There were 18 Questions from Geography in 2024, of which

• 9 Questions on Physical geography, which were directly picked from NCERT and G.C.Leong
• 2 Questions on Economic Geography
• 5 Questions on World Geography, of which two were map-based
• 2 Questions from Indian Geography, which were map-based

The level of the questions was moderate.

Most of the questions were aimed at testing the basic understanding of the subject and conceptual clarity.

Previous Year UPSC Geography Questions With Explanation 2024

1. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.

Statement-ll: 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

1. Ans: d

Explanation:

The insolation (incoming solar radiation) received by the earth is in short waveforms and heats up its surface. The earth after being heated itself becomes a radiating body and it radiates energy to the atmosphere in the long waveform. This energy heats up the atmosphere from below. This process is known as terrestrial radiation.

Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

The long wave radiation is absorbed by the atmospheric gases particularly by carbon dioxide and the other greenhouse gases. Thus, the atmosphere is indirectly heated by the Earth’s radiation.

Hence, statement 2 is correct.

2. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to the 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.

2. Ans: a

Explanation:

The troposphere is the lowermost layer of the atmosphere. Its average height is 13 km and extends roughly to a height of 8 km near the poles and about 18 km at the equator. The thickness of the troposphere is greatest at the equator because heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents.

This layer contains dust particles and water vapour. All changes in climate and weather take place in this layer.

The temperature in this layer decreases at the rate of 1° C for every 165m of height. This is the most important layer for all biological activity.

Hence, both statements  1 & 2 are correct, and statement 2 correctly explains statement 1.

3. Consider the following:

1. Pyroclastic debris

2. Ash and dust

3. Nitrogen compounds

4. Sulphur compounds

How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

3. Ans: d

Explanation:

The material that reaches the ground includes lava flows, pyroclastic debris, volcanic bombs, ash and dust and gases such as nitrogen compounds, sulphur compounds and minor amounts of chlorene, hydrogen and argon. 

Hence, option d is correct. 

4. 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 makes 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

4. Ans: a

Explanation:

The temperature distribution is generally shown on the map with the help of isotherms. The Isotherms are lines joining places having equal temperatures. In general, the effect of the latitude on temperature is well pronounced on the map, as the isotherms are generally parallel to the latitude. The deviation from this general trend is more pronounced in January than in July, especially in the northern hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere the land surface area is much larger than in the southern hemisphere. Hence, the effects of land mass and ocean currents are well-pronounced. In January, the isotherms deviate to the north over the ocean and to the south over the continent. This can be seen in the North Atlantic Ocean. 

Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The presence of warm ocean currents, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic drift, make the Northern Atlantic Ocean warmer and the isotherms bend towards the north.

Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

5. 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’lvoire and Ghana

(d) Madagascar and Mozambique

5. Ans: c

Explanation:

Côte d’Ivoire (the Ivory Coast) is the largest producer of cocoa in the world, producing over 2 million tons a year. Ghana ranks second in the world. 

Hence, option c is correct. 

6. 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

6. Ans: b

Explanation:

Gomti: The Gomti river originates near Manikot in the Pillibhit district of Uttar Pradesh. From its origin to its confluence with Ganga, the river flows entirely in the State of Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow the capital city of Uttar Pradesh is situated on the banks of Gomti and it joins the Ganga in Audihar in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

Ghaghara: The Ghaghara river known variously as the Sarju or the Dehwa contains the combined waters of the Chauka or Sarda and the Kauriala which unite near Bahramghat in the Baranki district in Uttar Pradesh. 

The Sarda River is the important tributary of the Ghaghara, which forms the boundary between India and Nepal for some distance. The total length of the Ghaghara before its confluence with the Ganga River at Doriganj downstream of Chapra town in Bihar is 1,080 km. 

Gandak: The Gandak river (Sadanira, Saligrami in Nepal, or Narayani in the plains), known as the Kali or Krishna Gandak in the upper reaches rises at the altitude of 7620 m in Tibet near the Nepal border.   It cuts through the Mahabharat Range and covering a distance of 425 km joins the Ganga near Patna.

