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UPSC CSE Mains 2019 — Geography Questions with Answers
All 61 Geography previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2019, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice Geography as a timed test →- Q1.Geomorphology
Describe phreatic eruptions and their consequences.
- Q2.Climatology
Explain the techniques to calculate potential evapotranspiration suggested by Thornthwaite.
- Q3.Geomorphology
How are sandspits and tombolos formed?
- Q4.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
Amensalism is a biotic factor that determines the geographic limits of species. Explain.
- Q5.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
How do mountaineers constitute a threat to Mount Everest?
- Q6.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
Why is it necessary to conserve genetic diversity of species? Do protected areas serve any useful purpose in this context?
- Q7.Geomorphology
Compare and contrast different types of plate boundaries.
- Q8.Climatology
Explain the nature of urban climates and their impact on global environmental change.
- Q9.Climatology
Discuss in detail the tri-cellular model of atmospheric circulation.
- Q10.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
How are soil acidity and alkalinity related to soil fertility?
- Q11.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
"The web of life is seamless and the consequences of disruption to one part of the ecosystem ripple throughout the whole." Elaborate.
- Q12.Geomorphology
Discuss the methods of measuring the intensity and magnitude of earthquakes. How are seismic zones demarcated?
- Q13.General Geography
The impact of floods on life and property can be most effectively reduced by hazard mapping. Comment.
- Q14.Oceanography
How are ocean waves formed? Distinguish between a wave of oscillation and a wave of translation.
- Q15.Population & Settlement Geography
"A language originates at a particular place and diffuses to other locations through the migration of its speakers." Examine this statement in the context of language hot spots and endangered language hot spots.
- Q16.Population & Settlement Geography
Define stunting and wasting. Why are these more prevalent among children in developing countries?
- Q17.Population & Settlement Geography
Explain the relationship between net reproductive rate (NRR) and true replacement level of population.
- Q18.Settlement & Regional Planning
What are natural regions? How are they different from planning regions?
- Q19.Human Geography: Thought, Political & Cultural
Discuss the genetic classification of boundaries suggested by Hartshorne.
- Q20.Economic Geography & Location Theory
HDI has brought about a paradigm shift in the way people think about the development process. Critically examine the inherent limitations of HDI.
- Q21.Economic Geography & Location Theory
"A large-scale global shift in manufacturing is the outcome of deindustrialization in the developed world matched by industrialization in the developing world." Analyze this statement.
- Q22.Climatology
What do you mean by 'climate migrants'? Suggest appropriate policies and programmes for their resettlement.
- Q23.Climatology
What changes in the current planning, management and governance of human settlements are needed to face the changing environment including climate change and disaster vulnerabilities in cities?
- Q24.Human Geography: Thought, Political & Cultural
Globalization can often subsume folk culture. What are its positive and negative effects?
- Q25.Economic Geography & Location Theory
"Growth is not uniform in different places." Critically examine this statement in the context of the growth pole theory.
- Q26.Economic Geography & Location Theory
Distinguish between 'isodapanes' and 'isotims'. Critically examine the least cost theory of industrial location given by Alfred Weber.
- Q27.Population & Settlement Geography
Assess the challenges for countries with the largest shares of aged populations.
- Q28.Human Geography: Thought, Political & Cultural
Examine the relevance of the 'rimland theory' in the contemporary world.
- Q29.Map-Based Locational (India)
On the outline map of India, mark the location of the following and write the significance of each in not more than 30 words: (i) Lothal, (ii) River Beas, (iii) Chikhaldara, (iv) Narora, (v) Lengpui, (vi) Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, (vii) Thenmala, (viii) Anamudi, (ix) Barren Island, (x) Durgaduani creek.
- Q30.Physical Geography of India
Examine the major causes of ground water depletion in India.
- Q31.Physical Geography of India
Why is the Indian Monsoon erratic in nature? Explain.
- Q32.Physical Geography of India
Explain the significance of dry farming in drought prone areas of India.
- Q33.Agriculture & Rural India
Correlate the agro-climatic zones with agro-ecological regions of India.
- Q34.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Critically analyse the role of multinational corporations in India's economic development with suitable examples.
- Q35.Environment, Conservation & Development
Discuss how watershed management has become a tool in eradication of rural poverty in India.
- Q36.Agriculture & Rural India
Discuss the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides in agriculture and its impact on human health.
- Q37.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Examine ongoing space programmes of India and their implications for national security in future.
- Q38.Physical Geography of India
Discuss the rainfall pattern and correlate it with spatial distribution of natural vegetation in India.
- Q39.Physical Geography of India
Discuss the political aspects of the Himalaya. Explain how it has affected geo-strategy, geo-politics and regional consciousness of Indian federalism.
- Q40.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Examine the development of information technology in India and its influence on work culture and society.
- Q41.Population & Tribal India
Explain the present status of age-structure and availability of workforce in India.
- Q42.Physical Geography of India
Present the salient features of west-flowing rivers of India.
- Q43.Environment, Conservation & Development
Discuss the problems of wildlife conservation and management in India.
- Q44.Urbanisation & Settlement of India
Correlate the price of land, vertical growth of cities and the growth of slums in large cities of India.
- Q45.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Assess the importance of foot-loose industries in the development of backward regions in India.
- Q46.Physical Geography of India
Examine the problems of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in India.
- Q47.Physical Geography of India
"Intra-basin linkages of rivers are more feasible economically, socially and ecologically." Discuss with suitable examples from India.
- Q48.Urbanisation & Settlement of India
Provide a reasoned account on emerging conurbations in India and explain with suitable examples the problems associated with them.
- Q49.Environment, Conservation & Development
Explain the relevance of green tourism for sustainable development of mountain environment in India.
- Q50.Population & Tribal India
Analyse the role of interstate migration in regional disparity in India.
- Q51.Urbanisation & Settlement of India
Give a reasoned account of the high level of pollution in North Indian cities as compared to South Indian cities.
- Q52.Political, Regional & Contemporary India
Analyse the incentive-oriented programmes for removing regional imbalances in socio-economic development of India.
- Q53.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
With special reference to India, examine the changes in the nature and patterns of international trade. Mention the major influencing factors.
- Q54.Physical Geography of India
Describe the altitudinal and spatial geo-environmental hazards in the Himalayas.
- Q55.Political, Regional & Contemporary India
"India is emerging as a global power in relation to the Indian Ocean realm." Elaborate.
- Q56.Oceanography
Assess the impact of global warming on the coral life system with examples.
- Q57.Oceanography
Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology.
- Q58.Physical Geography
Can the strategy of regional resource-based manufacturing help in promoting employment in India?
- Q59.Resources & Industry
Discuss the factors for localisation of agro-based food processing industries of North-West India.
- Q60.Physical Geography
What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India?
- Q61.Oceanography
How do ocean currents and water masses differ in their impacts on marine life and the coastal environment? Give suitable examples.
UPSC CSE Mains 2019 — other subjects
Geography — other years
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