Both UPSC Geography optional papers from 2017 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 2017 examiner actually weighted, and how that compares with the eleven-year pattern.
Geography Optional 2017 Paper I
Download: Geography Optional 2017 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) | Write a note on pseudovolcanic features. | 10 | Geomorphology |
| 1(b) | Distinguish between low energy coasts and coral coasts. | 10 | Geomorphology |
| 1(c) | Discuss the impacts of ocean currents on air mass behaviour. | 10 | Climatology |
| 1(d) | Describe the characteristics of biological deserts. | 10 | Biogeography |
| 1(e) | Explain the concept of micro carbon sink and its relevance. | 10 | Environmental Geography |
| 2(a) | Discuss the forces which govern the air movement on the Earth’s surface. | 20 | Climatology |
| 2(b) | “The knowledge of slope analysis has limited field application in the slope management.” Explain. | 15 | Geomorphology |
| 2(c) | Describe the configuration of the Pacific Ocean floor. | 15 | Oceanography |
| 3(a) | “Climate change is a reality.” Explain with suitable examples. | 20 | Climatology |
| 3(b) | Distinguish between the characteristics of Chernozem and Sierozem soils. | 15 | Biogeography |
| 3(c) | Give a classification of plants based on the amount of water requirement. | 15 | Biogeography |
| 4(a) | Discuss the concept of Periglacial cycle as propounded by Peltier. | 20 | Geomorphology |
| 4(b) | “Climate, slope gradient and rock structure influence the avulsion of channels.” Explain. | 15 | Geomorphology |
| 4(c) | Discuss the Perception, Attitude, Value and Emotion (PAVE) Theory of environmental management. | 15 | Environmental Geography |
Section B
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5(a) | Explain the concept of Time-Geography. | 10 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 5(b) | “Whittlesey’s agricultural regions are relevant even today.” Discuss. | 10 | Economic Geography |
| 5(c) | Write an explanatory note on geographical systems. | 10 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 5(d) | “The traditional cultural identities are at loss with the growth of global connectivity.” Explain. | 10 | Political & Cultural Geography |
| 5(e) | Give an account on sustainable development and its components. | 10 | Environmental Geography |
| 6(a) | Discuss the contemporary paradigms of Geography. | 20 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 6(b) | “The intensity of energy crisis varies regionally.” Explain. | 15 | Economic Geography |
| 6(c) | Examine the causes and consequences of forced migration of population in the present context. | 15 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 7(a) | Discuss the applicability of Christaller’s Central Place Theory. | 20 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 7(b) | “There are considerable demographic similarities between West European nations and Japan.” Explain. | 15 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 7(c) | Define the quality of life and explain its parameters with adequate examples. | 15 | Regional Planning |
| 8(a) | “The Heartland Theory is gaining importance once again.” Comment. | 20 | Political & Cultural Geography |
| 8(b) | Examine the role of small towns in the regional development process. | 15 | Regional Planning |
| 8(c) | Explain the concept of social capital in relation to India. | 15 | Regional Planning |
2017 Paper I: where the marks sat
| Unit | Marks | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| Geomorphology | 70 | 17.5% |
| Climatology | 50 | 12.5% |
| Population & Settlement Geography | 50 | 12.5% |
| Regional Planning | 45 | 11.2% |
| Biogeography | 40 | 10.0% |
| Perspectives in Human Geography | 40 | 10.0% |
| Environmental Geography | 35 | 8.8% |
| Political & Cultural Geography | 30 | 7.5% |
| Economic Geography | 25 | 6.2% |
| Oceanography | 15 | 3.8% |
Geography Optional 2017 Paper II
Download: Geography Optional 2017 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) Thumba (ii) Nayachar Island (iii) Doddabetta (iv) Devasthal (v) Pangong Lake (vi) Hampi (vii) Havelock Island (viii) Luni River (ix) Daringbadi (x) Dudhsagar Waterfalls | 20 | Physical Setting of India |
| 1(b) | Give a reasoned account of unusual pattern of distribution of monsoonal rainfall in India in 2017. | 10 | Physical Setting of India |
