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UPSC CSE Mains 2020 — Geography Questions with Answers
All 63 Geography previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2020, 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.Climatology
Write a geographical note on Halloween Storm.
- Q2.General Geography
Why is mapping important for analysing geo-hydrological investigations? Explain with relevant examples.
- Q3.Oceanography
Marine resources are economically very significant. Discuss citing suitable examples.
- Q4.General Geography
Which factors influence the growth of wild plants in India? Discuss their economic significance.
- Q5.General Geography
Discuss the problems associated with the living environment in million plus cities in India. How can these be managed?
- Q6.Geomorphology
Write an essay on the evolution of continents and oceans using various theories and models.
- Q7.Oceanography
Discuss the concept of coral bleaching, its recovery and macroalgal regime shifts due to this process.
- Q8.Climatology
Explain the currents of the North Atlantic Ocean and their significant role in the climate of Western Europe.
- Q9.Climatology
Explain how various factors influence the origin and development of the Indian monsoon system.
- Q10.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
Explain the effects and causes of deforestation, and its impact on the pattern of agriculture in India.
- Q11.Climatology
Explain the characteristic features of Frontogenesis and Frontolysis.
- Q12.Geomorphology
Discuss the problems of erosional surfaces and explain the different methods to identify them with suitable diagrams.
- Q13.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
Land use/Land cover and soil types influence forage quantity and quality in semi-arid regions of the world. Discuss with relevant examples.
- Q14.General Geography
Discuss the human response to and management of hazards and disasters in India.
- Q15.General Geography
Analyse India's food security in the context of population growth.
- Q16.General Geography
Identify the causes and effects of energy crisis, and suggest suitable measures to solve the problem.
- Q17.Population & Settlement Geography
Distinguish between mobility and migration. What are the causes and consequences of rural to urban migration in India?
- Q18.Economic Geography & Location Theory
"Where economic growth is sustained over long time periods, its incidence works towards a progressive integration of the space economy." Elucidate.
- Q19.Economic Geography & Location Theory
Write a note on the relevance of von Thunen's agricultural location theory in the present context.
- Q20.General Geography
Compare and contrast the Malthusian and Neo-Malthusian perspectives in the context of population growth, resource use and environmental impact.
- Q21.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
"Land degradation is a threat to productivity and sustainable resource management." Explain with suitable examples from India.
- Q22.Human Geography: Thought, Political & Cultural
In the modern world, most of the frontiers have been replaced by boundaries. Explain the reasons.
- Q23.Settlement & Regional Planning
Discuss the concept of urban resilience in the context of planning for sustainable development with reference to towns and cities of India.
- Q24.Economic Geography & Location Theory
Analyse the dynamics of industrial location in the metropolitan cities of India.
- Q25.Human Geography: Thought, Political & Cultural
Write an essay on gender equity and equality in India in the context of balanced human development.
- Q26.Human Geography: Thought, Political & Cultural
Discuss how and why Mackinder modified his concept of Pivot Area after the World Wars.
- Q27.Population & Settlement Geography
Provide an account of world population transition in the context of fertility decline and socio-economic development.
- Q28.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
"Human ecology is the study of mutual relationship of people and their environment both natural and social." Discuss in detail using ecological concepts.
- 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) Vadhawan, (ii) Salkhan, (iii) Coorg, (iv) Mhow, (v) Umroi, (vi) Thoothukudi, (vii) Bargarh, (viii) Atal Tunnel, (ix) Gurushikhar, (x) Bum La.
- Q30.Physical Geography of India
Climate change has unsettled the rhythm of seasons. Comment with examples and empirical evidence.
- Q31.Agriculture & Rural India
Discuss the methods of crop residue management in rural India to reduce pollution.
- Q32.Political, Regional & Contemporary India
Has the regional aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir been addressed through the re-organisation of the state? Make an assessment.
- Q33.Population & Tribal India
Identifying areas covered under the Tribal Sub-Plan, discuss the programmes initiated to address their problems.
- Q34.Physical Geography of India
Soil types in India, classified on the basis of colour, possess specific chemical and mineral characteristics. Discuss.
- Q35.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
The pharmaceutical industry in India depends on the import of raw materials. Evaluate this statement in view of the Indo-Chinese relationship.
- Q36.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
India has opened up its space sector to the private sector for satellite-based activities. Critically examine its implications, indicating the major security concerns.
- Q37.Agriculture & Rural India
Identify the oilseeds producing areas in India and discuss the measures to promote the edible oil industry.
- Q38.General Geography
Give a reasoned geographical account of the changing rural folk houses in India.
- Q39.Political, Regional & Contemporary India
Border area development is an important national priority. What are the resilient steps needed for peaceful borders?
- Q40.Population & Tribal India
Stunting and wasting among children are major consequences of food insecurity. Discuss various schemes of the Government of India to address these problems and their achievements.
- Q41.Agriculture & Rural India
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 aims to deregulate the production, supply and distribution of farm produce. Critically examine its spatial consequences.
- Q42.Political, Regional & Contemporary India
The success of Panchayati Raj depends upon meaningful participation of people at the grassroots level. Examine.
- Q43.Agriculture & Rural India
Elucidate the benefits of the neem-coated urea scheme for Indian agriculture.
- Q44.Agriculture & Rural India
Canal irrigation has led to monocropping in India. Explain with suitable examples.
- Q45.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
The pattern of growing ecological footprints is uneven in nature. Analyse with reference to land resources in India.
- Q46.Urbanisation & Settlement of India
Identify the challenges faced by generative and parasitic towns in India and their possible remedies.
- Q47.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Digital divide in India needs quick redressal to reduce regional disparity in development. Elaborate with suitable examples.
- Q48.Physical Geography of India
Avalanche is a major hazard in the Himalayas. What are its causes and mitigation measures?
- Q49.Population & Tribal India
The process of demographic transition is not uniform in India. Examine this statement in the context of the demographic transition theory.
- Q50.Physical Geography of India
Demarcating the seismic zones of India, suggest suitable interventions required for the most sensitive seismic zones for sustainable human settlements.
- Q51.Environment, Conservation & Development
What are the characteristics of Blue Flag certified beaches? Discuss their significance for beach tourism in India.
- Q52.Urbanisation & Settlement of India
Urban sprawl around planned cities evolves, leading to the emergence of squatter settlements. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such outgrowth.
- Q53.Urbanisation & Settlement of India
Analyse the changing nature of workforce composition vis-a-vis the rural-urban divide in India.
- Q54.Political, Regional & Contemporary India
Describe the economic, maritime and strategic interests of India in the South China Sea.
- Q55.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
What kind of skill promotion programmes have been initiated for job-deficient regions in India? Explain.
- Q56.Climatology
Discuss the geophysical characteristics of the Circum-Pacific Zone.
- Q57.Climatology
The process of desertification does not have climatic boundaries. Justify with examples.
- Q58.Physical Geography
How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India?
- Q59.Resources & Industry
Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples.
- Q60.Physical Geography
Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue.
- Q61.Physical Geography
The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional interrelated problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine.
- Q62.Physical Geography
India has immense potential for solar energy though there are regional variations in its development. Elaborate.
- Q63.Climatology
Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change.
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