UPSC Mains PYQs on Geophysical Phenomena (GS Paper 1)
Every UPSC Mains question on Geophysical Phenomena 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 12 questions on Geophysical Phenomena (syllabus item 14 of GS Paper 1) between 2013 and 2025, worth 122.5 marks in all, about 1.7 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Cyclone (4), Landslide (3), Twisters (1), Aurora (1). The busiest year was 2024 (4 questions, 50 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 1, item 14: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
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.
Geophysical Phenomena: questions year-wise with marks
2025 1 question · 10 marks
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What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.
2024 4 questions · 50 marks
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What is sea surface temperature rise? How does it affect the formation of tropical cyclones?
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What is the phenomenon of 'cloudbursts'? Explain.
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What is a twister? Why are the majority of twisters observed in areas around the Gulf of Mexico?
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What are aurora australis and aurora borealis? How are these triggered?
2022 1 question · 10 marks
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Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department.
2021 2 questions · 20 marks
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Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats.
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Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on regional environment.
2016 1 question · 12.5 marks
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The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides. Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.
2014 1 question · 10 marks
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Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why?
2013 2 questions · 10 marks
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The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called "Phailin". How are the tropical cyclones named across the world?
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Bring out the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western Ghats
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Geophysical Phenomena at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 1, item 14 (Geography) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 12 (2013-2025), about 1.7 a year |
| Total marks | 122.5 marks |
| Last five years | 8 questions, 90 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 10 marks (7 questions) |
| Directive words | Explain (2), Discuss (1), Suggest (1) |
| Busiest year | 2024 (4 questions, 50 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2024 | 4 | 50 marks |
| 2022 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2021 | 2 | 20 marks |
| 2016 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2014 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2013 | 2 | 10 marks |
| Total | 12 | 122.5 marks |
Microthemes in Geophysical Phenomena
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Cyclone 4 · 35 marks
- Landslide 3 · 27.5 marks
- Twisters 1 · 15 marks
- Aurora 1 · 15 marks
- Tsunami 1 · 10 marks
- Cloudburst 1 · 10 marks
- Volcanic activity 1 · 10 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
- 12. Distribution of Natural Resources 13 · 157.5 marks
- 13. Location of Industries 23 · 270 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 Geophysical Phenomena?
12 questions on Geophysical Phenomena appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 between 2013 and 2025, worth 122.5 marks in all. That is about 1.7 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Geophysical Phenomena microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Geophysical Phenomena are Cyclone (4), Landslide (3), Twisters (1), Aurora (1). 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 Geophysical Phenomena asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Geophysical Phenomena was 2024 (4 questions, 50 marks). The lightest was 2025 (1 questions, 10 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do Geophysical Phenomena questions carry?
Of the 12 questions on Geophysical Phenomena, 2 of 15 marks, 1 of 12.5 marks, 7 of 10 marks, 2 of 5 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 Geophysical Phenomena?
The directive words in the 12 questions on Geophysical Phenomena are Explain (2), Discuss (1), Suggest (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 Geophysical Phenomena important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 8 questions on Geophysical Phenomena, worth 90 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 4, worth 32.5 marks.
Which GS paper does Geophysical Phenomena belong to?
Geophysical Phenomena 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 Geophysical Phenomena 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