World’s Physical Geography
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
- Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples. (250 words) [UPSC 2021]
- How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth? (150 words) [UPSC 2017]
Geomorphology
Editor’s Pick
- What are the various factors that influence metamorphism, and what is the significance of metamorphic rocks? (200 words)
- How does the Himalayan mountain range influence the regional climate and local ecosystems? (200 words)
- How does the theory of plate tectonics account for various geological processes and their connection to natural hazards?(200 Words)
- Provide a concise description of the erosional and depositional landforms formed by glacier movement. (Answer in 200 words)
- Describe the concept of diastrophism and the processes it involves. (Answer in 200 words)
- Compare and contrast endogenic and exogenic geomorphic processes. Additionally, explain the importance of weathering.(Answer in 200 words)
- What is the theory of continental drift? Outline the key evidence that validates this concept. (200 Word)
- Discuss the various types of plate tectonic boundaries in detail. (Answer in 200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- How are the fjords formed? Why do they constitute some of the most picturesque areas of the world? ( 150 Words) [UPSC 2023]
- Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks. (150 words)[UPSC 2022]
- Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. (150 words) [UPSC 2018]
- Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos. (150 words) [UPSC 2014]
Oceanography
Editor’s Pick
- What factors influence ocean temperature? Discuss the horizontal and vertical distribution of temperature in the oceans. (200 words)
- Explain the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Discuss its impact on the global climate, with particular reference to India. (200 words)
- Explain the concept of the SOFAR (Sound Fixing and Ranging) channel in oceanography and discuss its importance for marine ecosystems. (200 words)
- What is the significance of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), and what are the potential consequences of its weakening? (200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum-Pacific Zone. (150 words)[UPSC 2020]
- How do ocean currents and water masses differ in their impacts on marine life and coastal environment? Give suitable examples. (250 words) [UPSC 2019].
- What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones on marine ecosystem? (150 words) [UPSC 2018]
- Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi-dimensional effects. (250 words) [UPSC 2017]
- Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, fishing, and navigation? (200 words) [UPSC 2015]
- What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world. (250 words) [UPSC 2022]
Climatology
Editor’s Pick
- What is temperature inversion? Discuss its different types and their implications. (200 words)
- What are the conditions required for precipitation to occur? Discuss its different types. (200 words)
- What is weathering? Discuss the different types of weathering processes. (200 words)
- What is the heat budget of the Earth? Discuss the factors that influence the distribution of temperature across the Earth’s surface. (200 words)
- What are air masses? Discuss the various types of air masses and their significance. (200 words)
- What factors contribute to the prominence of local winds in the Mediterranean region? How do these winds affect the regional climate and the daily lives of the people living there? (200 words)
- What are the key characteristics of the climate and vegetation in the equatorial region, and how do these factors influence the development of countries within this area? (200 words)
- What are jet streams, and how do they influence global weather and climate patterns? (200 words)
- Where are the permafrost regions located around the world, and how has the thawing of permafrost become a major threat to the global climate and ecosystem? (200 words)
- What are the effects of the receding ice caps in the Arctic region on global climate, marine ecosystems, and the global economy? (200 words)
- Provide an overview of global atmospheric circulation. (Answer in 200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia? ((250 words) [UPSC 2017]
- Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree? (150 words) [UPSC 2014]
- How does the cryosphere affect global climate? (150 words) [UPSC 2017]
Soil Geography
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Distribution of Natural Resources
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
- Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them. (250 words) [UPSC 2022]
- Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of the uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world. (250 words) [UPSC 2021]
- South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa? (150 words) [UPSC 2014]
Land Resources
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Forest Resources
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Water Resources
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
- Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources? ( 150 Words) [UPSC 2023]
- The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
Agricultural Resources
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Mineral & Energy Resources
Editor’s Pick
- Provide an overview of the global distribution of rare earth elements and discuss their economic importance. (200 words)
- Can natural gas serve as a crucial bridge in India’s transition to renewable energy? (200 words)
- What are the potential sites for geothermal energy in India, and why is the country still in the early stages of utilizing this energy source? (200 words)
UPSC PYQs
Factors Responsible for Location of Industry
Editor’s Pick
- What are footloose industries? Explain the factors that influence the location of these industries. (200 words)
- Explain the interdependence and market concentration within the global semiconductor supply chain. What are the various risks and vulnerabilities associated with this system? (200 words)
- What factors have led to the rise of East Asia as a key center for semiconductor manufacturing?(200 Words)
- What are the factors influencing the location of the jute industry in India? Highlight the key challenges faced by this industry.(Answer in 200 words)
- What factors influence the location of manufacturing industries in India? Discuss the key industrial regions of the country. (Answer in 200 words)
- Provide an overview of the geographical distribution of the sugar industry in India. Additionally, explain the factors contributing to the shift of the sugar industry from northern to southern India. (Answer in 200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples. (150 words)[UPSC 2020]
- Discuss the factors for localisation of agro-based food processing industries of North-West India. (250 words) [UPSC 2019]
- Account for the change in the spatial pattern of the Iron and Steel industry in the world. (150 words) [UPSC 2014]
Geophysical Phenomena
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
- “The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- Why are the world’s fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring out the association between the global distribution of fold mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes. (150 words) [UPSC 2014]
Earthquakes
Editor’s Pick
- Provide a brief explanation of how earthquake waves propagate. Discuss their role in the study of the Earth’s interior. (200 words)
- Discuss the various types of earthquake waves and explain the formation of shadow zones. (Answer in 200 words)
UPSC PYQs
Tsunami
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Volcanoes
Editor’s Pick
UPSC PYQs
Cyclone
Editor’s Pick
- Discuss the beneficial environmental effects of cyclones on ecosystems and geographical regions. (200 words)
- How does a thunderstorm form, and what are the different stages in its lifecycle? (200 words)
- What is the Fujiwhara effect, and how does the increasing frequency of this phenomenon impact coastal regions? (200 words)
- Discuss how the type of magma influences both the shape and the explosiveness of a volcano, providing examples. (200 words)
- List the conditions necessary for the formation of tropical cyclones and distinguish between tropical and temperate cyclones.(Answer in 200 words)
UPSC PYQs
Changes in Geographical Features
Editor’s Pick
- What are the favorable conditions for the formation of coral reefs? Discuss the factors contributing to their decline. (200 words)
- What are glacial lakes? Explain the factors contributing to glacial lake outburst floods. (200 words)
- How is climate change impacting the Himalayas in terms of physiological changes and biodiversity?(200 Words)
UPSC PYQs
- How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism? (250 words) [UPSC 2019]
- Assess the impact of global warming on the coral life system with examples (150 words ) [UPSC 2019]
- The process of desertification does not have climatic boundaries. Justify with examples. (150 words)[UPSC 2020]