UPSC CSE MAINS 2026

Geography Optional – Paper I

Question Paper

A

SECTION ‘A’

1. Answer the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50

1.(a)
10 Marks

What is ‘Helical’ flow ? How Helical flow accounts for meander modifications ?

1.(b)
10 Marks

Define ‘pseudo monsoon’ and explain its spatial distribution.

1.(c)
10 Marks

How are sea-mounts and Guyots the same and different ? Comment.

1.(d)
10 Marks

How a ‘Solum’ as a concept different from ‘Pedon’ ? Describe.

1.(e)
10 Marks

With suitable examples describe the hazards of flood plain settlement.

2.(a)
20 Marks

“Environmental geomorphology deals with the impact of natural landforms and processes.” Elucidate with suitable examples.

2.(b)
15 Marks

Discuss the potential consequences of the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) for the world.

2.(c)
15 Marks

“Overgrazing has become an alarming situation of bioloss in many bio-geographical regions of the world.” Illustrate with examples.

3.(a)
20 Marks

Describe the general characteristics and structure of a thunderstorm and suggest suitable classification of thunderstorm.

3.(b)
15 Marks

Anthropogenic impacts have caused major global and regional changes and imbalances in ecosystem. Elucidate with examples.

3.(c)
15 Marks

What is scarification ? List out various impacts and examples of scarification on land.

4.(a)
20 Marks

How does the annual variations in temperature and precipitation influence plants growth, development and distribution ? How do animals cope up with variations in climate ?

4.(b)
15 Marks

Examine the importance of axes of dilation of airmasses in frontogenesis and the origin of Temperate cyclones.

4.(c)
15 Marks

Construction of large dams poses serious challenges. Describe the threats and solutions associated with it.

B

SECTION ‘B’

5. Answer the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50

5.(a)
10 Marks

“Systematic Geography is essentially analytical and makes generic concepts and Universal Laws.” Elucidate with examples.

5.(b)
10 Marks

Critically examine the significance of five functioning forms with regard to agricultural regions of the world proposed by D. Whittlesey.

5.(c)
10 Marks

“The majority of migrants go only a short distance.” Explain with examples.

5.(d)
10 Marks

“Sustainable development requires Intergenerational and Intragenerational equity.” Comment with examples.

5.(e)
10 Marks

“Under what situations Von Thunen’s model of agricultural location is still rational.” Justify with examples.

6.(a)
20 Marks

Discuss the Geometry of Land Values in Urban Community and delimiting the Central Business District (CBD) in detail.

6.(b)
15 Marks

Analyse the measuring patterns of settlement in relation to the nearest Neighbour Index and Rank-Size-Rule in detail.

6.(c)
15 Marks

Write an essay on disease and global warming according to the report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

7.(a)
20 Marks

What are the main concerns of radical geography ? Describe the salient features and objectives of radicalism in geography.

7.(b)
15 Marks

Discuss agricultural productivity and techniques adopted for computing efficiency in the levels of agricultural productivity.

7.(c)
15 Marks

Elaborate partition of Indian subcontinent and international migration in detail.

8.(a)
20 Marks

What are the principles of urban planning ? Critically analyse town planning in India in the post independence period.

8.(b)
15 Marks

What are the approaches of human development ? Describe in detail the measures for computing human development index.

8.(c)
15 Marks

Explain the Rimland Theory with reference to ongoing geopolitical scenario in the world.

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