(Paper) UPSC Mains Geography Previous Year Question Paper (1983)

PAPER- I

Q.1. On the map of India provided, mark the following and write in not more than ten words in your answer script, what your consider to be most important aspect of each one of them:
(a) Pre-Cambrian land mass
(b) Mikir hills
(c) Banihal pass
(d) 100 cm. (40") isohyte
(e) Largest mangrove forest area
(f) Coffee producing areas
(g) Anpara
(h) Bhilai
(i) Tarapur
(j) Shortest air route from Porbandar to Gauhati

OR

On the map of World provided, mark the following and write in not more than ten words in your answer script, what you consider to be most important aspect of each one of them:
(a) Carpathian mountains
(b) Great Salt Lake
(c) Parana-Paraguay basin
(d) Canary islands
(e) Areas with 50 to 100 cm. annual rainfall
(f) Great Barrier Reef
(g) Bering Strait
(h) New York Metropolitan Region
(i) Seoul
(j) Trans-Siberian Railways with three important railway stations on it.

Q.2. Write short notes on any three of the following; each answer should be in about 200 words:
(a) Polycyclic land mass
(b) Jet stream
(c) Ecological imbalance
(d) World energy crisis

SECTION A

Q.3. 'Landscape is the function of structure, process and stage.' Discuss.

Q.4. Divide world into major biotic regions giving the basis of your division.

Q.5. Discuss different types of maribe resources and mention their possible utilization.

SECTION B

Q.6. Write a critical essay on the quantitative revolution in geography.

Q.7. Briefly discuss the trend of urbanisation in the world since the beginning of the present century.

Q.8. Discuss the food and nutrition problems of the world.

PAPER-II

SECTION A

Q.1. Answer any three of the following questions in about 200 words each:
(a) Examine the origin of the Deccan lavas and describe the scenery associated with it.
(b) Comment on the role of social forestry in the economy of India.
(c) Give a brief account of the petroleum resources of India.
(d) Discuss the problems of livestock raising in India.

Q.2. "There is a gulf between rainfall statistics and water availability." Elucidate this statement with reference to the agricultural efficiency of any region in India.

Q.3. Linguistic regions in India may have a cultural reality but no economic base. Examine this view illustrate your answer with suitable examples.

Q.4. Discuss the factors which interact to limit the area within which a crop may be successfully grown commercially in India. Give examples to justify your arguments.

SECTION B

Q.5. Comment on any three of the following in about 200 words each:
(a) The inadequacy of transport is the major obstacle to the trade and production of India.
(b) Factors contributing to the growth of the urban fringe of either Calcutta or Bombay.
(c) "Core Areas" for successful regional planning in India.
(d) The North Western Frontiers of India and the related political problem.

Q.6. What are the factors influencing the localization of industry? Illustrate your answer with reference to the Iron and Steel industry of India.

Q.7. Indian cities are lacking in layout and function. How far is this true and what historical and cultural factors are responsible for these features?

Q.8. How far is it true to say that the Indian Ocean is actually and potentially a major focus of international relations and dispute?