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 2021Geography · Climatology
Q1. 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?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: In the tropical zone, trade winds blow from the east towards the west. These winds push warm surface water towards the western parts of the oceans (e.g., the western Pacific Ocean and the western Atlantic Ocean). As a result, the water in the western parts of tropical oceans is warmer than in the eastern parts. The eastern sections of the oceans tend to have upwelling, where colder, nutrient-rich waters from deeper layers rise to the surface.
Statement 2 is correct: In the temperate zone, the westerlies (winds blowing from the west towards the east) push the surface water eastward, causing the western parts of oceans (like the western coast of continents) to be colder. The water in the eastern sections of oceans tends to be warmer due to the Ekman transport, which moves warm water towards the eastern coasts. For example, in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf Stream carries warm water from the tropics to the eastern coasts of North America and Europe, keeping the eastern sections warmer than the western parts.
UPSC 2021Geography · Climatology
Q2. "Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees." This is the most likely description of:
Explanation
Option (d) is correct: The description refers to the Tropical Rainforest or Hot, Wet Equatorial Climate. In this biome, leaf litter decomposes rapidly due to high humidity and temperatures, quickly returning nutrients to the soil. As a result, the soil surface often appears bare with minimal leaf litter. They are home to climbing plants (lianas) and epiphytes (plants that grow on trees), which reach the canopy to access sunlight. These unique plant forms and rapid decomposition are characteristic features of tropical rainforests, making it a highly dynamic and nutrient-efficient ecosystem. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:
Coniferous forests (or taiga) are characterized by cold climates and slow decomposition rates. The leaf litter in coniferous forests decomposes more slowly than in tropical rainforests due to the lower temperatures and acidic nature of the soil. The description of rapid decomposition and bare soil does not match the characteristics of coniferous forests. Dry deciduous forests experience dry seasons where many trees shed their leaves. While leaf litter does decompose, the process is slower due to the dry conditions. These forests do not have the constant, year-round decomposition found in tropical rainforests. Additionally, the mention of epiphytes and climbing plants is less common in dry deciduous forests. Mangrove forests are coastal ecosystems, typically found in tropical and subtropical regions. They are characterized by salt-tolerant plants and the intertidal zone, not by the rapid de-composition of leaf litter. The soil in mangrove forests is often muddy, and the vegetation is adapted to waterlogged conditions rather than the "bare" soil and climbing plants described in the given statement.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2021
(c) Both 1 and 2
2
2021
(d) Tropical rainforest
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.
