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General & Miscellaneous — UPSC Prelims Geography previous year questions
20 free solved previous year questions on General & Miscellaneous, papers from 2006 to 2026, drawn from UPSC CSE Prelims, covering statement-based, direct, match and assertion questions. Every answer key has been checked again against published sources and solved independently, and each explanation is written fresh.
Read all 20 questions with answers
- #1UPSC CSE 2026Tungurahua Volcano, which was declared a Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2025, is situated in which one among the following countries ?
- AEcuador
- BPeru
- CBolivia
- DColombia
Answer: (A) EcuadorExplanation
Tungurahua is an active stratovolcano in the Andes of central Ecuador.
UNESCO named the Tungurahua Volcano a Global Geopark in 2025. A Geopark is a region of geological value that is managed for protection, education and local development.
Peru, Bolivia and Colombia also have Andean volcanoes, but Tungurahua is not in any of them.
So the answer is Ecuador.
Remember: Ecuador is named after the equator, which passes close to Quito.Source: UNESCO Global Geoparks list, 2025
- #2UPSC CSE 2026Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries :1. ‘Maitri Setu’, built over Feni river, connects Ramgarh in India with Sabroom in Bangladesh.2. Jhulaghat suspension bridge connects India with Myanmar.3. Mechi bridge and its approaches connect Panitanki Bypass in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal.Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- A1 and 2
- B2 and 3
- C1 only
- D3 only
Answer: (D) 3 onlyExplanation
Statement 1 is wrong. The Maitri Setu over the Feni river links Sabroom in Tripura, India, with Ramgarh in Bangladesh. The places are reversed in the statement.
Statement 2 is wrong. The Jhulaghat suspension bridge over the Kali river links India with Nepal. It does not link India with Myanmar.
Statement 3 is correct. The Mechi bridge links Panitanki in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal.
So only 3.
Remember: the Kaladan project links India and Myanmar, not these bridges.Source: Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs (Land Ports Authority) notes on border connectivity
- #3UPSC CSE 2025Consider the following countries:I. AustriaII. BulgariaIII. CroatiaIV. SerbiaV. SwedenVI. North MacedoniaHow many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?
- AOnly three
- BOnly four
- COnly five
- DAll the six
Answer: (B) Only fourExplanation
Four of the six countries are NATO members.
Bulgaria joined in 2004. Croatia joined in 2009. North Macedonia joined in 2020. Sweden joined in 2024.
Austria is not a member. It follows a policy of permanent neutrality.
Serbia is not a member. It keeps military neutrality and has only a partnership with NATO.
So the answer is only four.
Remember: Finland joined NATO in 2023 and Sweden followed in 2024.Source: NATO official membership list (nato.int); NCERT Class XII Contemporary World Politics
- #4UPSC CSE 2025Consider the following statements:Statement I: Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth's rotation and axis.Statement II: Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth's outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy.Statement III: As the Earth's polar ice melts, the water tends to move towards the equator.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- ABoth Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
- BBoth Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
- COnly one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
- DNeither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Answer: (B) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement IExplanation
Statement I is correct. Studies show that Earth's rotation and axis are shifting slightly.
Statement II is correct as a fact. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections do hit Earth's outer atmosphere with large energy. But they do not explain a shift in the axis.
Statement III is correct. Melting polar ice sends water towards the equator. This moves mass and changes Earth's spin.
Only Statement III explains Statement I. Option (b) fits.
Remember: Mass moving from the poles to the equator slightly changes Earth's rotation and axis.Source: NCERT Class XI Fundamentals of Physical Geography (Earth's rotation and axis)
- #5UPSC CSE 2025India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect
- AIndia to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
- BIndia to Central Asia via China
- CIndia to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar
- DIndia to Europe through Azerbaijan
Answer: (A) India to Central Asia to Europe via IranExplanation
The INSTC is a multimodal route of ship, rail and road. It links India to Central Asia and Europe through Iran, using ports such as Chabahar and Bandar Abbas.
Option (b) is wrong. The route does not pass through China.
Option (c) is wrong. That describes the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.
Option (d) is incomplete. Azerbaijan is only a link on the western branch of the corridor. The corridor runs through Iran.
Remember: India, Iran and Russia started the INSTC in 2000.Source: Ministry of External Affairs note on the International North-South Transport Corridor
- #6UPSC CSE 2025Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC:I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of tourism is being led by India.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- AI and II
- BII and III
- CI and IV
- DI only
Answer: (D) I onlyExplanation
Only Statement I is correct, as per UPSC's key.
Statement I is correct. BIMSTEC had seven members until January 2025.
Statement II is incorrect. BIMSTEC began with the Bangkok Declaration of 1997, not a Dhaka Declaration of 1999.
Statement III is incorrect. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand were the founding members. Myanmar joined in 1997 and Nepal in 2004.
