All 8 questions from UPSC Civil Services Mains Geography 2021 Paper II (400 marks total). Every stem reproduced in full, with directive-word analysis, marks, word limits, and answer-approach pointers.
8Questions
400Total marks
2021Year
Paper IIPaper
Topics covered
India map locations and regional geography (1)Natural hazards and water resources management (1)Energy, urban development and ecotourism (1)Mineral resources, river systems and political geography (1)Wildlife conservation, natural hazards, watershed management, migration and urban classification (1)Climate systems, groundwater and physiography (1)Decentralized planning, industrial corridors and economic liberalization (1)ICT development, regional planning and trade balance (1)
A
Q1
50MCompulsorydiscussIndia map locations and regional geography
(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 these locations whether physical/commercial/economic/ecological/environmental/cultural, in not more than 30 words for each entry: 2×10=20
(i) Ziro Valley
(ii) Khecheopalri Lake
(iii) Toranmal
(iv) Subarnarekha River
(v) Koderma
(vi) Sir Creek
(vii) Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
(viii) Peechi Dam
(ix) Digha Beach
(x) Pamban Island
(b) Discuss the geo-political impact of bilateral relationship between India and Bhutan. 10
(c) Discuss the economic significance of volcanic soils of India. 10
(d) Give a reasoned account of difference between sugar industry of North and Peninsular India. 10
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) आपको दिए गए भारत के रेखामानचित्र पर निम्नलिखित सभी की स्थिति को अंकित कीजिए। अपनी क्यू० सी० ए० पुस्तिका में इन स्थानों में से प्रत्येक का भौतिक/वाणिज्यिक/आर्थिक/पारिस्थितिक/पर्यावरणीय/सांस्कृतिक महत्व अधिकतम 30 शब्दों में लिखिए : 2×10=20
(i) ज़ीरो घाटी
(ii) खेचेओपलरी झील
(iii) तोरणमाल
(iv) सुवर्णरेखा नदी
(v) कोडरमा
(vi) सर क्रीक
(vii) पेरियार वन्यजीव अभयारण्य
(viii) पीची डैम
(ix) दीघा बीच
(x) पम्बन द्वीप
(b) भारत और भूटान के बीच द्विपक्षीय संबंध के भू-राजनीतिक प्रभाव की विवेचना कीजिए। 10
(c) भारत की ज्वालामुखीय मिट्टियों के आर्थिक महत्व की विवेचना कीजिए। 10
(d) उत्तरी और प्रायद्वीपीय भारत के चीनी उद्योग के बीच अंतर का तर्क सहित वर्णन कीजिए। 10
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Concept or mechanism > Diagram > Regional example > Application. (a) map: locate accurately > label > one line on why it matters | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (d) compare: paired headings or table > key differences > significance > conclusion Full marks: Precise map marking, clear mechanisms, specific examples, and balanced conclusions.
Correct location of each place on the outline map
Significance stated for each entry (physical, economic, ecological or cultural)
Correct state or region (Arunachal, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu)
Bhutan as buffer between India and China; Siliguri Corridor and Doklam
Treaty of 1949 revised 2007; security cooperation and 2003 operation
Economic ties: hydropower, trade, aid and open border
Origin from Deccan Trap basalt and distribution
Properties: moisture-retentive clay, rich in lime and potash, poor in nitrogen
Crops and industries supported: cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, textiles
Climate and yield: higher recovery and yield in the tropical peninsula
Crushing season, irrigation and mill size differences
Organisation (cooperatives versus private) and by-products
50MdiscussNatural hazards and water resources management
(a) Landslide is a major problem in Himalayan region. Discuss its causes and mitigation measures. 20
(b) Appraise why drought is one of the most common climatic extremes in India. 15
(c) Discuss the ecological and economic challenges of river linking in India. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) हिमालयी क्षेत्र में भूस्खलन एक बड़ी समस्या है। इसके कारणों एवं अल्पीकरण के उपायों की विवेचना कीजिए। 20
(b) क्यों सूखा भारत में सबसे आम जलवायु चरम विषमताओं में से एक है? मूल्यांकन कीजिए। 15
(c) भारत में नदी जोड़ने की पारिस्थितिक और आर्थिक चुनौतियों की विवेचना कीजिए। 15
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Concept or mechanism > Diagram > Regional example > Application. (a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) evaluate: criteria > evidence > balanced judgment | (c) challenges: 3-4 challenges > solutions mapped to them > conclusion Full marks: Precise mechanism, specific Indian examples, and clear diagrams.
