What is a Blast Furnace? Name the inputs into the Blast Furnace. (80/2)
Mention the distribution of steel plants in India, with foreign collaboration or assistance, if any. What are the locational advantages enjoyed by each of these plants? (81/20)
What are the locational advantages of setting up port-based steel plants in India? (82/3)
Why should India export iron-ore when we still produce so little steel per capita? (GS 3) (82/3)
Account for the change in the spatial pattern of the Iron and Steel industry in the world. (14/10)
Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples. (150 words) (2020/10)
Jute, Cotton and Textile
Why is there a concentration of the jute mills along the Hooghly and chemical industries in Gujarat? (79/20)
Analyze the factors for the highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India. (100 words) (13/5)
Fertilizers
Why is fertilizer capacity expressed in terms of tons of nitrogen? What is India’s fertilizer manufacturing capacity? (80/2)
Sugar
What is Sugar Sampada? What has been its contribution? (89/5)
Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in southern States of India? Discuss with justification. (100 words) (13/5)
Tourism
What is eco-tourism? How could it be promoted in India? (05/10)
The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate. (2015/12.5)
How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism? (19/15)
Footloose Industries
What are ‘Footloose Industries’? (92/3)
Write short notes on Footloose Industries. (07/2)
Industrial Regions
What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying Industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics. (18/15)
Food Industry
Discuss the factors for localisation of agro-based food processing industries of North-West India. (GS 1) (19/10)
How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience. (2025/15)
Other Industries
Name the industry which is located at each of the following places: (i) Bongaigaon (ii) Alwaye (iii) Kapurthala. (95/3)
Write note on: Khetri Copper Project. (02/2)
Account for the very high concentration of salt extraction industries in the Saurashtra and South Tamil Nadu Coast. (03/10)
Miscellaneous
What are the locations of the Indian Institutes of Technology? (79/3)
Name one important National Laboratory/Research Institute in each of the four regions of the country. (79/3)
Name four major public sector industrial undertakings in Bangalore. (79/3)
RESOURCE GEOGRAPHY
Distribution of Resources
Discuss the natural resource potentials of Deccan Trap. (22/10)
Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas. (2023/15)
Mineral Resources
Name the mineral which is mined at each of the following places: (i) Neyveli (ii) Panna (iii) Jaduguda. (94/3)
Despite India being one of the countries with high potential, why is its mining industry contributing so much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage? Discuss. (150 words) (2021/10)
Conventional Energy Resources
Coal and Thermal Power
What are super thermal power stations? Where are they being established in India and by which Agency? (80/2)
What is the need for Coal Conservation? What are the major components of India’s Coal Conservation Policy? (87/15)
Explain the term “captive power station”. What is the aim of setting up of such stations? (90/3)
What are the resource bases available for the economic development of the newly created States of Jharkhand and Uttaranchal? (05/10)
Write about Ultra Mega Power Projects. (09/3)
“In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Discuss. (150 words) (17/10)
Petroleum and Natural Gas
What is Bombay High? What is ‘SAGAR SAMRAT’S’ connection with Bombay High? (80/3)
What measures have been taken by the Government of India to develop our own sources for the supply of petroleum crude? Discuss the measure of success achieved in this regard. (85/20)
What is the HBJ pipeline? What will it carry, from where to where, and for what purpose? (88/3)
Name the main offshore oil field of India and the agency which operates it. (91/3)
“20th century was century of oil, 21st century would be the century of natural gas.” Comment. (97/30)
Name the main petroleum producing areas in India. (02/2)
Write short note on Bombay High. (04/2)
Examine the distribution of oil refineries in India. (04/10)
It is said that India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of the country for a quarter century. However, tapping of the resource does not appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved. (13/10)
What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences? (2015/12.5)
Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas, particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications. (250 words) (17/15)
Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world. (250 words) (2021/15)
Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of off-shore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the on-shore occurrences of oil reserves? (2025/15)
Hydro Power
Where is Salal and what is the project established there? (82/3)
What is “Jal Shakti’? What are its uses? (91/20)
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is expected to set up a number of hydroelectric projects in the Eighth plan. Summarise the salient features of the proposal. (91/20)
