The thrust areas of the department have changed over time partly as a result of the emerging areas and also the availability of expertise in the department. Geomorphology has been an important thrust area since the early days of the department. The department wants to continue this as one of the thrust areas as environmental geomorphology is becoming increasingly important both in urban and rural studies. Among other branches of Physical Geography, plant and soil geography is also being pursued as a thrust area. A consistent thrust area of the department has been Urban and Regional research. Emerging problems in the Third World economy and society have also made economic and social geography as other focal areas of the department.

With the development concern, environmental planning has also emerged as a significant area. Of late, the department has been developing expertise in analysing problems of development and underdevelopment with special emphasis on the situation prevailing in the third world. Fringe agriculture and related changes in landuse have also attracted attention of the faculty along with rural industrialization, tourism and recreation. Cultural Geography has also been emerging as a thrust area in the department. Since map has remained an essential tool even after the introduction of other techniques, thematic cartography is an important thrust area in the department. The department has built up the necessary infrastructure for the purpose and the proposed development of computer laboratory will further enhance the thrust.