Statement IV is treated as incorrect in UPSC's key.
Remember: Bhutan and Nepal joined in 2004.Source: Ministry of External Affairs, BIMSTEC factsheet; BIMSTEC Secretariat website
- #7UPSC CSE 2025Consider the following pairs:I. International Year of the Woman Farmer : 2026II. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism : 2027III. International Year of Peace and Trust : 2025IV. International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence : 2029How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- AOnly one
- BOnly two
- COnly three
- DAll the four
Answer: (D) All the fourExplanation
All four pairs are correctly matched.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed these years.
2025 is the International Year of Peace and Trust.
2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
2027 is the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism.
2029 is the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence.
So the answer is all four.
Remember: 2023 was the International Year of Millets.Source: United Nations General Assembly resolutions proclaiming International Years
- #8UPSC CSE 2025Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- AI and II
- BII and III
- CI and III
- DI only
Answer: (A) I and IIExplanation
Statement I is correct. The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. Russia was the chair.
Statement II is correct. Indonesia became a full member of BRICS in January 2025.
Statement III is incorrect. The theme was 'Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security'. 'Multiculturalism' is wrong.
So I and II are correct.
Remember: India holds the BRICS chair in 2026.Source: BRICS official summit documents (Kazan Declaration, October 2024); Ministry of External Affairs
- #9UPSC CSE 2025Consider the following statements in respect of the first Kho Kho World Cup:I. The event was held in Delhi, India.II. Indian men beat Nepal with a score of 78–40 in the final to become the World Champion in men category.III. Indian women beat Nepal with a score of 54–36 in the final to become the World Champion in women category.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- AI only
- BII and III only
- CI and III only
- DI, II and III
Answer: (A) I onlyExplanation
Statement I is correct. The first Kho Kho World Cup was held in New Delhi in January 2025.
Statement II is incorrect. The Indian men won the final against Nepal 54-36, not 78-40.
Statement III is incorrect. The Indian women won the final against Nepal 78-40, not 54-36.
So only Statement I is correct.
Remember: The scores in Statements II and III are swapped.Source: Kho Kho Federation of India; Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (first Kho Kho World Cup, January 2025)
- #10UPSC CSE 2024Consider the following pairs:Country – Reason for being in the news1. Argentina – Worst economic crisis2. Sudan – War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces3. Turkey – Rescinded its membership of NATOHow many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- AOnly one pair
- BOnly two pairs
- CAll three pairs
- DNone of the pairs
Answer: (B) Only two pairsExplanation
Pair 1 is correct. Argentina has faced a deep economic crisis with very high inflation.
Pair 2 is correct. Since April 2023 Sudan's army has fought the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Pair 3 is wrong. Turkey has not left NATO. It remains a member and in 2024 was still in the alliance.
So only two pairs are correct.
Remember: Sweden joined NATO in March 2024, and Finland joined in April 2023.Source: News reports of 2023–24; NATO official member list
- #11UPSC CSE 2024Consider the following statements:Statement-I: Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe.Statement-II: Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
- BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
- CStatement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
- DStatement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (A) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-IExplanation
Statement-II is correct. The Sumed pipeline runs in Egypt from Ain Sukhna on the Red Sea to Sidi Kerir on the Mediterranean.
Statement-I is correct. Gulf oil can be sent through it to Europe. It is an alternative to the Suez Canal.
Statement-II explains Statement-I. Because the pipeline links the two seas, it provides this route for Gulf oil.
Remember: Sumed stands for Suez–Mediterranean pipeline.Source: Energy Information Administration (US) World Oil Transit Chokepoints
- #12UPSC CSE 2024Consider the following statements:Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d'état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
- BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
- CStatement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
- DStatement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (A) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-IExplanation
Statement-I is correct. The Sahel, the belt south of the Sahara, faces violent extremism and weak governments.
Statement-II is correct. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger had military coups between 2020 and 2023.
Statement-II explains Statement-I. The coups, and the break-down of civilian rule, deepened the insecurity.
Remember: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States in 2023.Source: Standard international relations references; UN Security Council reports on the Sahel
- #13UPSC CSE 2024Consider the following statements:Statement-I: Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its people from fleeing/emigrating to other countries.Statement-II: Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
- BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
- CStatement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
- DStatement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (D) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correctExplanation
Statement-I is incorrect. Venezuela is still in deep economic crisis. Millions of its people have left the country in recent years.
Statement-II is correct. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven crude oil reserves, mainly in the Orinoco Belt.
So only Statement-II is correct.
Remember: large oil reserves do not ensure a strong economy; Venezuela's output fell due to mismanagement and sanctions.Source: OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin; UNHCR data on Venezuelan displacement
- #14UPSC CSE 2022In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the:
- AFirst half of the month of June
- BSecond half of the month of June
- CFirst half of the month of July
- DSecond half of the month of July
Answer: (B) Second half of the month of JuneExplanation
The longest day in the northern hemisphere is the summer solstice.