What do you understand by Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project? (13/5)
Non-Conventional and Renewable Energy Resources
Non-Conventional Energy Resources
Most of the present-day conventional sources of energy are likely to be exhausted sooner or later. Give a short resume of the non-conventional sources of energy that can be availed of in India. (82/20)
What are the alternative fuels available for the transport sector? Discuss their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages in their utilization. (07/15)
Nuclear Energy
What are the current problems facing the Tarapur Atomic Power Project and what steps are being considered to overcome them? (79/20)
Name the atomic mineral of which India has abundant resources. (79/3)
Name the minerals used in generating nuclear energy and the places where they are found in India. (89/3)
Where are India’s nuclear power plants located? (96/3)
With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world. (200 words) (13/10)
Solar and Wind Energy
Discuss the potential of solar energy utilization in India. (250 words) (92/40)
India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its developments. Elaborate. (250 words) (2020/15)
Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread. (22/10)
Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples. (2025/10)
GS 3 Solar Energy
How is solar energy (i) collected (ii) concentrated and (iii) stored? (87/2)
‘Concentrated’ solar energy and ‘photovoltaic’ solar energy. (11/5)
To what factors can the recent dramatic fall in equipment costs and tariff of solar energy be attributed? What implications does the trend have for the thermal power producers and the related industry? (15/12)
Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to the conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our Government for this purpose? (20/15)
Non-Conventional Resources: Others
What is Geothermal? Mention a few areas where we have located geothermal resources in India. (80/3)
What do you understand by the Integrated Rural Energy System? Also mention at least three new sources of Energy. (91/15)
GS 3 Renewable Energy
What important issues were considered at the Conference held in August 1981 at Nairobi on new and renewable sources of energy under the auspices of the United Nations? What progress has been made in India towards the development of renewable sources of energy? (81/30)
Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). (16/12.5)
Discuss in detail “The Alternative Energy Sources”. (04/30)
Why is hydrogen being acclaimed as the fuel of the future? (05/15)
Bring out the prospects of development of alternative energy sources of India. (06/10)
GS 3 Energy Crisis and Security
Briefly review India’s Energy resources. In the context of the world shortage of petroleum, how would you plan for meeting our rural energy needs? Discuss the relative merits of centralised generation, supply and distribution of energy vis-a-vis generation of energy at consumer points or centres. (GS 3) (79/75)
What is the global energy crisis and what is its impact on India? Having regard to our situation, environment, resources and problems, what would be the profile of an appropriate energy policy for India? Examine critically the available alternative options. (80/65)
Comment on the performance of the Power (Electricity) Sector in India. What is the Impact of recurring power shortages and frequent power cuts on production and growth? What steps could be taken to tone up the performance of this vital sector of the economy? (80/20)
India is planning to provide for the generation and distribution of 38,000 MW of electric power in the Eighth Plan. How are these objectives to be achieved? What are the constraints that are likely to be met with? (89/40)
What is energy independence? Discuss how India can be transformed into an ‘Energy independent Nation.’ (05/10)
Comment on the salient features of the Integrated Energy Policy recently approved by the Government and its implications on the energy security needs of the country. (09/30)
Evaluate India’s approach towards meeting the country’s growing energy demands. Compare the success of this approach with that of another Asian giant which has perhaps the fastest growing energy demands. (10/20)
Write a note on India’s green energy corridor to alleviate the problem of conventional energy. (13/10)
“Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (18/10)
Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain. (22/15)
How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour? (2025/10)
Forest Resources
Vegetation
Which is the largest expanse of tidal forests in India and in which State is it located? (84/3)
Where do mangrove forests occur in India? Describe their main characteristics. (96/15)
What are mangroves and in what way are they useful to us? (01/10)
Mention the area of Shola forests in India. (03/2)
Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. (19/10)
Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India. (2023/15)
Social Forestry
What is social forestry? (82/3)
