Geography Optional · Paper I · Physical Geography
Geomorphology Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Geomorphology (Paper I, Physical Geography), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Landforms, geomorphic cycles, slope development, applied geomorphology.
48
Solved PYQs
2013–2026
Years covered
95
Questions listed
33
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Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All Geography Optional units
Paper I · Unit 01
Geomorphology notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
Free notes
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Applied Geomorphology: Meaning, Applications & Techniques
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Cave and Spring Deposits in Karst Topography
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Channel Morphology – UPSC
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Denudation Chronology – UPSC
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Desert Landforms: Erosional and Depositional
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Discontinuities Inside the Earth
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Drainage Basin: Concept, Patterns, Morphometry and Evolution
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Earthquake Causes and Effects: Geography UPSC
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Endogenic forces – UPSC
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Erosional Surfaces: Peneplains, Pediplains, Panplains
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Exogenic Forces – UPSC
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Fluvial Landforms: Erosional and Depositional
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Geological Time Scale: Geography Optional UPSC
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Geomagnetism & Geomagnetic Reversal – UPSC
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Geomorphic Cycles & Davis Cycle of Erosion
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Geosyncline Theory – UPSC
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Glacial Landforms: Erosional and Depositional
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Interior of the Earth: Core, Mantle and Crust
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Isostasy & Theories of Isostasy – UPSC
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Karst Landforms: Erosional and Depositional
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L.C. King Model of Slope Development – UPSC
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Latitude and Longitude | Standard Time zone – UPSC
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Marine Landforms: Erosional and Depositional
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Models of Slope Development
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Origin of the Earth: (Geomorphology) Geography Optional UPSC
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Penck Model of Cycle of Erosion – UPSC
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Periglacial Processes & Periglacial Landforms – UPSC
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Recent Views on Mountain Building – UPSC
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Seafloor Spreading theory, Paleomagnetism – Geography UPSC
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Seismic waves: P waves, S waves, L waves
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Slope elements and Slope development
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The solar system planets information: Geography Optional UPSC
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Theories of Mountain Building – UPSC
Free practice
Previous year questions: Geomorphology
Every question UPSC has asked from this unit, year-wise, with a link to its solved answer.
Topic-wise question list
Year-wise question papers
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UPSC Geography Optional Question Paper 2019
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UPSC Mains 2026: Geography Optional Topic-wise Questions {Paper I and Paper II}
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UPSC Geography Optional Question Paper 2026
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UPSC Geography Optional Question Paper 2025
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UPSC Geography Optional Question Paper 2024
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UPSC Geography Optional Question Paper 2023
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UPSC Geography Optional Question Paper 2022
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UPSC Geography Optional Question Paper 2021
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UPSC Geography Optional Question Paper 2020
300+ Score Pack
Solved PYQ answers: Geomorphology
Model answers written the way a 300+ scorer writes them, newest exam year first. Members open the full answer; everyone else sees the question and can join the pack.
PYQ Solutions
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What is scarification? List out various impacts and examples of scarification on land.
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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 ‘Helical’ flow? How Helical flow accounts for meander modifications?
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“The Himalaya is still rising.” Expand this statement and describe the processes involved in it with suitable sketches and diagrams.
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How does denudation chronology help in understanding the sequential development of landscapes and landforms? Elucidate.
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What geological and tectonic processes lead to the formation of nappes in orogenic belts?
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Explain the causes of glacial lake outburst floods.
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Describe the process of formation of barrier islands and explain their significance.
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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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Examine the recent views on mountain building process and divide the world mountains on the basis of their genesis.
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What are ‘truncated spurs’? Where and how are they formed?
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Define Peneplains. Describe the landscape features associated with peneplains under different geomorphic cycles.
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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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What is “Geostrophic Wind”? Explain the relationship between barometric slope and air circulation.
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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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Discuss the role of Slope, Altitude and Relief (SAR) in landscape development.
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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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Define Speleothem. Discuss the various forms and features of speleothem.
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Stream basins and drainage divides are important components to delineate a watershed area. Explain.
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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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Describe the concept of Altiplanation.
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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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Write an essay on the evolution of continents and oceans using various theories and models.
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Why is mapping important for analyzing geo-hydrological investigations? Explain with relevant examples.
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Discuss the methods of measuring the intensity and magnitude of earthquakes. How are seismic zones demarcated?
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Compare and contrast different types of plate boundaries.
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How are sand spits and tombolos formed?
