UPSC Mains Geography Previous Year Question Paper (1989)

PAPER- I

Candidates should attempt Q. 1 and 2 which are compulsory, and any three of the remaining questions, selecting at least one question from each Section. All questions carry equal marks

Q.1. On the map of India provided, mark the following and write in not more than ten words in your answer script, what you consider to be most important aspect of each one of them:
(a) Paradeep
(b) Karaikal
(c) Bhilai
(d) Baramula
(e) Pachmari
(f) Gulf of Mannar
(g) Damodar River Valley
(h) Sindri
(i) Chilka Lake
(j) Bandipur

OR

On the map of the world provided, mark the following and write in not more than ten words in your answer script, what you consider to be most important aspect of each one of them:
(a) Irrawady River
(b) Nevada Desert
(c) Pearl Harbour
(d) Libya
(e) Tel Aviv
(f) Honduras
(g) Urals
(h) Gulf of Mexico
(i) Patagonia
(j) The Vatican city

Q.2. Write short notes on any three of the following. Each answer should be in about 200 words:
(a) Rejuvenated landforms
(b) Ocean bottom relief
(c) Major cultural realms of the world
(d) Classification of cities

SECTION A

Q.3. Explain the origin, characteristics and distribution of temperate cyclones.

Q.4. Divide the world into major biotic regions and explain the basis of your division.

Q.5. Examine the causes of ecological imbalances and briefly explain the measures taken to rectify them.

SECTION B

Q.6. Write an essay on the contribution of European geographers to the development of geographic thought.

Q.7. Discuss in detail the Heartland concept of Mackinder and the criticism it has attracted in recent years.

Q.8. Review in detail the various theories of the location of industries.

PAPER-II

SECTION A

Candidates should attempt Q. 1 and 5 which are compulsory, and any three of the remaining questions selecting at least one question from each Section. All questions carry equal marks

Q.1. Answer any three of the following questions in about 200 words each:
(a) Explain the causes of soil erosion occurring over extensive areas in certain parts of India. What measures would you suggest for solving this problem?
(b) Discuss the problems of the tribal areas and suggest measures for solving them.
(c) Assess the fish resources of India and examine the present and future prospects of their exploitation.
(d) Analyse the spatial patterns of the utilization of ground water for tube-well irrigation in different parts of India.

Q.2. Give an outline of the geological history of the Peninsular India and in its terms. Explain the salient features of the relief of the areas.

Q.3. Analyse the recent trends in the growth and density of population of India and evaluate the socio-economic and environmental problems generated by them.

Q.4. Formulate a suitable agricultural land-use policy that will achieve the twin goals of optimum agricultural efficiency and crop productivity.

SECTION B

Q.5. Write short notes, in about 200 words each, on any three of the following:
(a) Decentralization of industries for achieving regional balance in economic growth
(b) Significance of inland waterways in the development of transportation and trade
(c) Role of rural markets in regional development
(d) Regional consciousness and national integration

Q.6. Attempt a spatial analysis of the development of minerals based industries in relation to mineral resource potentialities and their exploitation in different states of India.

Q.7. Discuss the recent trends in urbanisation in India and briefly describe the main characteristics and problems of the major Indian cities.

Q.8. Analyse the prevailing patterns of regional disparities in the socio-economic development of India and evaluate the role of the five-year plans in reducing them.