Kosi: The Kosi (Kausika) is the largest of the tributaries of the Ganga is formed by the confluence of three streams namely the Sun Kosi, the Arun Kosi and the Tamur Kosi, all taking their origin in the Himalayan region of Nepal and Tibet. 

The Kosi is notorious for its frequent and disastrous floods and shifting of courses. It is also called as ‘the sorrow of Bihar’ and meets the Ganga 32 km west of Manihari.

Hence, option b is correct. 

7. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: Rainfall is one of the reasons for the weathering of rocks.

Statement-II: Rainwater contains carbon dioxide in solution.

Statement-III: Rainwater 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 StatementS II and III is correct and that explains Statement I 

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

7. Ans: a

Explanation:

Chemical weathering

Chemical weathering is the basic process by which denudation proceeds. It is the extremely slow and gradual decomposition of rocks due to exposure to air and water. Soil absorbs rainwater and keeps the underlying rocks in contact with this moisture. The rainwater absorbs organic acids from the soil and thus becomes a stronger weathering agent.

Hence, statement 1 is correct.

There are three major chemical weathering processes.

1. Solution: many minerals are dissolved by water, especially when, as with rainwater, it contains enough carbon dioxide to make it a weak acid. The solution is the most potent weathering process in limestone regions because the rainwater attacks and dissolves the calcium carbonate from which the rock is chiefly formed.

Hence, statement 2 is correct.

2. Oxidation: Oxidation is the reaction of oxygen in air or water with minerals in rocks. For example, most rocks contain a certain amount of iron, which, when it comes in contact with air, is changed to iron oxide, a familiar brownish crust or rust.

Hence, statement 3 is correct.

3. Decomposition by organic acids: with the soil, which covers most rocks are bacteria that thrive on decaying plants or animal materials. These bacteria produce acids which, when dissolved in water, help to speed up the weathering of the underlying rocks.

Hence, both statements 1 & 3 are correct and both of them explain statement 1.

8. Consider the following countries:

1. Finland

2. Germany

3. Norway

4. Russia

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

8. Ans: b

Explanation: 

The North Sea, a shallow, northeastern arm of the Atlantic Ocean, is located between the British Isles and the mainland of northwestern Europe and covers an area of 2,20,000 square miles (5,70,000 square km). 

The sea is bordered by the island of Great Britain to the southwest and west, the Orkney and Shetland islands to the northwest, Norway to the northeast, Denmark to the east, Germany and the Netherlands to the southeast, and Belgium and France to the south. It is connected to the Atlantic by the Strait of Dover and the English Channel and opens directly onto the ocean between the Orkney and Shetland Islands and between the Shetland Islands and Norway. The Skagerrak, an eastward extension of the North Sea between Norway and Denmark, connects the North and Baltic seas via the Kattegat and the Danish straits.

Hence, option b is correct. 

9. 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

9. Ans: a

Explanation: 

Narmada

Narmada is the largest west-flowing river of the peninsula India. It rises from a Kund near Amarkantak, in the Anuppur district  of Madhya Pradesh, at an elevation of about 1057 m in the Maikala range. The river flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat between Vindhya and Satpura hill ranges before falling into the Gulf of Cambay in the Arabian Sea about 10 km north of Bharuch. 

Flowing in a rift valley between the Satpura in the south and the Vindhyan range in the north, Narmada forms a picturesque gorge in marble rocks and the Dhuandhar waterfall near Jabalpur. 

Vindhyanchal Baghelkhand region – The region is a hill-valley complex covering Annupur, Shahdol, Dindori, Mandla, Balaghat, Jabalpur, Narsimhapur and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh falling in Narmada basin.

The Subarnarekha is one of the longest east-flowing inter-state rivers. It originates near Nagri village in Ranchi district of Jharkhand at an elevation of 600 m. The total length of the river is about 395 km. The principal tributaries of the river are Kanchi, Kharkai and Karkari. The Subernarekha basin extends over the States of Jharkhand, Odisha and a comparatively smaller part of West Bengal. 

