UPSC Prelims Physical Geography PYQs (2016–2025) with Answers & Explanations
UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Prelims asked 35 Physical Geography questions between 2016–2025. Reading them together shows which topics keep returning and how examiners frame them.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) I, II and III
All three are cited as evidence of continental drift: matching belts of ancient rocks on the Brazilian and West African coasts, Ghana's gold deposits linked to the Brazil plateau when the two continents were joined, and Gondwana sediments in India with counterparts in six Southern Hemisphere landmasses.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
Both statements are correct, and Statement II explains Statement I. In the northern winter (January), landmasses are colder than the oceans, so isotherms bend equatorward over land and poleward over the warmer oceans.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
Statement I is correct: chalk is permeable and clay is nearly impermeable.
Statement II is correct and explains this: chalk is porous, with connected pores that let water through.
Statement III is incorrect: clay is actually quite porous, but its pores are so tiny that water cannot pass through, which makes it impermeable.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) I, II and III
All three are correct. Without the atmosphere's greenhouse effect, Earth's average temperature would be about −18 °C. Greenhouse gases such as CO₂ and water vapour absorb outgoing infrared radiation and keep the planet's average near 15 °C.
Statement I: Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth's rotation and axis.
Statement II: Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth's outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy.
Statement III: As the Earth's polar ice melts, the water tends to move towards the equator.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
Statement I is correct: studies show that Earth's rotation and axis are shifting.
Statement II is correct as a fact (solar flares and coronal mass ejections strike the upper atmosphere), but it does not explain the shift.
Statement III is correct and explains Statement I: melting polar ice redistributes water mass toward the equator, which changes Earth's rotation and the position of its axis.
I. Anadyr in Siberia and Nome in Alaska are a few kilometers from each other, but when people are waking up and getting set for breakfast in these cities, it would be different days.
II. When it is Monday in Anadyr, it is Tuesday in Nome.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) I only
Statement I is correct: Anadyr (Russia) and Nome (Alaska) are fairly close across the Bering Strait, but the International Date Line runs between them, so at the same moment they are on different calendar days.
Statement II is incorrect: Anadyr is west of the Date Line and a day ahead, so when it is Monday in Anadyr, it is Sunday in Nome.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Statement-I is incorrect: the atmosphere is heated mainly by terrestrial (long-wave) radiation from the Earth's surface, not directly by incoming short-wave solar radiation, most of which passes through it.
Statement-II is correct: carbon dioxide, water vapour and other greenhouse gases absorb long-wave radiation well.
Statement-I: Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to 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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
Both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I. The troposphere is about 18 km thick at the equator and about 8 km at the poles, because strong convection at the equator carries heat to great heights.
How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) All four
All four are products of volcanic eruptions: pyroclastic debris, ash and dust, and gases including nitrogen compounds and sulphur compounds (such as SO₂ and H₂S), along with water vapour and CO₂.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: in January (northern winter), isotherms bend northward over the relatively warm oceans and southward over the colder continents.
Statement 2 is incorrect: the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift are warm currents. They make the North Atlantic warmer, which is why isotherms bend north there.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I
Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, and both explain Statement-I. Rainwater with dissolved CO₂ forms weak carbonic acid, which dissolves rocks such as limestone (carbonation). Dissolved oxygen oxidises iron-bearing minerals (oxidation). Both are forms of chemical weathering.
These features describe the Marine West Coast (cool temperate oceanic) climate, found in north-west Europe, British Columbia and similar regions. Onshore westerlies over warm currents keep temperature ranges low and bring rain throughout the year, typically 50–250 cm.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The Coriolis force equals 2vΩ sin φ, so it is proportional to wind velocity (v). It is maximum at the poles (sin 90° = 1) and zero at the equator (sin 0° = 0).
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) 2 and 4
On 21 June (summer solstice), all places in the Northern Hemisphere have days longer than 12 hours. The Tropic of Cancer gets about 13.5 hours and the Arctic Circle gets 24 hours. The equator always has about 12 hours, and the Tropic of Capricorn has less than 12.
With reference to the Earth's atmosphere, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) The total amount of insolation received at the equator is roughly about 10 times of that received at the poles.
(b) Infrared rays constitute roughly two-thirds of insolation.
(c) Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.
(d) Infrared waves are a part of visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves of solar radiation.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.
Option (c) is correct: water vapour, concentrated in the lower atmosphere, absorbs much of the infrared radiation. Option (a) is wrong because the equator receives only about two to three times the annual insolation of the poles, not ten times. Option (b) is wrong because infrared is roughly half of incoming solar radiation, not two-thirds. Option (d) is wrong because infrared lies outside the visible spectrum.
Statement-I: The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.
Statement-II: The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly.
