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Geography PYQ UPSC Prelims reveals recurring themes and question types. Practising Geography PYQ UPSC Prelims ensures clarity in UPSC CSE preparation and strengthens conceptual understanding.
PWOnlyIAS
April 25, 2025
Geography PYQ UPSC Prelims segment plays a key role in the preparation strategy of every civil services aspirant. Geography is a static yet dynamic subject in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) syllabus. Over the years, this subject has consistently contributed a significant number of questions in the preliminary exam, making it essential for aspirants to develop a thorough understanding of recurring patterns, themes, and topics.
Interested candidates must read on to get a structured Geography PYQ UPSC Prelims Overview, including analysis of year-wise trends, repeated themes, and strategies to prepare effectively for this section. Aspirants are encouraged to explore the UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ of Geography PDF Download links for comprehensive practice.
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (CSE Prelims) includes Geography as part of the General Studies Paper I. This subject tests candidates on both static and dynamic aspects of geographical understanding. The exam tests not only conceptual clarity but also the ability to apply knowledge through MCQS, map-based questions, and assertion-reason types.
Candidates often find the Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims Year Wise to be a combination of theoretical and applied knowledge. Therefore, solving previous year questions becomes a crucial exercise.
The Geography PYQ UPSC Prelims Overview reveals that questions range from traditional topics such as physiography, drainage systems, and climatology to current affairs-related aspects like geographical phenomena, mapping, and vegetation. These questions often appear in varied formats, including multiple-choice, matching pairs, and map-based formats.
| Geography PYQ UPSC Prelims Overview | |
| Aspect | Details |
| Time Period Covered | Static topics from NCERTs and standard texts; dynamic events from recent current affairs |
| Question Trend (Last 7 Years) | 9–16 questions per year |
| Nature of Questions | Factual, Map-based, Statement-based, Conceptual |
| Most Common Topics | Physical Geography, Indian River Systems, Climate, Vegetation, Soils, Mapping |
| Repeated Themes | Monsoon system, Soil types, River confluences, Mountain ranges, Drainage patterns, Islands |
| Sources for Preparation | NCERTS (Class 6–12), G.C. Leong, Certificate Physical and Human Geography, Current Affairs, Atlas |
| Year with Maximum Questions | 2023 (16 questions) |
| Year with Minimum Questions | 2017 (9 questions) |
| Expected Questions in 2025 | Around 14–16 questions, considering recent patterns |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate |
To streamline preparation, aspirants are advised to access the UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ of Geography PDF Download. These compilations provide authentic questions along with correct answer keys and explanations. Regular practice of these PDFs helps in concept retention and self-assessment.
| UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ of Geography PDF Download |
| Click Here |
The Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 with Answers provided a balanced mix of conceptual and factual queries. Candidates faced questions on volcanic islands, sustainable farming techniques, and the matching of landforms with regions.
A strategic approach would be to analyse such questions in the context of both the static NCERT content and current affairs.
1. The longest border between any two countries in the world is between:
(a) Canada and the United States of America
(b) Chile and Argentina
(c) China and India
(d) Kazakhstan and Russian Federation
Answer: (a) Canada and the United States of America
2. Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
3. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.
Statement II: Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
(c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct
Answer: (d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct
4. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to the poles.
Statement II: At the equator, heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
(c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct
Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
5. Consider the following:
How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (d) All four
6. Which of the following is/are correct inference/inferences from isothermal maps in the month of January?
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
7. Which of the following countries are well known as the two largest cocoa producers in the world?
(a) Algeria and Morocco
(b) Botswana and Namibia
(c) Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana
(d) Madagascar and Mozambique
Answer: (c) Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana
8. With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct?
(a) Ghaghara — Gomati — Gandak — Kosi
(b) Gomati — Ghaghara — Gandak — Kosi
(c) Ghaghara — Gomati — Kosi — Gandak
(d) Gomati — Ghaghara — Kosi — Gandak
Answer: (a) Ghaghara — Gomati — Gandak — Kosi
9. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Rainfall is one of the reasons for weathering of rocks.
Statement-II: Rain water contains carbon dioxide in solution.
Statement-III: Rain water contains atmospheric oxygen.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
(b) Both Statement-II and Statement III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement I
(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement-III is correct
Answer: (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
10. Consider the following countries:
How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (c) Only three (Germany, Norway, and potentially Finland depending on classification; Russia does not)
11. Consider the following information:
Waterfall — Region — River
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b) Only two (Dhuandhar is in Narmada valley, correct; Hundru is correct; Gersoppa is actually on Sharavathi, not Netravati)
12. Consider the following information:
Region — Name of the mountain range — Type of mountain
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (c) Only three (Vosges are block mountains, not fold mountains)
13. Consider the following:
How many of the above trees are actually native to India?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a) Only one (Red sanders is native to India)
14. With reference to “water vapour”, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
15. Consider the following description:
What is this type of climate?
(a) Equatorial climate
(b) China type climate
(c) Humid subtropical climate
(d) Marine West Coast climate
Answer: (d) Marine West Coast climate
16. With reference to “Coriolis force”, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
17. On June 21 every year, which of the following latitude(s) experience(s) a sunlight of more than 12 hours?
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 4
Answer: (d) 2 and 4
18. One of the following regions has the world’s largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years’ worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effect on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region?
(a) Amazon Basin
(b) Congo Basin
(c) Kilkori Basin
(d) Rio de la Plata Basin
Answer: (b) Congo Basin
19. Consider the following plants:
How many of the above belong to the pea family?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c) All three
20. The total fertility rate in an economy is defined as:
(a) The number of children born per 1000 people in the population in a year.
(b) The number of children born to a couple in their lifetime in a given population.
(c) The birth rate minus death rate.
(d) The average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age.
Answer: (d) The average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age.
Analysing the Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims Year Wise offers valuable insights into the paper’s evolving pattern. The number of geography-related questions in recent years reveals the consistent significance of this subject:
| Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims Year-Wise | |
| Year | Number of Geography Questions |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2017 | 9 |
This Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims Year-wise Trend shows that around 10–15 questions can be expected, emphasising the need for regular revision and strategic preparation.
The UPSC CSE Prelims consistently tests aspirants on certain core topics in Geography. Over the years, analysis of previous year papers reveals that several themes keep recurring, sometimes with slight variations in question format or framing.
Recognising these repeated themes of Geography questions in UPSC Prelims helps aspirants prioritise their preparation and focus on high-yield areas. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of these themes:
Understanding the topic-wise distribution of Geography questions is key to mastering this section in the UPSC Prelims. Questions are framed to assess both factual knowledge and conceptual clarity. Here is a detailed breakdown of major topics along with examples from previous year papers:
This is the most consistent area in Geography. It includes landforms, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, and geomorphological processes.
Questions revolve around climate systems, monsoon, wind belts, pressure zones, ocean currents, and cyclones.
This topic is occasionally tested with a focus on currents, tides, marine resources, and features of ocean floors.
This section is a UPSC favorite, covering physical features, rivers, agriculture, minerals, transport, and industrial regions.
This covers the geographical distribution of resources, industries, power plants, and agriculture.
Environmental issues often overlap with Geography, especially through map-based and resource-based questions.
Soil types, their distribution, characteristics, and the types of vegetation zones in India are frequent topics.
Focuses on population distribution, urbanization, migration, settlements, and economic activity zones.
UPSC increasingly tests aspirants with map skills — rivers, mountains, lakes, straits, important locations.
These are current events that have geographic implications — e.g., floods, earthquakes, cyclones, new islands, dams.
Crafting a strong strategy is essential. Here are some methods to effectively prepare for Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims:
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