UPSC Mains PYQs on Distribution of Natural Resources (GS Paper 1)
Every UPSC Mains question on Distribution of Natural Resources between 2013 and 2025 is listed below, newest year first, with the marks it carried. Filter by microtheme to see one idea across all the years.
By Team MaargX UPSC · UPSC Mains 2013-2025
Short answer: UPSC has asked 13 questions on Distribution of Natural Resources (syllabus item 12 of GS Paper 1) between 2013 and 2025, worth 157.5 marks in all, about 1.4 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Energy (8), Natural resources Potential (5). The busiest year was 2025 (3 questions, 40 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 1, item 12: Distribution of key Natural Resources (world, South Asia and Indian subcontinent)
Find Questions by GS Paper, Syllabus Topic and Microtheme
Step 1 paper → Step 2 syllabus topic → Step 3 subject → Step 4 microtheme. Each step opens after the one before it.
Distribution of Natural Resources: questions year-wise with marks
2025 3 questions · 40 marks
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Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.
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Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of off-shore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the on-shore occurrences of oil reserves?
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Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.
2023 1 question · 15 marks
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Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas.
2022 2 questions · 20 marks
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Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.
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Discuss the natural resource potentials of 'Deccan Trap'.
2021 1 question · 15 marks
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Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distribution of mineraloil in the world.
2020 1 question · 15 marks
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India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its development. Elaborate.
2018 1 question · 10 marks
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Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic Region?
2015 1 question · 12.5 marks
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What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences?
2014 1 question · 10 marks
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How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa?
2013 2 questions · 20 marks
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It is said the India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of country for quarter century. However, tapping of the resources doesn't appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved.
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With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Distribution of Natural Resources at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 1, item 12 (Geography) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 13 (2013-2025), about 1.4 a year |
| Total marks | 157.5 marks |
| Last five years | 7 questions, 90 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 10 marks (7 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (4), Explain (2), Highlight (1), Elaborate (1) |
| Busiest year | 2025 (3 questions, 40 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 40 marks |
| 2023 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2022 | 2 | 20 marks |
| 2021 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2018 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2015 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2014 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2013 | 2 | 20 marks |
| Total | 13 | 157.5 marks |
Microthemes in Distribution of Natural Resources
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Energy 8 · 97.5 marks
- Natural resources Potential 5 · 60 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 1
- 01. Indian Art, Culture and Literature 33 · 380 marks
- 02. Modern Indian History 20 · 230 marks
- 03. Freedom Struggle 10 · 125 marks
- 04. Post-Independence Consolidation 11 · 127.5 marks
- 05. World History 17 · 207.5 marks
- 06. Indian Society and Diversity 18 · 220 marks
- 07. Women, Population and Poverty 22 · 262.5 marks
- 08. Urbanisation 15 · 182.5 marks
- 09. Globalisation and Indian Society 10 · 135 marks
- 10. Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism 19 · 232.5 marks
- 11. World Physical Geography 23 · 252.5 marks
- 13. Location of Industries 23 · 270 marks
- 14. Geophysical Phenomena 12 · 122.5 marks
- 15. Geographical Features and Their Changes 24 · 300 marks
How to Use Mains PYQs Topic Wise
- Start with the microthemes. Open a topic and read its microtheme list. The ones with the most questions are the ideas UPSC returns to.
- Read the demand words. Note how questions begin: discuss, examine, critically analyse, comment. Each asks for a different answer structure.
- Write by marks. A 10-mark question needs a tight answer of about 150 words, and a 15-mark question about 250 words.
- Cover all years of a microtheme. Write the oldest and the latest question on the same microtheme, and see how the angle changed.
- Revise and rewrite. Revise the topic from the notes, and write the same question again after a week.
For the method in full, read the Mains answer writing strategy. The official papers are on our UPSC PYQs page.
Questions are shown as printed in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) General Studies papers of 2013-2025. The grouping into topics and microthemes is by Team MaargX UPSC. Check any wording against the official paper on upsc.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Mains questions have been asked on Distribution of Natural Resources?
13 questions on Distribution of Natural Resources appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 between 2013 and 2025, worth 157.5 marks in all. That is about 1.4 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Distribution of Natural Resources microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Distribution of Natural Resources are Energy (8), Natural resources Potential (5). The number in brackets is how many questions each has had since 2013. Use the microtheme filter to see all of them together, year by year, with marks.
In which year was Distribution of Natural Resources asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Distribution of Natural Resources was 2025 (3 questions, 40 marks). The lightest was 2023 (1 questions, 15 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do Distribution of Natural Resources questions carry?
Of the 13 questions on Distribution of Natural Resources, 5 of 15 marks, 1 of 12.5 marks, 7 of 10 marks. Plan your word limit by marks: 10-marker answers run to about 150 words and 15-marker answers to about 250 words.
What kind of questions does UPSC ask on Distribution of Natural Resources?
The directive words in the 13 questions on Distribution of Natural Resources are Discuss (4), Explain (2), Highlight (1), Elaborate (1). Match your answer to the word: discuss and examine want both sides with a conclusion, while comment and critically analyse want a reasoned stand.
Is Distribution of Natural Resources important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 7 questions on Distribution of Natural Resources, worth 90 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 4, worth 42.5 marks.
Which GS paper does Distribution of Natural Resources belong to?
Distribution of Natural Resources belongs to UPSC Mains GS Paper 1, titled Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society. The questions on this page are all from that paper.
How should I use these Distribution of Natural Resources PYQs?
Read the microtheme list first, then pick one and write two or three answers in the time limit. Compare each with what the question demands (discuss, examine, critically analyse). Revise the topic from the Maarg Manthan notes and write the same question again after a week.
Official Sources
These are the primary sources behind this page. Rules, dates and papers can change, so confirm them on the official pages.
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers (Archives)
- UPSC: Revised Syllabus and Scheme
- UPSC: Civil Services Examination Rules