Here are all 64 Industry questions asked in UPSC Geography Optional Paper II from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 5 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.
4.1] Evolution of industries
1 question
Trace the evolution of Industries in India and evaluate the role of Multinationals and liberalization policies in this context. [2006/60m/4]
4.2] Locational factors of industries: cotton, jute, textile, iron and steel, aluminium, fertiliser, paper, chemical and pharmaceutical, automobile, cottage and agro-based
29 questions
Explain the global supply chain for the fertilizer industry in India. How do international prices of key inputs affect domestic production? [2026/15m/2c]
Analyse the spatial distribution of India’s automobile industry. How have the clusters like Chennai, Pune and Gurugram emerged as key auto-hubs? [2026/20m/4a]
Explain the factors which contribute to the growth of India’s pharmaceutical industry with specific reference to its concentration in western region of India. [2025/20m/2a]
Why cottage industries in India are an integral part of Indian socio-economic structure? Assess this with reference to different types of cottage industries in rural India. [2025/15m/4b]
Indian Pharma Industry has to move from ‘volume’ to ‘value’ leadership to capture global market. Discuss. [2023/20m/3a]
Identify the jute-producing areas and discuss the major causes of decline of jute mill industry in India. [2023/10m/150w/5a]
Give a reasoned account of difference between sugar industry of North and Peninsular India. [2021/10m/1d]
The pharmaceutical industry in India depends on the import of raw materials. Evaluate this statement in view of the Indo-Chinese relationship. [2020/15m/2c]
Identify oilseeds producing areas in India and discuss the measures to promote edible oil industry. [2020/15m/3b]
Mini steel plants can act as an instrument of decentralization of iron and steel industry in India. Explain. [2017/10m/150w/5d]
Analyze the location, distributional pattern and problems of cotton textile industries in India. (In about 250 words) [2016/20m/250w/7a]
Why does the pharmaceutical industry concentrate largely in the western region of the country? (In about 150 words) [2015/10m/150w/1b]
Why is the traditional crafts industry in India on the decline? [2015/15m/2b]
Describe the Problems of agro-based industries in India in general and cotton textiles in particular. [2014/15m/2c]
What are the desired possible changes in our trade policy to promote the development of cottage industry? [2014/15m/4c]
Describe the development of textile industry in India. [2012/20m/200w/4a]
Assess the scope and development of Pharmaceutical Industry in India. [2011/30m/4b]
Examine the problems and prospects of agro-based industries in Bihar. [2010/30m/3b]
Examine the role of raw materials in the location of the Iron and Steel Industry in India. Illustrate your answer with suitable examples. [2009/60m/4]
Explain the factors responsible for the distribution of Sugar Industry in India. [2009/20m/200w/5b]
Explain the factors promoting the rapid growth and development of the automobile industry in India, giving suitable example. [2008/60m/4]
Discuss the growth, location and distribution of Iron and Steel Industry in India. [2000/60m/4]
Write an essay on the role of animal husbandry and household industries in the development of rural economy in India. [1999/60m/R6]
Discuss the factors for the localisation of either the cement or the cotton textile industry in India and analyse the pattern of its distribution. [1999/60m/R7]
Bring out the trends in the development of fertilizer industry in India. [1998/60m/6]
Analyse the locational pattern of cement industry in India. [1997/20m/200w/5a]
Critically examine the locational pattern and trend of production of forest based industries in India. [1997/60m/6]
Analyse the factors for the localization of either the cotton textile or the sugar industry in India and note the recent trends in the industry. [1996/60m/6]
Examine critically the factors for the localization of iron and steel industry in India with special reference to the newer centres of steel production. [1995/60m/6]
Preparing for Prelims too?
Our UPSC Prelims Topic-wise PYQ eBook covers every Prelims question with detailed explanations, so you can see exactly where UPSC asks from.
