Climatology: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Climatology (Geography). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 1996Geography · Climatology
Q1. Which one of the following layers of the atmosphere is responsible for the deflection of radio waves?
Explanation
The Ionosphere ranges from approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) above the Earth. It is characterized by the presence of ions and free electrons. These electrically charged particles are created by solar radiation (primarily ultraviolet and X-rays) that ionizes the atmospheric gases. The ionosphere plays a crucial role in radio wave propagation. It contains several layers (D, E, F1, and F2), each with varying densities of ions and electrons. These layers can reflect radio waves, allowing them to travel far beyond the horizon. The ability of the ionosphere to reflect radio waves depends on the frequency of the radio waves and the state of the ionosphere (which varies with time of day and solar activity).
UPSC 1996Geography · Climatology
Q2. Given below are two statements one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Areas near the equator receive rainfall throughout the year. Reason (R): High temperatures and high humidity cause convectional rain in most afternoons near the equator. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Option (a) is correct:
Assertion (A) is true: The regions near the equator (such as the tropics) generally receive consistent rainfall through-out the year. This is due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), where the trade winds from both hemispheres converge, leading to frequent cloud formation and rain. The high temperatures and constant moisture availability near the equator contribute to year-round rainfall. Reason (R) is true: In equatorial regions, intense solar heating during the day warms the Earth’s surface, causing water to evaporate and warm, moist air to rise. As the air ascends, it cools, leading to the condensation of water vapor and the formation of cumulonimbus clouds. This process triggers convectional rainfall, which typically occurs in the afternoon. R is the correct explanation of A: The high temperatures and humidity near the equator lead to convectional rainfall, which contributes to the consistent precipitation observed throughout the year in equatorial regions.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1996
(d) Ionosphere
2
1996
(a) Both A and Rare true and R is the correct explanation of A
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Climatology?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Climatology (Geography), asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Climatology?
Questions on Climatology (Geography) are available for 24 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
