds and circulation; connect moisture, stability and uplift to clouds and precipitation. Use these mechanisms to explain climatic regions, variability and extremes.
Key ideas
- Composition and vertical structure
- Weather climate and climatic scale
- Insolation heat balance and temperature
- Pressure gradients and winds
- Planetary circulation and jet streams
- Humidity condensation clouds and precipitation
- Air masses fronts cyclones and anticyclones
- Climate classification variability and change