Explain the concept of ‘social forestry’ in India. (90/3)
What is social forestry? Describe how social forestry can help in the uplift of the rural poor. (93/15)
What are the objectives of Social Forestry? (97/3)
What is the meaning and aim of Social Forestry? What are the main weaknesses noticed in Social Forestry Programme? (07/7.5)
Water Resources
Water and Climate
The impact of climate change on water resources in India. (11/12)
India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity. (2015/12.5)
The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain. (16/12.5)
How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? (2020/10)
Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources? (2023/10)
Irrigation
Describe the different methods of irrigation practiced in India and bring out their relative importance in view of the recent developments in irrigation. (84/15)
Comment on the detrimental effects of canal irrigation? (90/15)
What is drip irrigation? Why is it considered the most efficient method of irrigation? (95/20)
What constitutes a Minor Irrigation Project? (98/3)
In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India? (16/12.5)
What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency. (16/12)
In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India? (250 words) (GS 1) (17/15)
Elaborate the impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas. (19/10)
Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario. (2020/15)
How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis? (21/10)
What are the major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management. (GS 3) (2024/15)
Water Harvesting and Conservation
What is water harvesting? Describe its relevance in the Indian context. (00/15)
Elucidate the factors contributing to the growing need for water harvesting in India, both rural and urban. (05/10)
“The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas? (18/15)
What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? (19/15)
Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario. (GS 3) (2020/15)
What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (GS 3) (2020/10)
The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits. (GS 3) (2024/15)
Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater? (2025/15)
River Interlinking
Explain briefly the importance of the Beas Sutlej Link Project. (79/20)
Explain the concept of National Water Grid and its objectives. (90/15)
Write note on National Water Grid. (06/2)
Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. (150 words) (17/10)
The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (250 words) (2020/15)
Dams
What is the scope of the Farakka Barrage and what are the problems relating to it? What proposals have been put forward to resolve the problems and with what results? (80/20)
Where is Thein dam being built and why? (85/3)
What do you know about Narmada Sagar Dam? (98/2)
Write note on Nagarjuna Sagar Project. (00/2)
What do you know about Hirakud Project? (01/2)
TRANSPORT GEOGRAPHY
Transport Geography
Where is the strait of Hormuz? What is its importance? Why has it been in the news? (87/5)
What is MRTS? Where is it in operation? (03/2)
What is Golden Quadrilateral? How will it help in the economic development of the country? (04/10)
Write about Trade through Nathu La Pass. (06/2)
Write about National Waterways. (09/3)
Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India. (16/12.5)
How is efficient and affordable urban mass transport key to the rapid economic development in India? (19/15)
Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade. (22/15)
Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world. (150 words) (GS 1) (2023/10)
Miscellaneous Transport
What is the economic importance of the Kandla and Paradeep ports? (79/20)
Name two major ports each in India’s eastern and western sea coasts and the major export/imports through each of these ports. (80/3)
Which are the terminal stations of the Black Diamond Express? Why is the train so named? (81/3)
Name the Railway in India that carries the largest quantity of coal. Give reasons. (83/3)
Where is the largest railway marshalling yard located in India? Also name the railway and the district. (86/3)
POPULATION
Population Distribution and Density
Explain the factors affecting the distribution of population in India, bringing out the variation in density over space. (91/15)
Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources. (2025/15)
Population Growth
Bring out the findings of the 1981 Census in regard to the growth and variations in rates of growth of population in different parts of the country. How do you account for population explosion during the last three decades? What measures should be adopted for population control? (81/20)
What is meant by population explosion? Has it occurred in India? (89/3)
What is meant by growth rate of population? (93/3)
Can excessive economic backwardness itself be a cause of excess population? (94/3)
Examine the fall out of population explosion in India at the close of twentieth century. (98/10)
Control over growth of population in India is an essential condition for the country’s rapid economic development. Discuss. (00/30)