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Describe phreatic eruptions and their consequences.
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“Geomorphological changes are largely responsible for environmental hazards in the Himalayan region.” Comment with relevant examples.
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Evaluate how far Kober’s geosyncline theory explains the mountain building process.
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“Landscape is a function of structure, process and stage.” Critique the statement.
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Write a note on pseudovolcanic features.
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“Climate, slope gradient and rock structure influence the avulsion of channels.” Explain.
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Discuss the concept of Periglacial cycle as propounded by Peltier.
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“The knowledge of slope analysis has limited field application in the slope management.” Explain.
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“Geological structure has a dominant control on landforms and is reflected on them.” Discuss.
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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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Describe the “Basket of Eggs topography”.
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“Present-day landforms bear more complexity than simplicity”. Elucidate.
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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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Discuss the contribution of the American school of subaerial Denudation in geomorphology.
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Attempt a classification of geomorphic process from the zonal point of view.
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Define the term ‘meander’ and describe the basic characteristics of entrenched meander and ingrown meander.
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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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State the concept of erosion surfaces and highlight the factors responsible for their development.
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Explain weathering and mass wasting, and describe their geomorphic significance.
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Write short note: Differences between Normal cycle and Arid cycle of Davis.
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Write short note: Impact of Pleistocene Ice age on the crust of the Earth.
Model Q&A and topic notes
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“Discuss the impact of crop cultivation & horticulture on the geomorphic landscape.”
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“Discuss the impact of humans on: Fluvial processes & Coastal processes”
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“Discuss the role of geomorphology in highway construction.”
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“Write a short note on geomorphology & waste management.”
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“Write a short note on hydrology of limestone terrain.”
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“There is intimate relationship between the distribution of minerals and geological structure.” Discuss.
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“Geomorphology, although concerned primarily with present-day landscapes, attains its maximum usefulness by historical extension.” Comment.
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“Proper interpretation of present-day landscapes is impossible without a full appreciation of the manifold influences of the geologic and climatic changes during the Pleistocene.” Discuss.
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“Little of the earth’s topography is older than Tertiary and most of it no older than Pleistocene.” Elaborate.
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“Complexity of geomorphic evolution is more common than simplicity.” Comment.
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“Geomorphic scale is a significant parameter in the interpretation of landform development and landform characteristics of geomorphic systems.” Discuss.
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“Discuss the pros and cons of ‘systems approach’ in geomorphology.”
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“An appreciation of world climates is necessary to a proper understanding of the varying importance of the different geomorphic processes.” Elucidate.
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“Geomorphic processes leave their distinctive imprint upon landforms, and each geomorphic process develops its own characteristic assemblage of landforms.” Elucidate.
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“Although structure can create variations in the details, the cycle of erosion will ultimately achieve its objectives in the same sequence.” Discuss.
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“The same physical processes and laws that operate today operated throughout geologic time, although not necessarily always with the same intensity as now.” Examine.
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State the concept of erosion surfaces and highlight the factors responsible for their development.
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Provide a critique of the concept of peneplain. How did Crickmay try to improve upon the Davisian idea of peneplain by providing the concept of panplain?
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Critically analyse the concept of denudation chronology.
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Explain the major techniques used in denudation chronology.
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“Development of channel pattern is a function of the river dynamics.” Elucidate.
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Discuss the features of the bed topography of a river.
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Discuss the concept of graded profile of a river and the factors that control it.
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Discuss the development of the cross-profile of a River.
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Write a short note on Hydraulic Geometry.
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Discuss the non-cyclic view of landscape development with special focus on the ideas of J.T. Hack.
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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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Write short notes on the Treppen Concept.
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“Despite Penck’s deliberate attempt to break away from the cyclic paradigm, only a limited success could be achieved by him.” Analyse.
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Discuss the concept and landforms associated with the second cycle of erosion.
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“Although Davis acknowledged numerous complications that could affect the cycle of erosion, his analysis remained highly simple.” Analyse.
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As differential erosion agents act upon Earth’s surface, there is produced an orderly sequence of landforms. Write a critique.
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Examine the factors that determine slope stability.
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Explain how Bösch (Bosche) and Haldenhang lead to the Theory of Slope Replacement.
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Davis’s concept of slope evolution must be taken in the context of his normal cycle of erosion. Justify.
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Explain the major processes involved in the development of hillslopes.
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Development of the Subaerial Denudation School in Geomorphology has followed an evolutionary rather than revolutionary trend. Comment.
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