IAS Main (Written) Exam 2014: Geography: Question Paper II

IAS Main (Written) Exam 2014 commenced from 14 December 2014. The result of the IAS Exam 2013 and the Interviews with the IAS toppers suggest that the marks in the subject papers helps in attaining the Rank in the IAS Final Results. 

The reason is that all the candidates get approximately equal marks in the General Studies Question Papers and the subject marks became the deciding factor in qualifying for the IAS Interviews.

                                             GEOGRAPHY
                                                Paper II
Time allowed: Three Hours                               Maximum Marks: 250

Question Paper Specific Instructions

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions:

There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it. Answers must be written in the ' medium authorized in the Admission Certificate must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.

Illustrate your answers with suitable sketches, maps and diagrams, wherever considered necessary. These shall be drawn in the space provided for answering the question itself.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in chronological order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

                                       SECTION A

Q1. (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/ ecologicall environmental/ cultural, in not more than 30 words for each entry: 2x5=10

(i) Guru Shikhar

(ii) Bhor Ghat

(iii) Shravanabelagola

(iv) Kalibangan

(v) Ganga Sagar

(b) Explain how eco-tourism activities could be important livelihood options in the Himalayan and North-Eastern regions of the country. (150 words) 10

(c) How is drainage pattern determined by the water divide? (150 words) 10

(d) Location of thermal power plants and coal fields in India are not mutually conducive. Analyse. (150 words) 10

(e) Why has agro and social forestry has failed to achieve its objectives? (150 words) 10

Q2. (a) Bring out the distribution of Laterite soils in India and their specific use for agriculture. 20

(b) Suggest the measures of wild-life conservation with reference to extinction of rare species.  15

(c) Describe the Problems of agro-based industries in India in general and cotton textiles in particular. 15

Q3. (a) Highlight the socio-economic and ecological roles of River Cauvery in its riverine tract. 20

(b) Discuss the problems and prospects of National Waterway No. 1. 15

(c) Explain the concept of 'Make in India' and indicate the essential inputs for its success. 15

Q4. (a) Describe the salient climatological characteristics of Rayalaseema region. 20

(b) `In spite of various negative impacts of Green Revolution, there is a demand for New Green Revolution'. Elaborate. 15

(c) What are the desired possible changes in our trade policy to promote the development of cottage industry? 15
                            

                                       SECTION B

Q5. (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: 2x5=10

i.Mundra Port

ii.Chandipur

iii.Mahendragiri

iv.Hazira

v.Vembanad Lake

(b) Highlight the implications of declining child sex ratio in India. (150 words) 10

(c) Analyse the feasibility of 'Smart Towns' Development in India. (150 words) 10

(d) Comment on the criteria of identifying Drought Prone Areas in India. (150 words) 10

(e) Bring out the role of terrain in determining India's political influence over neighbouring countries. (150 words) 10

Q6. (a) Discuss the trends in emigration focusing on its major thrust. 20

(b) Account for the multiple problems of urban agglomerations. 15

(c) Evaluate the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme. 15

Q7. (a) How can a meaningful skill development programme contribute to the economic growth of hill areas? 20

(b) Differentiate between the 'intensity' and `magnitude' of an earthquake and explain its varying impact in different parts of India.15

(c) Discuss the implications of India's strategic location with reference to the Indian Ocean. 15

Q8. (a) India is involved in a number of border disputes. Explain the reasons and remedies. 20

(b) Discuss the concept of Command Area Development and evaluate its success with reference to Indira Gandhi Canal. 15

(c) How has an inappropriate urban land use policy accounted for undesirable development in and around metropolitan cities? 15