(Paper) UPSC Mains Geography Previous Year Question Paper (1985)

PAPER- I

Candidates should attempt Q. 1 and 2 which are compulsory, and any three of the remaining questions selecting at least one question from each Section. All questions carry equal marks

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) Rajasthan (Indira) Canal
(b) Mettur Dam
(c) Bombay High
(d) Gandhinagar
(e) Areas receiving more than 200 cm of annual rainfall
(f) Palk Strait
(g) Paradip
(h) Tropic of Cancer
(i) Maikal Range
(j) Shortest rail route from Puri to New Delhi

OR

On the map of the 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) Arctic Circle
(b) Cork
(c) Selvas
(d) Tagros Mountains
(e) Greenwich
(f) Hawaiian Island
(g) Hwang Ho
(h) Dogger Bank
(i) Aswan Dam
(j) Cook Strait

Q.2. Write short notes on any three of the following, each answer should be in about 200 words:
(a) Hydrological Cycle
(b) Ecosystem Concept
(c) Rural Settlement Patterns
(d) Regional Concept in Geography

SECTION A

Q.3. Discuss the character of the main types of force and earth movements, involved in the production of land forms.

Q.4. Classify soils of the world and discuss the distribution and characteristics of each.

Q.5. Discuss the sources and nature of various deposit found on the floor of the oceans.

SECTION B

Q.6. Discuss the causes and consequences of major inter national migrations of the present time.

Q.7. Discuss the concepts of heartland and rimland and examine their present day validity.

Q.8. Mention different types of world agriculture and describe the areas and salient features of each type.

PAPER-II

Candidates should attempt Q. 1 and 5 which are compulsory, and any three of the remaining questions selecting at least one question from each Section. All questions carry equal marks

SECTION A

Q.1. Give brief answers to any three of the following questions in about 200 words each:
(a) Describe the physiographic characteristics of the Western Himalayas.
(b) To what extent has the high yielding variety programme helped agricultural development in India?
(c) Why has attention been given to the development of marine fisheries in India? Describe the efforts that have been directed for their development.
(d) Describe the impact of the rise in population density on economic development in India.

Q.2. Attempt a division of India into climatic regions and described their characteristics and floral conditions.

Q.3. Write an account of the growth and utilisation of irrigation potential in India with particular reference to canal irrigation.

Q.4. Discuss the concept of land reform and indicate its importance for promoting agricultural development in India.

SECTION B

Q.5. Write short notes in about 200 words each on any three of the following:
(a) Importance of road transport in India-Development under the Plans.
(b) Rural settlement patterns in the Ganga Valley.
(c) Industrial development in India during the Second and Third Plans.
(d) Problems of slums and urban development with particular reference to any metropolis in India.

Q.6. Write an account of the raw materials, location, present situation and future prospects of the paper industry in India.

Q.7. Discuss the regional disparities in the growth of manufacturing industries in India. Suggest remedies.

Q.8. Discuss the quality distribution and utilisation of coal in India.