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UPSC CSE Mains 2022 — Geography Questions with Answers

All 63 Geography previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2022, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Geography Optional — Paper I

   Define 'speleothem'. Discuss the various forms and features of speleothems.

2. Q2.Geography Optional — Paper I

   What are the high altitude environmental hazards? Explain with suitable examples.

3. Q3.Geography Optional — Paper I

   What is pollution dome? Discuss its formation and impacts.

4. Q4.Geography Optional — Paper I

   When corals are affected by stress it causes them to turn completely white. Explain the reasons of such an occurence.

5. Q5.Geography Optional — Paper I

   Well developed soils typically exhibit distinct layers in their soil profile. Elaborate.

6. Q6.Geography Optional — Paper I

   Sequential changes in land use and land cover have brought global and regional ecological changes and imbalances. Elucidate.

7. Q7.Geography Optional — Paper I

   Explain how various aspects of channel morphology are used in transportation, settlement and land use planning, flood control and flood managament?

8. Q8.Geography Optional — Paper I

   What is the relationship between ocean currents and global surface wind systems? Explain with examples how does the gyre in the Northern Hemisphere differ from the one in the Southern Hemisphere.

9. Q9.Geography Optional — Paper I

   Plants and animals that exist in a particulars ecosystem are those that have been successful in adjusting to their habitat and environmental conditions. Elucidate with examples.

10. Q10.Geography Optional — Paper I

    With suitable examples describe the impacts of movement of airmasses on weather and winds in different parts of the continents.

11. Q11.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Discuss the role of Slope, Altitude and Relief (SAR) in the landscape development.

12. Q12.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Rise of Surface temperature brings severe consequences. Elaborate the potential changes and threats associated with it in the world.

13. Q13.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Describe how short term variations in temperature are related to the processes of receiving energy from the sun to the Earth's surface and dissipating it to the atmosphere.

14. Q14.Geography Optional — Paper I

    With the help of suitable sketches describe the mountain genesis and mountain types. Give suitable examples from various mountain systems of the world.

15. Q15.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Analyse the effects of Globalisation on languages.

16. Q16.Geography Optional — Paper I

    "Shifting global trade patterns create new opportunities". Examine this statement.

17. Q17.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Examine the morphological factors that influence the origin and growth of towns.

18. Q18.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Discuss the role of transportation accessibility in regional development.

19. Q19.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Explain the geometrical boundaries with examples.

20. Q20.Geography Optional — Paper I

    "Culture is a dynamic concept". Elucidate with examples.

21. Q21.Geography Optional — Paper I

    "Automation is rapidly changing the economies of labour and will affect trade patterns in significance ways". Clarify.

22. Q22.Geography Optional — Paper I

    "Over crowding leads to chronic problems of shortage of housing in Indian cities". Explain citing relevant examples.

23. Q23.Geography Optional — Paper I

    "Climate change is a serious problem to global food security and poverty eradication". Critically examine.

24. Q24.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Critically examine the significance of the Quantitative Revolution and its influence in the development of Geography.

25. Q25.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Explain in detail the impact of regional disparities on economic development.

26. Q26.Geography Optional — Paper I

    How migration is affected by push and pull factors? Explain how these factors play a role in understanding new settlement patterns.

27. Q27.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Explain the relevance and applicability of Von Thunen theory of Agriculture-location in today's world.

28. Q28.Geography Optional — Paper I

    Discuss the concept of 'Rank-Size-Rule' given by G. K. Zipf. Is this rule relevant in Indian context?

29. Q29.Geography Optional — Paper II

    On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all the following. Write in your QCA Booklet the significance of these locations whether physical/ commercial/ economic/ ecological/ environmental/ cultural, in not more than 30 words for each entry: (i) Tarangambadi (ii) Mahe (iii) Bomdila (iv) Dhola Sadiya Bridge (v) Talakaveri (vi) Satkosia (vii) Dholavira (viii) Sonamarg (ix) Maliku Atoll (x) Gangasagar

30. Q30.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Why has extreme particulate pollution remained a festering issue in Delhi NCR region?

31. Q31.Geography Optional — Paper II

    How do physiography and climate of India explain the biological diversity of the country?

32. Q32.Geography Optional — Paper II

    The process of desertification leads to soil desiccation and soil loss. Explain.

33. Q33.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the factors affecting the unpredictability of South-West Monsoon system in India.

34. Q34.Geography Optional — Paper II

    The peninsular location of India provides scope for harnessing non-conventional energy resources. Discuss with examples.

35. Q35.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Groundwater contamination in the fast expanding urban landscape of India appears to have become a major public health issue. Discuss.

36. Q36.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the recent changes brought about in institutional frameworks of agriculture in India. Evaluate its impact on the agrarian economy of the country.

37. Q37.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the continuing disputes on water sharing between the riparian states of North-West India.

38. Q38.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Soils of India, are clear reflections of the structure and process. Comment.

39. Q39.Geography Optional — Paper II

    India is bestowed with rich mineral resources due to its geological structure. Correlate the above statement with large mineral belts of India.

40. Q40.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the importance of 'Dry-land' farming in the drought-prone regions of India.

41. Q41.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Incidence of extreme rainfall events and flash floods in recent times have led to devastating consequences for people living in low-lying areas and flood plains of the country. Discuss.

42. Q42.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the impact of Forest Rights Act, 2006 on the local forest communities in India.

43. Q43.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Can the Panchayat Raj institutions play a role in grassroot level planning in India? If yes, discuss how.

44. Q44.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the significance of new ports on the Western Coast of India on the external trade of the country.

45. Q45.Geography Optional — Paper II

    How would decline in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) below the replacement level, in many states of India affect the future population structure of the country?

46. Q46.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Kalapani dispute has opened a new front on the India-Nepal international border. Explain.

47. Q47.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Why do disparities in development and incomes between regions persist in large countries like India? How does the recent ADP plan address the issue?

48. Q48.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the role of IRNSS-NavIC programme on the satellite navigation system of India.

49. Q49.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Examine the role of high population concentration in Indian slums in making them more vulnerable during pandemic conditions like the COVID-19.

50. Q50.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the salient characteristics of industrial complexes of Western India. Examine the impact of SEZ policy on the region.

51. Q51.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the emergence of linguistic regions and states in India.

52. Q52.Geography Optional — Paper II

    What are the drivers of urban sprawl around the major cities of the country? How have new investments in transport projects supported sprawl development?

53. Q53.Geography Optional — Paper II

    How do agro-climatic and land capability indicators assist in macro-agricultural regionalisation of India? Illustrate with an appropriate map.

54. Q54.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the geopolitical significance of Quad in the Indo-Pacific realm with reference to marine trade in the region.

55. Q55.Geography Optional — Paper II

    Evaluate the role of the National Food Security Act, 2003 in providing access of food to the poor in India.

56. Q56.Physical Geography

    Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks.

57. Q57.Climatology

    Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone-prone areas given by the India Meteorological Department.

58. Q58.Physical Geography

    Discuss the natural resource potentials of the 'Deccan Trap'.

59. Q59.Physical Geography

    Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for its limited spatial spread.

60. Q60.Oceanography

    What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in the fishing industry of the world.

61. Q61.Resources & Industry

    Describe the distribution of rubber-producing countries and indicate the major environmental issues faced by them.

62. Q62.Oceanography

    Mention the significance of straits and isthmuses in international trade.

63. Q63.Climatology

    Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes. How?