What is the ‘diamond ring effect’ observed during a total solar eclipse? How is it caused? (79/3)
Astronomers have, of late, been discussing “black hole’. What is a “black hole’? (79/3)
Why has Bombay longer sunshine after office hours than Calcutta? (83/3)
Despite the fact that half of India lies outside the Tropic of Cancer, India is called a tropical country. Why is it so? (87/15)
What are Baily’s beads? (96/3)
What is ‘Shoemaker-Levy 9’? Why was it in the news recently? (94/3)
Why does a lunar eclipse occur only on a full moon? (96/3)
What is the difference between a comet and a meteor? (97/3)
What are Quasars? (97/3)
Write short note on Equinox. (01/2)
What does the solar system consist of? Discuss the motion of the entire solar system as a whole and also the motion of most of the bodies forming the solar system. (03/15)
Saturn’s Titan. (11/2)
Gliese 581 g. (11/2)
GEOMORPHOLOGY
Origin of Earth
How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth? (17/10)
Plate Tectonics, Continental Drift and Sea Floor Spreading
Write brief but precise note on Sea-floor spreading. (10/5)
What do you understand by the theory of ‘continental drift’? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support. (100 words) (13/5)
Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos. (14/10)
Why are the world’s fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring out the association between the global distribution of fold mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes. (14/10)
Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. (18/10)
Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum-Pacific Zone. (2020/10)
Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on regional environment. (150 words) (2021/10)
Discuss how the changes in shape and sizes of continents and ocean basins of the planet take place due to tectonic movements of the crustal masses. (2025/15)
Landforms
Write short note on Glacier. (01/2)
Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks. (22/10)
How are the fjords formed? Why do they constitute some of the most picturesque areas of the world? (150 words) (2023/10)
Deserts
Where do we find large desert areas in India? What steps have been taken by the Government for their development? (85/20)
Where is the Desert National Park situated in India? Why has it been created? (GS 3) (88/2)
Which parts of India are described as ‘arid zones’? Comment on the characteristics and economic activities of these regions. (93/15)
Write briefly about Desert Development Programme. (GS 3) (02/10)
Write on Desert National Park in about 20 words. (GS 3) (09/2)
Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30° N latitudes and on the western side of the continents. Why? (200 words) (13/10)
Examine the causes and the extent of ‘desertification’ in India and suggest remedial measures. (GS 3) (12/5)
The process of desertification does not have climatic boundaries. Justify with examples. (150 words) (2020/10)
Wastelands
List major areas of wasteland in India. Write a note on the prospects of the wasteland development in the country explaining its impact on the food, fodder and fuel supply. (86/20)
What is wasteland? Write a note on prospects of wasteland development in India. (00/10)
What is Integrated Wastelands Development Programme? (02/10)
Drainage System
Name the major international rivers flowing through India. What Countries/States are covered by the Ganga and the Godavari rivers on their course from their source to the sea? (80/3)
Is it correct to say that the land of India slopes from West to East? (81/3)
What is ‘Dakshina Ganga’? Why is it so named? (91/3)
Why do the rivers of the peninsular India have well-defined rigid channels in sharp contrast to the Himalayan rivers? (95/20)
Write short note on “Two prominent left bank tributaries of river Ganges”. (01/2)
Describe the major characteristics of the rivers of Peninsular India. (03/10)
Write brief but precise note on causes for dominant dendritic pattern of drainage in the Gangetic plains. (10/5)
There is no formation of deltas by the rivers of the Western Ghats. Explain. (13/5)
CLIMATOLOGY
Atmosphere: Origin, Composition and Structure
Structure of the Atmosphere. (85/3)
Temperature and Pressure
Explain the significance of the diurnal range of temperature. (86/3)
Atmospheric Circulation, Planetary and Local Winds
What is the Jet Stream? Explain its role in the climate of India. (91/10)
Atmospheric Stability and Instability
What are the conditions that produce temperature inversion? (93/3)
Rainfall: Patterns, Intensity and Western Disturbances
What is ‘intensity of rainfall’? Discuss its importance to Indian farmers. (95/15)
