Geography Optional · PYQ solutions
Geography Optional PYQs with Solutions (2013–2026)
Every Geography Optional previous year question since 2013, solved the way a 300+ scorer writes it, with diagrams and maps, and arranged by paper and syllabus unit so you can see what UPSC keeps asking. Read the free notes for a unit, then check the solved questions beside them.
750+
Solved PYQs
20
Syllabus units
2013–2026
Years covered
Topic-wise
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Jump to a unit — Paper I · Physical Geography
Geomorphology Climatology Oceanography Biogeography Environmental Geography
Paper I · Human Geography
Perspectives in Human Geography Economic Geography Population and Settlement Geography Regional Planning Models, Theories and Laws
Paper II · Geography of India
Physical Setting Resources Agriculture Industry Transport, Communication and Trade Cultural Setting Settlements Regional Development and Planning Political Aspects Contemporary Issues
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Just added
Recent Geography Optional PYQ solutions.
New answers are added through the year. The latest nine are here; every unit below lists its full set.
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Elaborate partition of Indian subcontinent and international migration in detail.
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Analyse the measuring patterns of settlement in relation to the Nearest Neighbour Index and Rank-Size-Rule in detail.
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“The majority of migrants go only a short distance.” Explain with examples.
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Discuss the Geometry of Land Values in Urban Community and delimiting the Central Business District (CBD) in detail.
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“Under what situations Von Thunen’s model of agricultural location is still rational.” Justify with examples.
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Explain the Rimland Theory with reference to ongoing geopolitical scenario in the world.
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What are the approaches of human development? Describe in detail the measures for computing human development index.
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What are the principles of urban planning? Critically analyse town planning in India in the post independence period.
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“Sustainable development requires Intergenerational and Intragenerational equity.” Comment with examples.
Syllabus map
Paper I · Physical Geography
Geomorphology, Climatology, Oceanography, Biogeography, Environmental Geography.
Unit 01
Geomorphology
PYQ Solutions
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Explain weathering and mass wasting, and describe their geomorphic significance.
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Describe the process of formation of barrier islands and explain their significance.
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Explain the causes of glacial lake outburst flood.
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What geological and tectonic processes lead to the formation of nappes in orogenic belts?
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How does denudation chronology help in understanding the sequential development of landscapes and landforms? Elucidate.
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“The Himalaya is still rising.” Expand this statement and describe the processes involved in it with suitable sketches and examples.
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What are ‘truncated spurs’ ? Where and how are they formed ?
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Examine the recent views on mountain building process and divide the world mountains on the basis of their genesis.
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What is a Yazoo stream ? Why are Yazoo basins the areas of repeated flooding ? Give examples of Yazoo stream/areas from various parts of the world.
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“Evidences from palaeomagnetism and sea floor spreading have validated that continents and ocean basins have never been stationary.” Elucidate with suitable diagrams.
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Define Peneplains. Describe the landscape features associated with peneplains under different geomorphic cycles.
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Define ‘speleothem’. Discuss the various forms and features of speleothems.
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Explain how various aspects of channel morphology are used in transportation, settlement and land use planning, flood control and flood management ?
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Discuss the role of Slope, Altitude and Relief (SAR) in landscape development.
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With the help of suitable sketches describe the mountain genesis and mountain types. Give suitable examples from various mountain systems of the world.
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Describe the concept of ‘Altiplanation’.
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The concept of Plate tectonics has been derived from the isostasy and continental drift theory. Elaborate citing suitable examples.
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Stream basins and drainage divides are important components to delineate a watershed area. Explain.
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Why is mapping important for analysing geo-hydrological investigations? Explain with relevant examples.
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Write an essay on the evolution of continents and oceans using various theories and models.
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Discuss the problems of erosional surfaces and explain the different methods to identify them with suitable diagrams.
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Describe phreatic eruptions and their consequences.
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How are sandspits and tombolos formed?
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Compare and contrast different types of plate boundaries.
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Discuss the methods of measuring the intensity and magnitude of earthquakes. How are seismic zones demarcated?
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“Landscape is a function of structure, process and stage.” Critique the statement.
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Evaluate how far Kober’s geosynclinal theory explains the mountain building process.
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“Geomorphological changes are largely responsible for environmental hazards in the Himalayan region.” Comment with relevant examples.
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“The knowledge of slope analysis has limited field application in the slope management.” Explain.
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Discuss the concept of Periglacial cycle as propounded by Peltier.
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“Climate, slope gradient and rock structure influence the avulsion of channels.” Explain.
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Write a note on pseudovolcanic features.
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Describe the “Basket of eggs topography”.
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“In explaining the concept of ‘Pediplanation’, King combined the ideas of Davis, Penck and Wood with his own.” Elaborate.
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“Geological structure has a dominant control on landforms and is reflected on them.” Discuss.
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Attempt a classification of geomorphic processes from the zonal point of view.
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Discuss the contributions of the American School of Subaerial Denudation in geomorphology.
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Explain with examples as to how channel dynamics has been responsible for the development of alluvial fans and cones.
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“Present-day landforms bear more complexity than simplicity.” Elucidate.
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State the concept of erosion surfaces and highlight the factors responsible for their development.
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State the concept of plate tectonics. How does it help in explaining the formation of the Himalayas and Appalachian Mountains?
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Define the term ‘meander’ and describe the basic characteristics of entrenched meander and ingrown meander.
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Impact of Pleistocene Ice Age on the crust of the Earth.
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Differences between Normal cycle and Arid cycle of Davis.
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What is ‘Base level’ ? Explain the types of base level.
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What is ‘Helical’ flow ? How Helical flow accounts for meander modifications ?
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“Environmental geomorphology deals with the impact of natural landforms and processes.” Elucidate with suitable examples.
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What is scarification ? List out various impacts and examples of scarification on land.
Unit 02
Climatology
PYQ Solutions
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Examine the distribution and balance of energy in the Earth’s atmosphere system.
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Examine the formation of atmospheric tricellular circulation system. Describe with example its importance in making the Earth a living planet.
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Explain the relationship between air masses and local winds.
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Explain air masses and associated weather dynamics. How do air masses influence the weather conditions of the Northern Hemisphere ?
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Describe latitudinal distribution of Köppen’s classification of world climate.
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Formation of temperate cyclone depends on the condition of axis of dilation. Elucidate.
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How does inversion of temperature occur ? Explain its significance on local weather with suitable examples.
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What are the causes of origin of local winds ? Discuss their significance on prevailing weather and climate in various regions, with suitable examples.
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Explain the characteristics and weather conditions associated with ‘Anticyclones’ giving suitable examples.
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Describe how short term variations in temperature are related to the processes of receiving energy from the sun to the Earth’s surface and dissipating it to the atmosphere.
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Rise of surface temperature brings severe consequences. Elaborate the potential changes and threats associated with it in the world.
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With suitable examples describe the impacts of movement of airmasses on weather and winds in different parts of the continents.
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What is pollution dome ? Discuss its formation and impacts.
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Indicating the causes of lightning, describe the threats associated with it.
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Examine major influencing factors for varied patterns of precipitations on the continents.
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What are the important factors responsible for airmass modifications ?
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Explain the characteristic features of Frontogenesis and Frontolysis.
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Explain how various factors influence the origin and development of the Indian monsoon system.
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Write a geographical note on Halloween Storm.
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Differentiate Storm Surges and Seiches.
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With suitable examples, bring out the impact of local winds on the climate of an area.
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Discuss Dew point and the various forms of condensation.
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Bring out the relationship between climate and vegetation in the Mountain Biome.
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Discuss the salient features of ‘sirocco’ and ‘mistral’.
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Describe the origin and development of thunderstorms with examples.
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Discuss the nature and origin of Indian monsoon and recent techniques of its prediction.
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Discuss as to how frontogenesis contributes to weather instability.
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What is Potential Evapotranspiration ? Explain how it is used in assessing the water balance in an area.
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Discuss the basis of Köppen’s climatic classification. Bring out the salient characteristics of ‘Cs’ type of climate.
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Explain the meridional circulation of the atmosphere and its importance in world climate.
