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Geography — UPSC Prelims MCQs

1,451+ practice questions across 18 chapters, including 270+ previous year questions— each with option-by-option explanations.

Chapters in Geography

Sample Geography questions

A preview of the kind of MCQs you'll practise — with the correct answer and explanation.

Q1GeographyDisaster Geography and Vulnerability

Heat waves in India are declared when the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least:

  • A35°C for plains and 25°C for hill stations
  • B40°C for plains and 30°C for hill stationsCorrect
  • C45°C for plains and 35°C for hill stations
  • D38°C for plains and 28°C for hill stations

Explanation

Correct. According to the IMD, a heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature of a plain station reaches at least 40°C (or 30°C for a hill station), along with a departure of 4.5°C or more from normal.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

The threshold of 35°C is too low for a heat wave declaration in the plains. The IMD criteria require at least 40°C.

Option C

45°C exceeds the base threshold. While 'severe heat wave' criteria involve higher departures from normal, the base temperature for heat wave declaration in plains is 40°C.

Option D

38°C is not the standard threshold used by IMD for heat wave declarations.

Q2GeographyWorld Physical Geography

Consider the following pairs: Desert — Location 1. Gibson Desert — Australia 2. Karakum Desert — Turkmenistan 3. Sonoran Desert — Argentina 4. Simpson Desert — Australia How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  • AOnly one
  • BOnly two
  • COnly threeCorrect
  • DAll four

Explanation

Correct. The Gibson Desert and Simpson Desert are both in Australia, and the Karakum Desert is in Turkmenistan. However, the Sonoran Desert is in the southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico, not in Argentina.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

Three pairs are correctly matched.

Option B

Three pairs are correctly matched, not two.

Option D

The Sonoran Desert is in North America, not Argentina. Three, not all four, are correct.

Q3GeographyOceanography

Which of the following is/are effects of ocean currents on climate? 1. Warm currents raise the temperature of adjacent coastal areas. 2. Cold currents bring fog and mist to adjacent coasts. 3. Cold currents increase rainfall on adjacent coasts. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  • A1 only
  • B1 and 2 onlyCorrect
  • C2 and 3 only
  • D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Correct. Warm currents warm coastal climates and increase moisture in the air. Cold currents cool the adjacent air, creating fog and mist. Statement 3 is wrong because cold currents generally cause aridity on adjacent coasts by stabilising the atmosphere.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

Statement 2 is also correct. Cold currents cool the air above them, reducing its moisture-holding capacity and causing fog (e.g., the California coast).

Option C

Statement 3 is incorrect. Cold currents typically reduce rainfall on adjacent coasts by cooling and stabilising the air, contributing to desert formation (e.g., Atacama, Namib).

Option D

Statement 3 is wrong. Cold currents cause coastal aridity, not increased rainfall.

Q4GeographyPlaces in News and Map-Based Geography

Which of the following is the correct north-to-south order of the given Indian cities? 1. Patna 2. Bhopal 3. Hyderabad 4. Bengaluru

  • A1-2-3-4Correct
  • B2-1-3-4
  • C1-3-2-4
  • D2-1-4-3

Explanation

Correct. From north to south: Patna (~25.6°N), Bhopal (~23.3°N), Hyderabad (~17.4°N), Bengaluru (~12.97°N).

Why the other options are incorrect
Option B

Patna is farther north than Bhopal.

Option C

Bhopal is north of Hyderabad, not south.

Option D

This sequence incorrectly reverses Hyderabad and Bengaluru and misplaces Bhopal.

Q5GeographyPhysiography of India

The Malabar Coast refers to the western coastal strip of:

  • AMaharashtra
  • BGoa and Karnataka
  • CKeralaCorrect
  • DTamil Nadu

Explanation

Correct. The Malabar Coast refers to the southern portion of the western coastal plain along the state of Kerala, stretching from Goa to Kanyakumari. It is known for its backwaters, lagoons and spice trade.

Why the other options are incorrect
Option A

The Maharashtra stretch of the western coast is called the Konkan Coast.

Option B

The Goa-Karnataka section is known as the Kanara Coast.

Option D

Tamil Nadu's coastal plain is on the eastern side (Coromandel Coast), not the western coast.

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PYQsGeography previous year questions270 solved PYQs, topic-wiseMock testFree UPSC Prelims mock testInstant explanationsCurrent affairsDaily current-affairs quizNew digest every morning

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