Top 25 UPSC Prelims Expected Questions from Geography Syllabus

Best 25 Geography Topics/Questions Expected in UPSC Prelims 2023

The top 25 most significant geography themes for the UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam have been identified by UPSC experts at BYJU’S. The following questions are based on the most important static subjects as well as key geography-related current events that have been in the news in recent years. Aspirants can explore the related topics from the below questions and undertake their own brief research for key information, or they can read more in the linked articles.

While these are the most probable topics that UPSC can ask, candidates should keep in mind that the exam is quite unpredictable in nature, and so there are chances that some questions provided below might not come in the actual exam.
Aspirants should assess their risk to benefit ratio based on their level of preparation prior to digging deeper into the below topics.

List of 25 Expected Geography Questions in IAS Prelims 2023:

1. What is Project NETRA?
   Project NETRA recently launched by ISRO has recently been in the news for good reasons. Because this is such an ambitious project by ISRO, hence it becomes important to know basic details about it as it could be asked in the UPSC Prelims exam.
2. Which Isthmus connects the Crimean Peninsula to Ukraine?
   Due to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, they have become major places in news and hence questions regarding their physical geography could be asked in the CSE Prelims exam.
3. Which is the largest river from Africa that flows into the Indian Ocean?As India has its vested interests in the Indian Ocean due to rising geopolitical issues and challenges posed to it by China in this region, it becomes important to know the physical geography of countries/continents sharing borders with the Indian Ocean.
4. Which of the following rivers originates from the Amarkantak?Amarkantak has been in the news recently as the Madhya Pradesh government has recently announced that no new construction will take place there keeping the environmental concerns at the top. Hence, UPSC may ask questions about the geography of Amarkantak. Read about the major rivers and their origin point in the linked article.
5. The east-west corridor of the National Highways Development Project connects _______?The North-South–East-West Corridor is India’s biggest ongoing highway project. The project is being managed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). It thus becomes important to know the basic facts about the project.
6. Which of the below is the only Ganga tributary which originates in the plains rather than the hills?Rivers and their tributaries are an evergreen topic in UPSC Civil Services Exam, every now and then we can see some questions related to an Indian river in the prelims. Ganga being the longest river in India holds a separate significance that having the knowledge of Ganga and its tributaries especially of those who have unique characteristics is important.
7. Which are the major ports on India’s east coast?Major Ports and Minor Ports is an important topic from the static Geography section and questions on these have been asked by UPSC multiple times in the past hence it is important to remember the names and locations of at least all Major Ports. These major ports are also a part of the Sagarmala project which makes its round in the news regularly.
8. Where is Raniganj coal bed methane (CBM) located?Coal India Group made an announcement of coal bed methane exploration in three CBM blocks one of which was Raniganj CBM. India is increasingly looking towards exploitation of the Coal Bed Methane gas, hence the topic becomes important from both environmental and geographical points of view for UPSC Prelims.
9. What is the longitudinal difference between India’s extreme east and west?Although a part of the static physical geography of India and not holding much public significance, questions on latitudes/longitudes and coordinates of major places have been asked in the past, hence knowing the physical expanse of India becomes important.
10. Which of the below South Indian states has the most common borders with other states?UPSC likes to ask questions about both international and regional borders of Indian States and has done so many times in the past. Therefore, it becomes important to know basic details of the borders of all states in India. Refer to the Political Map of India for more information.
11. What is the major factor behind the occurrence of earthquakes in India?India is one of the most earthquake hit and prone countries in the world. Predicting earthquakes is the most difficult as compared to other natural disasters. Due to these reasons, it is essential to know about Earthquakes and their associated important facts.
12. Which place is also known as the “Valley of Gods”?Tourism in India is at an all-time high. Tourism holds major economic, spiritual, as well as cultural significance in India. Special and Unique names like the “Valley of Gods” or “Valley of Flowers” can be asked in the CSE Prelims 2023 either as a straightforward question or as a match to the following question. Hence it is important to know about not all but some of such popular names and places.
