Indian Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)
3 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Indian Geography (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 1–3 of 3 questions
UPSC 2013Geography · Indian Geography
Q1. Consider the following pairs:
Tribe
State
1. Limboo (Limbu)
Sikkim
2. Karbi
Himachal Pradesh
3. Dongaria Kondh
Odisha
4. Bonda
Tamil Nadu
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Explanation
Pair 1 is correctly matched: Tamang, Limbu, Bhutia, Khas, Lepchas are important tribal communities of Sikkim.
Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Karbi is a tribal community from Karbi Anglong of Assam, not Himachal Pradesh. Other important tribes from the state include Bodo, Kachari, Miri, Mishimi, Rabha.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Dongaria Kondh is a particularly vulnerable tribal group found in the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha. They are known for their unique cultural practices and traditional agriculture.
Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: The Bonda tribe is one of the oldest and most primitive tribes in India, residing in the hilly regions of the Malkangiri district in southwestern Odisha, not in Tamil Nadu.
Additional insight:
Some of the main tribes from Tamil Nadu are Malayali, Toda, Kurumbas, Paniyan, Irular, Kattunayakan, Kanikkar, Palliyan, Kadar, etc. Toda, Kota, Kurumbas, Kattunayakan, Paniyan and Irular have been designated as ‘Primitive Tribes’. The People of Sikkim consist of three ethnic groups, that is, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali. Of these, the Lepchas and Bhutias communities make the most prominent tribes. These are recognized as Scheduled Tribes within the state.
UPSC 2013Geography · Indian Geography
Q2. The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why? 1. It occupies a linear rift valley. 2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras. 3. The land slopes to the west from Central India. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Explanation
The Narmada River is unique among India’s major peninsular rivers due to its westward flow into the Arabian Sea, contrasting with the predominantly eastward flow of other large rivers in the region.
Statement 1 is correct: The Narmada River flows through a linear rift valley which is a geological depression created by the subsidence of the Earth’s crust. It is flanked by the Vindhya Range to the north and the Satpura Range to the south. This rift valley naturally channels the river westward, distinguishing it from most other peninsular rivers that flow eastward.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Though the Narmada does flow between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges but it not the cause of its westward flow. The ranges themselves are remnants of older folded mountains.
Statement 3 is incorrect: While most rivers in the Indian peninsula flow eastward towards the Bay of Bengal. This is due to the region’s natural slope to the west from Central India. But the Narmada River’s westward course is dictated by its unique geological setting within a rift valley.
UPSC 2013Geography · Indian Geography
Q3. Consider the following pairs: National Park - River flowing through the Park 1. Corbett National Park - Ganga 2. Kaziranga National Park - Manas 3. Silent Valley National Park - Kaveri Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
Explanation
National Parks in India are biodiversity hotspots, often intertwined with rivers that sustain their ecosystems.
Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Corbett National Park, located in Uttarakhand, is traversed by the Ramganga River, not the Ganga. The Ramganga is a significant tributary within the park, supporting its rich biodiversity.
Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Kaziranga National Park is circumscribed by the Brahmaputra River, which forms the northern and eastern boundaries, and the Mora Diphlu, which forms the southern boundary. The Manas River flows through the Manas National Park.
Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Silent Valley National Park is located in Kerala. It is drained by the Kunthipuzha River, a tributary of the Bharathapuzha River. The Kaveri River flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, not Kerala.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2013
(a) 1 and 3 only
2
2013
(a) 1 only
3
2013
(d) None
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Indian Geography?
This page covers 3 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Indian Geography (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 Indian Geography?
Questions on Indian Geography (Geography) are available for 28 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
