Explore the key Geography questions asked in UPSC Prelims 2024 and previous years. Learn preparation tips, essential topics, and recommended books to ace the exam.
theIAShub | 27 May, 2025 | 18578 | 0 |
Geography Questions in the UPSC Prelims Examination comprise both conceptual and factual questions. Over the years Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims have been shifted to the mix of conceptual and factual questions.
Geography plays a crucial role in the Prelims and the Mains Examination of the UPSC exam, with questions testing conceptual clarity and application skills. In this article, we will examine the geography questions over the years in UPSC Prelims and decode the nature of geography questions in UPSC Prelims, as well as essential topics, preparation strategies, and resources to ace this section.
In the UPSC Prelims 2025, the Geography section comprised 14 questions, maintaining a balanced share among the subjects. The overall difficulty level was easy to moderate, with questions spread across physical, human, and Indian geography. Many of the questions were straightforward and could be answered with a clear understanding of NCERTs and basic concepts. Topics such as climate, soil, maps, and natural resources featured prominently, making it a scoring section for those with consistent preparation.
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
Here we are providing the Geography Questions asked in the UPSC Prelims 2024. The table below contains the Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 with Answers:
Also Read: UPSC Prelims PYQs
| Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 with Answers | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| S. No. | Question | Answer | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. | The longest border between any two countries in the world is between :
|
(a) Canada and the United States of America | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. | Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
|
(c) Both 1 and 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. | Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than 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?
|
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4. | Consider the following statements:
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 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 5. | Consider the following :
How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?
|
(d) All four | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6. | Which of the following is/are correct inference/inferences from isothermal maps in the month of January?
Select the answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
(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 |
(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 |
(b) Gomati — Ghaghara — Gandak — Kosi | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 9. | Consider the following statements :
Statement-I: Rainfall is one of the reasons for the 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 Statement II and III is correct and that explains Statement-I (d) Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct |
(a) Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 10. | Consider the following countries :
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 |
(b) Only two | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 11. | Consider the following information:
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
(a) Only one | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12. | Consider the following information:
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 |
(b) Only two | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 13. | Consider the following:
How many of the above trees are actually native to India? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
(a) Only one | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 14. | With reference to “water vapour”, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Select the answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
(a) 1 only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 15. | Consider the following description:
What is this type of climate? (a) Equatorial climate (b) China type climate (c) Humid subtropical climate (d) Marine West coast climate |
(d) Marine West coast climate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 16. | With reference to “Coriolis force”, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Select the answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
(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?
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 3 and 4 (d) 2 and 4 |
(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 effects 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 |
(b) Congo Basin | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 19. | Consider the following plants:
How many of the above belong to the pea family? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
(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 the death rate. (d) the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age. |
(d) the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age. | ||||||||||||||||||||
UPSC Prelims 2023 asked 13 questions from the geography section. Out of these questions, a few were difficult questions and others were moderate questions. The difficulty of the questions for any individual is up to the preparation of the candidate. Here are the Geography Questions asked in UPSC Prelims 2023:
| Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims 2023 | ||||||||||
| S. No. | Questions | Answer | ||||||||
|
Consider the following statements:
How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
Answer: (a) | ||||||||
| 2. | Consider the following trees:
How many of the above are deciduous trees? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
Answer: (b) | ||||||||
| 3. | Consider the following pairs:
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched? (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs (c) All three pairs (d) None of the pairs |
Answer: (b) | ||||||||
| 4. | Which one of the following is the best example of repeated falls in sea level, giving rise to present-day extensive marshland?
(a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves (b) Marakkanam Salt Pans (c) Naupada Swamp (d) Rann of Kutch |
Answer: (d) | ||||||||
| 5. | Consider the following statements:
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
Answer: (b) | ||||||||
| 6. | Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?
(a) Aluminium (b) Copper (c) Iron (d) Titanium |
Answer: (a) | ||||||||
| 7. | Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The soil in tropical rainforests is rich in nutrients. Statement II: The high temperature and moisture of tropical rainforests 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 |
Answer: (d) | ||||||||
| 8. | With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements:
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
Answer: (d) | ||||||||
| 9. | Consider the following statements:
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 |
Answer: (a) | ||||||||
| 10. | Consider the following statements:
How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
Answer: (d) | ||||||||
| 11 | Consider the following statements:
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) | ||||||||
| 1222 | 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 the visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves of solar radiation. |
Answer: (c) | ||||||||
| 13 | Consider the following statements:
Statement I: India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production. Statement II: Uranium, enriched to the extent at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity. 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-1 (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect (d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct |
Answer: (c) | ||||||||
Geography questions in UPSC Prelims focus on both physical and human geography, covering India’s geographical features and global geographical features. Geography Questions in UPSC Prelims include factual to analytical, often requiring candidates to correlate concepts with current events.
For example, a question might ask about the impact of El Niño on monsoons or the location of important mountain passes in India. Analyzing past trends, aspirants can observe a mix of map-based questions and theoretical ones, highlighting the need for comprehensive preparation.
Geography in UPSC Prelims 2025 can be predicted by analysing the trends of the questions asked in the last few years of the UPSC Prelims Examination. The Key Areas of Geography in UPSC Prelims 2025:
Important Geography Topics for UPSC Prelims 2025 include the physical, Indian, and World geography, and some geographical places of the world.
UPSC Prelims Geography Syllabus can be segmented into two parts:
On the basis of UPSC Previous Year Question Papers we have segmented the Geography Questions asked in UPSC Prelims over the few years. Here is the distribution of the questions:
| Year | Number of Geography Questions |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2018 | 10 |
On the basis of the previous year’s question papers of prelims, we can conclude the following observations which are:
Here are a few tips and suggestions to prepare Geography for UPSC Prelims 2025:
UPSC Prelims Geography Book List includes mostly NCERTs but some other reference books also. Here we have segmented books that have been proved an effective source for Geography in UPSC prelims:
Aspirants should keep in mind that geography has both static as well as dynamic content which require regular updation and revision. Here are a few common mistakes committed by aspirants while covering geography for UPSC Prelims Exam.
Questions are derived from topics like physical geography, Indian geography, and environmental issues. They also include map-based questions and current affairs related to geography. A combination of static and dynamic sources is used.
NCERT books are essential for building basic concepts, especially for beginners. However, supplementary books like G.C. Leong and Current Affairs are also necessary for comprehensive preparation. Advanced references help in tackling complex questions.
Yes, current affairs play a crucial role in Geography preparation. Questions often link static concepts to recent events like natural disasters, climate summits, or environmental policies. Staying updated helps in answering dynamic questions effectively.
The difficulty level ranges from easy to moderate, with some analytical questions requiring deeper understanding. Conceptual clarity and integration of current events are critical for answering effectively. Regular practice reduces the challenge.
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