UPSC CSE Prelims
Cyclones and Anticyclones Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

✅ Option 2 – Correct: The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) remains predominantly north of the equator and seldom migrates into the South Atlantic and South Eastern Pacific regions, depriving them of the necessary low-level atmospheric instability and converging trade winds required for cyclone genesis.

❌ Option 1 – Incorrect: While cold ocean currents (Benguela Current in South Atlantic, Humboldt Current in South Eastern Pacific) do lower temperatures, sea surface temperatures are not the primary limiting factor.

❌ Option 3 – Incorrect: Coriolis force is adequate at these tropical latitudes (generally above 5° latitude) for cyclone formation; it is not too weak.

❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: Presence or absence of land does not prevent cyclone origination over ocean basins; cyclones form over open waters.