UPSC Prelims 2013–2026 — World Geography
1. The Earth and the Universe
Q1. In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the: (2022)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Second half of the month of June. On 21st June (Summer Solstice), the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer with the longest day and shortest night, while the Southern Hemisphere has winter, with longer nights and shorter days. The Earth and the Universe- Explanation 1
Q2. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only. Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation from sunspot activity. While their heat doesn’t reach Earth, their radiation can disrupt GPS and affect the upper atmosphere. More severe are Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), which can damage power grids and satellites. However, solar flares do not cause tsunamis or forest fires.
Q3. Zambezi Indian Ocean Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q4. On 21st June, the Sun: (2019)
Explanation: Correct option: (a) does not set below the horizon at the Arctic Circle.. On 21st June, Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun; sun rays fall directly on Tropic of Cancer. North Pole faces the Sun and Arctic Circle has continuous daylight for ~6 months.
Q5. Consider the following statements: (2025) I. Anadyr in Siberia and Nome in Alaska are a few kilometers from each other, but when people are waking up and getting set for breakfast in these cities, it would be different days. II. When it is Monday in Anadyr, it is Tuesday in Nome. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (a) I only. Anadyr (Russia, UTC+12) and Nome (Alaska, UTC−9) are ~600 km apart. Due to the International Date Line, Anadyr is 21 hours ahead of Nome. Example: 8 AM Monday in Anadyr = 11 AM Sunday in Nome. So, they can be on different calendar days despite being geographically close.
Q6. Consider the following countries: (2025) I. United Kingdom II. Denmark III. New Zealand IV. Australia V. Brazil How many of the above-countries have more than four time zones?
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Only three. UK has 10 time zones, Denmark has 5 time zones, New Zealand has 3 time zones, Australia has 8 time zones and Brazil has only 4 time zones. Answer : (d) Equator on June 21 experiences roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, not more. Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) gets the longest day of the year on June 21, the Summer Solstice, as the Sun is directly overhead at noon.
Q7. Arctic Circle Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q8. Consider the following statements: (2024) Statement- I: Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to poles. Statement-II: At the equator heat is transported to great heights by strong convection currents. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q9. When living organisms originated, they modified the early atmosphere of the Earth. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q10. Glacial cycles Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Both 1 and 2. UK has 10 time zones, Denmark has 5 time zones, New Zealand has 3 time zones, Australia has 8 time zones and Brazil has only 4 time zones. Answer : (d) Equator on June 21 experiences roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, not more. Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) gets the longest day of the year on June 21, the Summer Solstice, as the Sun is directly overhead at noon.
Q11. Variations in the length of daytime and night-time from season to season are due to (2013)
Explanation: Correct option: (d) revolution of the earth on a tilted axis 69. Day and night vary due to Earth’s tilted axis (66°) and its revolution around the Sun. Only half the Earth faces the Sun at any moment. The axis tilt stays constant, causing seasonal variation in day length during revolution.
2. Geomorphology
Q12. It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator. Select the answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Both 1 and 2. Supporting evidence of Continental Drift includes: Matching 2,000-million-year-old rocks on Brazil and West Africa, Gold placer deposits in Ghana match those in Brazil, and Tillite (glacial sedimentary rock) in India’s Gondwana system is also found in Africa, Falkland Islands, Madagascar, Antarctica, and Australia.
Q13. Sulphur compounds How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q14. Consider the following statements: (2024) Statement- I: Rainfall is one of the reasons for the weathering of rocks. Statement-II : Rain water contains carbon dioxide in solution. Statement-III : Rain water contains atmospheric oxygen. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q15. Consider the following statements: (2025) Statement I: In the context of effect of water on rocks, chalk is known as a very permeable rock whereas clay is known as quite an impermeable or least permeable rock. Statement II: Chalk is porous and hence can absorb water. Statement III: Clay is not at all porous. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I. Chalk is porous and highly permeable, while clay has very low permeability. Chalk’s porosity helps it absorb and hold water. Clay is porous but nearly impermeable due to tiny, poorly connected pores.
