GEOGRAPHY of World and India
Dear Friends,
Geography has been the favorite subject of
UPSC since long time. On an average 15 to 20% of the questions are being asked
from this subject. However, the type of questions asked in the exam underwent
change. The latest trend is that most of the questions are given based on the
relevance of the questions to the society or functioning of the Government
officers in the field. GK elements have been mixed with the geographic facts
and current events and questions are being framed on them. Before analyzing the
questions, have a look at the questions appeared in the CSP of last two years. The
correct options are blocked.
I hope the following analysis may help you
in scoring maximum marks in the Geography. I have covered paper-I of the schedule
given in my blog and 4 more tests are going to be placed in the blog for your benefit.
Wish you best of luck…
Yours friendly
B.YADAGIRI, IRS.,
Joint Commissioner of Income-Tax,
Mumbai.
CSP 2013: Indian and World Geography
1. Which one of the following pairs is
correctly matched?
Geographical Feature
|
Region
|
|
A
|
Abyssinian Plateau
|
Arabia
|
B
|
Atlas Mountains
|
North Western Africa
|
C
|
Guiana Highlands
|
South Western Africa
|
D
|
Okavango Basin
|
Patagonia
|
2. Variations in the length of daytime
and nighttime from season to season are due to
A.
The earth’s rotation on its axis.
B.
The earth’s revolution round.
C.
Latitudinal position of the place.
D.
Revolution of the earth on a titled axis.
3. The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large
peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why?
1.
It occupies a linear rift valley.
2.
It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras.
3.
The land slopes to the west from Central India.
Select the correct answer using the codes
given below.
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 C.
1 and 3 D.
None
4. On the planet earth, most of the
freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining
freshwater, the largest proportion.
A. Is found in
atmosphere as moisture and clouds.
B. Is found in
freshwater lakes and rivers.
C. Exists as
groundwater.
D. Exists as soil moisture.
5. Consider the following pairs:
1
|
Nokrek Bio-sphere Reserve
|
Garo Hills
|
2
|
Logtak (Loktak) lake
|
Barai Range
|
3
|
Namdapha National Park
|
Dalfa Hills
|
Which of the above pairs is / are
correctly matched?
A. 1 only B.
2 and 3 only C. 1,
2 and 3 D.
None
6. Consider
the following:
1.
Electromagnetic radiation
2.
Geothermal energy
3.
Gravitational force
4.
Plate movements
5.
Rotation of the earth
6.
Revolution of the earth
Which of the above
are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?
A. 1,2,3 and 4 B.1,3,5 and 6 C.2,4,5 and 6 D.1,2,3,4,5
and 6
7. Contour-bunding is a method of soil conservation
used in
A.
Desert margins, liable to strong wind action.
B.
Low flat plains close to stream courses, liable to flooding.
C.
Scrublands, liable to spread of weed growth.
D.
None of the above.
8. The most important fishing grounds of the world
are found in the regions where
A.
warm and cold atmospheric currents meet.
B.
rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea.
C.
warm and cold oceanic currents meet.
D.
continental shelf is undulating.
9. Which of the following is / are unique
characteristic / characteristics of equatorial forests?
1.
Presence of tall closely set trees with crowns forming a continuous
Canopy.
2.
Coexistence of a large number of species.
3.
Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes.
Select the correct answer using the code
given below.
A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2
and 3
10. The annual range of temperature in the interior
of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is / are the
reason / reasons?
1.
Thermal difference between land and water.
2.
Variation in altitude between continents and oceans
3.
Presence of strong winds in the interior.
4.
Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts.
Select the correct answer using the code
given below.
A. 1
only B.
1 and 2
only
C. 2 and 3 D. 1, 2, 3 and
4
11. Which
of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct?
1.
They are generally red in colour.
2.
They are rich in nitrogen and potash.
3.
They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP.
4.
Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils.
Select the correct answer using the code
given below.
A. 1, 2 and 3 B.
2, 3 and 3 C.
1 and 4 D. 2 and 3
12. Consider
the following statements:
1.
Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds.
2.
Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma.
3.
Dharwars are famous for petroleum.
Which of the statements given above is / are
correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given
below.
