Geography 2025 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

Q1

Answer the following in about 150 words each: (a) Explain the causes of glacial lake outburst flood. (10 marks) (b) What is solifluction? What are its impacts? (10 marks) (c) What geological and tectonic processes lead to the formation of nappes in orogenic belts? (10 marks) (d) Explain the relationship between air masses and local winds. (10 marks) (e) What are the fundamental differences among ocean wave, ocean current and tide? (10 marks)

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निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए : (a) हिमनद झील विस्फोट से बाढ़ के कारणों की व्याख्या कीजिए। (10 अंक) (b) मुदासरण क्या है? इसके प्रभाव क्या हैं? (10 अंक) (c) पर्वतीय पेटियों में प्रीवाखण्ड निर्माण में अपरद भूभिक एवं विवर्तनिक प्रक्रियाएँ क्या हैं? (10 अंक) (d) वायुराशियों एवं स्थानीय पवनों में संबंध की व्याख्या कीजिए। (10 अंक) (e) समुद्री लहर, समुद्री जलधारा एवं ज्वार-भाटा में आधारभूत अंतर क्या हैं? (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. 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 'explain' demands causal reasoning and process clarity across all five sub-parts. Allocate approximately 30 words per mark: ~30 words for (a) GLOF triggers, ~30 for (b) solifluction mechanics and impacts, ~30 for (c) nappe formation processes, ~30 for (d) air mass-local wind interactions, and ~30 for (e) comparative distinctions. Structure each part as: definition → process explanation → example/consequence. No introduction or conclusion needed; maximize content density within 150 words per sub-part.

Key points expected

  • (a) GLOF causes: moraine dam failure (piping, overtopping), seismic activity, ice avalanches, climate warming; mention South Lhonak Lake or Kedarnath 2013 context
  • (b) Solifluction: slow downslope soil movement in permafrost regions due to freeze-thaw; impacts include terraced slopes, blocked drainage, infrastructure damage in Ladakh/Arunachal
  • (c) Nappe formation: extreme crustal shortening, recumbent folding, thrust faulting (low-angle overthrusts), gravity sliding; Helvetic nappes or Himalayan examples like Main Central Thrust
  • (d) Air mass-local wind relationship: thermal modification of air masses by surface heating/cooling, orographic channeling, seasonal reversal (monsoon); sea-land breeze interactions
  • (e) Distinctions: waves (wind energy, surface oscillation), currents (thermohaline/wind-driven, horizontal mass transport), tides (gravitational, periodic vertical movement); include SW monsoon current vs. tidal ranges

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Precise geomorphological, climatological and oceanographic terminology across all five parts: correctly identifies moraine dam mechanics for (a), gelifluction vs. solifluction distinction for (b), thrust geometry and décollement for (c), air mass modification processes for (d), and energy sources for each ocean phenomenon in (e)Generally accurate concepts with minor errors: conflates solifluction with creep, vague on thrust fault angles, or confuses wave height with tidal rangeFundamental misconceptions: treats GLOF as only ice dam failure, describes nappes as simple folds, or equates currents with tides
Map / diagram15%7.5Mentions sketching recumbent fold geometry for (c), GLOF hazard zonation for (a), or air mass boundary diagrams for (d); describes diagram content precisely in text when explicit sketching isn't possibleVague reference to 'see diagram' without description, or describes only one sub-part diagrammaticallyNo diagrammatic content or completely inappropriate visual suggestions (e.g., world map for nappe structure)
Indian regional examples20%10Specific Indian exemplars: South Lhonak/Chorabari GLOF events for (a); Ladakh/Zanskar solifluction terracettes for (b); Himachal/Kumaon nappe structures for (c); Thar-Loo air mass interactions or Western Disturbances for (d); Gujarat tidal range vs. Somali current for (e)Generic Himalayan references without specificity, or only 2-3 sub-parts with Indian examplesExclusively foreign examples (Swiss Alps for nappes, Norwegian fjords for GLOF) or no Indian context whatsoever
Spatial analysis20%10Demonstrates spatial reasoning: altitudinal zonation of solifluction for (b), latitudinal air mass boundaries affecting local wind patterns for (d), basin morphology controlling GLOF propagation for (a), orogenic belt structural domains for (c), and global ocean circulation patterns for (e)Some spatial awareness but descriptive rather than analytical; mentions locations without explaining spatial relationshipsAspatial treatment; processes described as placeless abstractions without geographical context
Application / policy20%10Connects to NDMA GLOF guidelines for (a), NHPC infrastructure protocols for permafrost zones for (b), seismic hazard assessment in thrust belts for (c), wind energy potential mapping for (d), and tidal energy/blue economy policies for (e)Generic hazard mention without policy specificity, or application limited to 1-2 sub-partsNo applied dimension; purely theoretical treatment ignoring management, mitigation or resource implications

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