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UPSC Geology — Previous Year Questions

Every question from Geology papers in UPSC Civil Services Mains (2021–2026), organised by year. 96 questions in total, each with directive-word analysis, model answer points, and a full evaluation rubric.

96Questions
6Years covered

2026 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2026

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) What are transform and transcurrent faults? Illustrate them using neat sketches. (10 marks) (b) Discuss the… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) Describe the principles of geological mapping. Using sketches, describe the different types of symbols used in… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Discuss the importance of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) in geological mapping… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) What is earthquake? How is the epicenter of an earthquake determined? Discuss on the disaster risk associated with… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Discuss the conditions required for the preservation of soft parts of fossils. (10 marks) (b) Discuss the… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Compare the major morphological characters which differentiate Hominidae from ape-like primates. Discuss the… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Discuss the stratigraphic classification and depositional environment of Cuddapah Supergroup. Add a note on the… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) What are landslides and avalanches? Discuss the causes and effects of landslides. Enumerate the remedial measures… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) Describe the classification of crystals into crystal systems, and add a note on the types of symmetry shown by… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) Describe common minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and the diagnostic features of these minerals. (15… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Discuss the petrogenesis of carbonatite rocks. (15 marks) (b) What is metasomatic replacement ? What is the role of… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) Discuss the primary processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks, emphasizing the role of diagenesis… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) How is the 'Law of the Sea' relevant to the management of marine mineral resources ? (10 marks) (b) Explain the… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Explain the differences between ore, ore minerals and gangue, and discuss their significance in mineral processing… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Describe Sampling. Add a note on common geological sampling methods. (15 marks) (b) Explain the ore reserve… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) What are the causes of earthquakes and volcanic activities ? Discuss their mitigation possibilities. (20 marks) (b)… 50 marks

2025 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2025

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) Discuss the position of Astroid belt within the solar system and comment on the composition of meteorites. (10… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) What do you understand by continental drift ? Discuss various geological evidences in favour of continental drift… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Waves are responsible for modifying the coastal geomorphology. Justify the statement giving suitable examples and… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) On the basis of dip isogons describe the classification of folds with neat diagrams. (20 marks) (b) What are… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Discuss favourable conditions for fossilization. (10 marks) (b) Discuss different concepts of biozonation with neat… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Discuss the evolutionary lineage of Equidae and comment on its migration. (20 marks) (b) Give the… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) What do you understand by boundary problems in stratigraphy ? Discuss Cretaceous/Palaeogene (Cretaceous/Tertiary)… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Discuss the interrelationship amongst Porosity, Permeability and Hydraulic conductivity. How they are important in… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) Describe the symmetry elements shown by the normal class of the orthorhombic system. What are the different forms… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) Give a detailed account related to the classification of crystals into different crystallographic systems based on… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) What are migmatites? Describe the important types of migmatites and the processes of their formation. (15 marks)… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) Discuss the genesis of any four sedimentary structures which are helpful in palaeocurrent analysis. How are the… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) What do you understand by metallogenic epochs and provinces? Discuss any two major metallogenies in India. (10… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Give an account of geology, mode of occurrence, genesis and distribution of Pb-Zn deposits of Aravalli region. (15… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Discuss the direct and indirect geochemical methods used for prospecting of hydrocarbon deposits. (20 marks) (b)… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) What do you understand by isomorphism and polymorphism? Discuss monotropy by citing example of diamond and… 50 marks

2024 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2024

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) Discuss two widely accepted theories of origin of the earth. Elucidate the position of all planets within the solar… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) Discuss the intensity and magnitude scale commonly used to assess seismic damage. Write a note on the global… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Discuss in detail, with diagrams, the landforms and features resulting from deposition by rivers. (20 marks) (b)… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) Describe fold geometry. Illustrate various types of folds on the basis of their symmetry, orientation of axial… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Define species and explain how paleontological species are different from biological species. (10 marks) (b)… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Elucidate the evolutionary trend of Proboscidea with examples. (20 marks) (b) Describe lithostratigraphic… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Discuss the merits and limitations of different methods of stratigraphic analysis in brief. Comment on the most… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Explain the concept of drainage basin morphometry. How do morphometric parameters influence the groundwater… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) What are the different types of rotational axes of symmetry present in a crystal ? What are the different types of… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) What are the symmetry elements present in the normal class of an isometric system ? Write the Hermann-Mauguin… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Describe the mineral reactions in prograde metamorphism of argillaceous sedimentary rocks with appropriate… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) Discuss the various factors that control the composition of sandstone. (15 marks) (b) What do you understand by… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Give an account of the geology and the process of formation of aluminium mineral deposits of India. (10 marks) (b)… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Explain the various peculiarities inherent in the mineral industry. (15 marks) (b) What is mineral conservation ?… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) (i) What is the difference between a sample and a specimen ? (5 marks) (ii) Describe the classification of mineral… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) What are the different layers in the Earth's interior ? How is the layered structure of the Earth determined ? Name… 50 marks

