Both UPSC Geography optional papers from 2016 are reproduced in full below, question by question, with marks and the syllabus unit each question came from. Paper I and Paper II each printed 8 questions worth 400 marks; you attempt 5 for 250. The official UPSC PDFs are linked at the top of each paper.
After each paper you will find its topic split, which is the useful part: it shows what the 2016 examiner actually weighted, and how that compares with the eleven-year pattern.
Geography Optional 2016 Paper I
Download: Geography Optional 2016 Paper I (PDF, searchable), a typeset edition of the paper as published by UPSC. Time allowed three hours, maximum marks 250.
Section A
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(a) | Describe the “Basket of eggs topography”. | 10 | Geomorphology |
| 1(b) | Differentiate between insolation and temperature and explain anomalous temperature. | 10 | Climatology |
| 1(c) | Discuss Maritime Zones. | 10 | Oceanography |
| 1(d) | Bring out the ecological significance of Tropical Rainforest Biome. | 10 | Biogeography |
| 1(e) | Explain the hydro-meteorological hazards in the Himalayas. | 10 | Environmental Geography |
| 2(a) | “In explaining the concept of ‘Pediplanation’, King combined the ideas of Davis, Penck and Wood with his own.” Elaborate. | 20 | Geomorphology |
| 2(b) | Compare the origin and weather conditions associated with the tropical and temperate cyclones. | 15 | Climatology |
| 2(c) | Give a reasoned account on how the impact of Global Warming differs from one part of the Earth to the other. | 15 | Climatology |
| 3(a) | Discuss the significance of World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and its core projects in the understanding of climatic change. | 20 | Climatology |
| 3(b) | “The relationship between the winds and the currents is best seen in the Indian Ocean.” Justify. | 15 | Climatology |
| 3(c) | Write a critical note on the tendency of “use and throw” in the context of economic status and environment. | 15 | Environmental Geography |
| 4(a) | Bring out the various ecological problems associated with the exploitation and use of oceans and their resources. | 20 | Oceanography |
| 4(b) | “Geological structure has a dominant control on landforms and is reflected on them.” Discuss. | 15 | Geomorphology |
| 4(c) | Describe Newbigin’s scheme of Floristic regions of the world and explain the Mediterranean Floristic region. | 15 | Biogeography |
Section B
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5(a) | “Areal differentiation forms the core theme in Geography.” Explain. | 10 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 5(b) | Explain ‘Isodapane’. | 10 | Economic Geography |
| 5(c) | Discuss the major characteristics of ‘CBD’. | 10 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 5(d) | Elaborate the idea of ‘Compage’. | 10 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 5(e) | Discuss the application of Gravity model in Geographical studies. | 10 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 6(a) | Trace the origin and progress of Quantitative Revolution in Geography and bring out its merits and demerits. | 20 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 6(b) | Discuss the role of site in determining the types and patterns of rural settlements. | 15 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 6(c) | What is a ‘region’? Describe ‘Thiessen’ polygon method of regional delimitation. | 15 | Regional Planning |
| 7(a) | Describe the regional pattern of Life Expectancy in the world and bring out the challenges faced by developing countries due to increasing life expectancy. | 20 | Regional Planning |
| 7(b) | Discuss the relevance of ‘Stop and Go Determinism’ in the present day context. | 15 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 7(c) | Define and differentiate between boundaries and frontiers. Describe the geometrical boundaries with suitable examples. | 15 | Political & Cultural Geography |
| 8(a) | Give a critical account of Losch’s theory of central places. | 20 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 8(b) | “Linkages between resource-endowed regions and resource-utilizing regions determine the pattern of international trade.” Elaborate with suitable examples. | 15 | Economic Geography |
| 8(c) | In what ways can geographers contribute towards optimal land use planning in a region? | 15 | Regional Planning |
2016 Paper I: where the marks sat
| Unit | Marks | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| Climatology | 75 | 18.8% |
| Perspectives in Human Geography | 65 | 16.2% |
| Regional Planning | 50 | 12.5% |
| Geomorphology | 45 | 11.2% |
| Population & Settlement Geography | 45 | 11.2% |
| Oceanography | 30 | 7.5% |
| Biogeography | 25 | 6.2% |
| Environmental Geography | 25 | 6.2% |
| Economic Geography | 25 | 6.2% |
| Political & Cultural Geography | 15 | 3.8% |
Geography Optional 2016 Paper II
Download: Geography Optional 2016 Paper II (PDF, searchable), a typeset edition of the paper as published by UPSC. Time allowed three hours, maximum marks 250.
