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 71–80 of 485 questions
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UPSC 2018Geography · Oceanography
Q71. Consider the following statements: 1. Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters. 2. More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines. 3. Coral reefs host far more animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Coral reefs predominantly thrive in warm, shallow waters, typically between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn (30°N to 30°S latitude). These tropical regions provide the ideal conditions--such as appropriate temperature, light, and salinity--for coral growth. The warm water temperatures are essential for the symbiotic relationship between coral polyps and the algae (zooxanthellae) that live within their tissues.
Statement 2 is correct: The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, along with coral reef systems in Indonesia and the Philippines (part of the Coral Triangle), collectively account for more than one-third of the world’s coral reefs. These regions are globally renowned for their extensive and diverse coral systems.
Statement 3 is correct: Coral reefs are among the most bio-diverse ecosystems on Earth, hosting over 25,000 described species from 32 of the 33 known animal phyla, which is more than the number of animal phyla found in tropical rainforests.
UPSC 2018Geography · Human and Economic Geography
Q72. Consider the following statements: 1. In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-coal mines. 2. Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have gold mines. 3. Rajasthan has iron ore mines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: According to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015 (MMDR Amendment Act), state governments have the power to auction non-coal mines. The central government sets the guidelines for the auction process, but the actual auction of non-coal mines is conducted by the state governments.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do have gold mines. Andhra Pradesh: Gold is found in Ramagiri in the Anantapur district. Jharkhand: Both alluvial and native gold are present, with alluvial gold found in the sands of the Subarnarekha River and Sona Nadi, and native gold found near Lowa in the Singhbhum district. Largest gold ore deposits in India are found in Bihar (based on recent discovery but not certified yet by GSI), Rajasthan, and Karnataka with Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand having smaller reserves.
Statement 3 is correct: Rajasthan has significant iron ore deposits. Iron ore deposits, primarily hematite and magnetite, are found in Rajasthan, specifically in districts like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Bhilwara, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa, and Banswara. These deposits contribute to the production of iron in India.
Exam tip:
For S1, Mining is a State subject, so logically, States should have control over mineral auctions except where central laws specify otherwise. And Non-coal minerals is a big basket including minor minerals, it would be absurd to keep state governments out it, hence likely false.
UPSC 2018Geography · Indian Geography
Q73. Which one of the following is an artificial lake?
Explanation
Kodaikanal Lake, also known as Kodai Lake is a man-made lake (artificial) located in the Kodaikanal city in Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu, India. The lake was built in 1863, in the middle of Kodaikanal town. Sir Vere Henry Levinge, the then Collector of Madurai, had a key role in its construction. The lake is star-shaped, centrally located in the town of Kodaikanal and is surrounded by lush green hills of the northwestern Palani Hills range. It is fed by several small streams from the Palani Hills.
Option (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
Kolleru Lake is a large, natural, shallow freshwater lake located in the northeastern part of Andhra Pradesh, between the Krishna and Godavari deltas. It is designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site due to its ecological importance. It is a natural lake formed by the accumulation of river waters and is a major habitat for migratory birds. Nainital lake is a natural lake and was formed due to tectonic movements. It is a natural, kidney-shaped, tectonic lake formed due to geological movements. It is part of the Kumaon Lake Region and is a popular tourist destination. The Renuka Lake is located in Himachal Pradesh and holds cultural and spiritual significance. It is regarded as the embodiment of Renukaji, the wife of sage Jamadagini and mother of Parshuram. This placid stretch of water is fed by underground springs and the surrounding hills are padded by lush forests that support a large variety of plant and animal life.
UPSC 2018Geography · Indian Geography
Q74. Consider the following statements: 1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in Indian territory. 2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar. 3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Barren Island is India’s only active volcano and is located in the Andaman Sea, within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It belongs to the volcanic arc of the Sunda Trench and is part of the Andaman Subduction Zone which makes it seismically active.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Barren Island is located about 140 km northeast of Port Blair (the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands), not Great Nicobar. Great Nicobar is located far south of the Andaman Islands, whereas Barren Island is in the northern Andaman Sea.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Barren Island volcano has erupted multiple times after 1991. Significant eruptions were recorded in 1994-1995, 2005, 2009, and most recently in 2017-2018. Thus, it has not remained inactive since 1991.
Exam tip:
When S1 says its active volcano and S3 says its inactive since approx 27 years, that means both statements clearly contradicts. Its a active volcano is a well known fact as being the "only" active one in India, thus S3 is more likely false, giving
option A as correct.
UPSC 2018Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q75. Among the following cities, which one lies on a longitude closest to that of Delhi?
Explanation
Bengaluru located at 77.5946°E is approximately 0.378 degrees east of Delhi is closest to Delhi. Longitude of Indian Cities:
The longitude of Delhi is 77.216721°E The longitude of Bangalore is 77.59450 E. The longitude of Nagpur is 79.0888°E. The longitude of Pune is 73.8474" E.