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Differentiate between insolation and temperature and explain anomalous temperature.
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Compare the origin and weather conditions associated with the tropical and temperate cyclones.
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Discuss the significance of World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and its core projects in the understanding of climatic change.
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Discuss the forces which govern the air movement on the Earth’s surface.
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“Climate change is a reality.” Explain with suitable examples.
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Explain the role of evaporation in the hydrologic cycle.
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What is “Geostrophic Wind” ? Explain the relationship between barometric slope and air circulation.
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Critically examine the basis and scheme of climatic classification proposed by G.T. Trewartha.
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Explain the origin, progress and retreat of the Indian monsoon and discuss its impact on the Indian economy.
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Explain the techniques to calculate potential evapotranspiration suggested by Thornthwaite.
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Explain the nature of urban climates and their impact on global environmental change.
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Discuss in detail the tri-cellular model of atmospheric circulation.
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Define ‘pseudo monsoon’ and explain its spatial distribution.
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Describe the general characteristics and structure of a thunderstorm and suggest suitable classification of thunderstorm.
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Examine the importance of axis of dilation of airmasses in frontogenesis and the origin of Temperate cyclones.
Unit 03
Oceanography
PYQ Solutions
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“Offshore Acoustic Study helped the development of the concept of sea floor spreading.” Explain.
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Compare the Subsidence and Glacial control theories on the formation of coral reefs.
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Illustrate the origin and nature of Sargasso Sea and Lagoon.
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Give a critical account of reasons and consequences of marine pollution.
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Give an account of recent observations on coral bleaching with reference to Clive Wilkinson’s Report.
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Describe the characteristics of different types of pelagic deposits.
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Discuss Maritime Zones.
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“The relationship between the winds and the currents is best seen in the Indian Ocean.” Justify.
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Bring out the various ecological problems associated with the exploitation and use of oceans and their resources.
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Distinguish between low energy coasts and coral coasts.
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Discuss the impacts of ocean currents on air mass behaviour.
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Explain the concept of micro carbon sink and its relevance.
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Describe the configuration of the Pacific Ocean floor.
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Describe the causes and consequences of sea level changes.
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Describe the potential marine energy resources with reference to their benefits, harvestibility and environmental impacts.
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How are ocean waves formed? Distinguish between a wave of oscillation and a wave of translation.
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Marine resources are economically very significant. Discuss citing suitable examples.
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Discuss the concept of coral bleaching, its recovery and macroalgal regime shifts due to this process.
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Explain the currents of the North Atlantic Ocean and their significant role in the climate of Western Europe.
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Discuss the hazards associated with rise of sea-surface temperature.
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Give a detailed account of bottom topography of the Pacific Ocean.
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Maritime security is being neglected. Indicate the major challenges and suggest solutions in the context of Law of the Sea.
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When corals are affected by stress it causes them to turn completely white. Explain the reasons of such an occurrence.
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What is the relationship between ocean currents and global surface wind systems ? Explain with examples how does the gyre in the Northern Hemisphere differ from the one in the Southern Hemisphere.
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What is ocean ranching ? How are aqua-cowboys related to such activities ?
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How are ocean currents generated ? Discuss their effects on coastal climates with special reference to the Pacific Ocean.
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Give an account of marine resources and their economic significance. How has marine pollution affected such resources ?
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With suitable examples explain the factors causing sea level changes.
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With suitable sketches elaborate the bottom topography of the Indian Ocean.
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What are the fundamental differences among ocean wave, ocean current and tide?
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What is deep-sea mining? What are the potential benefits and risks associated with it?
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How are seamounts and Guyots the same and different ? Comment.
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Discuss the potential consequences of the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) for the world.
Unit 04
Biogeography
PYQ Solutions
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Types of endemic plants and their degree of vulnerability to extinction.
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State the uniqueness of the Eurasian Steppe Biome.
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Define zoogeographic region. Also describe the basic faunal makeup of the Neo-Arctic zoogeographic region.
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Classify soils based on their zonal distribution and describe the characteristics of pedocals.
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Bring out the ecological significance of Tropical Rainforest Biome.
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Describe Newbigin’s scheme of Floristic regions of the world and explain the Mediterranean Floristic region.
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Describe the characteristics of biological deserts.
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Distinguish between the characteristics of Chernozem and Sierozem soils.
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Give a classification of plants based on the amount of water requirement.
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Distinguish between intrazonal and azonal soils. Describe in brief the characteristics and importance of azonal soils.
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Discuss the causes of degradation of tropical rainforests and suggest remedial measures for their prevention, conservation and development.
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How are soil acidity and alkalinity related to soil fertility?
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Which factors influence the growth of wild plants in India? Discuss their economic significance.
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Land use/Land cover and soil types influence forage quantity and quality in semi-arid regions of the world. Discuss with relevant examples.
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Gene pool centres are ‘Good Hope’ for biodiversity conservation. Elucidate.
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Soil erosion and soil degradation are threat to food supply. Discuss.
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Well developed soils typically exhibit distinct layers in their soil profile. Elaborate.
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Explain the natural processes of soil enrichment and its impact on food production.
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Differentiate between the characteristics of organic horizons and mineral horizons in a generalised soil profile.
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Examine the impacts of social forestry in socio-economic transformation of rural areas.
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“Soil erosion is creeping death.” Explaining the statement, suggest various soil conservation measures.
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What is solifluction? What are its impacts?
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What are the ecological consequences of agricultural deforestation in the Amazon and Congo Basins, particularly concerning biodiversity and climate regulation?
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How a ‘Solum’ as a concept different from ‘Pedon’? Describe.
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“Overgrazing has become an alarming situation of bioloss in many bio-geographical regions of the world.” Illustrate with examples.
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How does the annual variations in temperature and precipitation influence plants growth, development and distribution? How do animals cope up with variations in climate?
Unit 05
Environmental Geography
PYQ Solutions
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What is the ‘UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’? How does it balance ecological goals with emerging socio-economic needs like food security and development?
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Man and wildlife conflicts are ever increasing. Discuss its causes, consequences and remedies.
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“The latitudinal gradient in species richness is an important geographic trend in biodiversity.” Examine the statement.
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How is carbon neutrality essential for future environmental conservation ? Describe various efforts taken by nations in this regard.
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Perception, Attitude, Value and Emotion (PAVE) are important components for biodiversity and sustainable environmental conservation. Elaborate.
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Mountain regions are more fragile to ecological changes. Elucidate.
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What are the factors affecting regional ecological changes ? How do these affect human health ?
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What are the environmental implications of economic geology ? Discuss.
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How is ‘Deep Ecology’ as a concept different from ‘Shallow Ecology’ ? Explain.
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Plants and animals that exist in a particular ecosystem are those that have been successful in adjusting to their habitat and environmental conditions. Elucidate with examples.
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What are the high altitude environmental hazards ? Explain with suitable examples.
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With suitable examples, elaborate human ecological adaptations. Explain its impacts on ecology and environment in various parts of the world.
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Explaining the concept of carbon neutrality, describe the measures taken by carbon positive and negative nations.
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Sequential changes in land use and land cover have brought global and regional ecological changes and imbalances. Elucidate.
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Discuss the human response to and management of hazards and disasters in India.
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“Human ecology is the study of mutual relationship of people and their environment both natural and social.” Discuss in detail using ecological concepts.
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Describe how ecosystem services of Himalaya are essential for Highland-Lowland sustainability in Asia.
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Explain the effects and causes of deforestation, and its impact on the pattern of agriculture in India.
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Discuss the problems associated with the living environment in million plus cities in India. How can these be managed?
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The impact of floods on life and property can be most effectively reduced by hazard mapping. Comment.
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“The web of life is seamless and the consequences of disruption to one part of the ecosystem ripple throughout the whole.” Elaborate.
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Why is it necessary to conserve genetic diversity of species? Do protected areas serve any useful purpose in this context?
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How do mountaineers constitute a threat to Mount Everest?
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Amensalism is a biotic factor that determines the geographic limits of species. Explain.
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Explain the ecosystem approach to environmental management and highlight its advantages and disadvantages.
