Oceanography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)
1 previous year UPSC Prelims question on Oceanography (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 1–1 of 1 question
UPSC 1997Geography · Oceanography
Q1. Which one of the following factors is responsible for the change in the regular direction of the ocean currents in the Indian Ocean?
Explanation
Option (b) is correct: The Indian Ocean exhibits a unique phenomenon called the monsoon drift, where seasonal wind reversals, driven by the monsoon system, significantly influence ocean currents. During the northeast monsoon (November-March), winds originate from the northeast, pushing the North Equatorial Current southwestward and westward across the Equator. In contrast, the southwest monsoon (May-September) brings winds from the southwest, causing a reversal in current direction. This cyclical shift in wind patterns directly impacts the flow of ocean currents, making the Indian Ocean distinct from other major oceans.
Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
As the reversal of ocean currents in the Indian Ocean is caused by seasonal monsoon winds and not the ocean’s size. As the Indian Ocean is not landlocked though it is bordered by Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent. It is because salinity variations do not primarily cause the reversal of currents.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1997
(b) Indian Ocean has monsoon drift
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Oceanography?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Oceanography (Geography), asked from 1996 to 2024. 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 Oceanography?
Questions on Oceanography (Geography) are available for 15 years, from 1996 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