The Hundru Falls in Ranchi is created on the course of the Subarnarekha River, where it falls from a height of 320 feet creating the highest waterfalls in the state of Jharkhand.

The River Sharavathi  – The streams of the Western Ghats flow swiftly down the steep slope and some of them make waterfalls. The Jog or Gersoppa Falls (289m) made by the Sharavati river is the most famous waterfall in India.

The River Sharavathi flows across Uttara Kannada and the Shimoga District of Karnataka. Originating at Ambutirthha (Tirthahalli), it flows for nearly 128 km before joining the Arabian Sea at Karki, Honnavar.

The plain regions of the catchment are dominated by lakes whereas the Ghats are dominated by streams.

The variations in the terrain have led to the formation of various waterfalls such as the Jog Falls/ Gersoppa, Apsarakonda, Mavinagundi falls, and  Dabbe fall .

Only 2nd row is correctly matched.

Hence, option a is correct.

10. 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

10. Ans: b

Explanation:

Fold Mountains: They are caused by large-scale earth movements when stresses are set up in the earth’s crust. When stresses are initiated, the rocks are subjected to compressive forces that produce wrinkling or folding along the lines of weakness.

The great fold mountains of the world are the Himalayas, Rockies, Appalachians, Andes and Alps.

Block Mountains: When the earth’s crust bends folding occurs, but when it cracks, faulting takes place. Faulting may be caused by tension or compression, forces that lengthen or shorten the earth’s crust, causing a section of it to subside or to rise above the surrounding level. 

Examples of block mountains include the Hunsruck Mountains, the Vosges and the Black Forest of the Rhineland.

• Vosges, massif extending west of the Rhine River Valley in the Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin, and Vosges départements of eastern France (Europe).
• Alps: The Alps form part of France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Albania (Europe).
• Appalachian Mountains:  They are the great highland system of North America, the eastern counterpart of the Rocky Mountains. Extending for almost 2,000 miles (3,200 km) from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador to central Alabama in the United States, the Appalachian Mountains form a natural barrier between the eastern Coastal Plain and the vast Interior Lowlands of North America.
• Andes Mountains Range: The Andes Mountains are the longest continental mountain range in the world. It forms a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina are the seven South American nations that the Andes pass through on their way from north to south.

Only 3rd and 4th rows are correctly matched.

Hence, option b is correct.

11. Consider the following airports:

1. Donyi Polo Airport

2. Kushinagar International Airport

3. Vijayawada International Airport

In the recent past, which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield projects?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

11. Ans: a

Explanation:

A Greenfield project is a type of project that starts from scratch with no existing infrastructure or resources.

Under the Greenfield Airports policy 2008, the Government of India has accorded ‘In-Principle’ approval for the setting up of 21 Greenfield Airports namely, Mopa in Goa, Navi Mumbai, Shirdi and Sindhudurg in  Maharashtra, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Hassan and Shivamogga in Karnataka, Dabra (Gwalior) in Madhya Pradesh, Kushinagar and Noida (Jewar) in Uttar Pradesh, Dholera and Hirasar in Gujarat, Karaikal in Puducherry, Dagadarthi, Bhogapuram and Orvakal (Kurnool) in Andhra Pradesh, Durgapur in West Bengal, Pakyong in Sikkim, Kannur in Kerala and Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh across the country. 

Out of these, 9 Greenfield airports viz. Durgapur, Shirdi, Kannur, Pakyong, Kalaburagi, Orvakal (Kurnool), Sindhudurg, Kushinagar and Donyi Polo, Itanagar have been operationalised.

Donyi Polo Airport is located in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. 

Kushinagar International Airport is located in Uttar Pradesh.

Hence, option a is correct. 

12. With reference to “water vapour”, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a gas, the amount of which decreases with altitude.

2. Its percentage is maximum at the poles. 

Select the answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

12. Ans: a

Explanation:

Water vapour is a variable gas in the atmosphere, which decreases with altitude. In the warm and wet tropics, it may account for four per cent of the air by volume, while in the dry and cold areas of desert and polar regions, it may be less than one per cent of the air. 

