(Exam Paper) UPSC IAS Mains 2013: Geography
Paper- I
Section ‘A’
1. Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:10 × 5 = 50
(a) Differences between Normal cycle and Arid cycle of Davis.10
(b) Differentiate Storm Surges and Seichecs. 10
(c) Uniqueness of fauna in the Notogean realm. 10
(d) Impact of Pleistocene Ice Age on the crust of the Earth. 10
(e) Types of endemic plants and their degree of vulnerability to extinction. 10
2. Answer the following in about 250 words each:
(a) With suitable examples, bring out the impact of local winds on the climate
of an area. 20
(b) What are the characteristics that make CHC a serious threat to the
ecosystem? Give examples. 150
(c) What is ‘Base level’? Explain the types of base level 15
3. Answer the following in about 250 words each:
(a) “Offshore Acoustic Study helped the development of concept of sea floor
spreading”. Explain. 20
(b) Discuss Dew point and the various forms of condensation. 15
(c) Bring out the relationship between climate and vegetation in the Mountain
Biome. 15
4. Answer the following in about 400 words each:
(a) Compare the Subsidence and Glacial control theories on the formation of
coral reefs. 25
(b) Explain the levels of Noise Pollution and the legislative measures to
control it. 25
Section – B
5. Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: 10 × 5 = 50
(a) “Ellen Churchill Semple is an ardent supporter of Determinism.” Explain 10
(b) Role of Venezuela in the production and export of oil. 10
(c) Misra’s theoretical stages of Rural – Urban Process. 10
(d) Countries most affected in case of shut-down of Nuclear power. 10
(e) Relevance of Heartland theory in Contemporary world. 10
6. Answer the following in about 250 words each:
(a) What is Geriatrics? What are the problems associated with Geriatric
population? 20
(b) Discuss the changing pattern of production and export of Coffee in the
world. 10
(c) What are the basic postulates in the Central Place Model of Christaller? 20
7. Answer the following in about 250 words each:
(a) “Urban Solid Waste Management poses the greatest challenge in Metropolitan
planning.” Elaborate. 20
(b) Analyse the reasons for a comparatively poorer development of fishing
grounds in tropical areas. 15
(c) Explain the parameters for assessment and the spatial pattern of Human
Development Index in the world. 15
8. Write about the following in about 400 words each: 25 × 2 = 40
(a) “Urban Geography is nothing but city “in” area and city “as” area.”
Elaborate. 25
(b) Analyse the causes for changes in the pattern of world trade. 25
Paper- II
Section ‘A’
1. (a) On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all of
the following. Write in your QCA Booklet the significance of these locations,
whether physical / commercial / economic / ecological / environment and
cultural, in not more than 30 words for each entry:
2 × 5 = 10
(i) Mishmi Hills
(ii) Lipulekh Pass
(iii) Beas River
(iv) Rihand dam
(v) Amarnth
(b) Explain the topographical and structural characteristics of the Siwalik
Range. – (150 words) 10
(c) Discuss the mechanism of Indian Monsoon. (150 words )10
(d) Identify the main industrial clusters of India and account for their
development. (150 words) 10
(e) Explain the method of delineating crop association regions with reference to
India. (150 words) 10
2. (a) Discuss the potentiality and present status of horticultural in the
Western and Central Himalaya. (250 words) 20
(b) Delineate the coalfields of India and mention their distinctive features.
(150 words) 15
(c) Explain the role of multinationals in globalization of industries in India.
(150 words) 15
3. (a) Distributional pattern of industries in India does not provide requisite
basis for division of the country into distinct industrial regions. Elaborate.
(250 words) 20
(b) Discuss the role of institutional factors in shaping the pattern of Indian
agriculture. (150 words) 15
(c) What do you understand by Young India? How can the present state of
population composition be converted into an asset for the country? (150 words)
15
