Mock Test Paper - 2 (Geography Optional Paper- I): Questions | Geography Optional for UPSC PDF Download

​Please read each of the following instructions before attempting the questions 

1. There are EIGHT questions divided into TWO SECTIONS, printed in ENGLISH.
2. The candidate must attempt FIVE questions in total.
3. Questions number 1 and 5 are compulsory, and from the remaining, any THREE should be attempted, with at least ONE question from each section.
4. The number of marks for each question/part is indicated against it.
5. Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate, which should be stated clearly on the cover of the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) booklet. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.
6. Word limits, where specified, must be adhered to.
7. Answers should be illustrated with appropriate sketches, maps, and diagrams where considered necessary, using the space provided for answering the question itself.
8. Attempts at questions will be counted in sequential order. Any attempt at a question, whether partial or complete, should be marked. If a question is not to be attempted, it must be struck off clearly.

Section A

Q1. Answer the following in about 150 words each: (10 × 5 = 50 marks)
(a) Define "Coriolis Force" and explain its role in atmospheric circulation.
(b) What is marine spatial planning? Discuss its relevance to sustainable ocean resource management.
(c) Explain the process of pedogenesis and its influence on agricultural productivity.
(d) How does the concept of "Bioregionalism" differ from traditional environmentalism?
(e) (PYQ) What are the environmental implications of economic geology? Discuss.

Q2.
(a) "Plate tectonics theory has revolutionized our understanding of Earth's dynamic surface." Elucidate with suitable diagrams. (20 marks)
(b) Discuss the characteristics and climatic impacts of "Jet Streams" with relevant examples. (15 marks)
(c) (PYQ) How are ocean currents generated? Discuss their effects on coastal climates with special reference to the Pacific Ocean. (15 marks)

Q3.
(a) Explain the causes and consequences of sea-level rise due to climate change, with examples from 2024. (20 marks)
(b) Differentiate between weathering and erosion, highlighting their roles in landscape evolution. (15 marks)
(c) Discuss the factors influencing microclimates in urban areas with suitable examples. (15 marks)

Q4.
(a) Analyze the role of monsoons in shaping India's climate and economy, with recent examples from 2025. (20 marks)
(b) (PYQ) Define Peneplains. Describe the landscape features associated with peneplains under different geomorphic cycles. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the significance of permafrost in Arctic ecosystems and its response to global warming. (15 marks)

Section B

Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words each: (10 × 5 = 50 marks)
(a) Discuss the evolution of the concept of "Cultural Landscape" in Human Geography.
(b) Analyze the challenges of food security in Africa with reference to recent crises in 2024.
(c) Explain the role of remittances in the economic development of developing nations.
(d) (PYQ) Has Malthusian Theory been discredited in contemporary times? Justify your answer.
(e) Discuss the concept of "Urban Resilience" in the context of climate change adaptation.

Q6.
(a) Examine the challenges of slum proliferation in megacities of the Global South, with case studies from 2024. (20 marks)
(b) Discuss the relationship between education and human development, citing global indices. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the concept of "Environmental Refugees" with recent examples from 2025. (15 marks)

Q7.
(a) Elucidate Christaller’s Central Place Theory with suitable diagrams and discuss its limitations. (20 marks)
(b) Analyze the role of sustainable agriculture in addressing land degradation. (15 marks)
(c) (PYQ) "The stages of Demographic Transition are a reflection of uneven economic development across the globe." Explain with suitable examples. (15 marks)

Q8.
(a) "Human-environment interaction shapes the spatial organization of rural settlements." Discuss with examples. (20 marks)
(b) Explain the concept of "Economic Regions" and their role in regional planning. (15 marks)
(c) Discuss the geopolitical significance of maritime boundaries in the Indo-Pacific region in 2025. (15 marks)