Geography MCQs
Physical, human and world geography MCQs for UPSC CSE Prelims, with explanations.
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Coal Pollution
Consider the following statements: 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2. Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and o…
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Green Infrastructure
In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon fo…
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Musk Deer Habitat
Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri Nat…
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Industrial Waste & Sustainability
Steel slag can be the material for which of the following? 1. Construction of base road 2. Improvement of agricultural soil 3. Production o…
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Barasingha Conservation
Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that t…
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Biodiversity
With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Protected Areas & River Basins
Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin? 1. Nagarhole National Park 2. Papikonda National Park 3. Sathyaman…
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Indian Elephants
With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gesta…
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Biochar
What is the use of biochar in farming? 1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming. 2. When biochar is a par…
GEOGRAPHY · World Geography — River Basins
Consider the following pairs: River — Flows into 1. Mekong — Andaman Sea 2. Thames — Irish Sea 3. Volga — Caspian Sea 4. Zambezi — Indian O…
GEOGRAPHY · Sustainable Agriculture
In the context of India, which of the following are considered to be practices of eco-friendly agriculture? 1. Crop diversification 2. Legu…
GEOGRAPHY · Agriculture — Sugarcane Cultivation
With reference to the recent trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements: 1. A substantial saving in…
GEOGRAPHY · Agriculture — Solar Pumps
With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements: 1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for su…
GEOGRAPHY · Agriculture — Crops & Climate
The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days and 50 to 100 centimetres of r…
GEOGRAPHY · Agriculture — Pulses
With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements: 1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi cro…
GEOGRAPHY · Climate Change — Social Cost of Carbon
Which one of the following statements best describes the term ‘Social Cost of Carbon’? It is a measure, in monetary value, of the
GEOGRAPHY · Agriculture — Biofuels
According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels? 1. Ca…
GEOGRAPHY · Agriculture — Zero Tillage
What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture? 1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of previous…
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Wildlife Protection Act
If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
GEOGRAPHY · Physical Geography — Cyclones & Jet Streams
Consider the following statements: 1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only. 2. Only some cyclones develop an eye. 3. The tempe…
GEOGRAPHY · Groundwater Resources — CGWA
Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or “critical” by the Central Ground Water…
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Desert National Park
With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It is spread over two districts. 2. There…
GEOGRAPHY · Agriculture — Chemical Fertilizers
With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: 1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers…
GEOGRAPHY · Oceanography — Ocean Mean Temperature
With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C…
GEOGRAPHY · Mineral Resources — Major Minerals
Consider the following minerals: 1. Bentonite 2. Chromite 3. Kyanite 4. Sillimanite In India, which of the above are officially designated…
GEOGRAPHY · Agriculture — Fertigation
What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture? 1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible. 2. Efficient applicat…
GEOGRAPHY · Science & Technology — Blockchain
With reference to “Blockchain Technology”, consider the following statements: 1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which…
GEOGRAPHY · Science & Technology — Visible Light Communication
With reference to Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct? 1. VLC uses electromagnetic…
GEOGRAPHY · Science & Technology — Artificial Intelligence
With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? 1. Bring down electricity consump…
GEOGRAPHY · Science & Technology — Reproductive Technology
In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, “Pronuclear Transfer” is used for
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Tiger Reserves
Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?
GEOGRAPHY · Environment — Air Pollution
Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? 1. Automobile exhaust 2. Tobacco smoke 3. Wood burning 4.…
GEOGRAPHY · General Science — Cell Biology
Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant cells and animal cells? 1. Plant cells have ce…
GEOGRAPHY · Science & Technology — Cyber Security
In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of
GEOGRAPHY · Science & Technology — Vaccines
What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India? 1. These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meni…
GEOGRAPHY · Science & Technology — Biotechnology
Consider the following statements: 1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent. 2…
GEOGRAPHY · Soil-less survival
In nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil? 1. Fern 2. Lichen 3. Moss 4. Mushroom…
GEOGRAPHY · Blue carbon
What is blue carbon?
GEOGRAPHY · Furnace oil
With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements: 1. It is a product of oil refineries. 2. Some industries use it to genera…
GEOGRAPHY · Copper smelting pollution
Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into environment. 2. The copp…
GEOGRAPHY · R2 electronics recycling standard
'R2 Code of Practices' constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of
GEOGRAPHY · Common Carbon Metric
The 'Common Carbon Metric', supported by UNEP, has been developed for
GEOGRAPHY · Detritivores
Which of the following are detritivores? 1. Earthworms 2. Jellyfish 3. Millipedes 4. Seahorses 5. Woodlice Select the correct answer.
GEOGRAPHY · Phosphorus cycle
In case of which one of the following biogeochemical cycles, the weathering of rocks is the main source of release of nutrient to enter the…
GEOGRAPHY · Filter feeders
Which one of the following is a filter feeder?
GEOGRAPHY · Magnetite pollution
Magnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following?…
GEOGRAPHY · New York Declaration on Forests
With reference to the 'New York Declaration on Forests', which of the following statements are correct? 1. It was first endorsed at the Uni…
GEOGRAPHY · Animal defensive behavior
Consider the following animals: 1. Hedgehog 2. Marmot 3. Pangolin To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above o…
GEOGRAPHY · Marine primary producers
Consider the following kinds of organisms: 1. Copepods 2. Cyanobacteria 3. Diatoms 4. Foraminifera Which of the above are primary producers…
GEOGRAPHY · Natural mosquito repellents
Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?