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“Controlling population growth is the sustainable solution to environmental problems.” Express your views with suitable arguments.
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Discuss the objectives and principles of environmental education. Describe the basic concerns of formal and non-formal environmental education in India.
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Explain the natural and anthropogenic causes and mitigation measures of frequent flooding in Mumbai.
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Discuss the Perception, Attitude, Value and Emotion (PAVE) Theory of environmental management.
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Write a critical note on the tendency of “use and throw” in the context of economic status and environment.
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Give a reasoned account on how the impact of Global Warming differs from one part of the Earth to the other.
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Explain the hydro-meteorological hazards in the Himalayas.
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Explain the different stages of ecological adaptation of man and bring out the changing balance between man and environment.
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Discuss the methods of conserving biodiversity for sustainable development.
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Comment on the impact of environmental education on quality of life.
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Explain the characteristics of ecological succession.
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Enumerate the major causes of increasing degradation of environment in hills and hillslopes, and state its down-valley impact.
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Give an account of the nature of biosphere as an ecosystem.
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“Ellen Churchill Semple is an ardent supporter of Determinism.” Explain.
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Explain the levels of Noise pollution and the legislative measures to control it.
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What are the characteristics that make CHC a serious threat to the ecosystem ? Give examples.
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Uniqueness of fauna in the Notogean realm.
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With suitable examples describe the hazards of flood plain settlement.
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“Anthropogenic impacts have caused major global and regional changes and imbalances in ecosystem.” Elucidate with examples.
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Construction of large dams poses serious challenges. Describe the threats and solutions associated with it.
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Write an essay on disease and global warming according to the report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Syllabus map
Paper I · Human Geography
Perspectives in Human Geography, Economic Geography, Population and Settlement Geography, Regional Planning, Models, Theories and Laws.
Unit 06
Perspectives in Human Geography
PYQ Solutions
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How have dichotomy and dualism affected the methodological development of Geography? Describe.
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Why did the Welfare Approach in Human Geography emerge as a significant perspective in 1970s?
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Explain how the physical view of geographical space has impacted the forms of spatial analysis.
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Critically examine the significance of Behavioural Approach in the development of human geography.
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Explain the sequential development of areal differentiation as a fundamental concept in Human Geography.
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Critically examine the significance of the Quantitative Revolution and its influence in the development of Geography.
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“Culture is a dynamic concept”. Elucidate with example
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Analyse the effects of Globalisation on languages.
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Why is radicalism seen as major a paradigm shift in geography? Explain its causes, approaches, and criticism.
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The interrelationships between the social and spatial structure are complex. Explain in the context of socio-spatial dialectic.
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Write an essay on gender equity and equality in India in the context of balanced human development.
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Globalization can often subsumed folk culture. What are its positive and negative effects?
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HDI has brought about a paradigm shift in the way people think about the development process. Critically examine the inherent limitations of HDI.
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“A language originates at a particular place and diffuses to other locations through the migration of its speakers.” Examine this statement in the context of language hot spots and endangered language hotspots.
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Discuss critically the manner in which quantitative revolution provided the methodological foundation for models and modeling in geography.
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“Welfare geography emphasizes spatial inequality and territorial justice.” Comment with reference to the main ideas and scope of the subfield.
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“Areal differentiation has provided the theoretical justification for studying „regions and regional geography. Comment.
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“Geography is a contested and multi paradigmatic discipline with a strong eurocentricity that has only recently been challenged.” Comment.
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Discuss the contemporary paradigms of Geography.
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“The traditional cultural identities are at loss write the growth of global connectivity.” Explain.
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Explain the concept of Time-Geography.
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Discuss the relevance of ‘Stop and Go Determinism’ in the present-day context.
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Trace the origin and progress of Quantitative Revolution in Geography and bring out its merits and demerits.
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“Areal differentiation forms the core theme in Geography.” Explain.
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“There is a rejuvenation of environmentalism as a paradigm in geographical studies.” Comment.
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Discuss the approaches to the study of behavioural geography.
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“Cultural regions are the most suited units to study the diversity of an area.” Comment.
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“Regional synthesis is the crux of geographical studies.” Elaborate.
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“The welfare face of geography makes it an inter disciplinary subject.” Elaborate.
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“Indo-Gangetic hearth is considered to be one of the world’s richest cultural realms.” Examine.
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Discuss the contribution of geographers in the development of radical geography.
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Elaborate the concept of mental map.
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Explain the parameters for assessment and the spatial pattern of Human Development Index in the world.
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“Systematic Geography is essentially analytical and makes generic concepts and Universal Laws.” Elucidate with examples.
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What are the main concerns of radical geography? Describe the salient features and objectives of radicalism in geography.
Unit 07
Economic Geography
PYQ Solutions
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Write short note: Role of Venezuela in the production and export of oil.
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Write short note: Countries most effected in case of shut down of Nuclear power.
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Discuss the changing pattern of production and export of Coffee in the world.
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Analyse the reasons for a comparatively poorer development of fishing grounds in tropical areas.
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Analyse the causes for changes in the pattern of world trade.
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Give an account of food security issues in developing countries.
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Explain the relevance of bottom-up and top-down approaches in the development of agrarian economy.
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Discuss environmental and economic problems associated with coal production.
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“World is passing through a global resource dilemma.” Comment.
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“Food productivity with purity of ecosystem is the need of the hour.” Elaborate.
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“Energy mix is a step towards sustainability.” Discuss.
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“Man-induced famines are becoming more common than nature-induced one.” Comment.
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“Linkages between resource-endowed regions and resource-utilizing regions determine the pattern of international trade.” Elaborate with suitable examples.
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“Whittlesey’s agricultural regions are relevant even today.” Discuss.
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“The intensity of energy crisis varies regionally.” Explain.
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Discuss the degree of importance of transportation costs as a factor of industrial location with respect to “footloose industries”.
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“Famine is a social phenomenon rooted in institutional and political economic arrangements, which determine access to food by different classes and strata.” Comment.
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Discuss in brief the main thesis in “Limits to Growth” (1972) and also provide a critique of the same.
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“A large-scale global shift in manufacturing is the outcome of deindustrialization in the developed world matched by industrialization in the developing world.” Analyse this statement.
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Distinguish between ‘isodapanes’ and isotims’. Critically examine the least cost theory of industrial location given by Alfred Weber.
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Define stunting and wasting. Why are these more prevalent among children in developing countries?
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Analyse India’s food security in the context of population growth.
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Identify the causes and effects of energy crisis, and suggest suitable measures to solve the problem.
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“Land degradation is a threat to productivity and sustainable resource management” Explain with suitable examples from India.
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Analyse the dynamics of industrial location in the metropolitan cities of India.
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How is energy transition seen as an instrument for achieving zero carbon by 2050?
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Protected cultivation assists in healthier and larger produce. Justify with examples.
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Describe the role of accessibility and affordability in the food security of the developing world.
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Small number of mega-cities are playing a key role in organization of global economics and culture. Explain.
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Aging population has adverse social and economic consequences. Explain with examples.
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“Shifting global trade patterns create new opportunities”. Examine this statement.
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“Automation is rapidly changing the economies of labour and will affect trade patterns in significant ways”. Clarify.
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Climate change is a serious problem to global food security and poverty eradication Critically examine.
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Explain in detail the impact of regional disparities on economic development.
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Discuss critically food and nutrition problems associated with the developing world.
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Explain population, resource use and development nexus in the Limits to Growth Model. Why has this model been criticized intensively?
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“The stages of Demographic Transition are a reflection of uneven económic development across the globe.” Explain with suitable examples.
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“While scarcity of water resources are felt locally, but its causes are increasingly global.” Comment.
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Explain the basis of D. Whittlesey’s classification of agricultural regions of the world.
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Analyse the spatial changes and emerging patterns of semiconductor manufacturing in the world.
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Analyze the spatial patterns and regional specialization of plantation crops across tropical and subtropical regions.
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Why is oil important for energy security? What is the role of oil in the clean energy transition?
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Critically examine the significance of five functioning forms with regard to agricultural regions of the world proposed by D. Whittlesey.