It falls on 21 June, and in some years on 20 June.
On this day the Sun is overhead at the Tropic of Cancer.
The northern hemisphere is tilted most towards the Sun.
So daylight lasts longest north of the equator.
21 June lies in the second half of June.
Remember: The winter solstice, 22 December, is the shortest day in the northern hemisphere.Source: UPSC CSE Prelims 2022(key: b)
- #15UPSC CSE 2016Recently, which of the following States has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to sea by a long navigational channel?
- AAndhra Pradesh
- BChhattisgarh
- CKarnataka
- DRajasthan
Answer: (D) RajasthanExplanation
Rajasthan proposed an inland port in the Jalore-Barmer area. It would connect to the sea through a long navigational channel along the Kutch coast.
The other states are not known to have planned this kind of artificial inland port.
Remember: Rajasthan is landlocked.Source: Ministry of Shipping / Rajasthan Government announcements (2016)
- #16UPSC CSE 2015Consider the following pairs:Place of Pilgrimage : Location1. Srisailam : Nallamala Hills2. Omkareshwar : Satmala Hills3. Pushkar : Mahadeo HillsWhich of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 onlyExplanation
Pair 1 is correct. Srisailam is a Shiva shrine on the Krishna river, in the Nallamala Hills of the Eastern Ghats.
Pair 2 is incorrect. Omkareshwar is on an island in the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh, in the Vindhya-Satpura region. The Satmala Hills are in Maharashtra.
Pair 3 is incorrect. Pushkar is in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, in the Aravalli hills. The Mahadeo Hills are in the Satpura range of Madhya Pradesh.
Remember: Pushkar has the main Brahma temple.Source: NCERT Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Ch. 2
- #17UPSC CSE 2015In a particular region in India, the local people train the roots of living trees into robust bridges across the streams. As the time passes, these bridges become stronger. These unique 'living root bridges' are found in
- AMeghalaya
- BHimachal Pradesh
- CJharkhand
- DTamil Nadu
Answer: (A) MeghalayaExplanation
Living root bridges are found in Meghalaya, mainly in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. The Khasi people call them jing kieng jri.
They are made by guiding the aerial roots of the Indian rubber fig tree across a stream. The roots thicken and strengthen with time.
Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu have no such tradition.
Remember: the Umshiang double-decker root bridge near Cherrapunji is the best-known example.Source: Government of Meghalaya; Ministry of Tourism, India (Meghalaya tourism material)
- #18UPSC CSE 2014Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms?1. Continental drift2. Glacial cyclesSelect the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2Explanation
Statement 1 is correct. Continental drift separated or joined landmasses, which isolated populations and changed their climates.
Statement 2 is correct. Glacial cycles changed habitats, sea levels and temperatures, forcing species to adapt or die out.
Both processes changed the environment, and evolution responds to environmental change.
Remember: Marsupials of Australia evolved in isolation after continental drift.Source: NCERT Class XI, Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Ch. 4
- #19UPSC CSE 2008Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?Theory/Law : Associated Scientist1. Continental Drift : Edwin Hubble2. Expansion of Universe : Alfred Wegener3. Photoelectric Effect : Albert EinsteinSelect the correct answer using the code given below:
- A2 and 3 only
- B3 only
- C2 only
- D1 only
Answer: (B) 3 onlyExplanation
Pair 1 is incorrect. Continental drift was proposed by Alfred Wegener, not Hubble.
Pair 2 is incorrect. Edwin Hubble showed that the universe is expanding.
Pair 3 is correct. Einstein explained the photoelectric effect in 1905 and won the Nobel Prize for it.
Remember: Wegener = drift; Hubble = expansion.Source: NCERT Class XI, Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Ch. 2 and 4
- #20UPSC CSE 2006 · key correctedConsider the following statements:Assertion (A): To orbit around the Sun, the planet Mars takes less time than the time taken by the Earth.Reason (R): The diameter of the planet Mars is less than that of Earth.
- ABoth (A) and (R) are individually true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- BBoth (A) and (R) are individually true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- C(A) is true, but (R) is false.
- D(A) is false, but (R) is true.
Answer: (D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.Explanation
Assertion (A) is false. Mars is farther from the Sun than Earth. It takes about 687 days to orbit the Sun. Earth takes about 365 days.
Reason (R) is true. Mars has a diameter of about 6,800 km. Earth's diameter is about 12,700 km.
The time taken to orbit depends on distance from the Sun, not on a planet's size.
Remember: Planets farther from the Sun take longer to complete one revolution.Source: UPSC CSE Prelims 2006(key: D)
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