A. 1 and 2 B.
2 only
C. 2 and 3 D.
None
13. Consider
the following crops:
1.
Cotton
2.
Groundnut
3. Rice
4. Wheat
Which of these are Kharif crops?
A. 1
and 4 B.
2 and 3 C. 1, 2 and 3 D.
2, 3 and 4
14. “Climate
is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders”.
The above statement best describes which of the
following regions?
A.
African Savannah
B
Central Asian Steppe
C.
North American Prairie
D.
Siberian Tundra
15. During
a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the
1.
Meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky.
2.
Lightning that separates the nimbus clouds.
3.
Violent upward movement of air and water particles.
Select the correct answer using the codes given
below.
A. 1 only
B.
2 and 3
C.
1 and 3
D. None of the above produces the thunder.
16. Consider the following pairs:
Tribe
|
State
|
|
1
|
Limboo (Limbu)
|
Sikkim
|
2
|
Karbi
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
3
|
Dongaria Kondh
|
Odisha
|
4
|
Bonda
|
Tamil Nadu
|
Which of
the above pairs are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 3 only B.
2 and 4 only C. 1, 3 and 4
only D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
*****
CSP 2014: Indian and World Geography
1.
What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production
known as ‘Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative?
1. Seed cost is very low in this
compared to the conventional method of cultivation.
2. Drip irrigation can be practiced
very effectively in this.
3. There is no application of
chemical/inorganic fertilizers at all in this.
4. The scope for intercropping is more
in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.
Subject
the correct answer using the code given below.
a. 1 and 3 only b.
1, 2 and 4 only c. 2, 3 and
4 only d. 1, 2, 3 and 4
2.
Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the
‘Ten Degree Channel?
a. Andaman and Nicobar
b. Nicobar and Sumatra
c. Maldives and Lakshadweep
d. Sumatra and Java
3.
Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of
organisms?
1. Continental drift
2. Glacial cycles
Select the correct answer using the
code given below.
a. 1 only b. 2 only c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1
nor 2
4.
If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the
following plants
naturally growing there ?
1. Oak
2. Rhododendron
3. Sandalwood
Select the correct answer using the
code given below.
a. 1 and 2 only b. 3
only c. 1 and
3 only d. 1,
2 and 3
5.
Consider the following countries:
1. Denmark
2. Japan
3. Russian Federation
4. United Kingdom
5. United States of America
Which of the above are the members of the
‘Arctic Council?
a. 1, 2 and 3 b. 2,
3 and 4 c.
1, 4
and 5 d.
1, 3
and 5
6.
With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following
statements:
1. They live mainly in the State of
Uttarakhand
2. They rear the Pashmina goats that
yield a fine wool
3. They are kept in the category of
Scheduled Tribes.
Which of the statements given above
is/are correct?
a. 1 only b.
2 and 3 only c. 3 only d. 1,
2 and 3
7.
In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or
animals feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed
significance. Which one of the following
statements is correct in this context?
a. The oil extracted from seeds is used in the manufacture of
biodegradable plastics
b. The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale
gas
c. The
leaf extract of this plant has the properties of antihistamines
d. It is a source of high quality biodiesel
8.
Which of the following have coral reefs?
1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2. Gulf of
Kachchh
3. Gulf of
Mannar
4. Sunder
bans
Select the correct answer using the code given
below.
a. 1, 2 and 3 only
b. 2 and
4 only c. 1
and 3 only
d. 1, 2, 3
and 4
9.
In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the
following?
1. Terrace cultivation
2. Deforestation
3. Tropical climate
Select the correct answer using the
code given below.
a. 1 and 2 only b. 2 only c. 1
and 3 only d. 1, 2 and 3
10.
The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of
(a) Equatorial climate
(b) Mediterranean climate
(c)
Monsoons
climate
(d)All of the above climates
11.
Consider the following rivers:
1. Barak
2. Lohit
3. Subansiri
Which of the above flows/flow
through Arunachal Pradesh?
a. 1
only b. 2 and 3 only c. 1 and
3 only d. 1,
2 and 3
12.
