Both UPSC Geography optional papers from 2022 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 2022 examiner actually weighted, and how that compares with the eleven-year pattern.
Geography Optional 2022 Paper I
Download: Geography Optional 2022 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) | Define ‘speleothem’. Discuss the various forms and features of speleothems. | 10 | Geomorphology |
| 1(b) | What are the high altitude environmental hazards? Explain with suitable examples. | 10 | Environmental Geography |
| 1(c) | What is pollution dome? Discuss its formation and impacts. | 10 | Climatology |
| 1(d) | When corals are affected by stress it causes them to turn completely white. Explain the reasons of such an occurrence. | 10 | Oceanography |
| 1(e) | Well developed soils typically exhibit distinct layers in their soil profile. Elaborate. | 10 | Biogeography |
| 2(a) | Sequential changes in land use and land cover have brought global and regional ecological changes and imbalances. Elucidate. | 20 | Environmental Geography |
| 2(b) | Explain how various aspects of channel morphology are used in transportation, settlement and land use planning, flood control and flood management? | 15 | Geomorphology |
| 2(c) | What is the relationship between ocean currents and global surface wind systems? Explain with examples how does the gyre in the Northern Hemisphere differ from the one in the Southern Hemisphere. | 15 | Oceanography |
| 3(a) | Plants and animals that exist in a particular ecosystem are those that have been successful in adjusting to their habitat and environmental conditions. Elucidate with examples. | 20 | Biogeography |
| 3(b) | With suitable examples describe the impacts of movement of airmasses on weather and winds in different parts of the continents. | 15 | Climatology |
| 3(c) | Discuss the role of Slope, Altitude and Relief (SAR) in landscape development. | 15 | Geomorphology |
| 4(a) | Rise of surface temperature brings severe consequences. Elaborate the potential changes and threats associated with it in the world. | 20 | Climatology |
| 4(b) | Describe how short term variations in temperature are related to the processes of receiving energy from the sun to the Earth’s surface and dissipating it to the atmosphere. | 15 | Climatology |
| 4(c) | With the help of suitable sketches describe the mountain genesis and mountain types. Give suitable examples from various mountain systems of the world. | 15 | Geomorphology |
Section B
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5(a) | Analyse the effects of Globalisation on languages. | 10 | Economic Geography |
| 5(b) | “Shifting global trade patterns create new opportunities”. Examine this statement. | 10 | Economic Geography |
| 5(c) | Examine the morphological factors that influence the origin and growth of towns. | 10 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 5(d) | Discuss the role of transportation accessibility in regional development. | 10 | Regional Planning |
| 5(e) | Explain the geometrical boundaries with examples. | 10 | Political & Cultural Geography |
| 6(a) | “Culture is a dynamic concept”. Elucidate with examples. | 20 | Political & Cultural Geography |
| 6(b) | “Automation is rapidly changing the economies of labour and will affect trade patterns in significant ways”. Clarify. | 15 | Economic Geography |
| 6(c) | “Over crowding leads to chronic problem of shortage of housing in Indian cities”. Explain citing relevant examples. | 15 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 7(a) | “Climate change is a serious problem to global food security and poverty eradication”. Critically examine. | 20 | Climatology |
| 7(b) | Critically examine the significance of the Quantitative Revolution and its influence in the development of Geography. | 15 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 7(c) | Explain in detail the impact of regional disparities on economic development. | 15 | Regional Planning |
| 8(a) | How migration is affected by push and pull factors? Explain how these factors play a role in understanding new settlement patterns. | 20 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 8(b) | Explain the relevance and applicability of Von Thunen theory of Agriculture-location in today’s world. | 15 | Economic Geography |
| 8(c) | Discuss the concept of ‘Rank-Size-Rule’ given by G. K. Zipf. Is this rule relevant in Indian context? | 15 | Population & Settlement Geography |
2022 Paper I: where the marks sat
| Unit | Marks | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| Climatology | 80 | 20.0% |
| Population & Settlement Geography | 60 | 15.0% |
| Geomorphology | 55 | 13.8% |
| Economic Geography | 50 | 12.5% |
| Environmental Geography | 30 | 7.5% |
| Biogeography | 30 | 7.5% |
| Political & Cultural Geography | 30 | 7.5% |
| Oceanography | 25 | 6.2% |
| Regional Planning | 25 | 6.2% |
