Contemporary Issues – Geography Optional PYQs (1995–2026)

Here are all 82 Contemporary Issues questions asked in UPSC Geography Optional Paper II from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 9 topics of the official syllabus. Within each topic the latest questions come first.

Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.

10.1] Environmental hazards: landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and droughts, epidemics

21 questions

1. Disaster risk reduction and community resilience are the two pillars that need to be prioritized in the flood prone areas of India. Critically analyse. [2026/10m/5e]

2. Incidence of extreme rainfall events and flash floods in recent times have led to devastating consequences for people living in low-lying areas and flood plains of the country. Discuss. [2022/15m/4c]

3. Landslide is a major problem in Himalayan region. Discuss its causes and mitigation measures. [2021/20m/2a]

4. Describe the problems of cloud burst in India giving suitable examples. [2021/10m/150w/5b]

5. Avalanche is a major hazard in the Himalayas. What are its causes and mitigation measures? [2020/15m/6b]

6. Demarcating the seismic zones of India, suggest suitable interventions required in most sensitive seismic zones for sustainable human settlements. [2020/20m/7a]

7. Examine the problems of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in India. [2019/10m/150w/5e]

8. Describe the altitudinal and spatial geo-environmental hazards in the Himalayas. [2019/15m/8b]

9. Describe the socio-spatial consequences of the recent Nipah viral encephalitis in India. [2018/10m/150w/5e]

10. Account for the growing frequency and intensity of floods in India, and suggest short- and long-term remedial measures indicating the chronically flood-prone areas. [2015/20m/4a]

11. Differentiate between the ‘intensity’ and ‘magnitude’ of an earthquake and explain its varying impact in different parts of India. [2014/15m/7b]

12. Identify the earthquake-prone zones and suggest strategy for their management. (250 words) [2013/20m/250w/8a]

13. Identify Tsunami affected areas and give their management problems in India. [2012/12m/150w/5d]

14. Explain the causes, impact and remedial measures of flood-hazards in the middle Ganga plain. Represent the flood-affected areas of middle Ganga plain on a sketch map in your answer-book. [2012/30m/7b]

15. Define an ‘Epidemic’ and discuss the occurrence of ‘Chikungunya’ in India. [2010/30m/6a]

16. Identify the regions affected by Chikungunya with the help of a sketched map and bring out the regional pattern of the disease. [2010/30m/6b]

17. Give an account of the distribution of flood-prone areas of India and the programmes and policy of controlling the impact of floods in the country. [2005/60m/6]

18. Explain the causes, impacts and remedial measures of flood-hazards in middle and lower Ganga plain. [2004/60m/7]

19. Explain the causes, impacts and remedial measures of earthquake disaster. [2002/60m/6]

20. Explain the geographical characteristics of the regional distribution of earthquakes in India. [2001/60m/8]

21. Give a reasoned account of either flood hazards or drought hazards occurring in India, and also suggest measures for controlling them. [2000/60m/8]

10.2] Issues related to environmental pollution; environmental impact assessment and management

12 questions

1. Why is it difficult to improve the quality of air during the winter season in the Gangetic plain? Critically evaluate with suitable examples. [2026/20m/7a]

2. Industrial waste is diversified. Discuss the potentials and challenges associated with it. [2024/20m/6a]

3. Examine the environmental challenges caused by the solid waste in metropolitan regions of India and discuss the efforts to overcome it. [2023/20m/2a]

4. Why has extreme particulate pollution remained a festering issue in Delhi NCR region? [2022/10m/1b]

5. Groundwater contamination in the fast expanding urban landscape of India appears to have become a major public health issue. Discuss. [2022/15m/2c]

6. Discuss the methods of crop residue management in rural India to reduce pollution. [2020/10m/1c]

7. Give a reasoned account of high level of pollution in North Indian cities as compared to South Indian cities. [2019/15m/7b]

8. Make a critical appraisal of the factors affecting river water quality in India. [2018/10m/150w/5c]

9. What do you understand by soil pollution? Delineate the areas vulnerable to it in India and suggest remedial measures. [2017/15m/6c]

10. Describe how urbanization creates air and water pollution in India. (150 words) [2013/15m/150w/8c]

11. Discuss the problems of environmental degradation generated by urban wastes in India. [2011/30m/8a]

12. What are the cause and consequences of environmental degradation in India’s industrial areas? Give specific examples. [2009/60m/6]

10.3] Changes in land use; deforestation, desertification and soil erosion; environmental degradation

13 questions

1. Deforestation in the upper reaches of a river augments the magnitude of soil erosion. Elaborate your answer citing the example of any North Indian river. [2026/15m/7b]

2. Highlight the characteristics of land utilisation in Eastern Ghats region of India. What are the recent threats to land utilisation method in the region? [2025/15m/3b]

3. What are the causes and consequences of land degradation due to desertification in India? Examine with reference to various regional issues. [2025/15m/7b]

4. Urban built environment in big cities of India creates key changes in biophysical character of the landscape. Discuss. [2023/10m/150w/5b]

5. The process of desertification leads to soil desiccation and soil loss. Explain. [2022/10m/1d]

6. Explain the impact of economic development on environmental degradation in India. (In about 200 words) [2016/15m/200w/4b]