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Discuss agricultural productivity and techniques adopted for computing efficiency in the levels of agricultural productivity.
Unit 08
Population and Settlement Geography
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss the major characteristics of ‘CBD’.
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Analyze the role of demographic transition theory in explaining variations in fertility and mortality rates globally.
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The urbanisation process is particularly pronounced in Asia and Africa, where too many urban residents grapple with extreme poverty, exclusion, vulnerability and marginalisation. Discuss.
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Central Business Districts (CBDs) are in decline as the economic core of metropolitan cities. Critically examine.
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“Rural settlements are expressions of the basic relationships between human beings and their physical and social environment.”
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What is the relation between gender equity and human development? Provide a list of commonly used gender related indices.
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Explain the problems and prospects of urban expansion in the context of urban fringe in developed and developing nations.
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“The global demographic landscape is evolving with rapid population growth in some places and rapid ageing in others.” Elucidate with examples.
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Critically evaluate the role of primate cities in dominating the urban spheres of influence in developing countries.
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Human migration is a reflection of the balance between push and pull factors. Elaborate with reference to the most recent diaspora.
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Describe the regional pattern of Life Expectancy in the world and bring out the challenges faced by developing countries due to increasing life expectancy.
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Explain the concepts of “megalopolis” and “exopolis” with regard to the growth of cities indicating whether the two can and do overlap.
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Assess the challenges for countries with the largest shares of aged populations.
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How migration is affected by push and pull factors? Explain how these factors play/ a role in understanding new settlement patterns.
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Over crowding leads to chronic problem of shortage of housing in Indian cities” Explain citing relevant examples.
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Explain the concept of social capital in relation to India.
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Define the quality of life and explain its parameters with adequate examples.
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What do you mean by ‘climate migrants’? Suggest appropriate policies and programmes for their resettlement.
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Explain the relationship between net reproductive rate (NRR) and true replacement level of population.
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Critically examine the theories on population migration.
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Discuss the role of site in determining the types and patterns of rural settlements.
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Provide an account of world population transition in the context of fertility decline and socio-economic development.
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Factors in internal migration are often based on perceptions rather than reality. Explain.
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“In developed countries, migration rather than fertility will be the main driver of population dynamics over the next few decades.” Examine the statement.
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What is Transnationalism? Why has the scale and scope of transnational linkages of diaspora multiplied in recent times?
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“Where economic growth is sustained over long time periods, its incidence works towards a progressive integration of the space economy.” Elucidate.
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Distinguish between mobility and migration. What are the causes and consequences of rural to urban migration in India?
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Examine the morphological factors that influence the origin and growth of town.
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Examine the relevance of the Central Place Theory of Christaller in the present context.
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Citing examples from Asia and Europe, comment upon the contexts within which pro natalist population policies are advanced. What could be the implications of these policies on women’s workforce participation?
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Comment upon the contributions of D.M. Smith in outlining ‘welfare’ as a key focus in the geographies of social well-being.
-
Examine the causes and consequences of forced migration of population in the present context.
-
“There are considerable demographic similarities between West European nations and Japan.” Explain.
-
Discuss Nelson’s method of functional classification of towns.
-
Discuss the factors responsible for counter-urbanisation.
-
“Urban Geography is nothing but city “in” area and city “as” area.” Elaborate.
-
What are Geriatrics? What are the problems associated with Geriatric population?
-
Write short note: Mishra’s theoretical stages of Rural-Urban process.
-
Discuss the Geometry of Land Values in Urban Community and delimiting the Central Business District (CBD) in detail.
-
“The majority of migrants go only a short distance.” Explain with examples.
-
Analyse the measuring patterns of settlement in relation to the Nearest Neighbour Index and Rank-Size-Rule in detail.
-
Elaborate partition of Indian subcontinent and international migration in detail.
Unit 09
Regional Planning
PYQ Solutions
-
Analyze the role of language and religion in delineating major cultural regions of the world.
-
How do regional components make the (regional synthesis) in spatial arrangement? Explain.
-
‘Regional imbalances are the product of socio-economic factors.’ Elucidate with examples.
-
What is complementary region? With reference to hierarchy of settlements, describe the different types of complementary regions as proposed by Christaller.
-
Assess the criteria required for selecting regions for developmental planning?
-
There is a need for gender-sensitive regional development. Elaborate.
-
Describe the concept of Planning Region. Explain the environmental and economic factors in the creation of such regions.
-
How can Sustainable Land Management (SLM) harmonise the complimentary goals of environmental, economic and social opportunities? Discuss.
-
Discuss the different types of polarisation induced spatial inequalities and imbalances associated with growth poles.
-
Discuss the role of transportation accessibility in regional development.
-
Suggest criteria, indicators, and techniques for delimitation of formal regions.
-
The environmental issues are not adequately addressed in the regional planning. Comment.
-
Development-induced displacement poses serious challenges. Mention its causes, consequences, and solutions.
-
Explain the processes of contagion and hierarchical diffusion in addressing regional imbalances.
-
Discuss the concept of urban resilience in the context of planning for sustainable development with reference to towns and cities of India.
-
What are natural regions? How are they different from planning regions?
-
“Growth is not uniform in different places.” Critically examine this statement in the context of the growth pole theory.
-
Examine the role of small towns in the regional development process.
-
Give an account on sustainable development and its components.
-
In what ways can geographers contribute towards optimal land use planning in a region?
-
What is a ‘region’? Describe ‘Thiessen’ polygon method of regional delimitation.
-
Elaborate the idea of ‘Compage’.
-
“Vital statistics are necessary ingredients for development planning.” Elaborate.
-
“Geographical traits lead to regional imbalances.” Examine.
-
“Development planning has a component of environmental cost”. Discuss.
-
Explain the qualitative and quantitative methods of delineation of the sphere of urban influence.
-
“Rural sustainability is necessary for urban sustainability.” Discuss the statement in the backdrop of integrated development approach.
-
“Urban Solid Waste Management poses the greatest challenge in Metropolitan Planning”. Elaborate.
-
“Sustainable development requires Intergenerational and Intragenerational equity.” Comment with examples.
-
What are the principles of urban planning? Critically analyse town planning in India in the post independence period.
-
What are the approaches of human development? Describe in detail the measures for computing human development index.
Unit 10
Models, Theories and Laws
PYQ Solutions
-
Write short note: relevance of Heartland theory in Contemporary World.
-
What are the basic postulates in the Central Place Model of Christaller?
-
Critically analyse application of models in Geography.
-
Explain the necessary conditions of take-off and subsequent stages of development of a nation as propounded by Rostow.
-
Giving suitable examples, describe the importance of system analysis in geographical studies.
-
“Marx’s view on population is more humanistic”. Comment.
-
Discuss the relevance of Von Thünen’s model on agricultural location in the contemporary context.
-
Explain ‘Isodapane’.
-
Discuss the application of Gravity model in Geographical studies.
-
Define and differentiate between boundaries and frontiers. Describe the geometrical boundaries with suitable examples.
-
Give a critical account of Lösch’s theory of central places.
-
Write an explanatory note on geographical systems.
-
Discuss the applicability of Christaller’s Central Place Theory.
-
“The Heartland Theory is gaining importance once again.” Comment.
-
Write a note on “forward and backward linkages” in Perroux’s thesis of economic growth and regional development.
-
Outline briefly the “age of mass consumption” as described by Rostow in his multi-stage theory of growth.
-
Provide a brief outline of ideas related to “sense of place” as propounded by Yi-Fu Tuan and Relph in humanistic geography that emerged in the 1970s.
-
Elaborate upon the influence of Marxist philosophy on geographical research outlining key themes addressed by Marxist geographers since the 1970s.
-
Discuss the genetic classification of boundaries suggested by Hartshorne.
-
Examine the relevance of the ‘rimland theory’ in the contemporary world.
-
Write a note on the relevance of Von Thünen’s agricultural location theory in the present context.
-
Compare and contrast the Malthusian and Neo-Malthusian perspectives in the context of population growth, resource use, and environmental impact.
-
In the modern world, most of the frontiers have been replaced by boundaries. Explain the reasons.