2023 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2023

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) Describe the tectonic features and evolution of the 'continental crust'. (10 marks) (b) Describe the physical and… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) Describe the types of radiometric dating techniques used to establish the age of the Earth. (20 marks) (b) Discuss… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Elucidate the types of glacier and illustrate the erosional and depositional features produced by the… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) What is a Shear Zone ? Describe the different Shear Sense indicators. (20 marks) (b) Enumerate the Shepard's… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Enumerate the different types of siwalik fauna and discuss their palaeoecology. (10 marks) (b) Define fossil and… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Elucidate an evolutionary trend of Equidae with Indian occurrence. (20 marks) (b) Discuss the pre-cambrian/cambrian… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Describe the stratigraphic sequence of Dharwar Supergroup and add a note on its economic importance. (20 marks) (b)… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Discuss briefly how do chemical, physical and bacteriological properties determine the usability of ground-water… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) How are the symmetry elements in a crystal of class 6/m 2/m 2/m oriented with respect to its crystallographic axes?… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) How does the Bragg equation explain X-ray diffraction from a crystal? (20 marks) (b) How does Si-O polymerism help… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Describe the changes in crystallized solid composition in albite-anorthite system at 1 atm pressure during cooling… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) Classify the conglomerate rocks on the basis of clast composition and grain-matrix ratio and discuss their genetic… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Explain the process of manganese nodules formation and give their major occurrences in the world. (10 marks) (b)… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Describe the formation of Banded Iron Formation (BIF) during Precambrian metallogenic epoch. Write a note on the… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Give an account of external changes in flora due to the presence of anomalous concentration of base metal in a… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Discuss the causes of various seismic discontinuities in the upper mantle. (20 marks) (b) Discuss the composition… 50 marks

2022 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2022

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) Explain 'convergent plate boundary' with suitable examples. Add a note about the characteristics of earthquakes at… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) Discuss in detail the notion of 'continental drift' and the theories of plate tectonics as they relate to… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Describe the geomorphic landforms produced by structural, weathering, erosional and depositional processes. Give… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) Illustrate the common brittle-ductile shear zone structures. Using the stress ellipsoid, deduce the mechanism of… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Diagrammatically explain the types of biozonation. (10 marks) (b) Define index fossil and discuss its significance… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Elucidate the evolutionary trend of Hominidae with examples of Indian occurrence. (20 marks) (b) Describe the… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Describe the stratigraphy of Singhbhum Craton and discuss its economic significance. (20 marks) (b) Discuss the… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Give an account of interpretation of groundwater chemical quality through various graphic representation methods… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) How are Miller Indices of a crystal face calculated ? Calculate Miller Indices of following two crystal faces : (i)… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) Describe the crystallographic, physical, optical and chemical properties of garnet group of minerals. Give examples… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) What are different types of metamorphism and what are their controlling factors ? State characteristic mineral… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) What do you understand by sedimentary depositional environment ? Describe fluvial environment in detail. (20 marks)… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) What are the major changes in the process of formation of uranium deposits through geological time ? (10 marks) (b)… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Explain the processes by which sediment hosted Pb-Zn deposits are formed. Describe the geological setting of Agucha… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) In a bauxite exploration, 12 vertical boreholes were drilled in square grid pattern along 3 E-W traverses, at an… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Give the classification of landslides and discuss the causes of landslide. (20 marks) (b) What is the structure of… 50 marks

2021 Mains

16 questions · 800 marks

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Paper I 8 Qs · 400 marksPaper II 8 Qs · 400 marks
All 16 questions from 2021

Paper I

  1. Q1 (a) Explain what is ring of fire? How many plates and geographic areas are associated with ring of fire? (10 marks) (b)… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) What are lithospheric plates? Discuss the theory of plate tectonics. Which plates were involved when a major… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) What are the fundamental concepts used in Geomorphological studies? Explain the concept "little of the earth's… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) What are hanging wall and footwall of a fault? Describe the different classes of faults based on relative movement… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) What are megafossils? Give names of any three age-diagnostic megafossils indicating their significance in Indian… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Discuss the evolutionary trends in the lineage of equidae and give any two examples of their Indian occurrences… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) Describe stratigraphy and depositional environment of Gondwana Supergroup and discuss why only certain intervals of… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) Give a brief account of sources of groundwater pollution in India and discuss the management of groundwater… 50 marks

Paper II

  1. Q1 (a) How does one designate mirror plane, rotational axes of symmetry and centre of symmetry in Hermann-Mauguin… 50 marks
  2. Q2 (a) Give the classification scheme of silicate minerals on the basis of atomic structure, Si : O ratio and number of… 50 marks
  3. Q3 (a) Discuss briefly the processes of magma generation in the Earth's interior. How is grain size of an igneous rock… 50 marks
  4. Q4 (a) What is provenance? How can we use clastic quartz, feldspars and lithic grains in provenance interpretation of… 50 marks
  5. Q5 (a) Lead (Pb) mineralization zone is drawn in the given diagram with nomenclature. The related data is also provided in… 50 marks
  6. Q6 (a) Give the modern classification of mineral deposits and explain in brief the residual and mechanical concentration… 50 marks
  7. Q7 (a) State the characteristic features of cosmic abundance of elements. What are the bases of estimation of cosmic… 50 marks
  8. Q8 (a) How is unscientific development of catchments situated in mountainous regions responsible for increased threat of… 50 marks

How Geology answers are marked

The shape the examiner expects, what earns the marks and the traps that lose them: the same card our rubrics for this subject are written from.

Answer skeleton

  1. Define
  2. Process
  3. Field or petrographic evidence
  4. Indian example

What earns the marks

  • Draw sections, sketches and phase diagrams
  • Name the Indian craton, basin or formation
  • State mineral composition and texture precisely
  • Link process to economic deposit where relevant

What earns the extra mark

  • Named Indian occurrence
  • Stratigraphic age

Traps that cost marks

  • Generic description with no Indian example
  • Missing sections
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