485 previous year UPSC Prelims Geography questions are on this page, from 1996 to 2025, in 10 chapters. Indian Geography, Human and Economic Geography, the two Places and Locations chapters and Climatology are the largest. Physical geography (climate, oceans, landforms) and location-based pairs are the usual formats. Filter by chapter to revise one area, or by year for a single paper.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 481–485 of 485 questions
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UPSC 1996Geography · Indian Geography
Q481. Consider the following rivers: 1. Kishanganga 2. Ganga 3. Wainganga 4. Penganga The correct sequence of these rivers when arranged in the north-south direction is
Explanation
Kishenganga: This river flows through the Kashmir Valley, which is located in the northernmost region of India. Therefore, it should be placed first. Ganga: The Ganga originates in the Himalayas, in Uttarakhand, flowing through the northern plains. It is the second river in the north-south direction. Wainganga: The Wainganga originates in the Satpura Range of Madhya Pradesh and flows through the central region of India. So it comes next. Penganga: The Penganga flows through Maharashtra and Telangana, which places it in the southernmost position of these rivers.
UPSC 1996Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q482. The Palk Bay lies between:
Explanation
Option (b) is correct:
Palk Bay is a shallow sea area situated between the southeastern coast of India (Tamil Nadu) and the northern coast of Sri Lanka. It connects the Gulf of Mannar (to the south) with the Bay of Bengal (to the north). The Palk Strait, which lies within Palk Bay, separates India from Sri Lanka. The Adam’s Bridge (Ram Setu), a chain of limestone shoals, partially separates Palk Bay from the Gulf of Mannar. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat are located in Gujarat, unrelated to Palk Bay. Lakshadweep and Maldive Islands are island groups in the Arabian Sea, not related to Palk Bay. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, but not relevant to Palk Bay.
UPSC 1996Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q483. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
Project/Location
Type
1. Idukki
Thermal power station
2. Sabarigiri
Hydro-electric project
3. Ghatprabha
Irrigation project
4. Ramganga
Multipurpose project
Choose the correct options from below:
Explanation
Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Idukki is not a thermal power station; it is a hydroelectric project in Kerala. The Idukki Dam, built on the Periyar River, is one of the largest hydroelectric projects in India.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project is a hydropower project in Kerala, located on the Pamba River. It is one of the major hydropower projects in the state.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: Ghatprabha Project is an irrigation project in Karnataka. The Ghatprabha River, a tributary of the Krishna River, is dammed to provide water for irrigation.
Pair 4 is correctly matched: Ramganga Multipurpose Project is located in Uttarakhand, constructed on the Ramganga River. It serves multiple purposes, including irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control.
UPSC 1996Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q484. Which one of the following rivers thrice forks into two streams and reunites a few miles farther on, thus forming the islands of Srirangapattanam, Sivasamudram and Srirangam?
Explanation
The river described above that thrice forks into two streams and reunites is the Cauvery River. It flows through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery River is known for splitting into multiple streams and forming islands:
Srirangapatna (Karnataka): The river splits and encircles the island town, famous for the Ranganathaswamy Temple. Shivanasamudra (Karnataka): The river divides into two branches, forming the Shivanasamudra Falls (Gaganachukki and Barachukki). Srirangam (Tamil Nadu): The river bifurcates and surrounds Srirangam Island, home to the renowned Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest functioning Hindu temple complex. These phenomena occur due to the unique geography and mean-ders of the Cauvery River.
Additional insight:
Tungabhadra River: A major tributary of the Krishna River, formed by the Tunga and Bhadra Rivers. It flows through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, famous for Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Krishna River: One of the longest rivers in India, originating from Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) and flowing through Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh into the Bay of Bengal. It forms islands such as Diviseema. Godavari River: Known as the Dakshina Ganga, it is the second longest river in India, flowing from Trimbak (Maharashtra) through Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari delta is extensive and forms islands like Hope Island.
UPSC 1996Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q485. "You might see a few curious Danes around, but that is because-used to be a Danish outpost. This quaint town with its fort and a beautiful church, the New Jerusalem, empty streets and deserted beach front is a quaint gem." The place referred to in this quotation lies on the:
Explanation
The place referred to in the quotation is Tranquebar (Tharangam-badi), located on the Tamil Nadu coast. It was a Danish colony from 1620 to 1845, when it was sold to the British. Tranquebar is known for its rich colonial heritage, including the Danish Fort (Fort Dansborg), built by the Danish East India Company, which stands as a reminder of Denmark’s presence in India. The New Jerusalem Church, constructed by Danish missionaries, adds to the town’s historical charm. The quaint streets and peaceful beachfront, often deserted, give the town a serene and timeless appeal. No other Indian coast shares a similar Danish colonial history, making the Tamil Nadu coast (Tranquebar) the correct answer.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
481
1996
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4
482
1996
(b) Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal
483
1996
(a) 2, 3, and 4
484
1996
(a) Cauvery
485
1996
(a) Tamil Nadu coast
What UPSC has tested in Geography
Recent papers favour statement-and-explanation pairs on climatology and landforms, such as dust in the atmosphere, isotherms and chalk and rainwater on rocks.
Location questions ask about rivers, lakes, reserves and countries as pairs, often using places seen in the news.
Resource questions combine minerals, crops and States, for example rare earths, cobalt, turmeric and ilmenite.
The 2025 paper’s Geography questions cover continental drift, Andes countries, the equator and the Bering Strait.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Geography?
This page covers 485 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Geography, asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
Which Geography chapters have the most questions?
Indian Geography has the most with 115 questions, then Human and Economic Geography with 89, Places and Locations: World Geography with 79, Places and Locations: Indian Geography with 66, and Climatology with 55.
How can I revise Geography for Prelims using these questions?
Open one chapter at a time with the Chapter filter, attempt the questions, then read the key facts at the end of the page. For location questions, repeat them with a map open to fix the places in memory.
Are map or diagram questions included?
No. Questions that depend on a map, figure or diagram cannot be shown without that figure, so they are left out. Every Geography question here can be answered from its text alone.
