Mains

25 questions

#	Question	Microtheme	Year	UPSC Syllabus	Marks	GS Paper	Subject
2025
1	Discuss how the changes in shape and sizes of continents and ocean basins of the planet take place due to tectonic movements of the crustal masses.	Geomorphology	2025	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	15.0	GS1	Geography
2023
2	How are the fjords formed? Why do they constitute some of the most picturesque areas of the world?	Geomorphology	2023	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
3	Why is the South-West monsoon called ‘Purvaiya’ (easterly) in Bhojpur Region? How has this directional seasonal wind system influenced the cultural ethos of the region?	ClimatologyXMonsoon,ENSO,IOD	2023	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
2022
4	What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world.	Oceanography	2022	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	15.0	GS1	Geography
5	Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes. How?	ClimatolgyXAtmosphere	2022	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	15.0	GS1	Geography
6	Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks. (प्राथमिक चट्टानों की विशेषताओं एवं प्रकारों का वर्णन कीजिए।)	Geomorphology	2022	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
2021
7	Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples. (250 words) विश्व की प्रमुख पर्वत शृंख्लाओं के संरेखण का संक्षिप्त उल्लेख कीजिए तथा उनके स्थानीय मौसम पर पड़ें प्रभावों का सोदाहरण वर्णन कीजिए। (250 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)	Geomorphology	2021	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	15.0	GS1	Geography
8	Why is India considered as a subcontinent? Elaborate your answer. (150 words) भारत को एक उपमहाद्वीप क्यों माना जाता है ? विस्तारपूर्वक उत्तर दीजिए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)	Geomorphology	2021	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
2020
9	Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum-Pacific Zone. (परी-प्रशांत क्षेत्र के भू-भौतिकीय अभिलक्षणों का विवेचन कीजिए l)	Geomorphology	2020	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
2019
10	How do ocean currents and water masses differ in their impacts on marine life and the coastal environment? Give suitable examples? (महासागर धाराएँ और जल राशियाँ समुद्री जीवन और तटीय पर्यावरण पर अपने प्रभावों में किस-किस प्रकार परस्पर भिन्न हैं ? उपयुक्त उदहारण दीजिए \| ) (15m,250 words)	Oceanography	2019	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	15.0	GS1	Geography
2018
11	Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics.	Geomorphology	2018	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
12	What are the consequences of spreading of 'Dead Zones' on marine ecosystem?	Oceanography	2018	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
2017
13	What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia?	ClimatologyXMonsoon,ENSO,IOD	2017	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	15.0	GS1	Geography
14	Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi-dimensional effects.	Oceanography	2017	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	15.0	GS1	Geography
2016
15	Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes.	ClimatolgyXAtmosphere	2016	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	12.5	GS1	Geography
2015
16	Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, fishing and navigation?	Oceanography	2015	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	12.5	GS1	Geography
17	How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscapes? Discuss.	ClimatologyXMonsoon,ENSO,IOD	2015	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	12.5	GS1	Geography
2014
18	Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos.	Geomorphology	2014	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
19	Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the resource crisis in the world.	Oceanography	2014	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
20	Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree?	ClimatologyXMonsoon,ENSO,IOD	2014	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
21	Why are the world's fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring out the association between the global distribution of Fold Mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes.	Geomorphology	2014	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography
2013
22	What do you understand by the theory of continental drift'? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support.	Geomorphology	2013	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	5.0	GS1	Geography
23	What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology? How does it affect the weather and the habitants of the place?	ClimatologyXTemperature Inversion	2013	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	5.0	GS1	Geography
24	There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghat. Why?	Geomorphology	2013	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	5.0	GS1	Geography
25	Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north and on the western side of the continents. Why?	ClimatologyXWind and Pressure Systems	2013	GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography	10.0	GS1	Geography