Home › UPSC CSE Mains › 2021 › Geography
UPSC CSE Mains 2021 — Geography Questions with Answers
All 62 Geography previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2021, 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 the concept of 'Altiplanation'.
- Q2.Climatology
What are the important factors responsible for airmass modifications?
- Q3.Climatology
Discuss the hazards associated with rise of sea-surface temperature.
- Q4.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
Gene pool centres are 'Good Hope' for biodiversity conservation. Elucidate.
- Q5.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
Describe how ecosystem services of Himalaya are essential for Highland-Lowland sustainability in Asia.
- Q6.Geomorphology
The concept of Plate tectonics has been derived from the isostasy and continental drift theory. Elaborate citing suitable examples.
- Q7.Oceanography
Give a detailed account of bottom topography of the Pacific Ocean.
- Q8.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
Soil erosion and soil degradation are threat to food supply. Discuss.
- Q9.Climatology
Examine major influencing factors for varied patterns of precipitations on the continents.
- Q10.Oceanography
Maritime security is being neglected. Indicate the major challenges and suggest solutions in the context of Law of the Sea.
- Q11.Climatology
Explaining the concept of carbon neutrality, describe the measures taken by carbon positive and negative nations.
- Q12.Biogeography & Environmental Geography
With suitable examples, elaborate human ecological adaptations. Explain its impacts on ecology and environment in various parts of the world.
- Q13.Geomorphology
Stream basins and drainage divides are important components to delineate a watershed area. Explain.
- Q14.Climatology
Indicating the causes of lightning, describe the threats associated with it.
- Q15.Human Geography: Thought, Political & Cultural
The interrelationships between social and spatial structure are complex. Explain in the context of socio-spatial dialectic.
- Q16.General Geography
How is energy transition seen as an instrument for achieving zero Carbon by 2050?
- Q17.General Geography
Protected cultivation assists in healthier and a larger produce. Justify with examples.
- Q18.Settlement & Regional Planning
Explain the processes of contagion and hierarchical diffusion in addressing regional imbalances.
- Q19.Economic Geography & Location Theory
Examine the relevance of Central Place Theory of Christaller in the present context.
- Q20.Settlement & Regional Planning
Development-induced displacement poses serious challenges. Mention its causes, consequences and solutions.
- Q21.General Geography
Describe the role of accessibility and affordability in food security of developing world.
- Q22.Settlement & Regional Planning
The environmental issues are not adequately addressed in the regional planning. Comment.
- Q23.Settlement & Regional Planning
Suggest criteria, indicators and techniques for delimitation of formal regions.
- Q24.Human Geography: Thought, Political & Cultural
Boundaries are important in geopolitics. Explain. What issues develop from the inclusionary and exclusionary aspects of borders?
- Q25.Settlement & Regional Planning
Small number of mega cities are playing key role in organisation of global economics and culture. Explain.
- Q26.Human Geography: Thought, Political & Cultural
Why is radicalism seen as a major paradigm shift in geography? Explain its causes, approaches and criticism.
- Q27.Population & Settlement Geography
Aging population has adverse social and economic consequences. Explain with examples.
- Q28.Economic Geography & Location Theory
Present a critical account of Alfred Weber Theory of industrial location.
- 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) Ziro Valley, (ii) Khecheopalri Lake, (iii) Toranmal, (iv) Subarnarekha River, (v) Koderma, (vi) Sir Creek, (vii) Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, (viii) Peechi Dam, (ix) Digha Beach, (x) Pamban Island.
- Q30.Political, Regional & Contemporary India
Discuss the geo-political impact of the bilateral relationship between India and Bhutan.
- Q31.Physical Geography of India
Discuss the economic significance of volcanic soils of India.
- Q32.Agriculture & Rural India
Give a reasoned account of the difference between the sugar industry of North and Peninsular India.
- Q33.Physical Geography of India
Landslide is a major problem in the Himalayan region. Discuss its causes and mitigation measures.
- Q34.Physical Geography of India
Appraise why drought is one of the most common climatic extremes in India.
- Q35.Physical Geography of India
Discuss the ecological and economic challenges of river linking in India.
- Q36.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Discuss the importance of solar energy in the future economic development of India.
- Q37.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Critically examine the importance of the Smart Cities Programme for solving urban problems in India.
- Q38.Environment, Conservation & Development
Examine the significance of ecotourism in relation to socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation in India.
- Q39.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Discuss the reserves, distribution and production of all varieties of coal in India.
- Q40.Physical Geography of India
Describe the salient features of east-flowing rivers of India.
- Q41.Political, Regional & Contemporary India
Critically examine the problems of inter-State border disputes in India.
- Q42.Environment, Conservation & Development
Discuss the salient features of Project Tiger in India.
- Q43.Physical Geography of India
Describe the problems of cloud burst in India giving suitable examples.
- Q44.Environment, Conservation & Development
Discuss the role of watershed management for soil and water conservation in hilly regions of India.
- Q45.Population & Tribal India
Critically examine the relevance of Ravenstein's law of population migration with reference to India.
- Q46.Urbanisation & Settlement of India
Discuss Ashok Mitra's classification method of Indian cities.
- Q47.Physical Geography of India
Explain the impact of tropical cyclones and western disturbances on the climate of India.
- Q48.Physical Geography of India
Examine the critical issues of groundwater resources in India.
- Q49.Physical Geography of India
Describe the structure and relief features of the Deccan Plateau.
- Q50.Political, Regional & Contemporary India
Critically examine how the Panchayati Raj system is a catalyst in decentralized planning in India.
- Q51.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Identify the major industrial corridors of India and discuss the characteristics of the Bengaluru-Mumbai Corridor.
- Q52.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Assess the growth of multinational corporations in the liberalized economic environment of India.
- Q53.General Geography
Examine how information and communication technology has boosted the development of certain regions of India.
- Q54.Environment, Conservation & Development
Discuss the Command Area Development Programme and its impact on eliminating regional inequalities in India.
- Q55.Resources, Industry & Economy of India
Critically assess the status of balance of trade in India and suggest measures to combat the issues.
- Q56.Physical Geography
Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and the Western Ghats.
- Q57.Physical Geography
Despite India being one of the countries of Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss.
- Q58.Physical Geography
Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on the regional environment.
- Q59.Physical Geography
Why is India considered a sub-continent? Elaborate your answer.
- Q60.Physical Geography
Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples.
- Q61.Physical Geography
How do the melting of the Arctic ice and the glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth? Explain.
- Q62.Resources & Industry
Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of the uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world.
UPSC CSE Mains 2021 — other subjects
Geography — other years
Ready to test yourself on UPSC CSE Mains 2021?
Start the timed mock free →