UPSC Mains 2026 Geography Paper I
Explore the complete UPSC Mains Geography Paper I question paper from 2026, with every question clearly presented alongside its marks and word limit. Read online or download either PDF edition free.
The official PDF is UPSC’s own bilingual file. The UPSC Gurus edition is a clean English version formatted for easy reading and printing.
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Question Paper Specific Instructions
- There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS.
- Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.
- Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.
- The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.
- Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.
- Illustrate your answers with suitable sketches/maps and diagrams, wherever considered necessary. These shall be drawn in the space provided for answering the question itself.
Section A
- 1
Answer the following in about 150 words each:
50marks- 1(a)10marks
What is 'Helical' flow? How Helical flow accounts for meander modifications?
- 1(b)10marks
Define 'pseudo monsoon' and explain its spatial distribution.
- 1(c)10marks
How are seamounts and Guyots the same and different? Comment.
- 1(d)10marks
How a 'Solum' as a concept different from 'Pedon'? Describe.
- 1(e)10marks
With suitable examples describe the hazards of flood plain settlement.
- 1(a)
- 2
Question 2
50marks- 2(a)20marks
"Environmental geomorphology deals with the impact of natural landforms and processes." Elucidate with suitable examples.
- 2(b)15marks
Discuss the potential consequences of the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) for the world.
- 2(c)15marks
"Overgrazing has become an alarming situation of bioloss in many bio-geographical regions of the world." Illustrate with examples.
- 2(a)
- 3
Question 3
50marks- 3(a)20marks
Describe the general characteristics and structure of a thunderstorm and suggest suitable classification of thunderstorm.
- 3(b)15marks
Anthropogenic impacts have caused major global and regional changes and imbalances in ecosystem. Elucidate with examples.
- 3(c)15marks
What is scarification? List out various impacts and examples of scarification on land.
- 3(a)
- 4
Question 4
50marks- 4(a)20marks
How does the annual variations in temperature and precipitation influence plants growth, development and distribution? How do animals cope up with variations in climate?
- 4(b)15marks
Examine the importance of axis of dilation of airmasses in frontogenesis and the origin of Temperate cyclones.
- 4(c)15marks
Construction of large dams poses serious challenges. Describe the threats and solutions associated with it.
- 4(a)
Section B
- 5
Answer the following in about 150 words each:
50marks- 5(a)10marks
"Systematic Geography is essentially analytical and makes generic concepts and Universal Laws." Elucidate with examples.
- 5(b)10marks
Critically examine the significance of five functioning forms with regard to agricultural regions of the world proposed by D. Whittlesey.
- 5(c)10marks
"The majority of migrants go only a short distance." Explain with examples.
- 5(d)10marks
"Sustainable development requires Intergenerational and Intragenerational equity." Comment with examples.
- 5(e)10marks
"Under what situations Von Thunen's model of agricultural location is still rational." Justify with examples.
- 5(a)
- 6
Question 6
50marks- 6(a)20marks
Discuss the Geometry of Land Values in Urban Community and delimiting the Central Business District (CBD) in detail.
- 6(b)15marks
Analyse the measuring patterns of settlement in relation to the nearest Neighbour Index and Rank-Size-Rule in detail.
- 6(c)15marks
Write an essay on disease and global warming according to the report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
- 6(a)
- 7
Question 7
50marks- 7(a)20marks
What are the main concerns of radical geography? Describe the salient features and objectives of radicalism in geography.
- 7(b)15marks
Discuss agricultural productivity and techniques adopted for computing efficiency in the levels of agricultural productivity.
- 7(c)15marks
Elaborate partition of Indian subcontinent and international migration in detail.
- 7(a)
- 8
Question 8
50marks- 8(a)20marks
What are the principles of urban planning? Critically analyse town planning in India in the post independence period.
- 8(b)15marks
What are the approaches of human development? Describe in detail the measures for computing human development index.
- 8(c)15marks
Explain the Rimland Theory with reference to ongoing geopolitical scenario in the world.
- 8(a)
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