Geography Previous Year Questions – Topic Wise (UPSC Prelims 1995–2024)
Explore the topic-wise compilation of Geography Previous Year Questions (PYQs) asked in UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination from 1995 to 2024. This classification helps you study efficiently by focusing on frequently tested areas within Indian and World Geography.
| Sr. No. | Topic Name | Previous Year Questions |
|---|---|---|
| A) | Physical Geography | Click Here |
| B) | Climatology | Click Here |
| C) | Oceanography | Click Here |
| D) | Indian Geography: Map-Based Questions | Click Here |
| E) | Indian Geography: Mountains, Glaciers and Associated Landforms | Click Here |
| F) | Indian Geography: Rocks, Soil, Minerals and Other Natural Resources | Click Here |
| G) | Indian Geography: Rivers, Lakes and Lagoons | Click Here |
| H) | Indian Geography: Location, Climate, Forests etc | Click Here |
| I) | Indian Geography: Agriculture | Click Here |
| J) | Indian Geography: Roads, Railways, Ports and Airports | Click Here |
| K) | Indian Geography: Industries and Other Major Projects | Click Here |
| L) | World Geography: Geographical Features and Natural Resources | Click Here |
| M) | World Geography: Map-Based Questions | Click Here |
Topic-Wise Weightage Analysis (2011–2024)
| Topic | % of Questions (2011–2024) | % of Questions (2022–2024) | No. of Questions (2011–2024) | No. of Questions (2022–2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Geography – Geomorphology | 11% | 14% | 16 | 6 |
| Physical Geography – Climatology | 18% | 19% | 27 | 8 |
| Physical Geography – Oceanography | 8% | 5% | 12 | 2 |
| Indian Geography – Map Based Questions | 4% | 0% | 6 | 0 |
| Indian Geography – Mountains & Glaciers | 5% | 5% | 7 | 2 |
| Indian Geography – Soil, Rocks, Minerals | 6% | 2% | 9 | 1 |
| Indian Geography – Rivers & Lakes | 13% | 12% | 20 | 5 |
| Indian Geography – Location & Forests | 6% | 2% | 9 | 1 |
| Indian Geography – Agriculture | 13% | 5% | 19 | 2 |
| Indian Geography – Transport | 3% | 7% | 4 | 3 |
| Indian Geography – Industries | 0% | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| World Geography – Natural Resources | 6% | 17% | 9 | 7 |
| World Geography – Map Based | 9% | 12% | 13 | 5 |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 151 | 42 |
About Geography PYQs
Each year, around 8–10 questions in the UPSC Prelims come from Geography. Most of these are static in nature, especially topics related to India’s physical geography. Only a few map-based questions appear occasionally.
Geography – Detailed Topic Wise Syllabus Based on PYQs
- Physical Geography: The earth, origin, evolution, the interior of the earth, distribution of oceans and land, earthquakes, vulcanism, planetary system, important landforms, rocks, soil and minerals, geomorphic processes
- Climatology: Atmosphere, climate, rains, clouds, cyclones, winds, insolation various climates and associated forest types
- Oceanography: Oceanography, oceans and associated landforms, ocean currents, and other related geographical features e.g. tides, isobars and isotherms etc.
- Indian Geography: Map-Based Questions: Questions that can be answered on the basis of knowledge of India’s map, important places, state boundaries, longitude/latitude etc.
- Indian Geography: Mountains, Glaciers and Associated Landforms: Indian geography – hills, mountain ranges and glaciers, associated landforms like valleys, passes etc.
- Indian Geography: Rocks, Soil, Minerals and Other Natural Resources: Indian geography – soil, soil types and their distribution, rocks and minerals, distribution of other natural resources
- Indian Geography: Rivers, Lakes and Lagoons: Indian geography – important rivers, tributaries and river basins, associated landforms, lakes and lagoons
- Indian Geography: Location, Climate, Forests etc: Indian geography – important geographical features, climate types in India, different forest types, monsoon
- Indian Geography: Agriculture: Important crops, their seasons, their production, major crop-producing areas, irrigation, various agriculture techniques etc.
- Indian Geography: Roads, Railways, Ports and Airports: Indian geography – Indian transport system, roads, railways, airports, river and sea ports.
- Indian Geography: Industries and Other Major Projects: Indian geography – location of major industries and large projects e.g. dams, electricity generation plants, irrigation projects etc.
- World Geography: Geographical Features and Natural Resources: World geography – important geographical features – mountains, rivers, trenches, deserts, oceans etc., important places, distribution of natural resources
- World Geography: Map-Based Questions: Questions that can be answered on the basis of knowledge of the world map, important countries and cities, national boundaries, longitude/latitude, and location of important geographical features.
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