-
Discuss how and why Mackinder modified his concept of Pivot Area after the World Wars.
-
Boundaries are important in geopolitics. Explain. What issues develop from the inclusionary and exclusionary aspects of borders.
-
Present a critical account of Alfred Weber’s Theory of Industrial location.
-
Explain the geometrical boundaries with examples.
-
Explain the relevance and applicability of Von Thünen’s theory of agricultural location in today’s world.
-
Discuss the concept of ‘Rank-Size-Rule’ given by G.K. Zipf. Is this rule relevant in Indian context?
-
Has Malthusian Theory been discredited in contemporary times? Justify your answer.
-
Explain with suitable diagrams A. Lösch’s model of the Theory of Location related to Central Places. Why has this been criticized?
-
“Boundaries and frontiers have different meanings in geographical literature.” Substantiate your answer in the present context.
-
Explain the theoretical framework and stages of economic growth proposed by Rostow’s model.
-
Explain the Heartland theory with reference to contemporary geopolitical scenario of the world.
-
Why is systems analysis important in urban planning and what are its limitations?
-
Why has P. Perroux’s theory of growth pole as a model of regional growth been criticized? Explain with examples.
-
Explain the Rimland Theory with reference to ongoing geopolitical scenario in the world.
-
“Under what situations Von Thunen’s model of agricultural location is still rational.” Justify with examples.
Syllabus map
Paper II · Geography of India
Physical Setting, Resources, Agriculture, Industry, Transport, Communication and Trade, Cultural Setting, Settlements, Regional Development and Planning, Political Aspects, Contemporary Issues.
Unit 11
Physical Setting
PYQ Solutions
-
Describe the geographical conditions necessary for the growth of mangrove forests in India. Explain their ecological and economic significance.
-
Explain the vertical zonation of vegetation of the Himalayas.
-
Briefly describe the origin, distribution and economic significance of Cuddapah and Dharwar rock systems of India.
-
Explain the factors that contribute to droughts in India with specific reference to food production, distribution and availability. Can Indian agricultural policies resolve the issue?
-
Highlight the characteristics of land utilization in Eastern Ghats region of India. What are the land utilization problems in the region?
-
Referring to the location and physical formation of karewas, highlight their economic significance.
-
How are geographic factors influencing the distribution of high, annual rainfall in certain parts of India?
-
Discuss the variations in nature of glaciers in India and the emerging issues due to climate change.
-
Explain the geological characteristics and ecological significance of the Eastern Ghats.
-
Discuss the basis of various explanations for the formation of Shiwalik.
-
Incidence of extreme rainfall events and flash floods in recent times have led to devastating consequences for people living in low-lying areas and flood plains of the country. Discuss.
-
Describe the origin, distribution and economic significance of Gondwana system of rocks in India.
-
Soils of India, are clear reflections of the structure and process. Comment.
-
Critically examine the factors affecting the unpredictability of South-West Monsoon system in India.
-
How do physiography and climate of India explain the biological diversity of the country?
-
Describe the structure and relief features of the Deccan Plateau.
-
Explain the impact of tropical cyclones and western disturbances on the climate of India.
-
Describe the problems of cloud burst in India giving suitable examples.
-
Describe the salient features of the east-flowing rivers of India.
-
Discuss the economic significance of the volcanic soils of India.
-
Soil type in India, classified on the basis of colour, possess specific chemical and mineral characteristics. Discuss.
-
Climate change has unsettled the rhythm of seasons. Comment with examples and empirical evidence.
-
Present the salient features of West flowing rivers of India.
-
Discuss the rainfall pattern and correlate it with spatial distribution of natural vegetation in India.
-
Why is the Indian Monsoon erratic in nature? Explain.
-
The relationship between El Niño and the Indian monsoon is becoming complex under the conditions of global warming. Critically examine.
-
Distinguish the geographical aspects of North-Western lava plateau and Chota Nagpur Plateau of Peninsular India.
-
Explain the unusual intensity of dust storms and thunderstorms across India in the pre-monsoon period of year 2018.
-
Drainage pattern in Peninsular India is a result of its geological structure and topography. Elaborate.
-
Justify the inclusion of Meghalaya in Peninsular India and discuss its vegetation and soil types.
-
Give a reasoned account of unusual pattern of distribution of monsoonal rainfall in India in 2017.
-
Discuss the role of spatial pattern of rainfall and temperature in the delimitation of climatic regions of India especially with reference to Stamp’s climatic regionalization.
-
Describe the distribution of black soils in India and their specific use for agriculture.
-
Mention the space relationship of India with neighbouring countries.
-
Explain the shifting of river courses and river capturing in the Himalayas.
-
How does natural vegetation affect the formation of in situ soils?
-
Explain the pattern of winter rainfall in India.
-
Describe the salient climatological characteristic of Rayalaseema region.
-
Bring out the distribution of Laterite soils in India and their specific use for agriculture.
-
Discuss the mechanism of Indian Monsoon.
-
How is drainage pattern determined by the water divide?
-
Explain the topographical and structural characteristics of the Siwalik Range.
Unit 12
Resources
PYQ Solutions
-
Deforestation in the upper reaches of a river augments the magnitude of soil erosion. Elaborate your answer citing the example of any North Indian river.
-
Examine the validity of the Blue Economy initiatives of India. Elaborate the impacts of this economy on the country’s development.
-
Efficient use of energy resources can resolve the energy crisis in India. Comment.
-
Why are coral reefs in India most important with respect to its dynamic ecosystem? Explore.
-
Discuss the targets of focused interventions of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, 2024 in rural and urban areas.
-
Water Scarcity is an important cause of disputes and conflicts in India. Suggest innovative methods for location-based solutions.
-
Conservation and breeding centres are important component of the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025. Why?
-
Why are critical minerals essential for the economic development and national security in India?
-
Discuss the green energy initiatives of India as a signatory nation to the Paris Agreement.
-
Critically examine the role of petroleum energy resources on International Geopolitics with special reference to India.
-
Discuss the impact of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 on forest conservation in India.
-
India is bestowed with rich mineral resources due to its geological structure. Correlate the above statement with large mineral belts of India.
-
The peninsular location of India provides scope for harnessing non-conventional energy resources. Discuss with examples.
-
Examine the critical issues of groundwater resources in India.
-
Discuss the salient features of Project Tiger in India.
-
Discuss the importance of solar energy in the future economic development of India.
-
Discuss the reserves, distribution, and production of all varieties of coal in India.
-
The pattern of growing ecological foot-prints is uneven in nature. Analyze with reference to land resources in India.
-
Discuss the problems of wildlife conservation and management in India.
-
Examine the major causes of groundwater depletion in India.
-
Illustrate with suitable examples the endeavours undertaken in augmenting conservation of water and vegetation in India.
-
Keeping the recent developments in view, how can the energy crisis of India be circumvented by harnessing non-conventional energy resources?
-
Discuss the freshwater crisis in India and prepare a blueprint for its sustainable management.
-
Why has solar energy in India not been developed to desired level in spite of its high potential?
-
Give an account of the development of renewable resources of India.
-
Identify the important biotic resource regions of India and highlight their problems.
-
Outline the Government of India’s strategies of conservation of the Western Ghats.
-
Account for the geographical distribution of groundwater resources of India. How serious is its depletion in recent decades?
-
Highlight the socio-economic and ecological roles of River Cauvery in its riverine tract.
-
Delineate the coalfields of India and mention their distinctive features.
Unit 13
Agriculture
PYQ Solutions
-
Divide India into agro-ecological regions and highlight the salient features of any one of them.
-
Examine the causes and consequences of crop diversification in India. How can crop diversification contribute to sustainable agriculture?
-
Discuss the necessary conditions for the cultivation of fox nuts and describe the areas of its production in India.
-
What are the challenges of dairy sector in India? Describe the contribution of bovine population.
-
How does the agricultural sector of India confront with the contemporary physical and politico-economic changes in the different regions of the country? Elucidate.
-
How does Himalayan ecosystem regulate the cropping pattern and agricultural activities in Himalayan region of India? Discuss.
-
Examine the transitional role of technology on Indian agriculture sector.
