The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the CUET 2025 syllabus, covering all three sections of the exam: Section I (Language Paper), Section II (Domain-specific Subjects), and Section III (General Test). For those focusing on Geography, part of Section II, the syllabus includes important topics such as Transport, Communication and Trade, Human Settlements, and Human Geography, among others. Students aiming for courses that require Geography as a test subject should familiarize themselves with the complete syllabus and review past papers to understand the exam’s difficulty level and question patterns.
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The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is conducted annually by NTA for undergraduate admissions to central, private, deemed, and state universities across India. The CUET 2025 exam is scheduled for the third week of May. If you’re preparing for the Geography section, it’s highly recommended to download and go through the detailed CUET UG Geography Syllabus PDF to create a focused study plan and boost your preparation.
CUET Geography/Geology Exam Pattern 2025
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of the exam | Computer-based test mode |
| Language of exam | 13 languages – English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu |
| Type of questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total number of Questions | 50 questions |
| Duration of Exam | 60 minutes |
| Maximum Marks | 250 |
| Marking Scheme | +5 for each correct answer -1 for each incorrect answer |
| CUET Geography Mapping for Courses | B.A. (Hons) in Geography B.A. in Environmental Studies B.A. in Tourism and Travel Management B.A. in Geopolitics |
CUET Geography/Geology Syllabus 2025 Unit-wise Syllabus
Fundamentals of Human Geography
Unit I: Human Geography: Nature and Scope
Unit II: People
- Population of the world – distribution, density, and growth;
- Population change-spatial patterns and structure; determinants of population change;
- Age-sex ratio; rural-urban composition;
- Human development – concept; selected indicators, international comparisons.
Unit III: Human Activities
- Primary activities – concept and changing trends; gathering, pastoral, mining, subsistence agriculture, modern agriculture; people engaged in agriculture and allied activities – some examples from selected countries;
- Secondary activities – concept; manufacturing: agro-processing, household, small scale, large scale; people engaged in secondary activities – some examples from selected countries;
- Tertiary activities – concept; trade, transport, and communication; services; people engaged in tertiary activities – some examples from selected countries;
- Quaternary activities – concept; knowledge-based industries; people engaged in quaternary activities – some examples from selected countries.
Unit IV: Transport, Communication and Trade
- Land transport – roads, railways – rail network; trans-continental railways;
- Water transport- inland waterways; major ocean routes;
- Air transport – Intercontinental air routes;
- Oil and gas pipelines;
- Satellite communication and cyberspace;
- International trade – Basis and changing patterns; ports as gateways of international trade, the role of WTO in International trade.
Unit V: Human Settlements
- Settlement types – rural and urban; morphology of cities (case study); distribution of megacities; problems of human settlements in developing countries.
India: People and Economy
Unit I: People
- Population: distribution, density and growth; composition of population-linguistic, religious;sex, rural/urban and occupational-regional variations in growth of population;
- Migration: international, national – causes and consequences;
- Human development – selected indicators and regional patterns;
- Population, environment, and development.
Unit II: Human Settlements
- Rural settlements – types and distribution;
- Urban settlements – types, distribution, and functional classification.
Unit III: Resources and Development (Periods 30)
- Land resources – general land use; agricultural land use – major crops; agricultural development and problems, common property resources;
- Water resources – availability and utilization – irrigation, domestic, industrial, and other uses; scarcity of water and conservation methods – rainwater harvesting and watershed management (one case study related to participatory watershed management to be introduced) ;
- Mineral and energy resources – metallic and non-metallic minerals and their distribution; conventional and non-conventional energy sources;
- Industries – types and distribution; industrial location and clustering; changing pattern of selected industries – iron and steel, cotton textiles,sugar, petrochemicals, and knowledge-based industries; the impact of liberalization, privatization, and globalization on industrial location;
- Planning in India – target area planning (case study); idea of sustainable development(case study).
