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UPSC 2014 Geography Optional Question Paper[ SOLVED]

 Geography Paper-I [ 3hours 250 Marks]


Section-A;

1. Answer the following in about 150 words each: ( 10 *5=50 Marks)

(a) Define the term "meander" and describe the basic characteristics of entrenched meander and ingrown meander.

(b) Discuss the salient features of "Sirocco" and "Mistral".

(c) Give an account of the nature of the biosphere as an ecosystem.

(d) State the uniqueness of the Eurasian Steppe Biome.

(e) Illustrate the origin and nature of the Sargasso Sea and Lagoon.

2. (a) State the concept of plate tectonics. How does it help in explaining the formation of the Himalayas and the Appalachian Mountains? ( 250 words, 20 marks)

(b) Describe the origin and development of thunderstorms with examples. (200 words, 15 marks)

(c) Enumerate the major causes of increasing degradation of the environment in hills and hillslopes, and state its down-valley impact.  (200 words, 15 marks)


3. (a) Discuss the nature and origin of the Indian monsoon and recent techniques for its prediction.  (250 words, 20 marks)

(b) State the concept of erosion surfaces and highlight the factors responsible for their development.  (200 words, 15 marks)

(c) Give a critical account of the reasons and consequences of marine pollution.  (200 words, 15 marks)

4. (a) Explain weathering and mass wasting and describe their geomorphic significance.  (250 words, 20 marks)

(b) Define zoogeographic region. Also, describe the basic faunal makeup of the Neo-Arctic zoogeographic region.  (200 words, 15 marks)

(c) Give an account of recent observations on coral bleaching with reference to Clive Wilkinson's report. (200 words, 15 marks)


Section-B;

5. Answer the following in about 150 words each: (10*5=50)

(a) Elaborate on the concept of a mental map.

(b) Give an account of food security issues in developing countries.

(c) Discuss the factors responsible for counter-urbanization.

(d) Explain the relevance of bottom-up and top-down approaches in the development of the agrarian economy.

(e) Critically analyze the application of models in Geography.


6. (a) Explain the necessary conditions of takeoff and subsequent stages of development of a nation as propounded by Rostow.  (250 words, 20 marks)

(b) Discuss environmental and economic problems associated with coal production.  (200 words, 15 marks)

(c) Discuss the contribution of geographers to the development of radical geography.  (200 words, 15 marks)

7. (a) Fiving suitable examples, describe the importance of system analysis in geographical studies.  (250 words, 20 marks)

(b) "Rural sustainability is necessary for urban sustainability." Discuss the statement in the backup of the integrated development approach.  (200 words, 15 marks)

(c) "Indo-Gangetic hearth is considered to be one of the world's richest cultural realms." Examine.  (200 words, 15 marks)

8. (a) Explain the qualitative and quantitative methods of delineation of the sphere of urban influence.  (250 words, 20 marks)

(b) "World is passing through a global resources dilemma." Comment.  (200 words, 15 marks)

(c) "Food productivity with the purity of ecosystem is the need of the hour." Elaborate.  (200 words, 15 marks)


Geography Paper-II( 3 hours 250 Marks)

Section-A;

Q1. (a) On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all the following. Write in your QCA Booklet the significance of three locations whether physical/commercial/economic/ecological/environmental/cultural in not more than 30 words for each entry:

(i) Guru Shikhar (गुरु शिखर )

(ii) Bhor Ghat ( à¤­ोर घाट 

(iii) Shravanabelagola (श्रावणबेलगोला )

(iv) Kalibangan (कालीबंगन)

(v) Ganga Sagar (गंगा सागर)

Answer. 


(b) Explain how eco-tourism activities could be important livelihood options in the Himalayan and North-Eastern regions of the country. (150 words, 10 marks)

(c) How is the drainage pattern determined by the water divide?  (150 words, 10 marks)

(d) Locations of thermal power plants and coal fields in India are not mutually conducive. Analyze.  (150 words, 10 marks)

(e) Why has agro and social forestry failed to achieve its objectives?  (150 words, 10 marks)

Q2. (a) Bring out the distribution of Laterite soils in India and their specific use for agriculture.  (250 words, 20 marks)

(b) Suggest the measures of wildlife conservation with references to the extinction of rare species.   (200 words, 15 marks)

(c) Describe the problems of agro-based industries in India in general and cotton textiles in particular. (200 words, 15 marks)

Q3. (a) Highlight the socio-economic and ecological roles of River Cauvery in its riverine tract. (250 words, 20 marks)

(b) Discuss the problems and prospects of National Waterway No.1. (200 words, 15 marks)

Answer.

(c) Explain the concept of "Make in India" and indicate the essential inputs for its success. (200 words, 15 marks)


Q4. (a) Describe the salient climatological characteristics of the Rayalaseema region. (250 words, 20 marks)

(b) "In spite of various negative impacts of Green Revolution, there is a demand of New green Revolution". Elaborate. (200 words, 15 marks)

Answer.

(c) What are desired possible changes in our trade policy to promote the development of cottage industry? (200 words, 15 marks)

Answer.


Section-B;

Q5. (a) On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all the following. Write in your QCA Booklet the significance of three locations whether physical/commercial/economic/ecological/environmental/cultural in not more than 30 words for each entry:

(i) Mundra Port

(ii) Chandipur

(iii) Mahendragiri

(iv) Vembanad Lake


(b) Highlight the implication of the declining child sex ratio in India. ( 150 words, 10 Marks)

(c) Analyse the feasibility of "Smart Towns" Development in India. ( 150 words, 10 Marks)

Answer.

(d) Comment on the criteria for identifying Drought Prone Areas in India. ( 150 words, 10 Marks)

(e) Bring out the role of terrain in determining India's political influence over neighboring countries. ( 150 words, 10 Marks)


Q6. (a) Discuss the trends in emigration focusing on its major thrust. ( 250 words, 20 Marks)

(b) Account for the multiple problems of urban agglomerations. ( 200 words, 15 Marks)

(c) Evaluate the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme. ( 200 words, 15 Marks)


Q7. (a) How can a meaningful skill development program contribute to the economic growth of hill areas? ( 250 words, 20 Marks)

(b) Differentiate between the "intensity" and "magnitude" of an earthquake and explain its varying impact in different parts of India. ( 200 words, 15 Marks)

Answer.

(c) Discuss the implications of India's strategic location with reference to the Indian ocean. ( 200 words, 15 Marks)


Q8. (a) India is involved in a number of border disputes. Explain the reasons and remedies. ( 250 words, 20 Marks)

(b) Discuss the concept of Command Area development and evaluate its success with reference to Indira Gandhi Canal. ( 200 words, 15 Marks)

(c) How has an inappropriate urban land use policy accounted for undesirable development in and around metropolitan cities? ( 200 words, 15 Marks)


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