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.

Geography PYQ UPSC Prelims Overview

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.

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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.

UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ of Geography PDF Download

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.

Geography Questions asked in UPSC Prelims 2025

1. Consider the following countries:

I. Austria
II. Bulgaria
III. Croatia
IV. Serbia
V. Sweden
VI. North Macedonia

How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?

(a) Only three
(b) Only four
(c) Only five
(d) All the six

2. Consider the following countries:

I. Bolivia
II. Brazil
III. Colombia
IV. Ecuador
V. Paraguay
VI. Venezuela

Andes mountains pass through how many of the above countries?

(a) Only two
(b) Only three
(c) Only four
(d) Only five

3. Consider the following water bodies

I. Lake Tanganyika
II. Lake Tonlé Sap
III. Patos Lagoon

Through how many of them does the equator pass?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None

4. Consider the following statements about turmeric during the year 2022–23:

I. India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric in the world.
II. More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in India.
III. Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are major turmeric producing States in India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III

5. Which of the following are the evidences of the phenomenon of continental drift?

I. The belt of ancient rocks from Brazil coast matches with those from Western Africa.
II. The gold deposits of Ghana are derived from the Brazil plateau when the two continents lay side by side.
III. The Gondwana system of sediments from India is known to have its counterparts in six different landmasses of the Southern Hemisphere.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) I and III only
(b) I and II only
(c) I, II and III
(d) II and III only

6. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

The amount of dust particles in the atmosphere is more in subtropical and temperate areas than in equatorial and polar regions.

Statement II:

Subtropical and temperate areas have less dry winds.

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 not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

7. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

In January, in the Northern Hemisphere, the isotherms bend equatorward while crossing the landmasses, and poleward while crossing the oceans.

Statement II:

In January, the air over the oceans is warmer than that over the landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere.

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 not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

8. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

In the context of effect of water on rocks, chalk is known as a very permeable rock – whereas clay is known as quite an impermeable or least permeable rock.

Statement II:

Chalk is porous and hence can absorb water.

Statement III:

Clay is not at all porous.

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

9. Consider the following statements:

I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth’s surface.
II. Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet’s average temperature.
III. Atmosphere’s gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) I and III only
(b) I and II only
(c) I, II and III
(d) II and III only

10. Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:

I. It is important for the upliftment of the rural poor as the majority of low-producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
II. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II

Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 with Answers

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:

1. The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.
   
2. No water enters the Red Sea from rivers.
   

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

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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:

1. Pyroclastic debris
   
2. Ash and dust
   
3. Nitrogen compounds
   
4. Sulphur compounds
   

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?

1. The isotherms deviate to the north over the ocean and to the south over the continent.
   
2. The presence of cold ocean currents, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift make the North Atlantic Ocean colder and the isotherms bend towards the north.
   

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:

1. Finland
   
2. Germany
   
3. Norway
   
4. Russia
   

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

1. Dhunandhar — Malwa — Narmada
   
2. Hundru — Chota Nagpur — Subarnarekha
   
3. Gersoppa — Western Ghats — Netravati
   

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

1. Central Asia — Vosges — Fold mountain
   
2. Europe — Alps — Block mountain
   
3. North America — Appalachians — Fold mountain
   
4. South America — Andes — Fold 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)

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13. Consider the following:

1. Cashew
   
2. Papaya
   
3. Red sanders
   

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?

1. It is a gas, the amount of which decreases with altitude.
   
2. Its percentage is maximum at the poles.
   

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:

• Annual and daily range of temperatures is low.
  
• Precipitation occurs throughout the year.
  
• Precipitation varies between 50 cm – 250 cm.
  

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?

1. It increases with increase in wind velocity.
   
2. It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator.
   

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?

1. Equator
   
2. Tropic of Cancer
   
3. Tropic of Capricorn
   
4. Arctic Circle
   

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:

1. Groundnut
   
2. Horse-gram
   
3. Soybean
   

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.

Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims Year-Wise

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:

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.