GEOGRAPHY · Tropical rain forest
'Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetat…
GEOGRAPHY · Climate-smart agriculture
In the context of India's preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: 1. The 'Climate-Smart Village' appr…
GEOGRAPHY · Ocean temperature patterns
Consider the following statements: 1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing t…
GEOGRAPHY · Water-efficient crops
Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?
GEOGRAPHY · Seabed mineral exploration
Consider the following statements: 1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters…
GEOGRAPHY · Eastern Ghats rivers
Consider the following rivers: 1. Brahmani 2. Nagawali 3. Subarnarekha 4. Vamsadhara Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?
GEOGRAPHY · Rajasthan saline lakes
With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of
GEOGRAPHY · Indus river system
With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. A…
GEOGRAPHY · Palm oil
With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements: 1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia. 2. Palm oil is a raw mat…
GEOGRAPHY · Permaculture
How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? 1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in…
GEOGRAPHY · Viral genomes and diseases
Consider the following statements: 1. Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes.…
GEOGRAPHY · Microbial culture
Consider the following: 1. Bacteria 2. Fungi 3. Virus Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?
GEOGRAPHY · Pressure cooker physics
In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following? 1. Area of the hole in the li…
GEOGRAPHY · Bt cotton
Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of
GEOGRAPHY · Mitochondrial inheritance
In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements: 1. Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be…
GEOGRAPHY · Black cotton soil
The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of
GEOGRAPHY · Moringa and tamarind
Consider the following statements: 1. Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree. 2. Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia. 3…
GEOGRAPHY · Global water distribution
With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements: 1. The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more…
GEOGRAPHY · Savannah vegetation
The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in s…
GEOGRAPHY · Light-year
Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?
GEOGRAPHY · Triclosan
'Triclosan', considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following?
GEOGRAPHY · Bisphenol A and plastics
Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a structural/key component in the manufacture of which of the following kinds of plastics?
GEOGRAPHY · ACE2 and viral disease
The term 'ACE2' is talked about in the context of
GEOGRAPHY · Sodium lamps and LEDs
With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps? 1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so…
GEOGRAPHY · Properties of water
Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid because
GEOGRAPHY · Recombinant vector vaccines
With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements: 1. Genetic engineering is…
GEOGRAPHY · DNA barcoding and biodiversity
DNA Barcoding can be a tool to: 1. Assess the age of a plant or animal. 2. Distinguish among species that look alike. 3. Identify undesirab…
GEOGRAPHY · Nanotechnology and environmental health
Consider the following statements: 1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature. 2. Nanoparticles of some metal…
GEOGRAPHY · Human immune system
Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body?
GEOGRAPHY · Animal ecology and mutualism
Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi?
GEOGRAPHY · Wildlife Protection Act and protected species
With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the go…
GEOGRAPHY · Air pollution and acid rain
Consider the following: 1. Carbon monoxide 2. Nitrogen oxide 3. Ozone 4. Sulphur dioxide. Excess of which of the above in the environment i…
GEOGRAPHY · World regions and locations
Consider the following pairs: 1. Anatolia — Turkey 2. Amhara — Ethiopia 3. Cabo Delgado — Spain 4. Catalonia — Italy. How many pairs given…
GEOGRAPHY · Renewable energy geography
Consider the following statements: 1. Gujarat has the largest solar park in India. 2. Kerala has a fully solar powered International Airpor…
GEOGRAPHY · Clouds and climate
Consider the following statements: 1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth. 2. Low clouds have a…
GEOGRAPHY · Environmental governance and greenwashing
Which one of the following best describes the term “greenwashing”?
GEOGRAPHY · Polar regions and maritime regulation
Which one of the following statements best describes the ‘Polar Code’?
GEOGRAPHY · Environmental regulation and institutions
Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?
GEOGRAPHY · Indian reservoirs and river basins
Consider the following pairs: Reservoirs — States 1. Ghataprabha — Telangana 2. Gandhi Sagar — Madhya Pradesh 3. Indira Sagar — Andhra Prad…
GEOGRAPHY · Tea-producing regions of India
Consider the following States: 1. Andhra Pradesh 2. Kerala 3. Himachal Pradesh 4. Tripura. How many of the above are generally known as tea…
GEOGRAPHY · Urban ecology and afforestation
The “Miyawaki method” is well known for the:
GEOGRAPHY · Coral reef restoration
“Biorock technology” is talked about in which one of the following situations?
GEOGRAPHY · Nitrogen fixation and legumes
Which of the following are nitrogen-fixing plants? 1. Alfalfa 2. Amaranth 3. Chickpea 4. Clover 5. Purslane (Kulfa) 6. Spinach. Select the…
GEOGRAPHY · Polymers and waste management
With reference to polyethylene terephthalate, the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives, consider the following statements: 1. I…
GEOGRAPHY · Himalayan biodiversity and forest products
With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements: 1. It is a fungus. 2. It grows in some Himal…
GEOGRAPHY · Air pollution and WHO guidelines
In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements: 1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 µg/m³ an…
GEOGRAPHY · Wetland ecosystem services
“If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys.” Which one of the following…
GEOGRAPHY · Climate initiatives and coalitions
Consider the following statements: 1. “The Climate Group” is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by buildin…
GEOGRAPHY · Climate governance and emissions
“Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:
GEOGRAPHY · Solar storms and space weather
If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth? 1. GPS and navigation…