Physical Geography of India
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
- Explain the role of geographical factors in the development of Ancient India. (150 Words) [UPSC 2023]
- Why is India considered as a subcontinent? Elaborate your answer. (150 words)[UPSC 2021]
Physiography of India
Editor’s Pick
- What is land subsidence? Discuss the factors that may have contributed to the subsidence observed in Joshimath, Uttarakhand. (200 words)
- What are the risks associated with unplanned urbanization in the mountainous state of Uttarakhand? (200 words)
- What are the differences between landslides in the Western Ghats and those in the Himalayas? (200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas. (250 words) [UPSC 2023]
- Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats. (150 words)[UPSC 2021]
Drainage System
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
- How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? (150 words)[UPSC 2020]
- The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (250 words) [UPSC 2020]
- Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
Climate
Editor’s Pick
- What are local winds? Provide examples and explain how they influence the climate of a region. (200 words)
- What is tropical monsoon climate? Discuss its distribution and explain the process of its onset in the Indian subcontinent. (200 words)
- What are western disturbances, and how do they impact the weather patterns in India? (200 words)
- How do the Western Ghats affect the South-West monsoon in the coastal regions of South-West India?(200 Words)
UPSC PYQs
- Why is the South-West Monsoon called ‘Purvaiya’ (easterly) in Bhojpur Region? How has this directional seasonal wind system influenced the cultural ethos of the region? ( 150 Words) [UPSC 2023]
- Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department. (150 words)[UPSC 2022]
- How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscapes? Discuss. (200 words) [UPSC 2015]
Soils in India
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Natural Vegetation
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
- Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India. (250 words) [UPSC 2023].
- Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (250 words) [UPSC 2020]
- Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. (250 words) [UPSC 2019]
Human Geography
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Demography
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Urbanization
Editor’s Pick
- Evaluate the effectiveness of managed retreat as a strategy for addressing coastal urbanization in response to sea-level rise and environmental challenges. (200 words)
- What are the reasons behind the higher temperatures experienced in urban areas of India compared to nearby suburbs and rural regions? What measures can be taken to reduce the rising temperatures in urban areas? (200 words)
- What environmental impacts arise from the unregulated disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in urban India, and what measures can be taken to address these issues? (200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but air pollution is a much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? (200 words) [UPSC 2015]
- Smart cities in India cannot be sustained without smart villages. Discuss this statement against the backdrop of rural-urban integration. (200 words) [UPSC 2015]
Census
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Economic Geography
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
- Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation? (150 words) [UPSC 2018]
- Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (250 words) [UPSC 2018]
- What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics. (250 words) [UPSC 2018]
- Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its success. (250 words) [UPSC 2018]
- In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India? (250 words) [UPSC 2017]
- “The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues of employment, but has also created new problems.” Substantiate this statement with examples. (250 words) [UPSC 2017]
- In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India? (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity.(200 words) [UPSC 2015]
- The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate. (200 words) [UPSC 2015]
- What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? (Answer in 250 words)
Agriculture
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
- From being net food importer in 1960s, India has emerged as a net food exporter to the world. Provide reasons. (250 words) [UPSC 2023]
- Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulses because of which the year 2016 was declared the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations. (150 words) [UPSC 2017]
Mineral Resource
Editor’s Pick
- What are non-metallic minerals? Discuss their uses and distribution across India. (200 words)
- What are the main factors contributing to rubber production in India? Provide an overview of the rubber industry in the country. (200 words)
- Why are resource efficiency and circular economy important for a developing country like India? (200 words)
- What are the main lithium reserves in India, and what challenges are associated with their extraction? Additionally, how can lithium contribute to India’s shift towards renewable energy? (200 words)
- Define ferrous minerals and describe the distribution of iron ore in India, citing specific examples. (Answer in 200 words)
- Give a comprehensive overview of the distribution of coal in India.(Answer in 200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan Trap’. (150 words)[UPSC 2022]
- Despite India being one of the countries of the Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss. (150 words)[UPSC 2021]
Energy Resources
Editor’s Pick
- What are the key challenges India faces in harnessing its energy potential? (200 words)
- What is the potential of tidal energy in India, and what challenges hinder its effective harnessing?(200 Words)
- What non-conventional energy sources are available in India, and how do they contribute to eco-friendly energy solutions? (200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread. (150 words)[UPSC 2022]
- India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its development. Elaborate. (250 words) [UPSC 2020]
- Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic Region? (150 words) [UPSC 2018]
- “In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development.” Discuss. (150 words) [UPSC 2017]
- Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil-producing areas, particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications. (250 words) [UPSC 2017]+
- What are the economic significances of the discovery of oil in the Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences? (200 words) [UPSC 2015]
- Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the resource crisis in the world. (150 words) [UPSC 2014]
Industry
Editor’s Pick
- Identify the main factors that have contributed to the rise of industrial clusters in India. What advantages do businesses derive from being part of these clusters? (200 words)
- What are the factors contributing to India’s underperformance in the textile sector in comparison to its competitors? What measures can India take to enhance its competitiveness in this labor-intensive industry? (200 words)
- Analyze the role of the Himalayan region in supporting the growth and development of primary industries in India. (200 words)
- What factors are contributing to India becoming one of the most preferred destinations for the global automobile industry? (200 words)
- What factors contribute to making India an ideal location for the development of bamboo-based industries? (200 words)
- What are the reasons behind the significant decentralization of the IT industry in India from major cities to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities? (200 words)
- What are the challenges faced by the sugar industry in India, and can the growing demand for ethanol contribute to its sustainability? (200 words)
- What are the key factors driving the localization of the dairy industry in Northern and Western India, and how does the dairy sector contribute to the region’s economic development?(200 Words)
UPSC PYQs
- What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of India? (250 words) [UPSC 2021]
- Can the strategy of regional resource-based manufacturing help in promoting employment in India? (250 words) [UPSC 2019]
- What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of India? (250 words) [UPSC 2021]
Transport & Communication
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Water Resources in India
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs