Both UPSC Geography optional papers from 2024 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 2024 examiner actually weighted, and how that compares with the eleven-year pattern.
Geography Optional 2024 Paper I
Download: Geography Optional 2024 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) | What are ‘truncated spurs’? Where and how are they formed? | 10 | Geomorphology |
| 1(b) | Formation of temperate cyclone depends on the condition of axis of dilation. Elucidate. | 10 | Climatology |
| 1(c) | With suitable examples explain the factors causing sea level changes. | 10 | Oceanography |
| 1(d) | Examine the impacts of social forestry in socio-economic transformation of rural areas. | 10 | Biogeography |
| 1(e) | Mountain regions are more fragile to ecological changes. Elucidate. | 10 | Environmental Geography |
| 2(a) | Examine the recent views on mountain building process and divide the world mountains on the basis of their genesis. | 20 | Geomorphology |
| 2(b) | Describe latitudinal distribution of Köppen’s classification of world climate. | 15 | Climatology |
| 2(c) | With suitable sketches elaborate the bottom topography of the Indian Ocean. | 15 | Oceanography |
| 3(a) | Explain air masses and associated weather dynamics. How do air masses influence the weather conditions of the Northern Hemisphere? | 20 | Climatology |
| 3(b) | “Soil erosion is creeping death.” Explaining the statement, suggest various soil conservation measures. | 15 | Biogeography |
| 3(c) | Perception, Attitude, Value and Emotion (PAVE) are important components for biodiversity and sustainable environmental conservation. Elaborate. | 15 | Environmental Geography |
| 4(a) | How is carbon neutrality essential for future environmental conservation? Describe various efforts taken by nations in this regard. | 20 | Environmental Geography |
| 4(b) | What is a Yazoo stream? Why are Yazoo basins the areas of repeated flooding? Give examples of Yazoo stream/areas from various parts of the world. | 15 | Geomorphology |
| 4(c) | “The latitudinal gradient in species richness is an important geographic trend in biodiversity.” Examine the statement. | 15 | Biogeography |
Section B
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5(a) | Critically examine the significance of Behavioural Approach in the development of human geography. | 10 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 5(b) | “While scarcity of water resources are felt locally, but its causes are increasingly global.” Comment. | 10 | Economic Geography |
| 5(c) | Central Business Districts (CBDs) are in decline as the economic core of metropolitan cities. Critically examine. | 10 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 5(d) | There is a need for gender-sensitive regional development. Elaborate. | 10 | Regional Planning |
| 5(e) | Explain the theoretical framework and stages of economic growth proposed by Rostow’s model. | 10 | Regional Planning |
| 6(a) | The urbanisation process is particularly pronounced in Asia and Africa, where too many urban residents grapple with extreme poverty, exclusion, vulnerability and marginalisation. Discuss. | 20 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 6(b) | Explain how the physical view of geographical space has impacted the forms of spatial analysis. | 15 | Perspectives in Human Geography |
| 6(c) | Explain the Heartland theory with reference to contemporary geopolitical scenario of the world. | 15 | Political & Cultural Geography |
| 7(a) | Explain the basis of D. Whittlesey’s classification of agricultural regions of the world. | 20 | Economic Geography |
| 7(b) | What is Transnationalism? Why has the scale and scope of transnational linkages of diaspora multiplied in recent times? | 15 | Political & Cultural Geography |
| 7(c) | Assess the criteria required for selecting regions for developmental planning. | 15 | Regional Planning |
| 8(a) | What is complementary region? With reference to hierarchy of settlements, describe the different types of complementary regions as proposed by Christaller. | 20 | Population & Settlement Geography |
| 8(b) | Analyse the spatial changes and emerging patterns of semiconductor manufacturing in the world. | 15 | Economic Geography |
| 8(c) | “In developed countries, migration rather than fertility will be the main driver of population dynamics over the next few decades.” Examine the statement. | 15 | Population & Settlement Geography |
2024 Paper I: where the marks sat
| Unit | Marks | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| Population & Settlement Geography | 65 | 16.2% |
| Geomorphology | 45 | 11.2% |
| Climatology | 45 | 11.2% |
| Environmental Geography | 45 | 11.2% |
| Economic Geography | 45 | 11.2% |
| Biogeography | 40 | 10.0% |
| Regional Planning | 35 | 8.8% |
| Political & Cultural Geography | 30 | 7.5% |
| Oceanography | 25 | 6.2% |
| Perspectives in Human Geography | 25 | 6.2% |
Geography Optional 2024 Paper II
Download: Geography Optional 2024 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) Lunkaransar (ii) Gua (iii) Raidak River (iv) Ekta Nagar (v) Chandanwari (vi) Babina (vii) Tatipaka (viii) Along Airport (ix) Karaikal (x) Panna | 20 | Physical Setting of India |
| 1(b) | Discuss the basis of various explanations for the formation of Shiwalik. | 10 | Physical Setting of India |
| 1(c) | Conservation and breeding centres are important components of the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation, 2020–2025. Why? | 10 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
| 1(d) | North-Eastern States of India are geopolitically sensitive and strategically significant. Explain. | 10 | Political Aspects |
| 2(a) | Institutional factors are playing a dominant role in controlling the agricultural prosperity in India. Justify with evidences. | 20 | Agriculture |
| 2(b) | The Indian Space Policy, 2023 supports the commercial presence in space. In what ways will it benefit the socio-economic development and security of India? | 15 | Industry |
| 2(c) | Discuss the process of formation of conurbations in India and describe their problems. | 15 | Settlement |
| 3(a) | India has wide-ranging regional disparities in economic development. Explain the patterns, implications and challenges. | 20 | Regional Development & Planning |
| 3(b) | Discuss the variations in nature of glaciers in India and the emerging issues due to climate change. | 15 | Physical Setting of India |
| 3(c) | Domestic tourism in India has immense local resource potential. Discuss the reasons and its various dimensions. | 15 | Resources |
| 4(a) | Migration is the reflection of regional disparities. What socio-economic and demographic consequences are experienced at the place of origin and destination? | 20 | Regional Development & Planning |
| 4(b) | In spite of various tribal area development programmes in India, tribal areas still lag behind. Discuss critically with examples. | 15 | Cultural Setting |
| 4(c) | Water scarcity is an important cause of disputes and conflicts in India. Suggest innovative methods for location-based solutions. | 15 | Resources |
Section B
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5(a) | How are geographic factors influencing the distribution of high annual rainfall in certain parts of India? | 10 | Physical Setting of India |
| 5(b) | Indian population belongs to large number of races. Discuss the spatial distribution of major races. | 10 | Cultural Setting |
| 5(c) | Examine the transitional role of technology on Indian agriculture sector. | 10 | Agriculture |
| 5(d) | Describe the area-specific strategies for the development of drought-prone areas in India. | 10 | Regional Development & Planning |
| 5(e) | Examine the relationship between seaports and regional development in India. | 10 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
| 6(a) | Industrial waste is diversified. Discuss the potentials and challenges associated with it. | 20 | Industry |
| 6(b) | How is cultural background of States of India reflected in the attributes of sex and age structure? | 15 | Cultural Setting |
| 6(c) | Discuss the targets of focused interventions of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, 2024 in rural and urban areas. | 15 | Settlement |
| 7(a) | India is playing a very significant role in world affairs. Examine the stands taken by India in important global and regional summits. | 20 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
| 7(b) | The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act devolved functions, finances and functionaries for planning of rural areas in India. Discuss the major achievements with examples. | 15 | Regional Development & Planning |
| 7(c) | How do small and fragmented landholdings affect the agro-ecological system in rural India? What are the resilient steps needed to overcome this issue? | 15 | Agriculture |
| 8(a) | How can morphology of Indian towns be described historically? Discuss the major features of the first planned city in India after independence. | 20 | Settlement |
| 8(b) | Health is the outcome of interaction between physical setting, cultural traits and ecological connection. Explain. | 15 | Cultural Setting |
| 8(c) | What are the major regional rapid transit systems developed in India? How are urban problems being addressed by them? | 15 | Transport, Communication & Trade |
2024 Paper II: where the marks sat
| Unit | Marks | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Development & Planning | 65 | 16.2% |
| Physical Setting of India | 55 | 13.8% |
| Transport, Communication & Trade | 55 | 13.8% |
| Cultural Setting | 55 | 13.8% |
| Settlement | 50 | 12.5% |
| Agriculture | 45 | 11.2% |
| Industry | 35 | 8.8% |
| Resources | 30 | 7.5% |
| Political Aspects | 10 | 2.5% |
How 2024 Compares With the Eleven-Year Pattern
The 2024 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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