Consider the following pairs:
Hills Region
1. Cardamon Hills Coromandel Coast
2. Kaimur Hills Konkan Coast
3. Mahadeo Hills Central India
4. Mikir Hills North-East India
Which of the above pairs are correctly
matched?
a. 1 and 2 b. 2
and 3 c. 3
and 4 d. 2 and 4
13.
Turkey is located between
(a) Black Sea and Caspian Sea
(b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
(c) Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea
(d)Guld of Aqaba and Dead Sea
14.
What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in
South-East Asia as
one proceeds from south to north ?
1. Bangkok
2. Hanoi
3. Jakarta
4. Singapore
Select the correct answer using the
code given below,
a. 4-2-1-3 b. 3-2-4-1 c. 3-4-1-2 d. 4-3-2-1
15.
What are the benefits of implementing the ‘Integrated Watershed
Development
Programme?
1. Prevention of soil runoff
2. Linking the country’s perennial
rivers with seasonal rivers
3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of
groundwater table
4. Regeneration of natural vegetation
Select the correct answer using the
code given below.
a.
1 and
2 only b. 2,
3 and 4 only c.
1, 3
and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3
and 4
16.
Consider the following pairs:
Region
|
Well known for the production of
|
1. Kinnaur
|
Areca nut
|
2 .Mewat
|
Mango
|
3 .Coromondal
|
Soya Bean
|
Which of the above pairs is/are
correctly matched?
a. 1 and 2 only b. 3 only c. 1, 2 and 3 d.
None
17. Consider the following
statements:
1.
Maize can be used for the production of starch
2. Oil extracted from maize can be a
feedstock for biodiesel
3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced
by using maize
Which of the statements given above
is/are correct?
a. 1 only b. 1 and 2 only c. 2 and 3 only d.
1, 2 and 3
18.
In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the
‘Seed Replacement Rates’ or various crops helps in achieving the food
productions targets of the future. But
what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation?
1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place
2. There
is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality
Seeds of vegetables and planting materials
of horticultural crops.
3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding
quality seeds in case of low value and
High volume crops.
Select the correct answer using the
code given below:
a. 1 and 2 b. 3 only c. 2 and 3
d. None
*****
World and Indian Geography CSP 2013 and 2014:
Topic-wise Analysis
CSP
2013
|
CSP
2014
|
|||
1
|
Basics
of Universe and Earth
|
Q. Nos
as above
|
Q. Nos
as above
|
|
1
|
Universe,
Solar system and Earth movements
|
2
|
0
|
|
2
|
Different
spheres such as Atmosphere, Hydrosphere and Biosphere; Temperature etc.
|
4, 10 and 15
|
0
|
|
3
|
Plate
tectonics, Earth science, Geological time scale etc.
|
0
|
3
|
|
Sub total
|
04
|
01
|
||
2
|
Physical
Geography
|
|||
1
|
Relief
features such as Mountains, Plateaus, Hills etc. and Forests, Biospheres etc.
|
1, 3, 5 and 9
|
2, 4, 5, 8, 11 and 12
|
|
2
|
Weather
and Climate; World climate types and their distribution and characteristics
|
14
|
10
|
|
3
|
Agriculture:
Crops, Cropping patterns and Green Revolution etc.
|
13
|
1, 9 and 18
|
|
4
|
Soils
and related topics such as soil erosion and their conservation methods
|
6 and 11
|
15
|
|
5
|
Location
of continents, countries, capitals and map pointing
|
5
|
13 and 14
|
|
Sub total
|
09
|
13
|
||
3
|
Oceanography
|
8
|
0
|
|
Sub-total
|
01
|
0
|
||
5
|
Human
Geography
|
16
|
6
|
|
Sub total
|
01
|
01
|
||
6
|
Economic
Geography Distribution of key mineral and non-mineral resources; Spread of
industries and service sector
|
12
|
7, 16 and 17
|
|
Sub-total
|
01
|
03
|
||
Total Questions
|
16
|
18
|
Note:
The total syllabus has been divided into 6 sub-topics for the sake of
convenience. The questions appeared in CSP for the past two years are grouped
under these sub-topics. Sub-totals indicate the number of questions appeared from the each
sub-category. The CSP 2013 and 2014 had 16 [16%] and 18 [18%] questions from
Geography respectively.