| Perspectives in Human Geography | 15 | 3.8% |
Geography Optional 2022 Paper II
Download: Geography Optional 2022 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 no more than 30 words for each entry: (i) Tarangambadi (ii) Mahe (iii) Bomdila (iv) Dhola Sadiya Bridge (v) Talakaveri (vi) Satkosia (vii) Dholavira (viii) Sonamarg (ix) Maliku Atoll (x) Gangasagar | 20 | Cultural Setting |
| 1(b) | Why has extreme particulate pollution remained a festering issue in Delhi NCR region? | 10 | Contemporary Issues |
| 1(c) | How do physiography and climate of India explain the biological diversity of the country? | 10 | Physical Setting of India |
| 1(d) | The process of desertification leads to soil desiccation and soil loss. Explain. | 10 | Physical Setting of India |
| 2(a) | Critically examine the factors affecting the unpredictability of South-West Monsoon system in India. | 20 | Physical Setting of India |
| 2(b) | The peninsular location of India provides scope for harnessing non-conventional energy resources. Discuss with examples. | 15 | Resources |
| 2(c) | Groundwater contamination in the fast expanding urban landscape of India appears to have become a major public health issue. Discuss. | 15 | Physical Setting of India |
| 3(a) | Discuss the recent changes brought about in institutional frameworks of agriculture in India. Evaluate its impact on the agrarian economy of the country. | 20 | Agriculture |
| 3(b) | Discuss the continuing disputes on water sharing between the riparian states of North-West India. | 15 | Resources |
| 3(c) | Soils of India, are clear reflections of the structure and process. Comment. | 15 | Physical Setting of India |
| 4(a) | India is bestowed with rich mineral resources due to its geological structure. Correlate the above statement with large mineral belts of India. | 20 | Resources |
| 4(b) | Discuss the importance of ‘Dry-land’ farming in the drought-prone regions of India. | 15 | Agriculture |
| 4(c) | 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. | 15 | Physical Setting of India |
Section B
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5(a) | Discuss the impact of Forest Rights Act, 2006 on the local forest communities in India. | 10 | Resources |
| 5(b) | Can the Panchayat Raj institutions play a role in grassroot level planning in India? If yes, discuss how. | 10 | Cultural Setting |
| 5(c) | Discuss the significance of new ports on the Western Coast of India on the external trade of the country. | 10 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
| 5(d) | How would decline in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) below the replacement level, in many states of India affect the future population structure of the country? | 10 | Cultural Setting |
| 5(e) | Kalapani dispute has opened a new front on the India-Nepal international border. Explain. | 10 | Political Aspects |
| 6(a) | Why do disparities in development and incomes between regions persist in large countries like India? How does the recent ADP plan address the issue? | 20 | Regional Development & Planning |
| 6(b) | Critically examine the role of IRNSS-NavIC programme on the satellite navigation system of India. | 15 | Industry |
| 6(c) | Examine the role of high population concentration in Indian slums in making them more vulnerable during pandemic conditions like the COVID-19. | 15 | Contemporary Issues |
| 7(a) | Discuss the salient characteristics of industrial complexes of Western India. Examine the impact of SEZ policy on the region. | 20 | Industry |
| 7(b) | Discuss the emergence of linguistic regions and states in India. | 15 | Cultural Setting |
| 7(c) | What are the drivers of urban sprawl around the major cities of the country? How have new investments in transport projects supported sprawl development? | 15 | Settlement |
| 8(a) | How do agro-climatic and land capability indicators assist in macro-agricultural regionalisation of India? Illustrate with an appropriate map. | 20 | Agriculture |
| 8(b) | Discuss the geopolitical significance of Quad in the Indo-Pacific realm with reference to marine trade in the region. | 15 | Political Aspects |
| 8(c) | Evaluate the role of the National Food Security Act, 2013 in providing access of food to the poor in India. | 15 | Agriculture |
2022 Paper II: where the marks sat
| Unit | Marks | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Setting of India | 85 | 21.2% |
| Agriculture | 70 | 17.5% |
| Resources | 60 | 15.0% |
| Cultural Setting | 55 | 13.8% |
| Industry | 35 | 8.8% |
| Contemporary Issues | 25 | 6.2% |
| Political Aspects | 25 | 6.2% |
| Regional Development & Planning | 20 | 5.0% |
| Settlement | 15 | 3.8% |
| Transport, Communication & Trade | 10 | 2.5% |
How 2022 Compares With the Eleven-Year Pattern
The 2022 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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