UPSC Prelims 2026
World Geography Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 4 solved UPSC Prelims 2026 World Geography questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
Tungurahua Volcano, which was declared a Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2025, is situated in which one among the following countries ?
Detailed Explanation:
What is Tungurahua?
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Meaning | "Throat of Fire" (Quichua language) |
| Type | Highly active Stratovolcano |
| Location | Cordillera Oriental, Central Andes, Ecuador |
| UNESCO Status | Global Geopark — April 2025 |
| Area | 2,300+ sq km across Tungurahua & Chimborazo provinces |
| Geological History | 417 million years preserved |
| National Park | Within Sangay National Park |
| Nearby Town | Baños de Agua Santa |
❌ Why Other Options Are Wrong
| Country | Their Notable Volcano | Why Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Peru | Ubinas | Shares Andes but Tungurahua is NOT here |
| Bolivia | — | No connection to Tungurahua |
| Colombia | Nevado del Ruiz | Also Andean but different country |
Revision Tip: All four countries share the Andes — the trap is assuming any Andean volcano could be in any of these countries. Always pin Tungurahua = Ecuador.
Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean?
- Bahrain
- Syria
- Qatar
- Egypt
Select the answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
The correct answer is 1 and 3 (Option 2). Bahrain and Qatar are located in the Persian Gulf, so their ships must pass through the Strait of Hormuz to enter the Indian Ocean. Syria and Egypt can reach the Indian Ocean through the Mediterranean–Suez Canal–Red Sea route without crossing this strait.
| Strait of Hormuz is a narrow water passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. It is one of the world's most important maritime routes for oil transportation. |
Which of the following statements with reference to Lake Turkana is/are correct ?
- It is the largest desert lake in the world.
- The lake is situated in South Sudan along the eastern fringe of the Sahara desert.
- The lake is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also referred to as the 'Jade Sea'.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
📘 Explanation (English):
Statement 1 is correct. Lake Turkana is the world's largest permanent desert lake and the largest alkaline lake.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The lake is located mainly in northern Kenya and extends into Ethiopia. It is part of the Great Rift Valley, not South Sudan or the Sahara Desert.
Statement 3 is correct. Lake Turkana National Parks are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the lake is known as the “Jade Sea” because of its greenish-blue waters.
Lake Turkana
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Lake Turkana is an important Rift Valley lake in East Africa.
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It is famous for its alkaline water, rich fossil sites, UNESCO status, and the nickname “Jade Sea.”
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Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ?
- Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
- China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India.
- The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.
- Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Explanation:
-
Statement 1 is Correct: Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are essential for modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, space exploration, and defense equipment.
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Statement 2 is Incorrect: China is the largest producer of REEs, but the United States is the second-largest producer. India is not the second-largest producer globally.
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Statement 3 is Correct: The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025 to strengthen domestic production, secure supply chains, and reduce import dependence.
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Statement 4 is Incorrect: Rare Earth Elements consist of 17 elements—15 lanthanides along with scandium and yttrium—not 13 elements.
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Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option A the correct answer.
Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals
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REEs are a group of 17 metallic elements used in high-tech industries, clean energy technologies, electronics, and defense systems.
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Critical minerals are minerals essential for economic security and strategic industries, with limited supply sources and high import dependence.
UPSC Prelims 2026 - World Geography Chapter-wise Distribution
Geomorphology
2 Qs (50%)Important Geographical Features
2 Qs (50%)UPSC Prelims 2026 - World Geography Questions FAQs
Q1 How many World Geography questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2026?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for World Geography in UPSC Prelims 2026?
- Geomorphology: 2 questions (50%)
- Important Geographical Features: 2 questions (50%)