Natural causes: young fractured rocks, steep slopes, heavy rain, earthquakes
Human causes: deforestation, road cutting, construction, hydropower, tourism
Mitigation: zonation, early warning, engineering and bio-engineering, regulation
Variable and erratic monsoon (breaks, delay, El Niño) and regional variability
Rainfed agriculture and the share of area vulnerable to drought
Human factors: groundwater over-use, deforestation, loss of water bodies; climate change
Project scope: NRLP with about 30 links; Ken–Betwa
Ecological challenges: habitat submergence, altered flow and sediment, delta and estuary impacts
Economic challenges: cost, displacement, inter-State disputes, uncertain benefits against alternatives
50MdiscussEnergy, urban development and ecotourism
(a) Discuss the importance of solar energy in future economic development of India. 20
(b) Critically examine the importance of Smart Cities Programme for solving urban problems in India. 15
(c) Examine the significance of ecotourism in relation to socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation in India. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) भारत के भावी आर्थिक विकास में सौर ऊर्जा के महत्व की विवेचना कीजिए। 20
(b) भारत में शहरी समस्या के समाधान के लिए स्मार्ट सिटी कार्यक्रम के महत्व का समालोचनात्मक विश्लेषण कीजिए। 15
(c) भारत में सामाजिक-आर्थिक विकास एवं जैव विविधता संरक्षण के संबंध में पारिस्थितिकी पर्यटन के महत्व का परीक्षण कीजिए। 15
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Concept > Diagram > Regional Example > Application. (a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) critically evaluate: positives > negatives/limits > conditions/safeguards > conclusion | (c) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Precise mechanism, labelled diagram, specific Indian examples, balanced critical analysis
Solar potential and the role in energy security and import reduction
Climate and policy links: 500 GW non-fossil target, ISA, falling tariffs
Farm, rural and jobs benefits (PM-KUSUM, rooftop solar) and challenges such as storage and imported modules
Mission design: 100 cities, area-based and pan-city, ICT
Contributions: command centres, water and waste, mobility, e-governance
Criticism: enclave approach, SPVs versus municipal bodies, neglect of the poor, slow funds
Definition of ecotourism and its principles
Socio-economic gains: jobs, homestays, local development
Conservation gains and risks (carrying capacity, leakage) with Indian examples
50MdiscussMineral resources, river systems and political geography
(a) Discuss the reserves, distribution and production of all varieties of coal in India. 20
(b) Describe the salient features of east-flowing rivers of India. 15
(c) Critically examine the problems of inter-State border disputes in India. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) भारत में सभी प्रकार के कोयले के भंडार, वितरण और उत्पादन की विवेचना कीजिए। 20
(b) भारत की पूर्व-वाहिनी नदियों की उल्लेखनीय विशिष्टताओं का वर्णन कीजिए। 15
(c) भारत में अंतरराज्यीय सीमा-विवादों की समस्याओं का समालोचनात्मक विश्लेषण कीजिए। 15
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Concept or mechanism > Diagram > Regional example > Application. (a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) describe: define > structure or process in order > labelled diagram > significance | (c) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Precise data, specific examples, and clear causal links.
Varieties: anthracite, bituminous (coking), sub-bituminous, lignite, peat with locations
Reserves (about 350 billion tonnes) and Gondwana versus Tertiary coal; State-wise distribution
Production trends, leading States and the import of coking coal
Origin in the Western Ghats or plateau and flow to the Bay of Bengal on a gentle slope
Large basins, rain-fed seasonal flow, mature valleys, no estuaries
Deltas, floods and cyclones, dams and inter-State disputes
Causes: colonial boundaries, linguistic reorganisation, ethnic claims, resources
Examples: Belagavi, Assam with its neighbours, Chandigarh
Problems and constitutional or institutional mechanisms (Articles 3, 131, 263) with remedies
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
(a) Discuss the salient features of Project Tiger in India.
(b) Describe the problems of cloud burst in India giving suitable examples.
(c) Discuss the role of watershed management for soil and water conservation in hilly regions of India.
(d) Critically examine the relevance of Ravenstein's law of population migration with reference to India.
(e) Discuss Ashok Mitra's classification method of Indian cities.
हिंदी में पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में लिखिए : 10×5=50
(a) भारत की बाघ परियोजना की मुख्य विशेषताओं की विवेचना कीजिए।
(b) भारत में बादल फटने की समस्याओं का वर्णन उपयुक्त उदाहरणों सहित कीजिए।
(c) भारत के पर्वतीय क्षेत्रों में मृदा और जल संरक्षण के लिए जलविभाजन (वाटरशेड) प्रबंधन की भूमिका की विवेचना कीजिए।
(d) भारत के संदर्भ में जनसंख्या देशांतरण (प्रवसन) के रेवेनस्टीन के नियम की प्रासंगिकता का समालोचनात्मक विश्लेषण कीजिए।
(e) भारतीय शहरों की अशोक मित्र के वर्गीकरण विधि की विवेचना कीजिए।
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Concept or mechanism > Diagram > Regional example > Application. (a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) describe: define > structure or process in order > labelled diagram > significance | (c) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (d) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (e) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Precise, mechanism-focused, with specific Indian examples and diagrams.
