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 2024Geography · Climatology
Q1. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by 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?
Explanation
Fig.: Heat budget of the earth Statement-I is incorrect: The atmosphere is primarily heated by terrestrial radiation, which is the longwave radiation emitted by Earth’s surface after it absorbs solar radiation. While the atmosphere does absorb some direct solar radiation, it is the outgoing longwave radiation from the Earth’s surface (which gets trapped by greenhouse gases) that plays a major role in warming the atmosphere. From the diagram above, 65 units out of 100 units of heat are absorbed by the atmosphere in the form of longwave radiation. Thus terrestrial radiation is the major cause behind the heating of the atmosphere. Statement-II is correct: The longwave radiation is absorbed by atmospheric gases, particularly by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. It is mainly because their molecular structure allows them to vibrate and absorb infrared energy emitted by the Earth’s surface.
Additional insight:
Without the natural greenhouse effect, the Earth’s average temperature would fall from 15°C to -18°C. This drop would make the planet too cold for most living things. Oceans would freeze, covering large areas with ice. Farming would fail, causing food shortages. Many animals and plants would die be-cause they cannot survive in such cold conditions. The green-house effect helps trap heat in the atmosphere. It keeps the Earth’s temperature stable. This warmth allows liquid water to exist and supports plants, animals, and people. Without it, Earth would not be a habitable planet.
UPSC 2024Geography · Climatology
Q2. 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?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The troposphere is the low-ermost 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.
Statement 2 is correct: At the equator, strong convectional currents form due to intense solar heating. These currents carry heat and moisture to great heights, pushing the troposphere upwards and increasing its thickness.
Statement 2 explains Statement 1: The greater thickness of the troposphere at the equator (Statement-I) is due to strong convectional currents (Statement-II). Intense solar heating at the equator causes air to rise, creating powerful convection currents that push the tropopause higher, expanding the troposphere. In contrast, weaker convection at the poles, due to minimal solar heating, results in a thinner troposphere.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2024
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
2
2024
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
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.