-
How do small and fragmented landholdings affect the agro-ecological system in rural India? What are the resilient steps needed to overcome this issue?
-
Institutional factors are playing a dominant role in controlling the agricultural prosperity in India. Justify with evidences.
-
Why India lags behind many other countries in agricultural productivity? Suggest suitable measures to raise productivity across the regions in a sustainable manner.
-
India’s poultry sector has become one of the fastest growing areas of the country’s agricultural sector. Examine its opportunities and challenges.
-
Discuss the significance of organic farming for sustainable agricultural development in India.
-
Why are millets considered as ‘nutri-cereals’ and climate-resilient? Discuss the constraints and opportunities of millet cultivation in India.
-
How do agro-climatic and land capability indicators assist in the macro-agricultural regionalization of India? Illustrate with an appropriate map.
-
Discuss the importance of ‘Dry-land’ farming in the drought-prone regions of India.
-
Discuss the recent changes brought about in institutional frameworks of agriculture in India. Evaluate its impact on the agrarian economy of the country.
-
Canal irrigation has led to monocropping in India. Explain with suitable examples.
-
Elucidate the benefits of neem coated urea scheme for indian agriculture.
-
Discuss the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides in agriculture and its impact on human health.
-
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020 aims to deregulate the production, supply, and distribution of farm produce. Critically examine its spatial consequences.
-
Correlate the agro-climatic zones with agro-ecological regions of India.
-
Explain the significance of dry farming in drought prone areas of India.
-
Examine the ongoing process of agricultural diversification and its implications for food security in India.
-
Explain the contemporary agricultural scenario in the context of rapid urbanizations in India.
-
“India has paid heavily for achievement of Green Revolution in the form of economic, social and ecological cost.” Discuss.
-
Land reform is a key to modern agriculture in India. Describe various measures taken in this direction after Independence.
-
Define agricultural intensity and bring out its regional distribution in India.
-
Discuss the scope of replication of ‘White Revolution’ in India.
-
With the help of a map, indicate the principal areas of dryland farming in the country and account for farmers’ suicides mainly in those areas.
-
Distinguish between ‘agricultural productivity’ and ‘agricultural efficiency’, and bring out the disparity in regional distribution of agricultural efficiency.
-
‘In spite of various negative impacts of Green Revolution, there is a demand for New Green Revolution.’ Elaborate.
-
Explain how modernization of Indian agriculture is affected by unfavorable institutional factors with suitable examples.
-
Why has agro and social forestry has failed to achieve its objectives?
-
Define agricultural productivity. Mention the methods of its measurement and bring out the disparities in its regional distribution.
-
Discuss the role of institutional factors in shaping the pattern of Indian agriculture.
-
Discuss the potentiality and present status of horticulture in the Western and central Himalaya.
-
Explain the method of delineating crop-association regions with reference to India.
Unit 14
Industry
PYQ Solutions
-
Analyse the spatial distribution of India’s automobile industry. How have the clusters like Chennai, Pune and Gurugram emerged as key auto-hubs?
-
Critically examine the environmental and economic consequences of India’s rise as a global data centre hub.
-
Explain the global supply chain for the fertilizer industry in India. How do international prices of key inputs affect domestic production?
-
Discuss the role of the private sector in the technological advancements of the defence industry in India.
-
Why cottage industries in India are an integral part of Indian socio-economic structure? Assess this with reference to different types of cottage industries in rural India.
-
Explain the factors which contribute to the growth of India’s pharmaceutical industry with specific reference to its concentration in western region of India.
-
Write a critically argued essay on nautical tourism and its infrastructure in India.
-
Industrial waste is diversified. Discuss the potentials and challenges associated with it.
-
Assess the ecotourism potential of Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep islands and highlight the challenges associated with the sustainable development of island territories.
-
Domestic tourism in India has immense local resource potential. Discuss the reasons and its various dimensions.
-
Identify the jute-producing areas and discuss the major causes of decline of jute mill industry in India.
-
Indian Pharma Industry has to move from ‘volume’ to ‘value’ leadership to capture global market. Discuss.
-
Discuss the salient characteristics of industrial complexes of Western India. Examine the impact of SEZ policy on the region.
-
Assess the growth of multinational corporations in the liberalized economic environment of India.
-
Identify the major industrial corridors of India and discuss the characteristics of the Bengaluru-Mumbai Corridor.
-
Examine the significance of ecotourism in relation to socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation in India.
-
Give a reasoned account of the difference between the sugar industry of North and Peninsular India.
-
What are the characteristics of Blue Flag certified beaches? Discuss their significance for beach tourism in India.
-
Identify oilseeds producing areas in India and discuss the measure to promote edible oil industry.
-
The Pharmaceutical industry in India depend on the import of raw material. Evaluate this statement in view of the Indo-Chinese relationship.
-
Explain the relevance of green tourism for sustainable development of mountain environment in India.
-
Assess the importance of foot-loose industries in the development of backward regions in India.
-
Critically analyse the role of multinational corporations in India’s economic development with suitable examples.
-
Startups may play important role in giving fillip to economic growth in India. Illustrate with examples.
-
Give a critical account of region specific constraints of sustainable tourism in India.
-
Assess the suitability of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for the sustainable economic development in India.
-
Name the major industrial regions of India indicating the bases of their identification. Highlight their basic problems.
-
Mini steel plants can act as an instrument of decentralization of iron and steel industry in India. Explain.
-
How may tourism in hilly areas of India be developed as an important source of economy?
-
Analyze the location, distributional pattern and problems of cotton textile industries in India.
-
“The Bokaro Iron and Steel Plant is an example of Industrial Complex.” Explain.
-
Explain the New Industrial Policies in India.
-
Why is the traditional crafts industry in India on the decline?
-
What are the desired possible changes in our trade policy to promote the development of cottage industry?
-
Why does the pharmaceutical industry concentrate largely in the western region of the country?
-
Describe the problems of agro-based industries in India in general and cotton textiles in particular.
-
Location of thermal power plants and coal fields in India are not mutually conducive. Analyse.
-
Explain how eco-tourism activities could be important livelihood options in the Himalayan and North-Eastern regions of the country.
-
Discuss the problems in realization of benefits of globalization and liberalization in industrial sector of India.
-
Distributional pattern of industries in India does not provide requisite basis for division of the country into distinct industrial regions. Elaborate.
-
Explain the role of multinationals in globalization of industries in India.
-
Identify the main industrial clusters of India and account for their development.
Unit 15
Transport, Communication and Trade
PYQ Solutions
-
Poor road infrastructure and inadequate public transport system remain the key issues in Indian metropolitan areas. Discuss with suitable examples.
-
Describe the role of energy pipelines in the industrial development and in reducing the regional imbalances in India.
-
India’s vulnerability to maritime choke-points has increased sharply over time due to geopolitical tensions. Discuss.
-
With reference to the transport and communication network of India, critically discuss the ‘Sagarmala project’.
-
What are the major regional rapid transit systems developed in India? How are urban problems being addressed by them?
-
Highlight the salient features of India’s trade policy. Discuss the status of India’s balance of trade with China.
-
The Indian Space Policy, 2023 supports the commercial presence in space. In what ways will it benefit the socio-economic development and security of India?
-
Examine the role of Indian Earth Observation Satellite Technology in enhancing weather forecasting and disaster management.
-
Discuss the geopolitical significance of Quad in the Indo-Pacific realm with reference to marine trade in the region.
-
Critically examine the role of IRNSS-NavIC programme on the satellite navigation system of India.
-
Discuss the significance of new ports on the Western Coast of India on the external trade of the country.
-
Critically assess the status of the balance of trade in India and suggest some measures to combat the issues.
-
Examine how information and communication technology has boosted the development of certain regions of India.
-
India has opened-up its space to private sectors for satellite-based activities. Critically examine its implications indicating the major security concerns.
-
With special reference to India examine the changes in the nature and patterns of international trade. Mention the major influencing factors.
-
Examine the development of information technology in India and its influence on work culture and society.
-
Examine ongoing space programmes of India and their implications for national security in future.
-
Discuss the changing composition of international trade through major seaports of India.