UPSC 2018Geography · Places and Locations: World Geography
Q76. Which of the following has/have shrunk immensely/ dried up the recent past due to human activities? 1. Aral Sea 2. Black Sea 3. Lake Baikal Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Option (a) is correct: The Aral Sea has experienced a dramatic reduction in size due to the diversion of its feeding rivers for irrigation purposes. The Aral Sea is a salt lake in Central Asia which was previously the fourth-largest salt lake in the world. It started to shrink in the 1960s as a result of the Soviet Union starting to divert water for agricultural use. According to NASA, water diversion for agricultural purposes in the region has caused the Aral Sea to lose nearly 75% of its original size during the past 50 years. The Aral Sea’s depth has similarly dropped, going from 68 metres in the 1960s to less than 10 meters now.
Additional insight:
The Black Sea is a large inland sea connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the Bosporus Strait. It has not experienced significant shrinkage or drying due to human activities. Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest and oldest freshwater lake, has faced environmental concerns, including pollution and invasive species. But it has not experienced significant shrinkage or drying in recent times.
UPSC 2018Geography · Places and Locations: World Geography
Q77. Consider the following pairs: Regions sometimes mentioned in news - Country 1. Catalonia - Spain 2. Crimea - Hungary 3. Mindanao - Philippines 4. Oromia - Nigeria Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation
Pair 1 is correctly matched: Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain. It comprises of four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. It has a distinct history, culture, and language, with Catalan being widely spoken. Catalonia has pursued greater autonomy and independence in recent years, leading to political tensions with the Spanish government.
Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe and has no territorial claims or historical association with Crimea. It is a peninsula located on the northern coast of the Black Sea. In 1954, it was transferred from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: Mindanao is an island located in the Philippines. It is surrounded by the Bohol, Philippine, Cele-bes, and Sulu seas. It is known for its rich cultural diversity, with various indigenous groups and a significant Muslim population.
Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Oromia is a regional state in Ethiopia, not Nigeria. It is the largest and most populous region in Ethiopia, predominantly inhabited by the Oromo people which is the largest ethnic group in the country. Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in Eastern Africa.
UPSC 2018Geography · Places and Locations: World Geography
Q78. Consider the following pairs: Towns sometimes mentioned in news Country 1. Aleppo - Syria 2. Kirkuk - Yemen 3. Mosul - Palestine 4. Mazar-i-sharif - Afghanistan Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation
Option 1 is correct: Aleppo is a major city in northern Syria. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It has been a focal point in the Syrian Civil War, experiencing significant destruction and humanitarian crises.
Option 2 is incorrect: Kirkuk is a city in northern Iraq and not Yemen. It is known for its ethnic diversity and significant oil re-serves. The city has been a point of contention due to its strategic importance and the presence of various ethnic groups such as Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen.
Option 3 is incorrect: Mosul is a city in northern Iraq, not Palestine. It has been a significant cultural and economic center in Iraq. It was occupied by ISIS from 2014 to 2017, leading to extensive damage and loss of life.
Option 4 is correct: Mazar-i-Sharif is a city in northern Afghanistan. It known for its cultural significance and the Shrine of Hazrat Ali
UPSC 2017Geography · Oceanography
Q79. With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’ sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean. 2.An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’s impact on the monsoon. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Ocean Dipole(IOD) is defined by the difference in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) between the western and eastern parts of the Indian Ocean, not the Pacific Ocean. Specifically, it involves the SST gradient between the western equatorial Indian Ocean (50°E-70°E and 10°S-10°N) and the southeastern equatorial Indian Ocean (90°E-110°E and 10°S-0°N).
Statement 2 is correct: A positive IOD (warmer SST in the western Indian Ocean) can help mitigate the adverse effects of El Niño on the Indian monsoon by enhancing monsoonal rainfall. Conversely, a negative IOD (warmer SST in the eastern Indian Ocean) can exacerbate El Niño’s drought-like conditions over India.
Exam tip:
For S1, It’s called the Indian Ocean Dipole, so logically, it should involve two regions within the Indian Ocean, not the Pacific. So mentioning the Eastern Pacific is a red flag and likely false. For S2, phrase "can influence" is way too general to be called false. Atmospheric phenomenons are complex and related Hence likely true.
UPSC 2017Geography · Indian Geography
Q80. With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: 1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim. 2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta. 3. River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Teesta River originates from the Tso Lhamo Lake in North Sikkim, near the Khangse Glacier. The Brahmaputra River originates from the Angsi Glacier in Tibet. Thus, their sources are not the same. The Teesta River flows through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.
Statement 2 is correct: River Rangeet originates from the Himalayas in West Sikkim and is the largest tributary of Teesta River. It joins the Teesta at Melli near the border of Sikkim and West Bengal.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Teesta River does not flow directly into the Bay of Bengal. It joins the Brahmaputra River (called Jamuna in Bangladesh) before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. The Teesta meets the Jamuna near Fulchhari in Bangladesh and then the combined flow reaches the Bay of Bengal.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
71
2018
(d) 1, 2 and 3
72
2018
(d) 3 only
73
2018
(a) Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)
74
2018
(a) 1 only
75
2018
(a) Bengaluru
76
2018
(a) 1 only
77
2018
(c) 1 and 3 only
78
2018
(b) 1 and 4
79
2017
(b) 2 only
80
2017
(b) 2 only
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.
