UPSC Prelims 2023: Check GS Paper-1 Geography Important Map-Based Questions, Preparation Tips
Geography is an important topic in the UPSC Prelims General Studies Paper-I. Candidates appearing for the UPSC prelims 2023 examination must have a proper preparation strategy for Geography. In the UPSC prelims GS paper-I, trend analysis shows that approximately 10-11% of questions are asked from Geography. The questions span across Indian and world geography. It is to be noted that clarity of geography concepts helps in acing the environment and ecology section.
Candidates must note that a significant portion of Geography questions in the UPSC prelims is map-based questions. Every year, analysis shows that 3-4 map-based questions have been asked in UPSC prelims. Therefore, it is crucial to study the map-based questions for UPSC to score high in prelims.
In this article, we shall discuss the year-wise question weightage and important map-based questions and preparation tips for Geography in the UPSC prelims.
UPSC Prelims Geography Map-based Questions
UPSC Geography map-based questions asked in the prelims exam aim to assess the knowledge of candidates about the Indian states and their neighbouring countries, rivers – origin, tributaries, longitude and latitude, important national and international places or events in the news, etc.
Candidates can learn more about map-based questions in Geography by solving previous years question papers. We have also compiled the map-based questions asked in the past years to understand the nature of questions and difficulty level.
UPSC Prelims Trend Analysis for Geography Questions (Year-wise)
Below, we have compiled the number of questions asked in Geography in the UPSC Prelims exam from 2022-2011. This table gives an idea to candidates that there are approximately 7-15 questions expected from Geography in UPSC prelims.
| Year |
No of Questions Asked |
| 2022 |
13 |
| 2021 |
10 |
| 2020 |
13 |
| 2019 |
14 |
| 2018 |
8 |
| 2017 |
7 |
| 2016 |
7 |
| 2015 |
14 |
| 2014 |
12 |
| 2013 |
9 |
| 2012 |
12 |
| 2011 |
11 |
How to Prepare Map-based Questions for UPSC Geography?
UPSC Geography map-based questions make an important part of GS paper-I. Therefore, one must take extra efforts to practice map-based questions. Every year, approximately 3-4 questions are asked in Geography based on maps which carry 6-10 marks. One can easily score these questions with clarity of concepts and knowledge of important topics in Geography.
Important Topics for Map-based Questions
We have prepared a list of important topics to study when preparing for map-based questions which include India (neighbouring countries, Indian cities, important longitude and latitude, coastlines, states that pass through Tropic of Cancer, rivers and their tributaries, mountains, natural vegetation, monsoon cycle, national parks) and World (longitudes and latitudes, tropic of cancer, tropic of Capricorn, artic circle, equator, prime meridian, physiographic features, etc).
Important Maps to Study
The maximum number of questions based on maps in Geography is related to India. Therefore, it is crucial to study two types of maps which include the political map of India and the physical map of India. Below, we have shared some important points to remember for each map type:
- Political Map of India:
Focus on major cities, states and their neighbouring states or countries, states with border sharing the maximum number of states, chronology of the states from north to south and east to west, states in the north-east region, states that lie parallel or on the Tropic of Cancer, Equator, and Tropic of Capricorn, states and major river banks, etc.
- Physical Map of India:
Focus on rivers and tributaries, natural vegetation, minerals belt, mountain and passes, islands, neighbouring countries, states and countries through which major longitude and latitude passes, national parks, biosphere reserves, etc.
Also Check: How to Study Indian and World Geography Through Maps?
UPSC Prelims: Previous Year Questions Based on Maps
Below, candidates can find the map-based questions asked in Geography in the UPSC prelims previous year question papers.