13. Which Indian island is closest to the equator?As mentioned previously, knowledge of coordinates, longitudes and latitudes of major Indian places is very important, questions on such topics have previously been asked many times. Therefore knowing the locations of these places is important for the exam. Refer to the Political Map of India for more information.
14. Which island is also called Cardamom island?The Vice President of India recently inaugurated two new colleges on Cardamom island which is a part of the Lakshadweep group of islands. The above reason as well as its special and unique name makes it a possible topic from which UPSC can ask questions.
15. What are different types of igneous rocks?Rocks are a part of the fundamentals of static Geography. UPSC has many times asked questions about this topic in different ways every time. Thus, having conceptual clarity on this topic is very important.
16. What are the names given to earthquake sequences that occur in a certain area over a short span of time?Earthquakes are one of the most damaging natural disasters in India. Although a part of static Geography and disaster management both, questions from this topic have been asked many times and that too in different ways each time. Having in-depth knowledge about Earthquakes is crucial for the CSE 2023.
17. In desert regions, which of the following acts as a temporary lake?Questions on various types of landforms have been asked in the past many times, especially on glacial formations and desert formations. Therefore, it is a hot topic and aspirants can expect such a question this time too.
18. What are Pingos?As mentioned above, the types of landforms are a hot topic and questions in many surprising ways can be framed and asked by UPSC from here. Hence, it is highly advised to have in-depth knowledge of the topic.
19. What is also known as a Sheepback type of landform?Special and unique names for landforms can be used by UPSC for framing questions on this topic to confuse the aspirants. As these names don’t help in guessing the options, it becomes important to remember all such names and stay prepared in case such a question comes in the prelims 2023.
20. What is the term for such a land where fine silts, as well as clay deposits, form after a flood?Landforms created due to erosion and/or deposition have served as a topic for UPSC to frame questions from a few times in the past. The topic of depositional landforms is part of static Geography so having conceptual clarity here will ensure you don’t lose marks in such easy straightforward questions.
21. Which are the three major hills of the Meghalayan Plateau?The physical geography of the northeast along with other parts of India is very important. The significance of the northeast is special for one more reason it affects the monsoon flow and distribution in northern India. The Meghalayan Plateau plays an important role here. Therefore, having in-depth knowledge and conceptual clarity of such topics is extremely important.
22. Where are glacial terraces termed ‘Karewas’ found in India?Karewa is a lacustrine deposit found in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The age of these formations makes them special and unique. Hence, UPSC can ask questions related to it.
23. The omnibus group is the other name of which type of soil?Soil is a part of static geography and holds importance in the environment section as well. Thus, it is critical to know about all types of soils found in India. Questions about soils have previously been asked too, so it is highly likely to be asked again in a different way.
24. Which states are the origin of Nilambur Teak, which was accorded Geographical Indication tag?Teak is a type of hardwood having many types applications but primarily in the furniture industry. The tree being accorded a GI tag by the government makes it special and highly likely to be served as a question in the Civil Services Exam 2023.
25. What are different types of biological weathering?
    Biological Weathering is part of static Geography and hence, having basic knowledge along with clarity of concepts is critical to tackling this section in the exam. It is highly recommended to read about all types of weathering agents and processes as questions from here have been asked previously.

Motivation for UPSC Prelims 2023 – Revision Tips

• Don’t pick new topics or materials for study or revision just before the exam. Stick with the standard study materials and your hand notes.
• Use mnemonics wherever you find it feasible to remember hard to remember facts.
• Stay confident with your revision and don’t get confused when you see the options in the question paper.
• As a general rule, don’t change your mind after you mark an option unless you have strong feelings about the other option.
• Maintain your calm and confidence while you attempt the exam, any fall or increase in your confidence can wreak havoc.

To get an idea about the expected questions from the other subjects asked in the IAS Prelims examination, check the links below:

UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Important Questions	UPSC Prelims Economics Important Questions
History Questions of UPSC Mains	UPSC Prelims Environment Important Questions
UPSC Prelims Polity Important Questions	UPSC Prelims History Important Questions
UPSC Prelims Science Technology Important Questions	UPSC Question Papers

Geography Expected Questions in UPSC CSE 2023 PDF –Download PDF Here