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(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam Paper - 2017 : Geology

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(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam Paper - 2017 : Geology

GEOLOGY
(Paper - 1)

Time Allowed : Three Hours

Maximum Marks : 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions.

There are EIGHT questions divided in Two Sections and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE from each Section.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer(QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to. Diagrams/sketches, wherever required, may be drawn in the space provided for answering the question itself.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the answer book must be clearly struck off.

SECTION - A

Q1. Write notes on the following in approximately 150 words each :

(a) Seismic hazard zones of India.
(b) Origin of Karst topography.
(c) Digital image processing.
(d) Morphological classification of rock cleavage.
(e) Fault zone rocks

Q2.(a) Discuss different types of plate boundaries and enumerate their characteristic features.
(b) Compare the geomorphological and geological features of peninsular and extrapeninsular regions of India.
(c) What are joints ? Discuss the types of joints developed during folding.

Q3. (a) What are river terraces ? Discuss their geological significance.
(b) How would you differentiate between a fault and an unconformity in the field ?
(c) Giving suitable examples discuss the strategies which may be adopted to control river water pollution.

Q4.(a) Discuss the recent advances and achievements of Indian Space Programme.
(b) Explain, how the geometry of minor folds are helpful in deciphering the geometry of regional folds in an area.
(c) Discuss the advantages and limitations of remote sensing studies with respect to conventional geological field work.

SECTION - B

Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words :

(a) Discuss the environment and modes of fossilization.
(b) Discuss the tectonic sub-divisions of Himalaya.
(c) Water bearing characteristics of rocks.
(d) Concept of rainwater harvesting.
(e) Lower Gondwana flora and its significance.

Q6. How would you differentiate between in-situ' and ‘derived fossils ?
(b) Geological considerations for construction of tunnels in deformed geological terrain.
(c) Give a stratigraphic account of Vindhyan Supergroup. Comment upon the life during Vindhyan times.

Q7.(a) Write short notes on the following:

(i) Muth Quartzites
(ii) Lameta Formation
(iii) Tipam Formation

(b) Describe the significance of microfossils in petroleum exploration.
(c) Discuss the geological considerations for selection of a dam site in Himalayan terrain.

Q8.(a) What do you understand by groundwater recharge ? Describe various methods used in this process.
(b) Give an account of evolutionary trends in Equidae.
(c) Give a geological account of Deccan volcanic province.

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GEOLOGY
(Paper - 2)

Time Allowed : Three Hours

Maximum Marks : 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions.

There are EIGHT questions divided in Two Sections and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE from each Section.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to. Diagrams/sketches, wherever required, may be drawn in the space provided for answering the question itself.

SECTION - A

Q1. (a) Explain Bragg's law of diffraction of X-rays by a crystal with suitable diagram.
(b) Differentiate between normal and reverse zoning in minerals with neat sketches.
(c) Discuss with the help of neat diagram the IUGS classification of phaneritic ultrabasic rocks.
(d) What is the process of recrystallization? Discuss the textures associated with the contact metamorphism.
(e) Describe the common structures of sedimentary rocks with neat sketches and also comment on their significance.

Q2. (a) Describe the structural classification of silicates with neat sketches and mineralogical examples.
(b) Give an account of the crystal structure, chemical composition and optical properties of the minerals of the feldspar group.
(c) With a suitable diagram, explain how the optic sign of a uniaxial mineral is determined.

Q3. (a) Give various types of granitoids and discuss the classification based on tectonic settings. Add a note on the role of mantle in the genesis of granitoids.
(b) Discuss metamorphic facies and series. Citing mafic assemblages of low grades, distinguish greenschist facies of metamorphism from prehnite pumpellyite facies of metamorphism.
(c) Discuss the mineralogy, chemical characters and origin of carbonatites. Give suitable Indian examples.

Q4. (a) Discuss the processes of diagenesis and lithification.
(b) Give an account of the Proterozoic sedimentary basins of India.
(c) Differentiate between molasse and flysch facies.

SECTION-B

Q5. (a) What are stratiform and strata-bound deposits? Explain with suitable examples,
(b) Describe the geological characteristics of important types of manganese deposits in the Indian shield.
(c) What are the field evidences of mineralization which can be useful in mineral prospecting?
(d) Discuss the texture, composition and types of aerolites. Comment upon the significance of chondrites.
(e) Discuss coal mine water pollution and its impact on groundwater regime. Comment on the preventive measures to be taken to control groundwater pollution.

Q6. (a) Write a detailed account on the geology and genesis of porphyry copper deposits.
(b) Describe the geological characteristics of any three important types of uranium deposits in India. Draw neat sketches illustrating the geological setting of these deposits.
(c) What are oil and gas windows? Explain with suitable diagram.

Q7. (a) What are the criteria based on which indicator elements are selected for geochemical exploration of mineral deposits? Describe any two methods of interpreting geochemical data for recognition of geochemical anomaly.
(b) Describe the objectives of detailed exploration stage of a mineral exploration programme. Add a note on exploratory mining and its application.
(c) Draw a typical flowchart of a mineral beneficiation process and briefly explain its components.

Q8. (a) Discuss different kinds of interatomic linkages. What are the principles of crystal structures? Comment upon the rules that govern atomic substitution of trace elements in silicates.
(b) What is high-level nuclear waste? How is it managed and safely disposed in a geological repository? Add a note on its Indian scenario.
(c)What do you understand by incompatibility of elements? Comment upon High Field Strength (HFS) and Large Ion Lithophile (LIL) elements.