CUET Geography Syllabus 2026
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Curious about what you’ll study in CUET UG Geography? This subject opens up a world of knowledge about our Earth, people, places, and environments. The CUET Geography syllabus includes fascinating topics like physical features, climate, agriculture, population, industries, and urban development. It is based on the NCERT Class 12 Geography books—Fundamentals of Human Geography and India – People and Economy. Students will also need to practice maps and case studies to excel. This article offers a complete overview of the unit-wise syllabus, key topics, exam pattern, and the best books to follow. It’s your one-stop guide to preparing Geography for CUET UG 2026.
CUET Geography Syllabus 2026
The CUET UG 2026 Geography exam is part of Section II (Domain Subjects) and is important for students aiming to get admission in courses that require Geography. It covers topics like Human Geography, Transport, Trade, Communication, and Human Settlements.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the CUET 2026 exam in the second week of May (tentative) for UG admissions in 200+ universities across India. To score well, students must understand the full syllabus and practice previous years’ papers. The official Geography syllabus PDF will be available on NTA’s website – cuet.nta.nic.in.
Topic-Wise CUET UG Geography Syllabus
- Human Geography: Nature and Scope
- People & Population
- Human development
- Human Activities
- Transport, Communication, and Trade
- Satellite Communication and Cyberspace
- International trade
- Human Settlements
Detailed Unit-Wise CUET UG Geography Syllabus
The CUET UG Geography syllabus is divided into two main parts – Section A (Fundamentals of Human Geography) and Section B (People and Economy). Each section includes several important subtopics. To score well in the CUET Geography exam, it’s important to understand and prepare all the topics thoroughly. A clear grasp of these concepts will help you build a strong foundation and boost your confidence during the exam.
Section A: Fundamentals of Human Geography
Unit 1: Human Geography
- Nature and Scope
Unit 2: 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 3: 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 4: Transport, Communication, and Trade
- Land Transport – roads, railways – rail network, transcontinental 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, role of WTO in International trade.
Unit 5: Human Settlements
- Settlement Types – Rural and urban; Morphology of cities (case study); Distribution of megacities; Problems of human settlements in developing countries.
Section B: India: People and Economy
Unit 1: People
Population – distribution density and growth; composition of population; linguistic and religious; rural-urban population change through time-regional variations; occupation
Unit 2: Human Settlements
- Rural settlements – types and distribution;
- Urban settlements – types, distribution and functional classification
Unit 3: Resources and Development
- Land resources-general land use; agriculture 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
- Mineral and energy resources – metallic and non-metallic minerals and their distributions; conventional and non-conventional energy sources; Planning in India – target area planning; idea of sustainable development.
Unit 4: Transport, Communication, and International Trade
- Transport and communication – roads, railways, waterways and airways; oil and gas pipelines; communication networks – radio, television, satellite and internet;
- International trade – changing pattern of India’s foreign trade; sea ports and their hinterland, and airports
Unit 5: Geographical Perspective on selected issues and problems
- Environmental pollution, urban waste disposal;
- Urbanization-rural-urban migration; problems of slumps;
- Land degradation.
Topper’s Suggested Preparation Strategy for CUET UG Geography
Preparing for CUET UG Geography can be easy and scoring if done with the right strategy. Toppers suggest focusing on NCERT books, practicing map-based questions, and revising regularly. A clear understanding of the syllabus, consistent mock tests, and well-made notes can help you build strong concepts and improve accuracy. Here are some expert-backed tips to boost your CUET UG preparation.
Understand the Complete Syllabus
- Go through the NCERT Class 12 Geography Books (Fundamentals of Human Geography and India: People and Economy).
- Know all units and subtopics listed in the CUET syllabus.
Stick to NCERT Books
- Toppers strongly recommend NCERTs as the core study material.
- Focus on maps, definitions, and key concepts.
Make Short Notes
- Create chapter-wise notes, especially for terms like migration, population distribution, urbanization, etc.
- Use bullet points and diagrams for quick revision.
Practice PYQs & Mock Tests
- Solve CUET previous year question papers and chapter-wise MCQs regularly.
- Attempt mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
Focus on Maps & Diagrams
- Practice India and World maps for questions related to rivers, industries, cities, and transport routes.
- Labeling and identifying locations are frequently asked.
Time Management
- Allocate specific time for each topic and stick to your schedule.
- Prioritize weaker areas without neglecting strong ones.
Revise Regularly
- Set a routine to revise important facts weekly.
- Revise maps, definitions, and case studies before the exam.
Best Books for CUET Geography Preparation
For CUET UG Geography preparation, the NCERT Class 11 and 12 Geography books are the best to build a strong basis. Along with them, practice books like Arihant’s CUET Geography Guide and Oswaal’s Question Bank can boost your preparation. These books cover the full syllabus, offer practice questions, and help you revise effectively for the exam.
- NCERT Geography Textbooks (Class 11 & 12)
- Oxford Student Atlas - by Oxford
- Geography of India - by Majid Husain
- Indian and World Geography - by R. C. Mukherjee
- Human Geography - by Majid Husain
- Physical Geography - by Savindra Singh