Subject-wise analysis of UPSC Past 10 Years Questions

Subject-wise analysis of UPSC Past 10 Years Questions.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Solar system: (2012, 2011)

• Asteroids & comets (UPSC CSE - 2011)

• Expansion of Universe (UPSC CSE: 2012)

Geomorphology: (2018, 2014, 2013)

• Earth’s magnetic field (formation of earth ; formation of atmosphere) (UPSC CSE - 2018)

• Evolution of organism (UPSC CSE - 2014)

• Energy forces and their changes (UPSC CSE - 2013)

Climatology: (2019, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 )

• Dewdrops (UPSC CSE - 2019)

• Changes of season (solstice & equinox, day/Night time) (UPSC CSE – 2019, 2013)

• Indian Ocean Dipole (UPSC CSE - 2017) (La – Nina (UPSC CSE: 2011)

• El – Nino (UPSC CSE: 2010) (look for El-Nino Modoki)

• Tropical latitude & cyclone (UPSC CSE – 2015 [2]) (Similar topic: ITCZ, Coriolis force, wind belts)

• Wind pressure belt(UPSC CSE – 2011 [2], 2010)

• Climatic conditions, features & regions (UPSC CSE – 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010) (eg. Savanna, Equatorial, Mediterranean, Monsoon)

• Temperature & climate change (UPSC CSE – 2013, 2012)

• Atmospheric layer (UPSC CSE – 2011 [2])

• Albedo effect (UPSC CSE: 2010)

Oceanography: (2013, 2012)

• Tides & waves

• Ocean currents & influencing factors (UPSC CSE – 2013, 2012)

Environmental Geography: (2013, 2011, 2010)

• Equatorial forest (UPSC CSE - 2013)

• Tropical Rain forest & Tropical Deciduous forest(UPSC CSE: 2011)

• Ice caps & glaciers (UPSC CSE – 2013, 2010)

• Altitude and geographic location (UPSC CSE: 2010)

Hybrid: (2019, 2018, 2010)

• Methane hydrate (Geo + Environ) (UPSC CSE - 2019)

• Carbon fertilization (Geo + Environ) (UPSC CSE - 2018)

• Sand mining in sea bed (UPSC CSE - 2018)

• National park & legislation (UPSC CSE - 2010)

Misc.: (2018, 2013, 2010)

• Agriculture soils (UPSC CSE - 2018)

• Matching pairs of physical feature & location(map) (UPSC CSE - 2013)

• Fresh water, Ice caps & glaciers (UPSC CSE: 2010)

• Barren Island – physical feature (map)(UPSC CSE - 2018)

World political geography

Static: [UPSC CSE: 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2010]

• Islands, Sea & bordering countries : [2019, 2017]

• Great Nicobar & near islands [2017]

• South -> North - SE Asian Cities [2014]

• Strait of Malacca [2010]

Mediterranean sea bordering countries (20) [2019, 2017, 2015]:

Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco

Black Sea (6 countries)

Russia and Georgia (E), Bulgaria and Romania (W), Ukraine (N), Turkey (S)

Red Sea (6 countries)

Saudi Arabia. Yemen (E)

Egypt. Sudan. Eritrea. Djibouti (W)

Caspian Sea (5 countries)

Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan

Current Affair [UPSC CSE: 2018, 2016, 2014]

• Aral sea: [2018]

Shrinking due to human activities ; 4th largest lake in world (Caspian Sea > Lake Superior > Lake Victoria > Aral Sea)

• Transpacific Partnership: [2016]

Signed by all 12 Pacific Rim countries

• Region in news related country [2014]

Focus area

• Aegean Sea, Adriatic sea, Alboran Sea, Baltic sea, English channel, Bay of Biscay

• SE islands & its chronology

• Sea in SE region & E Asian region

• 12 countries at Ring of fire

• Equator/Cancer/Capricorn passing countries

• Islands of Indian Ocean and their chronology

• Volcano mts (in news) – Anak Krakatau , Mt. Etna, Mt. Sinabung, Mt. Merapi, Taal volcano

• Important Straits / Gulf / Bay

PS: All the described seas are very important with respect to UPSC and they were asked in one or the other way(in options).

Main focus area should be places in news. One or two questions are asked from world geography

Source for world geography is Only map & Newspaper (according to my analysis).

GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

River / Drainage [2019, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010]

• Luni river [2010]

• Narmada River [2013]

• Artificial & Natural Lake [2018]

• Godavari Tributary [2015]

• River passing state [2019, 2010]

Himachal Pradesh[2010]

Arunachal Pradesh [2014]

Brahmaputra River [2011]

• River & Project [2010]

Climate [2014, 2012, 2011, 2010]

• Climate → Crop [2011, 2010]

• Season → Climate [2014]

• Monsoon Pattern through out India [2012]

Soil [2013, 2010]

• Laterite soil → Characteristic & place [2013]

• Red soil → Characteristics [2010]

Environmental geography [2019, 2014, 2013, 2010]

• National Park → Climate zone [2019]

• Wetlands / National park / Sanctuary → confluence River [2014, 2013]

• Protected area → well known animal [2010]

Economic geography [2019, 2016, 2013, 2010]

• Total area Forest cover state [2019]

• Land use classification [2010]

• Resources:

Minor mineral (sand) [2019]

Shale Gas [2016]

Coal → characteristics [2013]

Mineral & State [2013, 2010]

Vegetation [2015, 2014, 2010]

• Forest type → place [2015 (2)]

• Vegetation & Forest type [2014]

• Type of forest largest occupied [2010]

Map based [2018, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010]

• Cities Longitude closest to Delhi [2018]

• Eastern & Western most state [2015]

• Ten Degree channel [2014]

• Tribe & state [2014]

• Hills & Mountain range → Region [2014]

• National Highway & connected cities [2014]

• State → characteristics [2012]

• State → Crop [2011]

• Latitude passing state along with Sikkim [2010]

Physiography [2012, 2010]

• Importance of Himalayan range → Physiology; Geographical impact [2012, 2010]

• Wetlands & Geographical area [2012]

• Gondwana rock → Rock system of india [2010] (India’s 90% coal from it)

Hybrid topics [2019, 2010]

• Indian forest act and forest area & Scheduled Tribes and Rights [2019]

• National park / Biosphere reserve / Wildlife sanctuary → Legislation [2010]

Misc [2019, 2017, 2015, 2014]

• Living root Beach → Meghalaya [2015 ]

• Current Affair:

Places in news → common in place [2019]

Place → Beach & its uniqueness [2017]

GI Tag status [2015]

Traditional fabric → Town [2014]

Note: Most of the geography questions are been found from Section of “Geography of India”

AGRICULTURAL / BIOLOGICAL GEOGRAPHY

Farming System / Techniques [2017, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010]

• Conservation Agriculture [2012]

• Genome Sequencing technique in cropping system(in news) [2017]

• Practices → water conservation in agriculture (nature: subjective)[2017]

• Transgenic crop techniques [2014]

• Soil Conservation technique / practices [2013, 2010]

• Mixed farming [2012]

Crops [2014, 2013, 2012, 2010]

• Maize → uses [2014]

• Region → Crop production [2014]

• Neem tree → uses [2014]

• Cluster bean (guar) [2014]

• Kharif crops [2013]

• Rainfed crops & irrigated crops [2012]

• Crop → type & characteristic [2012]

• Energy crops [2010]

• Leading producer crop → State [2010]