UPSC Prelims Map Questions 2022
Ques: Consider the following pairs:
Reservoirs: States
- Ghataprabha: Telangana
- Gandhi Sagar: Madhya Pradesh
- Indira Sagar: Andhra Pradesh
- Maithon: Chhattisgarh
How many pairs given above are not correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs
Answer: c
Ques: Consider the following pairs:
Region often mentioned in the news: Country
- Anatolia Turkey
- Amhara Ethiopia
- Cabo Delgado Spain
- Catalonia Italy
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs
UPSC Prelims Map Questions 2021
Ques: Consider the following Rivers:
- Brahmani
- Nagavali
- Subarnarekha
- Vamsadhara
Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 3
Answer: b
Ques: With reference to the Indus River system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is a such river that joins the Indus direct?
(a) Chenab
(b) Jhelum
(c) Ravi
(d) Sutlej
Answer: a
UPSC Prelims Map Questions 2020
Ques: Siachen Glacier is situated to the
(a) East of Aksai Chin
(b) East of Leh
(c) North of Gilgit
(d) North of Nubra Valley
Answer: d
Explanation:
Ques: Consider the following pairs :
River - Flows into
1. Mekong- Andaman Sea
2. Thames - Irish Sea
3. Volga - Caspian Sea
4. Zambezi - Indian Ocean
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, and 4 only
Answer: c
Explanation:
UPSC Prelims Map Questions 2019
Ques: Consider the following pairs:
| Sea |
Bordering country |
| 1. Adriatic Sea |
Albania |
| 2. Black Sea |
Croatia |
| 3. Caspian Sea |
Kazakhstan |
| 4. Mediterranean Sea |
Morocco |
| 5. Red Sea |
Syria |
Which of the pair given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: b
Explanation: The Adriatic Sea is a part of the Mediterranean Sea positioned between the eastern coastline of Italy, and countries of the Balkan Peninsula, from Slovenia, South through Croatia, Montenegro, and to Albania. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.
The Black Sea is an inland sea located between far-southeastern Europe and the far-western edges of the continent of Asia and the country of Turkey. It's bordered by Turkey, and by Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia. Hence, pair 2 is not correctly matched. this rules out options a, c and d, leaving the correct answer to be option B through the elimination method.
The Caspian Sea is an enclosed body of water between Asia and Europe. It is bordered by Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia,
Morocco’s Mediterranean coast represents the westernmost edge of the Northern African coast. The coastline features the Strait of Gibraltar that marks the link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
There are six countries (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti) bordering the Red Sea.
UPSC Prelims Map Questions 2018
Ques: Among the following cities, which one lies on a longitude closest to that of Delhi?
(a) Bengaluru
(b) Hyderabad
(c) Nagpur
(d) Pune
Answer:.a
Explanation:
UPSC Prelims Map Questions 2017
Ques: With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements:
The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.
River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta.
River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution: b
Explanation:
UPSC Prelims Map Questions 2016
Ques: Which of the following is/are tributary/tributaries of Brahmaputra?
- Dibang
- Kameng
- Lohit
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation:
UPSC Prelims Map Questions 2015
Ques: Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea?
- a) Syria
- b) Jordan
- c) Lebanon
- d) Israel
Answer: b
Explanation:
UPSC Prelims Map Questions 2014
Ques: Turkey is located between
(a) Black Sea and Caspian Sea
(b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
(e) Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea
(d) Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea
Answer. b
Explanation:
Ques: Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the 'Ten Degree Channel'?
(a) Andaman and Nicobar
(b) Nicobar and Sumatra
(c) Maldives and Lakshadweep
(d) Sumatra and Java
Answer. a
Explanation:
UPSC Prelims Map Questions 2013
Ques: Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
[a]Abyssinian Plateau: Arabia
[b]Altas Mountains:: North-Western Africa
[c]Guiana Highlands: South-western Africa
[d]Okavango Basin: Patagonia
Answer: b
Explanation: Abyssinian Plateau is in Ethiopia, Guiana Highlands - Venezuela, Okavango Basin - Kalahari, Africa
UPSC (IAS) Prelims 2020: Important Questions on Art & Culture Asked in Past 7 Years