Launched 1973 with core and buffer zones in tiger reserves
NTCA (statutory 2006), central funding, relocation and monitoring (camera traps, M-STrIPES)
Results (3,682 tigers in 2022) and challenges such as conflict and poaching
Define cloudburst (about 10 cm per hour over 20–30 km²) and its Himalayan cause
Problems: flash floods, landslides, loss of life, damage to infrastructure
Examples (Leh 2010, Kedarnath 2013, Amarnath 2022) and measures
50MexplainClimate systems, groundwater and physiography
(a) Explain the impact of tropical cyclones and western disturbances on the climate of India. 20
(b) Examine the critical issues of groundwater resources in India. 15
(c) Describe the structure and relief features of Deccan Plateau. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) भारतीय जलवायु पर उष्णकटिबंधीय चक्रवातों और पश्चिमी विच्छोभों के प्रभाव की व्याख्या कीजिए। 20
(b) भारत में भू-जल संसाधनों के महत्त्वपूर्ण मुद्दों का परीक्षण कीजिए। 15
(c) दक्कन के पठार की संरचना और उच्चावच लक्षणों का वर्णन कीजिए। 15
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Concept or mechanism > Diagram > Regional example > Application. (a) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (b) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (c) describe: define > structure or process in order > labelled diagram > significance Full marks: Comprehensive mechanism, precise regional examples, labelled diagrams, and recent data.
Tropical cyclones: seasons, Bay versus Arabian Sea, rain, surge, post-monsoon rain, monsoon effects
Western disturbances: Mediterranean origin, jet stream, winter rain and snow, rabi crops, cold waves
Interaction with the monsoon and hazards (Fani, Amphan, Uttarakhand 2013, Kashmir 2014)
Over-extraction and falling water table (power subsidy, water-intensive crops)
50Mcritically examineDecentralized planning, industrial corridors and economic liberalization
(a) Critically examine how Panchayati Raj system is catalyst in decentralized planning in India. 20
(b) Identify the major industrial corridors of India and discuss the characteristics of Bengaluru-Mumbai Corridor. 15
(c) Assess the growth of multinational corporations in liberalized economic environment of India. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) समालोचनात्मक विश्लेषण कीजिए कि कैसे पंचायती राज प्रणाली, भारत में विकेन्द्रीकृत योजनाओं में उत्प्रेरक है। 20
(b) भारत के प्रमुख औद्योगिक गलियारों की पहचान कीजिए और बेंगलुरु-मुंबई गलियारे की विशेषताओं की विवेचना कीजिए। 15
(c) भारत के उदारीकृत आर्थिक माहौल में बहुराष्ट्रीय निगमों के विकास का आकलन कीजिए। 15
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Concept or mechanism > Diagram > Regional example > Application. (a) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) evaluate: criteria > evidence > balanced judgment Full marks: Comprehensive, well-structured, with diagrams and specific examples.
73rd Amendment: three tiers, 11th Schedule, Articles 243G and 243ZD, District Planning Committee
Catalytic role: Gram Sabha and GPDP planning, Kerala People's Plan, scheme delivery, women's participation
Critique: uneven devolution of funds, functions and functionaries, weak DPCs, low capacity, sarpanch-pati
Major corridors: Delhi–Mumbai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Amritsar–Kolkata, Visakhapatnam–Chennai, Bengaluru–Mumbai, defence corridors
Bengaluru–Mumbai route: NH-48 and rail through Pune, Kolhapur, Belagavi, Hubballi–Dharwad, Tumakuru
Characteristics: industries (auto, engineering, sugar, textiles, aerospace, IT), potential for lagging areas and conditions
Policy changes: delicensing, FDI automatic route, FEMA, SEZ, Make in India
Growth sectors and examples (autos, retail, e-commerce, IT services)
Benefits and concerns (profit outflow, pressure on small firms, tax and dependence)
50MexamineICT development, regional planning and trade balance
(a) Examine how information and communication technology has boosted the development of certain regions of India. 20
(b) Discuss the Command Area Development Programme and its impact on eliminating regional inequalities in India. 15
(c) Critically assess the status of balance of trade in India and suggest some measures to combat the issues. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) सूचना और संचार प्रौद्योगिकी ने भारत के कुछ क्षेत्रों के विकास को कैसे बढ़ावा दिया है, परीक्षण कीजिए। 20
(b) कमांड क्षेत्र विकास कार्यक्रम और भारत में क्षेत्रीय असमानताओं को दूर करने पर इसके प्रभाव की विवेचना कीजिए। 15
(c) भारत में व्यापार-संतुलन की स्थिति का समालोचनात्मक आकलन कीजिए और मुद्दों से निपटने के लिए कुछ उपाय सुझाइए। 15
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Concept or mechanism > Diagram > Regional example > Application. (a) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) critically evaluate: positives > negatives/limits > conditions/safeguards > conclusion Full marks: Comprehensive, well-structured answers with specific examples, diagrams, and critical analysis.
IT hubs (Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, NCR, Chennai) and second-tier cities
Factors and impacts: STPI, skills, income, urbanisation, multiplier effect, e-governance
Limits: concentration in south and west, digital divide, widened regional gaps
Origin 1974–75, objective of closing the gap between irrigation potential created and used; now part of PMKSY
Components: on-farm development, warabandi, drainage, water user associations
Impact on yields and regional equity, with limits (head-tail inequity, waterlogging, rainfed areas left out)
Persistent merchandise deficit with figures (2021–22), offset by services and remittances
Causes: oil, gold, electronics, China imports, weak manufacturing competitiveness
Measures: energy transition, PLI and Make in India, export promotion, trade agreements, gold and import substitution