Unit IV: Transport, Communication and International Trade
- Transport and communication — roads, railways, waterways, and airways; oil and gas pipelines; national electric grids; communication networkings – radio, television, satellite, and internet;
- International trade — changing pattern of India’s foreign trade; seaports and their hinterland and airports.
Unit V: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems
- Environmental pollution; urban-waste disposal;
- Urbanisation-rural-urban migration; problem of slums;
- Land Degradation.
CUET Geography Books for Preparation
Preparing for the CUET Geography exam requires a strong grasp of both physical and human geography, along with excellent map-reading skills. To cover the extensive syllabus effectively, having the right study resources is essential. Choosing reliable books can help you understand complex concepts, strengthen your foundation in geography, and ensure you’re ready to tackle questions confidently. Here’s a curated list of the best books to enhance your CUET Geography preparation:
- NCERT Geography Textbooks (Class 11 & 12): These are must-haves for building a strong base in fundamental concepts.
- Oxford Student Atlas: A trusted resource for improving map-reading skills and understanding spatial data.
- Geography of India by Majid Husain: Perfect for in-depth knowledge of India’s geographical features.
- Indian and World Geography by R.C. Mukherjee: Offers a detailed overview of key topics in Indian and global geography.
- Human Geography by Majid Husain: Explores human geography concepts in an easy-to-understand format.
- Physical Geography by Savindra Singh: Provides comprehensive coverage of physical geography topics.
| CUET Section/Domain Wise Syllabus PDF | |
| Subjects | Syllabus PDFs |
| General Test | CUET General Test Syllabus PDF |
| Agriculture | CUET Agriculture Syllabus PDF |
| Chemistry | CUET Chemistry Syllabus PDF |
| Physics | CUET Physics Syllabus PDF |
| Biology | CUET Biology Syllabus PDF |
| Maths | CUET Maths Syllabus PDF |
| English | CUET English Syllabus PDF |
| History | CUET History Syllabus PDF |
| Computer Science | CUET Computer Science Syllabus PDF |
| Psychology | CUET Psychology Syllabus PDF |
| Accountancy | CUET Accountancy Syllabus PDF |
| Business Studies | CUET Business Studies Syllabus PDF |
| Sanskrit | CUET Sanskrit Syllabus PDF |
| Performing Arts | CUET Performing Arts Syllabus PDF |
| Political Science | CUET Political Science Syllabus PDF |
CUET Geography Syllabus 2025 FAQs
What topics are covered in the CUET Geography syllabus?
The CUET 2025 Geography syllabus includes key topics such as Human Geography, Population Distribution, Transport and Trade, Human Settlements, and Economic Activities. For a comprehensive overview, candidates should refer to the detailed syllabus available on the NTA website or trusted platforms like CUET2025.Com, Prepp,in.
How can I effectively prepare for CUET Geography?
To prepare for the CUET Geography exam, start by downloading previous years’ question papers and practicing CUET mock tests. This approach will help you understand the question patterns, improve time management, and boost confidence for the actual exam day.
Is General Knowledge (GK) essential for CUET?
Absolutely! General Knowledge is a crucial section in the CUET exam, as it plays a significant role in determining overall performance. Excelling in GK, along with other sections, is vital to securing admission to top universities.
Can I take only three subjects in CUET?
Yes, you can. While CUET allows a maximum of six subjects (including a language and the General Test), candidates can choose 3-4 subjects based on their target program and university requirements. Selecting the right subjects is essential to meet specific eligibility criteria.
Are there colleges that offer admission without CUET scores?
Yes, some universities do not require CUET scores for admission. Examples include Assam University, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Manipur University, Mizoram University, and Nagaland University. Always check individual university admission policies for details.
Where can I download the CUET Geography syllabus for 2025?
The CUET Geography Syllabus 2025 PDF can be downloaded from the official CUET website at cuet.nta.ac.in or reliable online sources like this article.
How many questions are asked from the Geography section in CUET?
The CUET Geography section consists of 50 questions, out of which candidates need to attempt any 40.