| 1(c) | Explain the inter-State issues involved in implementation of the Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal Project. | 10 | Political Aspects |
| 1(d) | Small towns in India have problems and prospects of their own. Elaborate. | 10 | Settlement |
| 2(a) | Discuss the freshwater crisis in India and prepare a blueprint for its sustainable management. | 20 | Resources |
| 2(b) | Identify the Naxal-affected areas in India and discuss their socio-economic problems. | 15 | Political Aspects |
| 2(c) | Critically examine the feasibility of development of a comprehensive network of airways in India. | 15 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
| 3(a) | “An effective three-tier Panchayat Raj System will strengthen the bottom-up approach to multilevel planning in India.” Explain. | 20 | Cultural Setting |
| 3(b) | “Linguistic diversity is an asset as well as a challenge in India.” Explain the statement focussing on the distribution of languages and the major steps taken to address the related issues. | 15 | Cultural Setting |
| 3(c) | How may tourism in hilly areas of India be developed as an important source of economy? | 15 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
| 4(a) | Mention various methods of functional classification of towns in India and explain the method applied by Asok Mitra. | 20 | Settlement |
| 4(b) | 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. | 15 | Agriculture |
| 4(c) | Land reform is a key to modern agriculture in India. Describe various measures taken in this direction after Independence. | 15 | Agriculture |
Section B
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5(a) | Explain the role of ‘Hill Transport Subsidy Scheme’ in reducing regional imbalances in areas identified by the Government of India. | 10 | Regional Development & Planning |
| 5(b) | Bring out the geopolitical implications of Doklam dispute in the context of Indo-China relations. | 10 | Political Aspects |
| 5(c) | Bring out the significance of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). | 10 | Industry |
| 5(d) | Mini steel plants can act as an instrument of decentralization of iron and steel industry in India. Explain. | 10 | Industry |
| 5(e) | Goods and Services Tax (GST) has differential impact on developed and backward States of the country. How and why? | 10 | Regional Development & Planning |
| 6(a) | 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. | 20 | Physical Setting of India |
| 6(b) | Religious minorities are largely concentrated in border States of India. Discuss its causes and consequences. | 15 | Cultural Setting |
| 6(c) | What do you understand by soil pollution? Delineate the areas vulnerable to it in India and suggest remedial measures. | 15 | Physical Setting of India |
| 7(a) | Integrated development of road and rail networks in a complementary framework is a prerequisite for regional development. Explain with reference to North-Eastern Region of India. | 20 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
| 7(b) | Describe the salient features of Sagar Mala Project and highlight its role in port-led development of coastal regions in India. | 15 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
| 7(c) | Justify the inclusion of Meghalaya in Peninsular India and discuss its vegetation and soil types. | 15 | Physical Setting of India |
| 8(a) | Name the major industrial regions of India indicating the bases of their identification. Highlight their basic problems. | 20 | Industry |
| 8(b) | Drainage pattern in Peninsular India is a result of its geological structure and topography. Elaborate. | 15 | Physical Setting of India |
| 8(c) | Why has solar energy in India not been developed to desired level in spite of its high potential? | 15 | Resources |
2017 Paper II: where the marks sat
| Unit | Marks | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Setting of India | 95 | 23.8% |
| Transport, Communication & Trade | 65 | 16.2% |
| Cultural Setting | 50 | 12.5% |
| Industry | 40 | 10.0% |
| Political Aspects | 35 | 8.8% |
| Resources | 35 | 8.8% |
| Settlement | 30 | 7.5% |
| Agriculture | 30 | 7.5% |
| Regional Development & Planning | 20 | 5.0% |
How 2017 Compares With the Eleven-Year Pattern
The 2017 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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