1. Trend Analysis of the Geography MCQs in UPSC prelim exams
  2. Geography Strategy for Prelims-2022
  3. Geography Strategy for Mains-2022 & previous GSM1 Papers
  4. Answerkey: Geography MCQs in Prelims-2021
  5. Answerkey Assistance Provided by Brijesh Patel

Trend Analysis of the Geography MCQs in UPSC prelim exams

In 2021, UPSC asked 6 MCQs from Geography, majority of them were in the medium to tough difficulty level similar to previous year.

UPSC Prelim-2021 Answerkey Topicwise Analysis
Geography in 2015 to 2019 Prelim Papers 2020 Prelims: Continuity and change in the Geography questions 2021 Prelims
The number of MCQs from Geography reduced from two-digit to single digit to make space for Environment and Agriculture.

Since Prelims-2016, Geography has been receiving alternate weightage of 4MCQ-7MCQ-4MCQ-7MCQs.

 Pattern continued, this year 5 MCQ. Although in Mains GS Paper-1, 100+ marks worth Geography is asked so it’s not like UPSC is showing ‘disrespect’ to the Geography subject. Same as last year five questions asked
– Low profile tributaries of famous rivers asked e.g. Godavari, Bramhaputra, Teesta in 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively.

●  In 2019 UPSC examination gone crazier than usual: 2 MCQs on Indian rivers.

 Nothing from Indian rivers but asked from world rivers River prem resurfaced
– 2019: Glacier vs river pair question asked. One question about Glacier map location Glacier prem not resurfaced.
There had been a trend of asking about particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) every few years. Not seen in this time Not seen this time
– 2019: 5 out of 7 Geography MCQs are based on maps. – 2 out of 5 Geography MCQs Based on maps 3 out of 5 MCQ were based on maps
– 2019: An MCQ on Minor and major minerals with regards to regulatory powers of the Union and State Government – Asked about the classification of the minor and major minerals. Mineral prem is resurfaced this year.
Physical geography questions in 2019 paper were relatively easier. asked technical things about Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT) lifted from the Hindu Article 2 years ago. So physical geography relatively difficult than last year 1 MCQ about Ocean temperature.
Occasional questions about world geography map Worldmap based question on river basin Nothing.

Geography Strategy for Prelims-2022

Geography Strategy for Mains-2022 & previous GSM1 Papers

Covered in a separate article Mains GS Paper-1- including topicwise previous papers!

Answerkey: Geography MCQs in Prelims-2021

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.43)  with reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such a river that joins the Indus directly?

  1. Chenab
  2. Jhelum
  3. Ravi
  4. Sutlej

Difficulty :  Tough🥵because of confusion between Chenab and Sutlej.

Type: Theory 📚

Explanation:

  • Chenab empties into Satluj which finally meets Indus. So the correct answer is Sutlej. Some answer keys are giving Chenab as an answer depending on the interpretation of river linking. So the correct answer is “A” or “D”. Awaiting Official UPSC answer key.
  • So correct answer is “D”

📚 Source(s):

  • 11th Class NCERT 

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.44)  With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of 

  1. A) Glaciers
  2. B) Mangrove Areas
  3. C) Ramsar Sites
  4. D) Saline Lakes

Difficulty : Tough🥵  Not common lakes – Difficult to remember

Type: Theory 📚

Explanation:

  • Rajasthan: salt water lakes =Sambhar, Degana, Didwana Kuchaman, Lunkaransar-Tal, and  Pachpadra.
  • Therefore, correct option “D”

📚 Source(s):

  • Majid Husain. Geography of India (p. 2.34)

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.45)  Consider the following rivers:

  1. Brahamani
  2. Nagalwali
  3. Subarnarekha
  4. Vamsadhara

Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?

  1. a) 1 and 2
  2. b) 2 and 4
  3. c) 3 and 4
  4. d) 1 and 3

Difficulty : Medium🧐

Type: Theory 📚

Explanation:

  • Brahamani and Subarnarekha do not originate in eastern ghats. So, by elimination we can get the correct answer “B”.

📚 Source(s):

  • Page 29  (11th Class NCERT  India: Physical Environment), Geography. 
  • Rajtanil Geography Lectures Discussed Brahamani and Subarnarekha – Which does not originate in eastern ghats. Elimination techniques we can get answers to b.

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.46)  Consider the following statements:

  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 the seafloor in international waters.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. a) 1 and 2 Only
  2. b) 2 and 3 Only
  3. c) 1 and 3 Only
  4. d) 1, 2 and 3

Difficulty : Tough🥵 Not given in routine preparation sources and one can’t be expected to memorize an IndianExpress article of 2019.

Type:  Contemporary 🗞

Explanation:

  • International Seabed Authority grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters. So the 1st statement is incorrect. By eliminating 1st statement – we can option b correct.
  • India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration  in the central indian ocean basins and south west part of indian ocean → 2nd statement is correct.
  • ‘Rare earth minerals’ are present on the seafloor in international waters. → 3rd statement is correct.
  • So the correct answer is b.

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: Yes Possible! GM-Rule#3: Parent Org / Dept is always wrong in statement

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.48)  Consider the following statements:

  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?

  1. a) 1 Only
  2. b) 2 Only
  3. c) Both 1 and 2
  4. d) Neither  1 nor 2

Difficulty : Medium to tough, depending on conceptual clarity.

Type: Theory 📚

Explanation:

  • Trade wind generates the equatorial current which pushes eastern section  water in the western section.  So 1st statement is right.
  • Warm water comes in contact with the Westerlies. They are moved into eastern part so  In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections. So 2nd  Statement is true.
  • So correct answer is C – Both correct

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

Answerkey Assistance Provided by Brijesh Patel

My thanks to Shri Brijesh Patel (Faculty, SPIPA, Ahmedabad) for his assistance in preparation of this answer key.

Stay Tuned for the Detailed Answerkeys with Explanations at Mrunal.org/prelims