Section A
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(a) | On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all of the following. Write in your QCA Booklet the significance of these locations, whether physical / commercial / economic / ecological / environmental / cultural, in not more than 30 words for each entry: (i) Pir Panjal Range (ii) River Indravati (iii) Nathu La Pass (iv) Jog Falls (v) Pulicat Lake (vi) Kudankulam (vii) Nalanda (viii) Kudremukh (ix) Headquarters of N-E Railways (x) Farakka Barrage | 20 | Physical Setting of India |
| 1(b) | Explain the shifting of river courses and river capturing in the Himalayas. | 10 | Physical Setting of India |
| 1(c) | Mention the space relationship of India with neighbouring countries. | 10 | Political Aspects |
| 1(d) | Define agricultural intensity and bring out its regional distribution in India. | 10 | Agriculture |
| 2(a) | Discuss the role of spatial pattern of rainfall and temperature in the delimitation of climatic regions of India especially with reference to Stamp’s climatic regionalization. | 20 | Physical Setting of India |
| 2(b) | Describe the flood-prone areas and their management problems in the Ganga Plains. | 15 | Physical Setting of India |
| 2(c) | Explain the New Industrial Policies in India. | 15 | Industry |
| 3(a) | Identify the important biotic resource regions of India and highlight their problems. | 20 | Resources |
| 3(b) | Point out the ethnic disparities in the N-E India. | 15 | Cultural Setting |
| 3(c) | Give an account of the development of renewable resources of India. | 15 | Resources |
| 4(a) | Bring out the development of river water transport in India and its role in regional development. | 20 | Physical Setting of India |
| 4(b) | Explain the impact of economic development on environmental degradation in India. | 15 | Contemporary Issues |
| 4(c) | Describe the distribution of black soils in India and their specific use for agriculture. | 15 | Physical Setting of India |
Section B
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5(a) | Discuss the factors influencing the distribution of sex ratio in India. | 10 | Cultural Setting |
| 5(b) | “The Bokaro Iron and Steel Plant is an example of Industrial Complex.” Explain. | 10 | Industry |
| 5(c) | How do slums develop? Give concrete suggestions for their improvement. | 10 | Settlement |
| 5(d) | Explain the role of India in the geo-politics of South Asia. | 10 | Political Aspects |
| 5(e) | Analyze the pattern of India’s trade with the S-E Asian countries. | 10 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
| 6(a) | Present a comparative analysis of geographical factors responsible for distribution of human settlements in Rajasthan desert and North-Eastern regions of India. | 20 | Settlement |
| 6(b) | Explain with suitable examples the role of road transport in agricultural development in India. | 15 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
| 6(c) | Evaluate the impact of technology on resource utilization in India. | 15 | Resources |
| 7(a) | Analyze the location, distributional pattern and problems of cotton textile industries in India. | 20 | Industry |
| 7(b) | Describe the major tribal regions of India and their problems. | 15 | Cultural Setting |
| 7(c) | Examine the causes of regional disparities in economic development in India. | 15 | Regional Development & Planning |
| 8(a) | Describe the causes and effects of urbanization in India and explain its impact on rural landscape and urban ecology. | 20 | Settlement |
| 8(b) | “India has paid heavily for achievement of Green Revolution in the form of economic, social and ecological cost.” Discuss. | 15 | Agriculture |
| 8(c) | Explain the origin, dimension and implications of Sino-Indian border dispute. | 15 | Political Aspects |
2016 Paper II: where the marks sat
| Unit | Marks | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Setting of India | 100 | 25.0% |
| Resources | 50 | 12.5% |
| Settlement | 50 | 12.5% |
| Industry | 45 | 11.2% |
| Cultural Setting | 40 | 10.0% |
| Political Aspects | 35 | 8.8% |
| Agriculture | 25 | 6.2% |
| Transport, Communication & Trade | 25 | 6.2% |
| Contemporary Issues | 15 | 3.8% |
| Regional Development & Planning | 15 | 3.8% |
How 2016 Compares With the Eleven-Year Pattern
The 2016 split above is one year of evidence. For the full 2016 to 2026 weightage across all 605 printed questions, and every other paper in the archive, use the UPSC Geography optional question paper hub.
If you are still deciding whether to take the subject, start with Geography optional for UPSC instead; it covers the syllabus, the booklist and the scoring pattern.
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