Mock Test Paper - 3 (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 'karst topography'. Discuss its characteristic features and landforms.
(b) Explain the concept of 'urban heat island'. Highlight its causes and impacts with recent examples.
(c) (PYQ) When corals are affected by stress, it causes them to turn completely white. Explain the reasons for such an occurrence.
(d) Discuss the role of permafrost in shaping Arctic ecosystems and its vulnerability to climate change.
(e) Elaborate on the concept of 'geomorphic threshold' with suitable examples.

Q2.
(a) Changing patterns of land use due to urbanization have led to ecological imbalances. Discuss with examples from 2024/2025. (20 marks)
(b) Explain how atmospheric stability and instability influence weather phenomena, with suitable examples. (15 marks)
(c) Describe the significance of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating global climate, citing recent case studies. (15 marks)

Q3.
(a) Analyze the role of plate tectonics in shaping volcanic landforms, with examples from recent volcanic activity. (20 marks)
(b) (PYQ) Discuss the role of Slope, Altitude, and Relief (SAR) in landscape development. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the formation and ecological significance of wetlands, with examples from India. (15 marks)

Q4.
(a) Discuss the impact of global warming on glacial retreat and its consequences for water resources, with recent case studies. (20 marks)
(b) (PYQ) Describe how short-term variations in temperature are related to the processes of receiving energy from the sun to the Earth’s surface and dissipating it to the atmosphere. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the concept of 'biogeochemical cycles' and their role in maintaining ecosystem balance. (15 marks)

SECTION B

Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words each: (10 × 5 = 50 marks)
(a) Analyze the impact of digitalization on cultural landscapes in the 21st century.
(b) Discuss the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in shaping regional economies, with examples from India.
(c) Explain the concept of 'smart cities' and their relevance in addressing urban challenges in India.
(d) Examine the influence of globalization on migration patterns, with recent examples.
(e) Describe the significance of 'functional regions' in regional planning, with examples.

Q6.
(a) “Urban sprawl is a major challenge to sustainable development.” Critically examine with examples from 2024/2025. (20 marks)
(b) Discuss the relevance of Christaller’s Central Place Theory in understanding urban systems in India. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the role of renewable energy in addressing regional disparities in energy access. (15 marks)

Q7.
(a) Analyze the impact of climate change on human displacement and migration, with case studies from 2024/2025. (20 marks)
(b) Discuss the significance of transport corridors in fostering economic integration, with examples from India. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the concept of 'carrying capacity' in the context of sustainable tourism, with examples. (15 marks)

Q8.
(a) “Global trade agreements reshape economic geographies.” Critically examine with recent examples. (20 marks)
(b) Discuss the challenges of slum proliferation in Indian cities and suggest sustainable solutions. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the applicability of Harris and Ullman’s Multiple Nuclei Model in modern urban planning. (15 marks)