Why do the Western Ghats receive more rainfall than the Eastern Ghats? (95/3)
Winter Rains and Western Disturbances
Unlike most other parts of the country, why is the Tamil Nadu coast wettest in November-December and not in July-August? (80/3)
Which part of India receives more rainfall from the north-east monsoon than from the south-west monsoon? Explain why it is so. (94/15)
Write note on Winter rains in India. (06/2)
The winter rains in North India are largely related to Jet Streams and Western Disturbances. Bring out the relationship. (08/15)
Localised Rainfall
Write short note on Mango Showers. (00/2)
Write about Northwesters in 20 words. (08/2)
Monsoons and Mechanism of Indian Monsoons
“Monsoon is known to be an energy released by the sea.” Explain. How does this energy benefit the entire economic system of our country? In what ways could this country prepare itself to fight the vagaries of the monsoons? (82/30)
What is the basis of monsoon forecasts now prepared by the Indian Meteorological Department, which have been reasonably correct for the last three successive years? (91/20)
Discuss the origin of Monsoon in India. (97/15)
Explain the causes of the Indian Monsoon. (01/10)
Discuss the distribution of winds and rainfall over India in the summer monsoon season. (02/10)
How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscapes? Discuss. (2015/12.5)
Explain how the Himalayan and the Tibetan highlands play an important role in the development of the South-West monsoon. (125 words) (07/10)
What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia? (250 words) (17/15)
El Nino and La Nina
What is El Nino? How is it relevant to India? (88/3)
What is ‘El Nino’? (94/3)
What is El Nino? What is its relevance to India? (95/3)
Write short note on El Nino. (01/2)
Write short note on El Nino, La Nina and monsoon rains. (04/2)
Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree? (14/10)
Jet Streams
What are jet streams? (93/3)
Air Masses
Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes. (16/12.5)
Frontogenesis
Write brief but precise note on Frontogenesis and Frontolysis. (10/5)
Cyclones, Anti Cyclones, Thunderstorm and Tornados
The recent cyclone on east coast of India was called “Phailin’. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world? Elaborate. (100 words) (13/5)
Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why? (14/10)
What is sea surface temperature rise? How does it affect the formation of tropical cyclones? (2024/10)
What is a twister? Why are the majority of twisters observed in areas around the Gulf of Mexico? (2024/15)
Weather and Climate
Bring out the significance of the various activities of the Indian Meteorological Department. (09/15)
Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples. (250 words) (2021/15)
Discuss the meaning of color-coded weather warnings for cyclone-prone areas given by the India Meteorological Department. (22/10)
Classification of World Climates and Climatic Regions
Mention the agro-climatic regions of India stating the basis of classification. (00/10)
Urban Climate
Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. (100 words) (13/5)
OCEANOGRAPHY
Marine Expeditions
Why is India undertaking expeditions to Antarctica? Describe the influence of Antarctica and Antarctic Ocean on the climate of India and on the nutrient and energy supply to Indian Ocean. (83/15)
What is Dakshin Gangotri and where is it located? (84/3)
Where is Antarctica and what is there so special about it? What do you know of any ban on exploration in Antarctica? (91/6)
Ocean Currents
Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, fishing and navigation? (2015/12.5)
How do ocean currents and water masses differ in their impacts on marine life and coastal environment? Give suitable examples. (19/15)
What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world. (22/15)
Oceanic Salinity
Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi-dimensional effects. (250 words) (17/15)
Marine Resources
As the resources of land are getting depleted, man is turning to the sea for the supply of his needs. What are the prospects of utilisation of Indian marine resources for obtaining our requirements of food, minerals and chemicals, oil and gas? (81/20)
What are under-water nodules? (86/3)
What are ocean floor polymetallic sulphides? Where is the largest occurrence of deposits reported? (91/3)
Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the resource crisis in the world. (14/10)
Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic Region? (18/10)
Coral Reefs
Assess the impact of global warming on the coral life system with examples. (19/10)
Marine Ecology
What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem? (18/10)