General Studies I · Subtopic
Distribution of key natural resources
Official syllabus
Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub- continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
UPSC CSE 2026 notification
What this covers
Natural-resource distribution is uneven because geological history, climate, relief, soils, hydrology and biological processes vary across space. Distinguish physical occurrence from reserves, production and trade. A deposit becomes economically usable only when quality, quantity, technology, price, accessibility, rights, infrastructure and environmental constraints permit extraction. Study minerals, energy, water, soils, forests, fisheries and other strategic resources through process, pattern and changing economic significance.
Key ideas
- Resource stock reserve and flow
- Geological and ecological controls
- Quality quantity and concentration
- Accessibility technology and price
- Mineral and energy geography
- Water soil forest and marine resources
- Production trade and dependency
- Scarcity substitution recycling and sustainability