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UPPSC 2017 — Geography Questions with Answers

All 8 Geography previous-year questions from UPPSC 2017, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Indian Geography

   At one of the places in India, if you stand on the seashore and watch the sea, you will find that the sea water recedes from the shoreline a few kilometres and comes back to the shore, twice a day, and you can actually walk on the sea floor when the water recedes. This unique phenomenon is seen at:

   • a)Bhavnagar
   • b)Bheemunipatnam
   • c)Chandipur
   • d)Nagapattinam

   Explanation: At Chandipur beach in Odisha, the sea recedes up to about 5 km during low tide twice a day, allowing one to walk on the exposed sea floor, a unique phenomenon. Hence option (c).

2. Q2.Indian Geography

   With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: 1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim. 2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta. 3. River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)2 and 3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3

   Explanation: The Teesta does not share its source with the Brahmaputra, so statement 1 is wrong. The Rangeet originates in Sikkim and is a tributary of the Teesta, so statement 2 is correct. The Teesta is a tributary of the Brahmaputra and joins it in Bangladesh; it does not itself flow into the Bay of Bengal, so statement 3 is wrong. Only statement 2 is correct.

3. Q3.World Geography

   Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries? 1. Jordan 2. Iraq 3. Lebanon 4. Syria. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   • a)1, 2 and 3 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)3 and 4 only
   • d)1, 3 and 4 only

   Explanation: Among the listed countries, only Lebanon and Syria border the Mediterranean Sea. Jordan and Iraq are landlocked with respect to the Mediterranean. Hence 3 and 4 only.

4. Q4.Indian Geography

   Consider the following statements: 1. In India, the Himalayas are spread over five States only. 2. Western Ghats are spread over five States only. 3. Pulicat Lake is spread over two States only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 and 2
   • b)3 only
   • c)2 and 3
   • d)1 and 3

   Explanation: The Himalayas are spread over more than five States (including Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh and others), so statement 1 is wrong. The Western Ghats spread over six States, so statement 2 is wrong. Pulicat Lake lies across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, so statement 3 is correct. Hence 3 only.

5. Q5.Climatology

   With reference to 'Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)' sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean. 2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino's impact on the monsoon. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: The IOD is defined by a difference in sea surface temperature between the western and eastern tropical Indian Ocean, not the eastern Pacific, so statement 1 is wrong. A positive IOD can offset El Nino's adverse impact on the Indian monsoon, so statement 2 is correct. Only statement 2 is correct.

6. Q6.Indian Society

   With reference to the difference between cultures, the term 'Sahariya' refers to:

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)1 and 3 only
   • d)None of the above

   Explanation: The Sahariya are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) found mainly in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Hence option (a).

7. Q7.Indian Geography

   Which of the following is geographically closest to Great Nicobar?

   • a)Sumatra
   • b)Borneo
   • c)Java
   • d)Sri Lanka

   Explanation: The Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost of the Nicobar Islands, lies closest to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, separated by the Great Channel. Hence option (a).

8. Q8.Resources

   With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements: 1. Sand is a 'minor mineral' according to the prevailing law in the country. 2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government. 3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 and 3 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3

   Explanation: Sand is classified as a minor mineral (statement 1 correct). State Governments have power both to grant leases and to frame rules regarding minor minerals, so statement 2 is wrong. State Governments can frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals (statement 3 correct). Hence 1 and 3 only.