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 is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Statement-I is incorrect: tropical rain forest soils (laterite) are poor in nutrients. Most nutrients are held in the living biomass, and heavy rain leaches the soil.
Statement-II is correct: high temperature and moisture make dead organic matter decompose very quickly.
Statement-I: The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.
Statement-II: The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.
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 is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Statement-II is correct: water has a higher specific heat than land, so it heats and cools more slowly. Statement-I is incorrect as per the official key: the land–ocean temperature contrast is more pronounced in winter, when continents in the higher latitudes cool sharply while oceans stay relatively warm.
This explanation is being checked by a subject expert.
1. In a seismograph, P waves are recorded earlier than S waves.
2. In P waves, the individual particles vibrate to and fro in the direction of wave propagation whereas in S waves, the particles vibrate up and down at right angles to the direction of wave propagation.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. P waves are faster and arrive first on a seismograph. They are longitudinal: particles vibrate along the direction of propagation. S waves are transverse: particles vibrate at right angles to it.
In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the:
(a) First half of the month of June
(b) Second half of the month of June
(c) First half of the month of July
(d) Second half of the month of July
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Second half of the month of June
The summer solstice, when the Sun is overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, falls on 20–21 June, so the longest day in the northern hemisphere is in the second half of June.
With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:
1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
All three follow UNCLOS: Article 3 lets a coastal state fix a territorial sea of up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline, Article 17 gives ships of all states, coastal or land-locked, the right of innocent passage, and Article 57 limits the EEZ to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters.
2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters.
3. 'Rare earth minerals' are present on seafloor in international waters.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: licences for seabed exploration in international waters are granted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) under UNCLOS; the Global Ocean Commission was an independent advocacy body.
Statement 2 is correct: India holds ISA contracts for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin and polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean Ridge.
Statement 3 is correct: rare earth elements occur in deep-sea muds and nodules.
1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds.
2. In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Statement 1 is correct: trade winds blow from east to west and pile warm surface water on the western side of tropical oceans, while the eastern side gets cold upwelling.
Statement 2 is correct: in temperate latitudes the westerlies drive warm currents (such as the North Atlantic Drift) to the eastern sections of the oceans, making them warmer than the western sections.
This explanation is being checked by a subject expert.
"Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees." This is the most likely description of
(a) coniferous forest
(b) dry deciduous forest
(c) mangrove forest
(d) tropical rain forest
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) tropical rain forest
In tropical rainforests heat and moisture make leaf litter decompose very fast, so the forest floor is nearly bare.
Lianas climb into the canopy and epiphytes grow on the upper branches to reach the light.
The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions?
1. Burrowing animals and termites
2. Fire
3. Grazing herbivores
4. Seasonal rainfall
5. Soil properties
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 4 and 5
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 5
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) 2, 3 and 4
Savannas stay open mainly because of recurrent fire, browsing and grazing by herbivores, and strongly seasonal rainfall with a long dry season, which together stop trees from closing the canopy.
The official key gives 2, 3 and 4.
This explanation is being checked by a subject expert.
With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January-March.
2. OMT collected during January-March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: OMT is the average temperature down to the depth of the 26°C isotherm, which in the south-western Indian Ocean in January–March lies at about 50–100 m, not 129 m.
Statement 2 is correct: OMT measured in January–March has been found to predict whether monsoon rainfall will be above or below the long-term mean better than sea-surface temperature.
(a) does not set below the horizon at the Arctic Circle
(b) does not set below the horizon at Antarctic Circle
(c) shines vertically overhead at noon on the Equator
(d) shines vertically overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) does not set below the horizon at the Arctic Circle
On 21 June (summer solstice) the Sun is overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, and places on and north of the Arctic Circle have 24 hours of daylight, so the Sun does not set there.
(a) Clouds absorb the radiation released from the Earth's surface.
(b) Clouds reflect back the Earth's radiation.
(c) The Earth's surface would have low temperature on cloudy nights.
(d) Clouds deflect the blowing wind to ground level.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Clouds reflect back the Earth's radiation.
Dew forms when the ground cools enough by radiating heat on clear nights.
On cloudy nights clouds absorb and re-radiate (reflect back) the Earth's outgoing radiation, so the surface does not cool to the dew point; the official key takes 'reflect back' as the answer.
With reference to 'Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)' sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.
2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino's impact on the monsoon.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: the IOD is the sea-surface temperature difference between the western and eastern parts of the tropical Indian Ocean, not the Pacific.
Statement 2 is correct: a positive IOD can offset El Niño's drying effect on the Indian monsoon.
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Timed mock tests with negative marking, in English and हिन्दी, with an explanation for every answer and subject-wise analysis of your result.
