B. Yadagiri IRS: Geography of World and India: Analysis of CSP 2013 and 2014 and strategy for CSP, 2015

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

(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.

*****

B. Yadagiri IRS

Friday, 13 March 2015

Geography of World and India: Analysis of CSP 2013 and 2014 and strategy for CSP, 2015

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