UPSC Geography Previous Year Questions (With Explanations)
These previous year questions help you understand the UPSC pattern, depth of knowledge required, and analytical thinking expected. Each answer is written in UPSC-style with clear conceptual explanation.
1. Why are the Himalayas still rising? (UPSC Mains – Geography)
Answer:
The Himalayas continue to rise because the Indian Plate is still moving northward and pushing against the Eurasian Plate. This ongoing convergence generates compressional forces that uplift the mountain chain. GPS measurements show the Indian Plate still moves around 5 cm per year. Additionally, the region is tectonically active, leading to earthquakes, folding, and crustal thickening—all contributing to vertical uplift.
2. Why do tropical cyclones rarely form near the equator? (UPSC Prelims)
Answer:
Cyclones require the Coriolis force to initiate rotation. Near the equator (within 5° latitude), the Coriolis effect is almost zero, so cyclonic systems cannot develop a spinning structure. Warm water exists near the equator, but without rotational force, organized cyclones cannot form.
3. What is temperature inversion and how does it affect weather? (UPSC Mains)
Answer:
Temperature inversion occurs when warm air lies above cooler air, reversing the normal lapse rate. This traps pollutants and fog near the surface. In valleys such as those in the Himalayas, calm winter nights enhance inversion, leading to smog, poor visibility, and cold-wave conditions.
4. Why does India receive rainfall mainly in the summer? (UPSC Prelims)
Answer:
India’s monsoon system is driven by differential heating between land and ocean. During summer, the Indian landmass heats rapidly, creating a low-pressure zone. Moist winds from the Indian Ocean flow towards this low pressure, rising and cooling to produce widespread rainfall.
5. Explain the concept of continental drift and its evidence. (UPSC Mains)
Answer:
Continental drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener, states that continents were once part of a single mass (Pangaea) and later drifted apart. Evidence includes: matching coastlines of Africa and South America, identical fossils (e.g., Mesosaurus) found on distant continents, and similar rock formations and glacial deposits. Modern plate tectonics and seafloor spreading confirm the mechanism of this drift.
6. Why are deserts located on the western margins of continents? (UPSC Prelims)
Answer:
Cold ocean currents flow along the western margins, cooling the air above them. Cold air holds little moisture, preventing cloud formation. Additionally, descending air in subtropical high-pressure zones suppresses rainfall. Together, these factors form deserts like the Atacama, Namib, and Sahara.
7. Discuss how the Himalayas influence India’s climate. (UPSC Mains)
Answer:
The Himalayas block cold Siberian winds, preventing severe winter conditions in northern India. They deflect monsoon winds, causing heavy rainfall across the subcontinent. They also create a rain-shadow effect in Ladakh. The mountains regulate the flow of rivers and act as a climatic barrier separating Central Asia from the Indian subcontinent.
8. What causes the Indian Ocean Dipole and how does it impact India's monsoon? (UPSC Prelims)
Answer:
The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is a temperature difference between the western and eastern Indian Ocean. A positive IOD (warmer west, cooler east) enhances monsoon rainfall in India by strengthening westerly winds. A negative IOD suppresses monsoon activity, often contributing to drought-like conditions.
9. Explain the formation of the Western Ghats. (UPSC Mains)
Answer:
The Western Ghats formed due to the rifting of the Indian Plate from Madagascar during the Cretaceous period. The Deccan Traps volcanic activity further uplifted the region. The escarpment-like structure facing the Arabian Sea results from differential erosion and tectonic uplift.
10. Why does the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta shift its course frequently? (UPSC Prelims)
Answer:
These rivers carry enormous sediment load. When deposition exceeds the river’s ability to transport material, it forces the river to change course. Tectonic activity, subsidence in the Bengal Basin, and monsoon floods also contribute to frequent channel shifts.
Conclusion
Practicing PYQs strengthens conceptual clarity and aligns your preparation with UPSC’s expectations. More detailed compilations will be updated soon, covering maps, physical geography, environment, and Indian geography in depth.
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