What is the concept of a ‘demographic winter’? Is the world moving towards such a situation? Elaborate. (2024/10)
Population Theories
State the four distinctive stages of Indian Demographic history. (03/10)
Population Policies
What have been the recent recommendations of the World Bank on India’s Family Welfare programme? How do these recommendations compare with those which emerged from the Cairo Conference on Population and Development in 1994? (95/10)
What is meant by “couple protection ratio”? (01/2)
Outline the main targets fixed in the National Population Policy 2000. What have been the follow up measures to this policy? (02/2)
Write about Demographic Dividend. (08/2)
Migration
What is “Brain drain”? (03/2)
What is known as reverse migration? (04/2)
Write brief but precise note on Transhumance in India. (10/5)
Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades. (15/12.5)
Why do large cities tend to attract more migrants than smaller towns? Discuss in the light of conditions in developing countries. (2024/10)
Tribes
Indicate the areas in which majority of people belonging to the following tribes reside: (i) Angamis (ii) Bhils (iii) Gonds (iv) Khasis (v) Santhals. (81/10)
In which State/Union Territory do the majority of the people belonging to the following tribes reside? (i) Onges (ii) Apatanis (iii) Oraon (iv) Bhils (v) Jarwas. (83/5)
Where do the Todas and Santhals live in India? (86/3)
What is ‘TRIFED’? What are its objectives? (02/10)
Who are Todas and where do they live? (03/2)
Write notes on Jarawas. (07/2)
Language and Culture
Write note on Linguistic regions of India. (00/10)
Explain the major racial groups of India. (00/10)
Name any four principal languages of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. (03/2)
POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
Geopolitics
Mention the number of States and the number of Union Territories in India. (79/3)
Where is the island of Diego Garcia? To which country does it belong? For what purpose is it used? Why has it come prominently in the news? (150 words) (80/15)
Write short notes on any two of the following: (i) New Moore Island, (ii) Vayudoot, (iii) Namibia. (81/20)
What is under-water archaeology? What important findings have been made in Indian coastal waters recently? (87/3)
Where is the strait of Hormuz? What is its importance? Why has it been in the news? (87/5)
Why is Guantanamo Bay in the news now? (03/2)
Answer the following: Prospects of international water-wars? (04/2)
Write short note on New Moore Island. (06/2)
How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa? (14/10)
South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment. (16/12.5)
Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations. (GS 1) (16/12.5)
Law of the Sea
Mention the main provisions of the new Treaty relating to the use of the High Seas under International Law, as adopted in 1982. Name the countries, which opposed the above law of sea convention and have not yet ratified the Treaty? (50 words) (83/10)
What is the Exclusive Economic Zone of India? Why has it been constituted? (87/15)
Indian Ocean
Mention the advantages which India enjoys being at the head of the Indian Ocean. (96/15)
What is the importance of Indian Ocean for India? (99/15)
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING
Regional Disparity and Development
Examine the recent developments that have taken place in identifying and mapping land resources in India. (91/15)
What are the geo-economic causes of underdevelopment of various regions in India? (98/15)
Assess the significance of coastal regions in the economic development in India. (09/15)
What is regional disparity? How does it differ from diversity? How serious is the issue of regional disparity in India? (2024/15)
How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning? (2025/15)
Regional Development Strategies
What is the scheme of division of powers between the Center and the States under the Constitution of India? (79/75)
Describe the main features of the Panchayati Raj Bills. (89/10)
Write a short note on the financial aspect of Sarkaria Commission Report. (88/5)
How did Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel succeed in integrating Indian States? (89/15)
Command Area Development
What do you understand by Command Area Development? (92/15)
Describe the use of ‘Command Area Development’ in India. (97/3)
Describe the use of ‘Command Area Development’ in India. (00/2)
Urban Places
As part of the process of ‘urban sprawl’, distinguish between urban peripheral growth, suburbs and satellite towns giving, at least, one example of each type from any metropolitan centre of India. (90/15)
Name the mega cities of India and mention their specific problems. (99/15)
How has the Census (1991) defined the Urban Areas? (00/2)
Write short note on Census definition of urban places. (02/2)
Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its success. (18/15)
Growth Centres
What is the economic rationale behind the establishment of “growth centres”? Explain briefly the criteria for selecting three growth centres. (90/20)
Define the concept of ‘growth centres’ and evaluate its relevance in regional planning in India. (02/10)