Trends observed in the questions of CSP:
1. Objective of achieving
alleged level playing field:
The most important factor in the preparation for CSP is that one shall understand
the philosophy or rationale of UPSC in setting the paper and appreciating the
latest trends on the matter. It appears that UPSC wanted to provide a level
playing field for those in coaching and those under self-preparation. The UPSC
is setting easy questions or not giving any question on those areas which are
covered extensively in coaching centers. The questions are set on general
principles which students generally avoid reading or most of them not thinking
beyond the Notes of the coaching institutions. In other words, one shall use
the common sense and apply basics learnt to derive the correct answer in the
specified time allowed. While preparing or reading any topic, one shall always
have a probing mind to question the practical aspect of the issue and utility
in the society. The questions on breakup of the total fresh water availability
on the Earth, contour-bunding, soil reclamation, watershed management; Question
number 4 on the type of trees on the basis of altitude etc.
2. Most of the
questions are on the basis of current issues:
Most of the current events and the places in limelight
or news are utilized to ask questions. In this connection, let us see certain
important events those took place and how the questions are asked on that
basis.
ü Chinese incursions into Indian land in Arunachal Pradesh. The question
set on this event is Q.No.11 in CSP 2014
ü Tensions in South China Sea over the dispute on spratly islands among
some South East Asian Nations and China. The question set on this event is
Q.No.14 in CSP 2014
ü Dispute on Crimea between Ukraine and EU and USA on one side and Russia
on another. The question set on this event is Q.No.5 and 13 in CSP 2014.
ü Elnino. The question set on this event is Q.No.10 in CSP 2014
ü Missing of Malaysian aircraft and search in Indian Ocean and Andaman
Sea. The question set on this event is
Q.No.2 in CSP 2014
ü The production of shale gas oil by USA resulted in plummeting of world
crude oil prices. The question set on this event is Q.No.7 in CSP 2014
ü Shortage of seeds and issue of fake seeds and further much debate on GM
crops etc. The question set on this event is Q.No.18 in CSP 2014
ü The others may be based on some current event which I’m not able to
comprehend or certain questions need to be covered from traditional syllabus
also.
3.
Others:
All the policies of the Government on the issues of
importance to your syllabus, is very important. Any new initiative of the GOI,
any new policy under discussion or in contemplation of the Govt. is very
important for your exam. The Fertilizer Policy, Seed Policy etc. are very
important from Geography point of view.
4. Cover
the Main syllabus:
If you cover the main syllabus, the CSP part
becomes easier. It is always advisable to prepare for civil services
comprehensively at one go. In other words, if you read any issue, think it from
the perspective of Prelims, Main and Interview. This gives right perspective
and confidence and furthermore makes the Prelims exam easy before Main and
Interview after Main Written exam.
5. Atlas shall be the Bible:
The main function of Geography is location. As you
see from the breakup of the questions made supra, the maximum questions, 9/16
in CSP 2013 and 12/17 in CSP 2014 are asked from Physical Geography only.
Hence, read always Geography through Atlas. The areas of South East Asia [Now
India is committed to convert “Look East Policy” to “Act East Policy”] which
India shares a strategic importance always a potential area for map pointing
and other issues such as small seas, islands, straits, location of cities etc.
Similarly, prepare well for the map pointing in Indian Ocean and Africa for CSP
2015.
6. Strategy for preparation:
Take continent as a unit for studying Physical,
Economic and Human Geography related issues. First, see what are the countries
in the said continent and their importance at World level; Understand the
physiographic features such as Mountain Ranges/Peaks, Uplands, Plains, forests,
rivers, lakes, plains, grass lands, etc. and linkage with Oceans and Seas. You
may focus on some case studies such as major primary, secondary and tertiary
industries in the said continent. If you take, North America, the industry of
Lumbering [Felling and cutting of softwood yielding trees for paper industry], Detroit
as automobile hub and Silicon Valley of South western UP can be quoted as
examples. Physiographic feature explain the economic and human related aspects
as well. The desert support few people where as the Plains and Industrialized
areas support major cities. Availability of raw materials, physical and social
infrastructure and human resource promote industries etc.