Hence, statement 1 is correct. 

Water vapour also decreases from the equator towards the poles. It also absorbs parts of the insolation from the sun and preserves the earth’s radiated heat. It thus, acts like a blanket allowing the earth neither to become too cold nor too hot. Water vapour also contributes to the stability and instability in the air. 

Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

13. Consider the following description:

1. Annual and daily range of temperatures is low.

2. Precipitation occurs throughout the year.

3. Precipitation varies between 50 cm – 250 cm.

What is this type of climate?

(a) Equatorial climate

(b) China type climate

(c) Humid subtropical climate

(d) Marine West Coast climate

13. Ans: d 

Explanation: 

Marine West Coast Climate:  Marine west coast climate is located poleward from the Mediterranean climate on the west coast of the continents.

The main areas are Northwestern Europe, the west coast of North America, north of California, southern Chile, southeastern Australia and New Zealand. Due to marine influence, the temperature is moderate and in winter, it is warmer than for its latitude. 

The mean temperature in summer months ranges from 15°-20°C and in winter 4°-10°C. 

The annual and daily ranges of temperature are small.

Precipitation occurs throughout the year. 

Precipitation varies greatly from 50-250 cm.

Hence, option d is correct. 

14. With reference to “Coriolis force”, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It increases with an 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

14. Ans: c

Explanation:

Coriolis Force 

The rotation of the earth about its axis affects the direction of the wind. This force is called the Coriolis force after the French physicist who described it in 1844. It deflects the wind to the right direction in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. The deflection is more when the wind velocity is high.

Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The Coriolis force is directly proportional to the angle of latitude. It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator. 

Hence, statement 2 is correct.

15. On June 21 every year, which of the following latitude(s) experiences(s) 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

15. Ans: d

Explanation:

In the summer (June), the daylight increases as we go poleward. At the Arctic Circle, the sun never ‘sets’ at mid-summer (June 21) and there is a complete 24-hour period of continuous daylight. In summer, the region north of the Arctic Circle is popularly referred to as the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’. At the North Pole, there will be six months of continuous daylight.

After the March equinox the sun appears to move north and is vertically overhead at the Tropic of Cancer on about 21 June. This is known as the June or summer solstice, when the northern hemisphere will have its longest day and shortest night.

Hence, option d is correct.

16. The longest border between any two countries in the world is between:

(a) Canada and the United States of America

(b) Chile and Argentina

(c) China and India

(d) Kazakhstan and Russian Federation

16. Ans: a

Explanation:

The international land border between the United States and Canada is the longest in the world at almost 8,900 kilometres. It includes the border between Canada and the continental U.S. as well as the border between Alaska and northern Canada.

Length of longest international land borders worldwide:

Hence, option a is correct.

17. Consider the following statements:

1. The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.

2. No water enters the Red Sea from rivers.

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

17. Ans: c

Explanation:

The Red Sea region receives very little precipitation in any form, although prehistoric artifacts indicate that there were periods with greater amounts of rainfall. 

Hence, statement 1 is correct.

No water enters the Red Sea from rivers, and rainfall is scant; but the evaporation loss—in excess of 80 inches per year.

The Red Sea, home to the second-longest coral reef system in the world, is a vital resource for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Red Sea provides 90% of the Kingdom’s potable water by desalinisation (it is one of the world’s saltiest water masses), and it supports tourism, shipping, aquaculture, and fishing industries, which together contribute about 10%–20% of the country’s GDP.

Hence, statement 2 is correct.

18. Consider the following:

1. Cashew

2. Papaya

3. Red sanders

How many of the above trees are actually native to India?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

18. Ans: a

Explanation: 

The Papaya originated in Mesoamerica, likely in southern Mexico 

The cashew is native to northeastern Brazil. Portuguese missionaries took it to East Africa and India during the late 16th century.  

The Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is an endemic tree species to the forests of Seshachalam, Veligonda, Lankamala and Palakona Hills range of AndhraPradesh. 

Hence, option a is correct.