Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

As per WB Group "Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life." Literacy rate measures educational attainment and predicts future labor force quality. Currently the world average is 87% while India’s literacy rate in 2023 is 77%.

Option (a) is correct: Below is a table summarizing approximate adult literacy rates (percentage of people aged 15 and above) for the four South Asian countries, based on available data from around 2002 and more recent estimates for 2024:

Country Adult Literacy Rate (2002) Adult Literacy Rate (2024) Sri Lanka ~91% ~93% India ~64% ~77% Bangladesh ~48% ~74% Pakistan ~46% ~58% Based on World Bank Data, the sequence of Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) in 2002 was-Sri Lanka(4) > India(2) > Bangladesh(1) > Pakistan(3).

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Recent studies indicate that more than 83 percent of the area under pulses in India is rainfed. Around 2001-02 "about 90 percent" of pulse cultivation in India was under rainfed cultivation. Pulses are often grown in rainfed areas, meaning they rely on rainfall for irrigation rather than artificial irrigation systems. This makes pulse production vulnerable to variations in rainfall. India is the the largest producer and consumer of pulses (25% of global production and 27% of consumption Options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect:

Pulse production has remained stagnant for nearly 40 years. India is the second-largest producer of rice in the world, accounting for about 25-30% of the world’s total rice area. Rice occupies a significant portion of India’s gross cropped area around 23-25% of the gross cropped area in India.

Explanation

HYV seeds played a crucial role in the Green Revolution in India. These varieties, developed by scientists such as Norman Borlaug and further promoted in India by M.S. Swaminathan, are genetically improved to produce significantly higher yields than traditional varieties. They have been instrumental in boosting crop production and achieving food security in the country.

Option (c) is correct:

Arjun is a well-known high-yielding variety of wheat developed in India. It is known for its high yield potential and resistance to certain diseases. Sonalika is another important high-yielding variety of wheat. It is known for its adaptability to different agro-climatic conditions and its relatively shorter growing season. Jaya and Padma are high-yielding variety of rice, not wheat. It was developed in India and played a significant role in the Green Revolution.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 3: 1901-1921 period is often referred to as the "Stagnant Phase" in India’s demographic history. Both birth and death rates were high, leading to minimal population growth. The decade from 1911 to 1921 even witnessed a slight decline in population, primarily due to epidemics, famines, and the influenza pandemic of 1918-19. B is correctly matched with 1: 1921-1951 is known as the "Steady Growth Phase". This period saw a decline in death rates due to improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and transportation. However, birth rates remained high, resulting in a gradual increase in population. The population grew from approximately 251 million in 1921 to 361 million in 1951 C is correctly matched with 2: 1951-1981 is termed as the "Rapid High Growth Phase". This era experienced a significant surge in population. While death rates continued to decline, birth rates remained relatively high, leading to a sharp increase in population numbers. The population nearly doubled during these three decades, rising from about 361 million in 1951 to 683 million in 1981. D is correctly matched with 4: 1981-2001 is characterized by "High Growth with Definite Signs of Slowdown." Although the population continued to grow, the rate of growth began to decel-erate. This slowdown was attributed to a decline in birth rates due to increased adoption of family planning measures and rising awareness about population control. The decadal growth rate decreased from 24.8% during 1971-81 to 21.5% in 1991-2001.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Indian Railways is the fourth largest railway system in the world. The United States, China, and Russia have larger railway networks in terms of total track length.

Statement 2 is correct: National Highways in India make up only about 2% of the total road network but are designed to handle long-distance, high-speed travel. They carry approximately 45% of the country’s total road traffic and transport demand.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Kerala has a well-developed and dense road network but states like Goa and Tripura actually have higher road densities. Therefore, Kerala does not hold the record for the highest surface road density among Indian states.

Statement 4 is correct: Earlier, National Highway 7 (NH 7) was the longest highway in India. Following the renumbering of National Highways, NH 7 was merged into NH 44, which is now the longest National Highway in the country stretching from Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) to Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu)

Explanation

A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from a larger sea or ocean by a barrier, such as a sandbar, coral reef, or barrier island. Lagoons are typically found along coastlines and are connected to the ocean by narrow inlets.

Option (c) is correct: Periyar Lake (Kerala) is an artificial freshwater lake formed by the construction of the Mullaperi-yar Dam on the Periyar River. It is not a lagoon. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Ashtamudi Lake is a brackish water lagoon in Kerala connected to the Arabian Sea. Chilka Lake (Odisha) is the largest brackish water lagoon in India and is connected to the Bay of Bengal. Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) is the second-largest brackish water lagoon in India and is connected to the Bay of Bengal.

Explanation

The climatic data provided matches the conditions of Chennai, which has a tropical wet and dry climate. Chennai experiences an average annual temperature of around 26°C, with a moderate annual temperature range of about 9°C due to its coastal location. The average annual rainfall of 120-140 cm is typical of Chennai, primarily influenced by the Northeast Monsoon. Other locations do not fit this profile: Allahabad and Kolkata have larger temperature ranges due to their continental climates, while Cherrapunji receives significantly higher rainfall, averaging over 450 cm annually. Hence, the station is most likely Chennai.

Explanation

It is a migratory species that travels thousands of miles from South America and other regions to nest on the beaches of Orissa.

Explanation

The mountain areas do not account for above thirty percent of the surface area of the country. Mountainous regions, including the Himalayas and other ranges, account for less than 30% of total surface area. The majority of India’s land area consists of plains (43%) and plateaus (27%). India receives a significant amount of rainfall, and about one-third of its area does receive more than 750 mm of annual rainfall, especially in regions like the Western Ghats, northeastern India, and coastal areas. Wells, including tube wells, are the largest source of irrigation in India, accounting for more than 60% of the irrigated area. Groundwater is extensively used for agriculture. The northern plains of India, formed by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river systems, are predominantly covered by fertile alluvial soil, which is ideal for agriculture.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: Open stunted forests with bushes, small trees, long roots, and sharp thorns or spines are typical features of tropical thorn forests, which thrive in regions with low rainfall (25-75 cm annually) and semi-arid climates. Among the above, Western Andhra Pradesh experiences a dry climate with low rainfall, making it suitable for thorny vegetation such as acacia, babul, and cactus. The trees in these regions develop long roots to reach groundwater and spiny leaves to reduce water loss through transpiration. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Eastern Odisha has a more humid climate due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal and receives higher rainfall. The vegetation here is more likely to be tropical moist deciduous or mangrove forests, not thorn forests. North-Eastern Tamil Nadu, including regions like Chennai, receives moderate rainfall and has a mix of dry deciduous and coastal vegetation. Thorn forests are not predominant here. The Shivalik Hills and Terai region (foothills of the Himalayas) have a subtropical climate with high rainfall. The vegetation here is typically tropical moist deciduous or subtropical forests, not thorn forests.