Geography Optional · Paper II · Geography of India
Physical Setting Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Physical Setting (Paper II, Geography of India), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Space relations, structure and relief, drainage, monsoon, soils, vegetation, natural hazards.
42
Solved PYQs
2013–2026
Years covered
86
Questions listed
30
Free notes
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Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All Geography Optional units
Paper II · Unit 01
Physical Setting 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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Brahmaputra River System – UPSC
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Cauvery River System (Kaveri River) – UPSC
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Climatic Regions of India – UPSC
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Coastal Plains of India
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Coastline of India
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East Flowing Rivers in India
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Ganga River System
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Godavari River System in India – UPSC IAS
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Himalayan Ranges: Greater Himalayas, Middle Himalayas, Shiwaliks – UPSC
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Himalayas Formation: Relief & Structure of Himalayas – UPSC
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Important Hill Ranges of India – UPSC
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Indian Geographical Extent and Frontiers – UPSC Geography
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Indian Peninsular Plateau (Deccan Plateau)
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Indian River System (Drainage Systems of India)
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Indian Rock System (Archaean, Purana, Dravidian & Aryan) – UPSC
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Indo Gangetic Plains: Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra – UPSC
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Indus River System (and its tributaries)
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Krishna River System – UPSC
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Lakes & Types of Lakes – UPSC
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List of Mountain Ranges in India
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Longitudinal Division of Himalayas – UPSC
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Mahanadi River System – UPSC
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Mechanism of Indian Monsoon – UPSC
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Natural Vegetation of India – UPSC
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Soil types in India (Classification of Soil) – UPSC
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The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats – UPSC
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Types of Glaciers – UPSC
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West flowing Rivers in India (Narmada, Tapti)
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Western Disturbances: Effects & Benefits for India – UPSC
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Yamuna River System – UPSC
Free practice
Previous year questions: Physical Setting
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
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Solved PYQ answers: Physical Setting
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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The relationship between El Niño and the Indian monsoon is becoming complex under the conditions of global warming. Critically examine.
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Briefly describe the origin, distribution and economic significance of Cuddapah and Dharwar rock systems of India.
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Explain the vertical zonation of vegetation of the Himalayas.
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Describe the geographical conditions necessary for the growth of mangrove forests in India. Explain their ecological and economic significance.
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Referring to the location and physical formation of karewas, highlight their economic significance.
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Highlight the characteristics of land utilization in Eastern Ghats region of India. What are the land utilization problems in the region?
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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?
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Discuss the basis of various explanations for the formation of Shiwalik.
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Discuss the variations in nature of glaciers in India and the emerging issues due to climate change.
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How are geographic factors influencing the distribution of high, annual rainfall in certain parts of India?
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Describe the origin, distribution and economic significance of Gondwana system of rocks in India.
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Explain the geological characteristics and ecological significance of the Eastern Ghats.
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How do physiography and climate of India explain the biological diversity of the country?
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Critically examine the factors affecting the unpredictability of South-West Monsoon system in India.
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Soils of India, are clear reflections of the structure and process. Comment.
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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.
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Discuss the economic significance of the volcanic soils of India.
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Describe the salient features of the east-flowing rivers of India.
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Describe the problems of cloud burst in India giving suitable examples.
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Explain the impact of tropical cyclones and western disturbances on the climate of India.
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Describe the structure and relief features of the Deccan Plateau.
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Climate change has unsettled the rhythm of seasons. Comment with examples and empirical evidence.
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Soil type in India, classified on the basis of colour, possess specific chemical and mineral characteristics. Discuss.
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Why is the Indian Monsoon erratic in nature? Explain.
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Discuss the rainfall pattern and correlate it with spatial distribution of natural vegetation in India.
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Present the salient features of West flowing rivers of India.
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Explain the unusual intensity of dust storms and thunderstorms across India in the pre-monsoon period of year 2018.
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Distinguish the geographical aspects of North-Western lava plateau and Chota Nagpur Plateau of Peninsular India.
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Give a reasoned account of unusual pattern of distribution of monsoonal rainfall in India in 2017.
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Justify the inclusion of Meghalaya in Peninsular India and discuss its vegetation and soil types.
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Drainage pattern in Peninsular India is a result of its geological structure and topography. Elaborate.
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Explain the shifting of river courses and river capturing in the Himalayas.
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Mention the space relationship of India with neighbouring countries.
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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.
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Describe the distribution of black soils in India and their specific use for agriculture.
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Explain the pattern of winter rainfall in India.
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How does natural vegetation affect the formation of in situ soils?
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How is drainage pattern determined by the water divide?
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Bring out the distribution of Laterite soils in India and their specific use for agriculture.
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Describe the salient climatological characteristic of Rayalaseema region.
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Explain the topographical and structural characteristics of the Siwalik Range.
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Discuss the mechanism of Indian Monsoon.
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