-
Explain the pipeline network across India and its impact on regional development.
-
Account for the persisting negative trade balance of India.
-
Integrated development of road and rail networks in a complementary framework is a prerequisite for regional development. Explain with reference to North-Eastern Region of India.
-
Describe the salient features of Sagar Mala Project and highlight its role in port-led development of coastal regions in India.
-
Critically examine the feasibility of development of a comprehensive network of airways in India.
-
Bring out the significance of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
-
Evaluate the impact of technology on resource utilization in India.
-
Explain with suitable examples the role of road transport in agricultural development in India.
-
Analyse the pattern of India’s trade with the S-E Asian countries.
-
Bring out the development of river water transport in India and its role in regional development.
-
How has India’s ‘Look East’ policy taken shape in the past two decades and how it may affect India’s external trade?
-
Evaluate the contribution of Communication and Information Technology to the development of economy and society, and examine the relevance of the recently launched ‘Digital India’ programme.
-
Discuss the problems and prospects of National Waterway No. 1.
-
Examine the role of road transport in regional development taking suitable examples from an area you have studied in detail.
Unit 16
Cultural Setting
PYQ Solutions
-
Assess the role of geographical isolation in preserving tribal culture, as well as hindering their socio-economic development in India.
-
Examine the trends in fertility rates across Indian states over time. How are they projected to evolve by 2050?
-
Analyse the consequences of circular migration in India. How does it influence both rural development and the urban economy?
-
“Spatial distribution of religious groups in India does not show any specific pattern.” Illustrate with arguments.
-
What are the key features of sex-ratio of population in India? Evaluate the impacts of child sex-ratio on general sex-ratio in the country.
-
Why is the pattern of population distribution of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes different in India? Compare their socio-economic problems with examples.
-
How is cultural background of States of India reflected in the attributes of sex and age structure?
-
Indian population belongs to large number of races. Discuss the spatial distribution of major races.
-
Explain the cultural regions of India based on their cultural attributes.
-
In spite of various tribal area development programmes in India, tribal areas still lag behind. Discuss critically with examples.
-
With a falling fertility rate and rising median age, how can India translate demographic dividend to economic dividend?
-
Discuss the emergence of linguistic regions and states in India.
-
How would decline in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) below the replacement level, in many states of India affect the future population structure of the country?
-
Discuss the impact of Forest Rights Act, 2006 on the local forest communities in India.
-
Critically examine the relevance of Ravenstein’s law of population migration with reference to India.
-
The process of demographic transition is not uniform in India. Examine this statement in the context of demographic transition theory.
-
Analyse the changing nature of workforce composition vis-a-vis rural-urban divide in India.
-
Analyse the role of interstate migration in regional disparity in India.
-
Explain the present status of age-structure and availability of workforce in India.
-
Discuss the socio-economic problems associated with the left behind families of international migrants from India.
-
Critically assess the vanishing ethnic linguistic plurality of India.
-
Religious minorities are largely concentrated in border States of India. Discuss its causes and consequences.
-
“Linguistic diversity is an asset as well as a challenge in India.” Explain the statement focussing on the distribution of languages and the major steps taken to address the related issues.
-
Point out the ethnic disparities in the N-E India.
-
Discuss the factors influencing the distribution of sex ratio in India.
-
In population planning, the thrust of the Government has been ‘planning the population’ not ‘plan for the population’. Elaborate.
-
Discuss the social and spatial ramifications of increasing longevity.
-
“Age-sex pyramid is representative of the history of a region.” Explain.
-
Discuss the trends in emigration focusing on its major thrust.
-
Highlight the implications of declining child sex ratio in India.
-
Describe the impact of linguistic diversity on the development of various regions of India.
-
Demographic dividend and its implications on Indian socio-economic environment.
-
What do you understand by ‘Young India’? How can the present state of population composition be converted into an asset for the country?
Unit 17
Settlements
PYQ Solutions
-
Explain the government initiatives for the redevelopment of slum areas in the mega cities of India.
-
How can rural-urban fringe be delineated? Explain with suitable examples from India.
-
“The rural settlements in India are highly diversified due to both physical and cultural factors.” Justify the statement with examples.
-
How can morphology of Indian towns be described historically? Discuss the major features of the first planned city in India after independence.
-
Migration is the reflection of regional disparities. What socio-economic and demographic consequences are experienced at the place of origin and destination?
-
Discuss the process of formation of conurbations in India and describe their problems.
-
A large number of Indian cities have a complex morphological characteristics due to their historical evolution. Elucidate.
-
Urban built environment in big cities of India create key changes in the biophysical character of the landscape. Discuss.
-
What are the drivers of urban sprawl around the major cities of the country? How have new investments in transport projects supported sprawl development ?
-
Discuss Ashok Mitra’s classification method of Indian cities.
-
Examine the role of high population concentration in Indian slums in making them more vulnerable during pandemic conditions like the COVID-19.
-
Critically examine the importance of the Smart Cities Programme for solving urban problems in India.
-
Urban sprawl around planned cities evolve leading to emergence of squatter settlements. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such outgrowth.
-
Identify challenges faced by generative and parasitic towns in India and their possible remedies.
-
Provide a reasoned account on emerging conurbations in India and explain with suitable examples the problems associated with it.
-
Give a reasoned geographical account of changing rural folk houses in india.
-
Correlate the price of land, vertical growth of cities and the growth of slums in large cities of India.
-
Peri-urbanization has created enormous environmental problems. Discuss their causes and consequences with reference to the National Capital Region (N.C.R.) of India.
-
Examine the driving forces of changing urban morphology of million-plus cities of India with suitable examples.
-
Mention various methods of functional classification of towns in India and explain the method applied by Asok Mitra.
-
Small towns in India have problems and prospects of their own. Elaborate.
-
Describe the causes and effects of urbanization in India and explain its impact on rural landscape and urban ecology.
-
How do slums develop? Give concrete suggestions for their improvement.
-
Present a comparative analysis of geographical factors responsible for distribution of human settlements in Rajasthan desert and North-Eastern regions of India.
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Reduction in regional disparities has been one of the priority goals of national planning in India. How the proposed new Smart urban centres may contribute to the process?
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“Mono-functional towns are economically vulnerable.” Discuss.
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Account for the multiple problems of urban agglomerations.
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Analyse the feasibility of ‘Smart Towns’ Development in India.
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Define slums and explain their problems.
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Write note on the emergence of National Settlement System in colonial India and discuss the factors contributing to urbanization in post-independence period.
Unit 18
Regional Development and Planning
PYQ Solutions
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Soil and water conservation are the major challenges in the development of hill areas of India. Explain.
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Discuss how Panchayati Raj institutions play a crucial role in the empowerment of women in India.
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With reference to typical examples, assess why regional planning in India is important for island territories for their sustainable development.
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“Watershed is the most appropriate spatial unit for planning.” Comment.
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The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act devolved functions, finances and functionaries for planning of rural areas in India. Discuss the major achievements with examples.
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Examine the relationship between seaports and regional development in India.
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Describe the area-specific strategies for the development of drought-prone areas in India.
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India has wide-ranging regional disparities in economic development. Explain the patterns, implications and challenges.
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Describe the regional variations of health indicators among the Indian States.
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Critically examine the ecological and economic impact of Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area development.
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Poor quality of urban planning in India is a huge constraint in realizing the true economic potentials of urbanization. Critically examine.
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Why do disparities in development and incomes between regions persist in large countries like India ? How does the recent ADP plan address the issue ?
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Can the Panchayat Raj institutions play a role in grassroot level planning in India ? If yes, discuss how.
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Discuss the Command Area Development Programme and its impact on eliminating regional inequalities in India.
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Critically examine how Panchayati Raj system is catalyst in decentralized planning in India.
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Discuss the role of watershed management for soil and water conservation in hilly regions of India.
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What kind of skill promotion programmes have been initiated for job deficient regions in India? Explain.
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The success of Panchayati Raj depends upon meaningful participation of people at grassroot level. Examine.
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Identifying areas covered under tribal sub-plan, discuss the programmes initiated to address their problems.
