Geography 2024 Paper I 50 marks Examine

Q2

(a) Examine the recent views on mountain building process and divide the world mountains on the basis of their genesis. 20 (b) Describe latitudinal distribution of Köppen's classification of world climate. 15 (c) With suitable sketches elaborate the bottom topography of the Indian Ocean. 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) पर्वत निर्माणकारी प्रक्रिया के नवीनतम दृष्टिकोणों का परीक्षण कीजिए तथा विश्व के पर्वतों को उनकी उत्पत्ति के आधार पर विभाजित कीजिए । 20 (b) विश्व जलवायु के कोपेन के वर्गीकरण के अक्षांशीय वितरण का वर्णन कीजिए । 15 (c) हिंद महासागर की तलीय स्थलाकृति को उपयुक्त रेखाचित्रों द्वारा विस्तार से समझाइए । 15

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Directive word: Examine

This question asks you to examine. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'examine' in part (a) requires critical analysis of recent mountain-building theories, while 'describe' in (b) and 'elaborate' in (c) demand systematic exposition. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks, with 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure: brief introduction acknowledging the three distinct themes; body addressing each part sequentially with clear sub-headings; conclusion synthesizing how plate tectonics unifies understanding across mountain genesis, climate patterns, and ocean floor morphology.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Critical evaluation of plate tectonics, sea-floor spreading, and slab pull/slab suction mechanisms; Wilson cycle application; genetic classification into Fold Mountains (Himalayas, Alps), Block/Horst mountains (Vosges, Black Forest), Volcanic mountains (Cascade Range), and Relict mountains (Aravallis, Urals)
  • Part (a): Recent advances including mantle plume dynamics, delamination models, and critical taper wedge mechanics; distinction between collisional (Himalayan-type) and accretionary (Andean-type) orogens
  • Part (b): Latitudinal zonation of Köppen climates from equator to poles: Af/Am/Aw (0-20°), BWh/BSh/BSk (20-35°), Cfa/Cfb/Csa/Csb/Cwa/Cwb (35-45°), Dfa/Dfb/Dfc/Dfd/Dwa/Dwb (45-60°), ET/EF (60-90°); seasonal wind shifts explaining Aw/Am boundaries
  • Part (c): Indian Ocean bottom features with sketches: Central Indian Ridge, Carlsberg Ridge, Ninety East Ridge (hotspot trace), Chagos-Laccadive Ridge, Mascarene Plateau, Sunda Trench, Java Trench, Wharton Basin, and asymmetrical fan sediments from Ganga-Brahmaputra and Indus systems
  • Part (c): Distinctive features: absence of marginal trenches in western sector, presence of active subduction only in eastern periphery, and the unique north-south trending Ninety East Ridge as transform fault remnant

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Demonstrates precise command of plate tectonic mechanisms for (a) including slab dynamics and mantle convection; accurate Köppen letter codes and climatic boundaries for (b); correct identification of Indian Ocean ridges, trenches, and aseismic ridges for (c) with proper genetic explanationsCovers basic mountain-building concepts and Köppen zones with minor errors in boundary latitudes; identifies major Indian Ocean features but confuses ridge systems or omits genetic mechanisms; some mixing of climatic and tectonic terminologyConfuses fundamental concepts (e.g., conflates weathering with mountain building, misidentifies Köppen categories, or describes Atlantic/Pacific features instead of Indian Ocean specifics); significant factual errors in ridge/trench locations
Map / diagram20%10Provides three distinct, well-labelled diagrams: cross-section of convergent margin with accretionary prism and delamination for (a); world map showing Köppen zones with proper color/shading and latitude markers for (b); detailed Indian Ocean bathymetric sketch with ridge systems, trenches, and the Ninety East Ridge clearly marked for (c)Includes at least two adequate diagrams with basic labelling; Indian Ocean sketch shows major features but lacks precision in relative positioning or omits scale; Köppen map present but with crude boundariesSingle generic diagram or poorly executed sketches; missing essential labels; diagrams copied without integration into textual explanation; no attempt at the Indian Ocean bathymetry despite explicit directive
Indian regional examples15%7.5For (a): cites Himalayas as active collisional orogen with specific reference to syntaxial bends, Aravallis as relict mountains; for (b): locates Cwa/Cwb in peninsular India, BSh in Thar, Am on west coast; for (c): emphasizes Ninety East Ridge, Laccadive-Chagos system, and Bengal Fan as distinctive Indian Ocean featuresMentions Himalayas and Western Ghats climate but without specific genetic or locational precision; Indian Ocean discussion generic without highlighting uniquely Indian features; examples stated but not elaboratedOmits Indian examples entirely or provides incorrect ones (e.g., citing Rocky Mountains for part a, or confusing Indian with Pacific features); no recognition of India's distinctive climatic or oceanographic position
Spatial analysis25%12.5For (a): analyzes spatial distribution of mountain types by tectonic setting (convergent margins, rift shoulders, hotspots); for (b): explains why Köppen boundaries deviate from strict latitude due to continentality, ocean currents, and elevation; for (c): interprets asymmetry of Indian Ocean basin, north-south ridge patterns, and sediment distribution relative to river dischargeDescribes spatial patterns without explaining underlying controls; notes latitudinal climate zones but not deviations; lists Indian Ocean features without analyzing their spatial relationships or asymmetryNo spatial reasoning; treats features as isolated points; fails to connect mountain distribution to plate boundaries, climate patterns to atmospheric circulation, or ocean floor to spreading centers
Application / policy15%7.5Connects mountain-building understanding to seismic hazard zoning in India (BIS codes), Köppen classification to agricultural planning and climate adaptation strategies, and Indian Ocean bathymetry to submarine cable routing, EEZ demarcation, and tsunami propagation modeling (2004 lessons)Brief mention of hazards or climate adaptation without specific policy linkage; generic statement on ocean resources without reference to Indian Ocean governance or tsunami preparednessNo application or relevance discussion; purely academic treatment; misses opportunity to link to India's disaster management, climate policy, or blue economy initiatives

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