View the BookDownload Free Sample4.3] Industrial houses and complexes including public sector undertakings; industrial regionalisation
10 questions
Analyse the spatial distribution of India’s automobile industry. How have the clusters like Chennai, Pune and Gurugram emerged as key auto-hubs? [2026/20m/4a]
Discuss the salient characteristics of industrial complexes of Western India. Examine the impact of SEZ policy on the region. [2022/20m/7a]
Identify the major industrial corridors of India and discuss the characteristics of Bengaluru-Mumbai Corridor. [2021/15m/7b]
Name the major industrial regions of India indicating the bases of their identification. Highlight their basic problems. [2017/20m/8a]
“The Bokaro Iron and Steel Plant is an example of Industrial Complex.” Explain. [2016/10m/150w/5b]
Identify the main industrial clusters of India and account for their development. (150 words) [2013/10m/150w/1d]
Distributional pattern of industries in India does not provide requisite basis for division of the country into distinct industrial regions. Elaborate. (250 words) [2013/20m/250w/3a]
Identify the spatial pattern of agro-industrial regions of India. Analyse the potentiality of Malwa as an important agro-industrial region of the future. [2012/20m/200w/4c]
Describe the growth, characteristics and distribution pattern of India’s industrial regions. [2001/60m/4]
Examine the importance of industrial estates in India. [1998/20m/200w/5a]
4.4] New industrial policy; multinationals and liberalisation; Special Economic Zones
14 questions
Discuss the role of the private sector in the technological advancements of the defence industry in India. [2026/15m/2b]
Discuss the salient characteristics of industrial complexes of Western India. Examine the impact of SEZ policy on the region. [2022/20m/7a]
Assess the growth of multinational corporations in liberalized economic environment of India. [2021/15m/7c]
Critically analyse the role of multinational corporations in India’s economic development with suitable examples. [2019/15m/2b]
Assess the suitability of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for the sustainable economic development in India. [2018/15m/2c]
Startups may play important role in giving fillip to economic growth in India. Illustrate with examples. [2018/15m/8b]
Explain the New Industrial Policies in India. (In about 200 words) [2016/15m/200w/2c]
Explain the concept of ‘Make in India’ and indicate the essential inputs for its success. [2014/15m/3c]
Explain the role of multinationals in globalization of industries in India. (150 words) [2013/15m/150w/2c]
Discuss the problems in realization of benefits of globalization and liberalization in industrial sector of India. (150 words) [2013/15m/150w/4c]
Bring out the impact of multinationals and liberalization on the Industrial Economy Pattern of India. [2007/60m/6]
Trace the evolution of Industries in India and evaluate the role of Multinationals and liberalization policies in this context. [2006/60m/4]
Analyze the role of policy of liberalization on industrial landscape of India. [2002/20m/200w/5b]
Write a short note on: Recent changes in India’s basic industrial policy. [1995/20m/200w/5a]
4.5] Tourism including eco-tourism
10 questions
Write a critically argued essay on nautical tourism and its infrastructure in India. [2025/10m/1d]
Domestic tourism in India has immense local resource potential. Discuss the reasons and its various dimensions. [2024/15m/3c]
Assess the ecotourism potential of Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep islands and highlight the challenges associated with the sustainable development of island territories. [2023/15m/8b]
Examine the significance of ecotourism in relation to socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation in India. [2021/15m/3c]
What are the characteristics of Blue Flag certified beaches? Discuss their significance for beach tourism in India. [2020/15m/7b]
Explain the relevance of green tourism for sustainable development of mountain environment in India. [2019/15m/6c]
Give a critical account of region specific constraints of sustainable tourism in India. [2018/15m/4c]
How may tourism in hilly areas of India be developed as an important source of economy? [2017/15m/3c]
Explain how eco-tourism activities could be important livelihood options in the Himalayan and North-Eastern regions of the country. (150 words) [2014/10m/150w/1b]
Comment on: Provide the geographical background and characteristics of the distribution of Hill Stations of India. [2001/20m/200w/5d]
Strengthen your GS papers
Our UPSC Mains Topic-wise & Year-wise PYQ eBook (2013–2026) maps every GS question to the syllabus, so you know what UPSC asks and how often.
View the BookDownload Free SampleSpotted an error? Tell us.
We classify every PYQ with care, but mistakes can slip in. If a question is in the wrong topic, has a typo, the wrong year, or is missing, let us know. We review every report and update the page.
Report an Error« Previous: Agriculture | Next: Transport, Communication and Trade »
Back to: Geography Optional PYQs – Topic-wise | Also see: Geography Optional year-wise question papers
Last updated: 30 October 2026