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Repeated Themes of Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims

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:

• Drainage Systems (e.g., river origins and flow patterns)
  
• Physiographic Divisions (e.g., hills and mountain ranges)
  
• Climatic Patterns (e.g., monsoon characteristics)
  
• Map-based Questions (e.g., location of ports, national parks)
  
• Soils and Vegetation
  
• Islands and Straits

Topic-wise Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims

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:

1. Physical Geography

This is the most consistent area in Geography. It includes landforms, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, and geomorphological processes.

• Important Subtopics: Plate boundaries, Earth’s layers, mountain formation, weathering, erosion.
  
• Example Question (2023): Consider the following pairs: Hills – Region. Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

2. Climatology and Weather

Questions revolve around climate systems, monsoon, wind belts, pressure zones, ocean currents, and cyclones.

• Important Subtopics: Indian monsoon, El Niño & La Niña, Jet streams, Climate classification.
  
• Example Question (2021): With reference to the monsoon of India, consider the following statements…

3. Oceanography

This topic is occasionally tested with a focus on currents, tides, marine resources, and features of ocean floors.

• Important Subtopics: Ocean currents, coral reefs, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
  
• Example Question (2018): Which of the following are coral reef areas?

4. Indian Geography

This section is a UPSC favorite, covering physical features, rivers, agriculture, minerals, transport, and industrial regions.

• Important Subtopics: Himalayas, Deccan Plateau, rivers (Ganga, Godavari, Brahmaputra), soil types, cropping patterns.
  
• Example Question (2020): Which of the following rivers have the highest potential for hydroelectricity generation?

5. Economic Geography

This covers the geographical distribution of resources, industries, power plants, and agriculture.

• Important Subtopics: Minerals, Power generation, Crop patterns, Industrial belts, Irrigation types.
  
• Example Question (2019): Why is there a great concern about the ‘microbeads’ that are released into the environment? (Linked with ocean pollution)
  

6. Environmental Geography

Environmental issues often overlap with Geography, especially through map-based and resource-based questions.

• Important Subtopics: Biosphere reserves, National Parks, Wetlands, Ecologically Sensitive Zones.
  
• Example Question (2022): In which one of the following regions was Dhanu Yatra festival celebrated traditionally?

7. Soil and Vegetation

Soil types, their distribution, characteristics, and the types of vegetation zones in India are frequent topics.

• Important Subtopics: Black soil, Red soil, Alluvial soil, Tropical rainforests, Deciduous forests.
  
• Example Question (2017): Consider the following statements regarding Laterite soils.

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8. Human and Settlement Geography

Focuses on population distribution, urbanization, migration, settlements, and economic activity zones.

• Important Subtopics: Census data trends, rural-urban patterns, smart cities, urban planning.
  
• Example Question (2023): Which of the following are urban agglomerations as per the latest census data?

9. Map-Based Questions

UPSC increasingly tests aspirants with map skills — rivers, mountains, lakes, straits, important locations.

• Important Subtopics: Locations of national parks, rivers and tributaries, straits, international boundaries.
  
• Example Question (2022): Which one of the following straits separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands?

10. Geographical Current Affairs

These are current events that have geographic implications — e.g., floods, earthquakes, cyclones, new islands, dams.

• Important Subtopics: Cyclone names and paths, River-linking projects, Environmental disasters.
  
• Example Question (2020): Which cyclone caused significant damage in Odisha in 2019?

How to Prepare for Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims

Crafting a strong strategy is essential. Here are some methods to effectively prepare for Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims:

1. NCERT Books: Start with Class XI and XII NCERTs to build foundational knowledge.
2. Map Practice: Regularly identify and locate places mentioned in current affairs.
3. PYQ Practice: Solve Geography PYQ UPSC Prelims papers extensively to understand the question framing.
4. Test Series: Participate in mock tests to simulate exam conditions.
5. Current Affairs: Stay updated with news related to geographical events such as cyclones, forest fires, or international borders.
6. Analysis: After attempting questions, analyse your mistakes to avoid repetition.

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