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Analyse the incentive oriented programmes for removing regional imbalances in socio-economic development of India.
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Discuss how watershed management has become a tool in eradication of rural poverty in India.
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Examine the role of people’s participation in successful decentralised planning in India.
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Discuss the strategies of integrated development of island territories in India.
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Explain the role of ‘Hill Transport Subsidy Scheme’ in reducing regional imbalances in areas identified by the Government of India.
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“An effective three-tier Panchayat Raj System will strengthen the bottom-up approach to multilevel planning in India.” Explain.
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Describe the major tribal regions of India and their problems.
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Indian island territories are vulnerable to the sea level rise. Explain.
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Discuss the concept of multi-level planning as practised in India, and explain the implications of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in this respect.
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Is planning for a cluster of villages a viable option, when planning for backward areas of the country? Discuss with suitable examples.
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Discuss the relationship of watershed approach to village level planning.
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Decentralized planning through the strengthening of the Panchayat system is the focus of planning in India in recent times. Suggest a blueprint for an integrated regional development plan.
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Discuss the concept of Command Area Development and evaluate its success with reference to Indira Gandhi Canal.
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How can a meaningful skill development programme contribute to the economic growth of hill areas?
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Evaluate the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme.
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Comment on the criteria of identifying Drought Prone Areas in India.
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Discuss the objective of ‘Vision 2020’ in creation of viable village complex in India for ‘Inclusive Rural Development’ programme.
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Enumerate the basic indicators of development and explain their application in identification of the spatial diversity in development in India.
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City-regions as territorial unit for regional planning and development.
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Planning and development of ‘Tribal Regions’ in India.
Unit 19
Political Aspects
PYQ Solutions
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With reference to the international boundary between India and Bangladesh, discuss the related issues and challenges.
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With reference to international boundaries of India, discuss the related issues, giving suitable examples.
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“India’s approach to the Indian Ocean is cooperative rather than coercive.” Critically examine the statement.
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Is North East India a geo-political or geo-cultural region? Justify your answer.
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“Socio-political landscape in India is a result of regional consciousness creating inter-state disputes.” Discuss with region specific examples.
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India is playing a very significant role in world affairs. Examine the stands taken by India in important global and regional summits.
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North-Eastern States of India are geopolitically sensitive and strategically significant. Explain.
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Examine the geopolitical impact of bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka.
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Examine the geostrategic significance of Indian islands.
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Discuss the continuing disputes on water sharing between the riparian states of North-West India.
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Kalapani dispute has opened a new front on the India-Nepal international border. Explain.
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Critically examine the problems of inter-State border disputes in India.
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Discuss the geo-political impact of bilateral relationship between India and Bhutan.
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Describe the economic, maritime and strategic interests of India in South China Sea.
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Border area development is an important national priority. What are the resilient steps needed for peaceful borders?
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Has the regional aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir been addressed through re-organisation of the state? Make an assessment.
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“India is emerging as global power in relation to Indian ocean realm.” Elaborate.
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Discuss the political aspects of Himalaya. Explain how it has affected the geo-strategy, geo-politics and regional consciousness of Indian federalism.
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Is the land boundary of India with its neighbouring countries a cultural divide or divided culture? Explain with suitable examples.
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Discuss the emerging geo-political scenario of Indian Ocean realm.
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Cross border terrorism has implications on border area development in India. Examine it with suitable examples.
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Why setting up of Water Management Boards is a controversial issue in India ?
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Goods and Services Tax (GST) has differential impact on developed and backward States of the country. How and why?
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Bring out the geopolitical implications of Doklam dispute in the context of Indo-China relations.
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Identify the Naxal-affected areas in India and discuss their socio-economic problems.
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Explain the inter-State issues involved in implementation of the Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal Project.
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Explain the role of India in the geo-politics of South Asia.
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Explain the origin, dimension and implications of Sino-Indian border dispute.
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Give a reasoned account of river water disputes related to the River Krishna.
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India is involved in a number of border disputes. Explain the reasons and remedies.
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Discuss the implications of India’s strategic location with reference to the Indian Ocean.
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Bring out the role of terrain in determining India’s political influence over neighbouring countries.
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Write a note on geopolitics of the Indian Ocean realm.
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Comment on the basis of creation of new States in India in 2000.
Unit 20
Contemporary Issues
PYQ Solutions
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Critically examine the strategic, economic and ecological impacts of the proposed ‘Great Nicobar Project’.
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Why is it difficult to improve the quality of air during the winter season in the Gangetic plain? Critically evaluate with suitable examples.
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Disaster risk reduction and community resilience are the two pillars that need to be prioritized in the flood prone areas of India. Critically analyse.
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While defining the green architecture, discuss its principles and challenges in response to climate change in India.
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What are the causes and consequences of land degradation due to desertification in India ? Examine with reference to various regional issues.
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Describe the causes of the phenomenon of ‘urban heat island’. What are the effective measures to deal with this phenomenon in India ?
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Discuss the problems of floods and their management with special reference to Indo-Gangetic Plain.
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Health is the outcome of interaction between physical setting, cultural traits and ecological connection. Explain.
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Examine the environmental challenges caused by the solid waste in metropolitan regions of India and discuss the efforts to overcome it.
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Evaluate the role of the National Food Security Act, 2013 in providing access of food to the poor in India.
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Groundwater contamination in the fast expanding urban landscape of India appears to have become a major public health issue. Discuss.
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The process of desertification leads to soil desiccation and soil loss. Explain.
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Why has extreme particulate pollution remained a festering issue in Delhi NCR region ?
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Discuss the ecological and economic challenges of river linking in India.
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Appraise why drought is one of the most common climatic extremes in India.
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Demarcating the seismic zones of India, suggest suitable interventions required in most sensitive seismic zones for sustainable human settlements.
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Landslide is a major problem in Himalayan region. Discuss its causes and mitigation measures.
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Avalanche is a major hazard in the Himalayas. What are its causes and mitigation measures ?
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Digital Divide in India needs quick redressal to reduce regional disparity in development. Elaborate with suitable examples.
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Stunting and wasting among children are major consequences of food insecurity. Discuss various schemes of Government of India to address these problems and their achievements.
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Discuss the methods of crop residue management in rural India to reduce pollution.
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Describe the altitudinal and spatial geo-environmental hazards in the Himalayas.
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Give a reasoned account of high level of pollution in North Indian cities as compared to South Indian cities.
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Examine the problems of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in India.
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“Intrabasins linkages of rivers are more feasible economically, socially and ecologically”. Discuss with suitable examples from India.
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Describe the socio-spatial consequences of the recent Nipah viral encephalitis in India.
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Make a critical appraisal of the factors affecting river water quality in India.
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Explain the changing river courses and their impacts on the riparian population in India with suitable examples.
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What do you understand by soil pollution? Delineate the areas vulnerable to it in India and suggest remedial measures.
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Interlinking of rivers may serve as a major source of assured irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India. Comment on its feasibility taking into account physical, economic and ecological implication.
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Farmers’ suicide is one of the major agrarian problems in India. Bring out its causes and suggest the remedial measures with special reference to Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.
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Explain the impact of economic development on environmental degradation in India.
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Examine the causes of regional disparities in economic development in India.
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Describe the flood-prone areas and their management problems in the Ganga Plains.
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Explain how change in land use can promote eco-development at different levels in the country.
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How does climate change affect the process of desertification of India?
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Account for the growing frequency and intensity of floods in India, and suggest short- and long-term remedial measures indicating the chronically flood-prone areas.
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How has an inappropriate urban land use policy accounted for undesirable development in and around metropolitan cities ?
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Differentiate between the ‘intensity’ and ‘magnitude’ of an earthquake and explain its varying impact in different parts of India.
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Explain the concept of ‘Make in India’ and indicate the essential inputs for its success.
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Suggest the measures of wild-life conservation with reference to extinction of rare species.
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Describe how urbanization creates air and water pollution in India.
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Identify the earthquake-prone zones and suggest strategy for their management.
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Snags in the Food Security Policy of India
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Comment on the feasibility of interlinking of rivers of India and its possible contribution to resolution of water crisis.
