Physical Geography & Geomorphology — UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions
26 questions from UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper 1 on Physical Geography & Geomorphology (Geography). Spanning from 1995 to 2025. Practice with show/hide answers and detailed explanations.
What UPSC Asks About Physical Geography & Geomorphology
Based on 26 questions across 15 years, UPSC has consistently tested aspirants' understanding of Physical Geography & Geomorphology within the broader Geography syllabus. The questions range from factual recall to application-based analysis.
Recent trends show UPSC moving towards statement-based questions that combine multiple aspects of Physical Geography & Geomorphology. Aspirants should focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing isolated facts.
Q: Which of the following are the evidences of the phenomenon of continental drift?
I. The belt of ancient rocks from Brazil coast matches with those from Western Africa.
II. The gold deposits of Ghana are derived from the Brazil plateau when the two continents lay side by side.
III. The Gondwana system of sediments from India is known to have its counterparts in six different landmasses of the Southern Hemisphere.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q: Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
In the context of effect of water on rocks, chalk is known as a very permeable rock whereas clay is known as quite an impermeable or least permeable rock.
Statement II:
Chalk is porous and hence can absorb water.
Statement III:
Clay is not at all porous.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
(b)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
(c)Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
(d)Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Q: Consider the following:
1. Pyroclastic debris
2. Ash and dust
3. Nitrogen compounds
4. Sulphur compounds
How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?
Q: निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :
कथन-I : वर्षा के अवशिष्ट के कारणों में से एक अम्ल वर्षा है।
कथन-II : वर्षा जल में घुले रूप में कार्बन डाइ-ऑक्साइड विद्यमान होती है।
कथन-III : वर्षा जल में वायुमंडलीय ऑक्सीजन विद्यमान होती है।
उपर्युक्त कथनों के संबंध में, निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा विकल्प सही है ?
(a)कथन-I और कथन-II दोनों सही हैं तथा कथन-II, कथन-I की व्याख्या करता है
(b)कथन-II और कथन-III दोनों सही हैं, किंतु वे कथन-I की व्याख्या नहीं करते हैं
(c)कथन-I और कथन-III में से केवल एक सही है तथा वह कथन-I की व्याख्या करता है
Q: निम्नलिखित सूची पर विचार कीजिए :
क्षेत्र पर्वत शृंखला का नाम पर्वत का प्रकार
1. मध्य एशिया पामीर वलित पर्वत
2. यूरोप आल्प्स प्राचीन (ब्लॉक) पर्वत
3. उत्तरी अमेरिका एपलैशियन वलित पर्वत
4. दक्षिण अमेरिका एंडीज वलित पर्वत
उपर्युक्त सूची में से कितनी प्रविष्टियाँ सही सुसंगत हैं ?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. In a seismograph, P waves are recorded earlier than S waves.
2. In P waves, the individual particles vibrate to and fro in the direction of wave propagation whereas in S waves, the particles vibrate up and down at right angles to the direction of wave propagation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements :
1. A high content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity.
2. Soil does not play any role in the sulphur cycle.
3. Irrigation over a period of time can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?
1. Terrace cultivation
2. Deforestation
3. Tropical climate
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q: Consider the following:
1. Electromagnetic radiation
2. Geothermal energy
3. Gravitational force
4. Plate movements
5. Rotation of the earth
6. Revolution of the earth
Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?
Q: Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land?
Q: With reference to soil conservation, consider the following practices:
1. Crop rotation
2. Sand fences
3. Terracing
4. Wind breaks
Which of the above are considered appropriate methods for soil conservation in India?
Q: Consider the following statements :
1. The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale and so an increase of 1 magnitude unit represents a factor of 10 times in amplitude.
2. Each integer reading of the Richter scale has an energy 100 times that of the previous integer reading.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements :
1. Total land area of Earth is approximately 1475 lakh square kilometers
2. Ratio of land area to water area on Earth is approximately 1 : 4
3. Maximum percentage of Earth's water is in the Pacific Ocean.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following geological phenomena:
1. Development of a fault
2. Movement along a fault
3. Impact produced by a volcanic eruption
4. Folding of rocks
Which of the above cause earthquakes?
Q: Consider the following statements:
I. Most magmas are a combination of liquid, solid and gas.
II. Water vapour and carbon dioxide are the principal gases dissolved in a magma.
III. Basaltic magma is hotter than the silicic magma.
Which of these statements are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements regarding earthquakes:
I. The intensity of an earthquake is measured on the Mercalli scale.
II. The magnitude of an earthquake is a measure of energy released.
III. Earthquake magnitudes are based on direct measurements of the amplitude of seismic waves.
IV. In the Richter scale, each whole number demonstrates a hundred-fold increase in the amount of energy released.
Which of these statements are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements made about the sedimentary rocks:
I. Sedimentary rocks are formed at Earth’s surface by the hydrological system.
II. The formation of sedimentary rocks involves the weathering of pre-existing rocks.
III. Sedimentary rocks contain fossils.
IV. Sedimentary rocks typically occur in layers.
Which of these statements are correct?
Q: The Indian subcontinent was originally part of a huge land mass called
(a)Jurassic Land Mass
(b)Aryavarta
(c)Indiana
(d)Gondwana Continent
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Prelims questions have been asked from Physical Geography & Geomorphology?▼
UPSC has asked 26 questions on Physical Geography & Geomorphology in GS Paper 1 Prelims between 1995 and 2025. This sub-topic falls under Geography.
In which years has UPSC asked about Physical Geography & Geomorphology?▼
Questions on Physical Geography & Geomorphology have appeared in UPSC Prelims in the following years: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2018, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 1995. The topic has appeared in 15 out of 31 years.
What is the difficulty level of Physical Geography & Geomorphology questions in UPSC Prelims?▼
Among 26 questions on Physical Geography & Geomorphology: 8 are easy, 17 are moderate, and 1 are difficult. Most questions test conceptual understanding of the topic.