If you see the lower standards books of
NCERT/ICSE/CBSE books, you will get continent as unit, as described above. This
gives a complete understanding of the continent and prepares you for better
understanding of the all biomes of World at macro-level such as climate types,
Vegetation, deserts etc. This kind of approach will be more fetching and you
remember things in structured and easy way for longtime.
7. The Syllabus required to be covered:
1. Basics of Universe and Earth Science: Universe and Solar system. Structure of the
Earth and rocks. Earth movements; Different spheres such as Lithosphere, Atmosphere,
Hydrosphere and Biosphere; Temperature etc.; Plate tectonics, Pangaea and origin of different
continents, Geological Time Scale, Fossils etc.; Glaciations cycles and
Continental drift and resultant orogeny. All
the latest space projects and Missions of world and India, including Mars
Orbitor Mission [Mangalayan].
Physiographic features of all the continents:
Countries and their borders; Borders of the continent; Physiographic zones such
as Mountains/Uplands; Plateaus; Volcanoes; Drainage or rivers; Lakes; Glaciers
and Snow line etc.; Deserts; major cities and Grass lands; Climate types;
Forests; Soil types and crops grown; Straits; Gulfs; Bays; Seas and Oceans;
Minerals and natural resources of the continents; Prominent industries; Famous
and endemic Flora and Fauna. The Maritime Silk road project of China, the
theory of string of pearls etc.
Ø
Salient features of world’s physical geography
Ø
Important Geophysical
phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
geographical features and their location‐ changes in critical geographical features (including water‐bodies and ice‐caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
2. Oceanography: Oceans and Seas of the
Word; Structure of ocean; Ocean currents; Isthmus; Straits; Sources of Fresh
water; corals; Salinity; Transportation and artificial Canals such as Suez,
Panama, on-going Nicaragua Canal project and other smaller canals which are
connecting lakes or rivers all over the world etc.
3. Human Geography: Distribution of human
population all over the World. Tribal communities. Languages spoken; Indian
Tribal population and their distribution, their culture and special festivals,
facts associated with them.
Ø Land and people
across the globe.
Ø Population and
related issues
Ø Millennium
Development Goals [MDG] and progress thereof in their realization among the
world countries.
4. Economic Geography:
Distribution of key natural and minerals resources all over the world in
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sector Industries. Soils, agriculture and
agro-based industries. Agricultural patterns etc., Green revolution, Second
green Revolution, Yellow revolution etc in India. The industrial specific areas
of the World such as automobile hub in Detroit and Silicon valley in South
Western USA; Rurh of Germany, Europe; Chotanagpur plateau and industrial
corridors of India; Make in India initiative etc.
Ø
Distribution of key
natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub‐continent): Natural, Mineral, Energy, Marine,
Forest, Water and Land resources, Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Ø
Factors responsible
for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in
various parts of the world (including India)
Ø
Urbanization, their
problems and remedies, including the smart cities proposed in the Budget
2014-15 and relaxation of FDI norms under the sector.
5. Indian geography:
Physical,
Social, Economic and Human Geography. Origin of main physiographic divisions of
India. Climate, monsoonal rain fall, tropical cyclones, rivers vegetation,
natural resources and location of industries. Location and space relations,
Geological structure and Physiographic features , Drainage system [ Sources of
rivers, tributaries and their mouths], including interlinking of rivers and
Inter-state River water disputes, Soil, Natural vegetation, National Hazards
and Disasters, Natural resources, Agriculture, Land and water resources, Food
Security, Energy resources, Electricity, Minerals and Industries, Transport and
Communication network, including Water ways, Road ways and Railways,
Urbanization and Population. Major Ports
and their corporatization, Minor Ports, Air ports etc. Nuclear fuel
availability such as thorium and monazite and imports in India. Reserved and
protected areas of India and geographical features associated with them such as
Ramsar Sites, National Parks and Sanctuaries.
Ø Population and
related issues, including the Census of 2011 and demographic dividend
Ø Poverty and developmental
issues
Ø Millennium
Development Goals [MDG] and progress thereof in their realization in India
Note: The syllabus in bullets and higher font is for Main
as per UPSC website.
*****