7. How does climate change affect the process of desertification of India? [2015/15m/4b]

8. Explain how change in land use can promote eco-development at different levels in the country. (In about 150 words) [2015/10m/150w/5d]

9. Identify the ravine-affected areas in India and discuss the environmental and economic impacts of their reclamation. [2011/30m/7b]

10. Analyse the causes of desertification in India. Represent the desertified areas of the country on a sketch map and suggest remedial measures to control it. [2011/30m/8b]

11. Spatial pattern of soil erosion in India. [2010/15m/250w/5c]

12. Discuss environmental problems of India in the context of rapid economic development and population growth. [2007/60m/7]

13. Evaluate the nature of ecological problem in India and suggest measures for their management. [1997/60m/3]

10.4] Population explosion and food security

7 questions

1. Explain the factors that contribute to droughts in India with specific reference to food production, distribution and availability. Can Indian agricultural policies resolve the issue? [2025/20m/7a]

2. Evaluate the role of the National Food Security Act, 2013 in providing access of food to the poor in India. [2022/15m/8c]

3. Stunting and wasting among children are major consequences of food insecurity. Discuss various schemes of Government of India to address these problems and their achievements. [2020/15m/4b]

4. Examine the ongoing process of agricultural diversification and its implications for food security in India. [2018/20m/3a]

5. Snags in the Food Security Policy of India. [2013/10m/150w/5b]

6. Assess as to how surface water utilisation affects food production and food security in the country. [2010/30m/4b]

7. Write an essay on the population exploitation and food security in India. [2006/20m/200w/5c]

10.5] Problems of agrarian and industrial unrest

3 questions

1. Identify the Naxal-affected areas in India and discuss their socio-economic problems. [2017/15m/2b]

2. Farmers’ suicide is one of the major agrarian problems in India. Bring out its causes and suggest the remedial measures with special reference to Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. [2017/15m/4b]

3. With the help of a map, indicate the principal areas of dry land farming in the country and account for farmers’ suicides mainly in those areas. [2015/15m/3b]

10.6] Regional disparities in economic development

14 questions

1. India has wide-ranging regional disparities in economic development. Explain the patterns, implications and challenges. [2024/20m/3a]

2. Why do disparities in development and incomes between regions persist in large countries like India? How does the recent ADP plan address the issue? [2022/20m/6a]

3. Digital Divide in India needs quick redressal to reduce regional disparity in development. Elaborate with suitable examples. [2020/20m/6a]

4. Analyse the role of interstate migration in regional disparity in India. [2019/20m/7a]

5. Analyse the incentive oriented programmes for removing regional imbalances in socio-economic development of India. [2019/15m/7c]

6. Goods and Services Tax (GST) has differential impact on developed and backward States of the country. How and why? [2017/10m/150w/5e]

7. Examine the causes of regional disparities in economic development in India. (In about 200 words) [2016/15m/200w/7c]

8. Reduction in regional disparities has been one of the priority goals of national planning in India. How the proposed new Smart urban centres may contribute to the process? [2015/20m/7a]

9. Enumerate the basic indicators of development and explain their application in identification of the spatial diversity in development in India. (150 words) [2013/15m/150w/6c]

10. Explain the process and pattern of regional disparities in India and suggest suitable measure for it. [2006/60m/8]

11. Explain the causes of regional disparities in economic development of India. [2003/60m/8]

12. Give a reasoned account of regional disparities in economic development in India and bring out the contribution of decentralized planning in solving this problem. [2002/60m/8]

13. Analyse the causes of regional disparities in the economic development of India and suggest measures for their removal. [1999/60m/R9]

14. Write a short note on: Magnitude of regional imbalances in economic development in India. [1996/20m/200w/5c]

10.7] Sustainable growth and development; environmental awareness

5 questions

1. While defining the green architecture, discuss its principles and challenges in response to climate change in India. [2025/20m/8a]

2. Discuss the significance of organic farming for sustainable agricultural development in India. [2023/15m/6b]

3. Explain the concept of sustainable development and examine its relevance. [2008/20m/200w/5d]

4. Elucidate the concept of sustainable growth and development. [2005/20m/200w/5c]

5. Evaluate the concept of sustainable growth and development. [2004/20m/200w/5d]

10.8] Linkage of rivers

6 questions

1. Discuss the ecological and economic challenges of river linking in India. [2021/15m/2c]

2. “Intrabasins linkages of rivers are more feasible economically, socially and ecologically.” Discuss with suitable examples from India. [2019/20m/6a]

3. Interlinking of rivers may serve as a major source of assured irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India. Comment on its feasibility taking into account physical, economic and ecological implication. [2017/20m/6a]

4. Comment on the feasibility of interlinking of rivers of India and its possible contribution to resolution of water crisis. (250 words) [2013/20m/250w/4a]

5. Examine the relevance of linkage of rivers in India with special reference to Ganga-Cauveri linkage canal. [2012/20m/200w/8a]

6. Evaluate the feasibility of the proposed Ganga-Cauveri drainage link. [1998/20m/200w/1a]

10.9] Globalisation and Indian economy

1 question

1. Discuss the impact of globalisation of India’s industry and agriculture sectors. [2009/30m/8b]

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Last updated: 30 October 2026