UPSC Prelims 2021
Indian Geography Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 5 solved UPSC Prelims 2021 Indian Geography questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
Consider the following statements:
- ‘Right to the City’ is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard.
- ‘Right to the City’ gives every occupant of the city the right to reclaim public spaces and public participation in the city.
- ‘Right to the City’ means that the State cannot deny any public service or facility to the unauthorized colonies in the city.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 2 and 3
The 'Right to the City' is a normative concept advocating inclusive urban citizenship, not a formally recognized universal human right with binding UN monitoring. Statement 1 is incorrect as UN-Habitat promotes this concept through the New Urban Agenda but does not monitor legally binding commitments. Statements 2 and 3 correctly capture the essence of this concept.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: 'Right to the City' is not an agreed universal human right; UN-Habitat does not monitor binding national commitments in this regard.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: This concept gives all inhabitants the right to reclaim public spaces, participate in governance, and shape their cities democratically.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The concept promotes inclusive urban citizenship, meaning basic services cannot be denied even to unauthorized colonies; Indian courts have upheld this under Article 21 (Right to Life).
📝 Short Notes: Right to the City
- Origin: Concept developed by French philosopher Henri Lefebvre (1968); popularized in urban planning discourse.
- Definition: Right of all inhabitants to use, occupy, govern, and enjoy cities that are just, inclusive, safe, and sustainable.
- Key Principles: Inclusive citizenship, non-discrimination, social function of land, democratic participation in urban governance.
- UN-Habitat & New Urban Agenda (2016): Promotes the concept but it remains aspirational, not legally binding.
- Indian Context: Courts have held that basic services (water, sanitation) cannot be denied to slum/unauthorized dwellers under Article 21.
- Beneficiaries: Migrants, slum dwellers, informal workers, residents of unauthorized settlements—all recognized as rights-bearing urban citizens.
The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — fissure volcanic rock
Black cotton soil (also known as Regur soil) in India is primarily formed by the weathering of basaltic lava flows from fissure volcanic eruptions. These soils are predominantly found in the Deccan Plateau region, covering parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, where the parent material is basaltic rock. The dark color comes from the presence of titaniferous magnetite and aluminum-rich minerals, while the high clay content gives it swelling and shrinking properties.
📝 Short Notes: Black Cotton Soil (Regur Soil)
- Parent Material: Formed from weathering of basaltic lava (Deccan Trap volcanic rocks)
- Geographical Distribution: Deccan Plateau, Malwa Plateau - mainly in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
- Physical Properties: Deep black to dark gray color; rich in clay, lime, iron, magnesium, and aluminum but deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter
- Characteristic Feature: High clay content causes swelling when wet and shrinking when dry, developing deep cracks in summer
- Moisture Retention: Excellent moisture retention capacity due to high clay content, suitable for dry farming
- Major Crops: Ideal for cotton cultivation; also suitable for sugarcane, jowar, wheat, linseed, and citrus fruits
- Other Names: Regur soil, Black soil, or Tropical Black Earth
With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Saline lakes
Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol, and Khatu are saline lakes located in Rajasthan, India. These salt lakes are significant for salt production and are characteristic of the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan where high evaporation rates lead to salt concentration in water bodies.
📝 Short Notes: Saline Lakes of Rajasthan
- Sambhar Lake: The largest saline lake in India, located in Rajasthan between Jaipur and Ajmer; a Ramsar site and major source of salt production.
- Didwana Lake: Located in Nagaur district; known for high salt concentration and commercial salt extraction.
- Kuchaman Lake: Saline lake in Nagaur district; supports salt industry and seasonal water body.
- Pachpadra Lake: Another important saline lake in Barmer district known for salt production.
- Formation: These lakes are formed in inland drainage basins where high evaporation exceeds precipitation, leading to salt accumulation.
- Economic Significance: These lakes contribute significantly to India's salt production, supporting local economy and employment.
🧐 Not Sure What to Study Next?
Get a personalised study plan based on your goals, time and revision needs.
With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Sutlej
The Sutlej is the river that joins the Indus directly after receiving the collective drainage of the other three rivers. The Jhelum and Ravi rivers merge with the Chenab, and the Chenab subsequently joins the Sutlej in Pakistan. The Sutlej then flows into the Indus a few kilometres above Mithankot, making it the final conduit for the combined waters before their confluence with the Indus.
📝 Short Notes: Indus River System
- Five Major Tributaries: The Indus river system comprises five major tributaries known as the Panjnad (five rivers): Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
- Confluence Pattern: Jhelum joins Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan; Ravi joins Chenab near Sidhnai; Beas joins Sutlej at Harike in Punjab, India; Chenab joins Sutlej near Panjnad in Pakistan.
- Final Confluence: The Sutlej (carrying waters of all other tributaries) joins the Indus directly near Mithankot in Pakistan.
- Origin: All five rivers originate in the Himalayas; Sutlej originates from Rakas Lake near Mansarovar in Tibet.
- Geographical Significance: The Indus system drains parts of India, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan, making it one of the longest rivers in Asia (approximately 3,180 km).
Consider the following rivers:
- Brahmani
- Nagavali
- Subarnarekha
- Vamsadhara
Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 4
Among the given rivers, only Nagavali and Vamsadhara originate from the Eastern Ghats, while Brahmani and Subarnarekha have their sources in the Chota Nagpur Plateau of Jharkhand.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Brahmani river is formed by the confluence of Sankh and South Koel rivers near Rourkela; these headstreams originate in the Chota Nagpur Plateau of Jharkhand, not the Eastern Ghats.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Nagavali river (also known as Langulya) originates in the Eastern Ghats near Lakhbahal in the Kalahandi district of Odisha.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Subarnarekha river originates in the Chota Nagpur Plateau near Ranchi in Jharkhand and flows through West Bengal and Odisha before entering the Bay of Bengal.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: The Vamsadhara river originates in the Eastern Ghats near Lanjigarh in the Kalahandi district of Odisha and flows through Andhra Pradesh before joining the Bay of Bengal.
📝 Short Notes: Rivers Originating from Eastern Ghats
- Eastern Ghats: A discontinuous range of mountains running parallel to the eastern coast of India through Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
- Major Rivers from Eastern Ghats: Mahanadi, Godavari (tributaries), Krishna (tributaries), Penner, Palar, Vaigai, Nagavali, Vamsadhara, and several smaller coastal rivers.
- Nagavali River: Originates in Kalahandi district (Odisha), flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, length ~256 km, enters Bay of Bengal near Kalingapatnam.
- Vamsadhara River: Originates in Kalahandi district (Odisha) near Lanjigarh, flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, length ~254 km, meets Bay of Bengal near Kalingapatnam.
- Chota Nagpur Plateau Rivers: Brahmani, Subarnarekha, Damodar, and other rivers originate from this plateau in Jharkhand, not from the Eastern Ghats.
- Coastal Drainage: Rivers from Eastern Ghats typically have shorter courses and form smaller drainage basins compared to peninsular rivers originating from the Western Ghats.
UPSC Prelims 2021 - Indian Geography Chapter-wise Distribution
Physical Geography of India
3 Qs (60%)Population & Human Geography of India
1 Qs (20%)Soils, Natural Vegetation & Biodiversity
1 Qs (20%)UPSC Prelims 2021 - Indian Geography Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Indian Geography questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2021?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Indian Geography in UPSC Prelims 2021?
- Physical Geography of India: 3 questions (60%)
- Population & Human Geography of India: 1 questions (20%)
- Soils, Natural Vegetation & Biodiversity: 1 questions (20%)