Q16. Which of the following are the evidences of the phenomenon of continental drift? (2025) I. The belt of ancient rocks from Brazil coast matches with those from Western Africa. II. The gold deposits of Ghana are derived from the Brazil plateau when the two continents lay side by side. III. The Gondwana system of sediments from India is known to have its counterparts in six different landmasses of the Southern Hemisphere. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation: Correct option: (c) I, II and III. Supporting evidence of Continental Drift includes: Matching 2,000-million-year-old rocks on Brazil and West Africa, Gold placer deposits in Ghana match those in Brazil, and Tillite (glacial sedimentary rock) in India’s Gondwana system is also found in Africa, Falkland Islands, Madagascar, Antarctica, and Australia.
Q17. South America Andes Fold Mountain In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q18. In P waves, the individual particles vibrate to and fro in the direction of waves propagation whereas in S waves, the particles vibrate up and down at right angles to the direction of wave propagation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Both 1 and 2. Supporting evidence of Continental Drift includes: Matching 2,000-million-year-old rocks on Brazil and West Africa, Gold placer deposits in Ghana match those in Brazil, and Tillite (glacial sedimentary rock) in India’s Gondwana system is also found in Africa, Falkland Islands, Madagascar, Antarctica, and Australia.
Q19. What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter- current? (2015)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Convergence of the two equatorial currents. The eastward equatorial counter-current forms due to the convergence of two westward equatorial currents. These currents flow eastward near the equator in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, between the westward North and South Equatorial Currents.
Q20. Revolution of the earth Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
3. Climatology
Q21. Its percentage is maximum at the poles. Select the answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Both 1 and 2. Subtropical and temperate regions have higher dust concentrations due to dry winds. Equatorial and polar regions have lower dust levels due to wetter or more stable air.
Q22. Precipitation varies between 50 cm-250 cm. What is this type of climate?
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Equatorial climate. In January, isotherms shift poleward over oceans (due to warm currents like the Gulf Stream) and equatorward over continents (due to rapid cooling). Oceans retain heat better than land, so air above oceans stays warmer. Answer : (a) At higher altitudes, lower air density reduces the rate of water vaporization, as water vapour is relatively heavy.
Q23. Consider the following statements: (2024) Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation. Statement-II: Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q24. The presence of cold ocean currents, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift make the North Atlantic Ocean colder and the isotherms bend towards the north. Select the answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Both 1 and 2. Subtropical and temperate regions have higher dust concentrations due to dry winds. Equatorial and polar regions have lower dust levels due to wetter or more stable air.
Q25. Consider the following statements: (2025) I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth’s surface. II. Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet’s average temperature. III. Atmosphere’s gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (d) II and III only. Without atmosphere, Earth’s surface temperatures would swing from very hot days to freezing nights. The atmosphere traps heat through the greenhouse effect, maintaining Earth’s average temperature around 15°C. Greenhouse gases like CO₂, methane, and water vapor absorb infrared radiation.
Q26. Consider the following statements: (2025) Statement I: The amount of dust particles in the atmosphere is more in subtropical and temperate areas than in equatorial and polar regions. Statement II: Subtropical and temperate areas have less dry winds. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct. Subtropical and temperate regions have higher dust concentrations due to dry winds. Equatorial and polar regions have lower dust levels due to wetter or more stable air.
Q27. Consider the following statements: (2025) Statement I: In January, in the Northern Hemisphere, the isotherms bend equatorward while crossing the landmasses, and poleward while crossing the oceans. Statement II: In January, the air over the oceans is warmer than that over the landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I. In January, isotherms shift poleward over oceans (due to warm currents like the Gulf Stream) and equatorward over continents (due to rapid cooling). Oceans retain heat better than land, so air above oceans stays warmer. Answer : (a) At higher altitudes, lower air density reduces the rate of water vaporization, as water vapour is relatively heavy.
Q28. Consider the following statements: (2023) Statement-I: The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter. Statement-II: The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation: Correct option: (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct. Temperature contrast between land and ocean varies with latitude, winds, currents, and geography. Coastal and ocean-influenced areas may show greater contrast in winter. Water has a higher specific heat than land, absorbing more heat and changing temperature slowly.
Q29. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth’s surface and thus cause a warming effect. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Both 1 and 2. Subtropical and temperate regions have higher dust concentrations due to dry winds. Equatorial and polar regions have lower dust levels due to wetter or more stable air.
Q30. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C less than that of the surroundings. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (a) 1 only. In January, isotherms shift poleward over oceans (due to warm currents like the Gulf Stream) and equatorward over continents (due to rapid cooling). Oceans retain heat better than land, so air above oceans stays warmer. Answer : (a) At higher altitudes, lower air density reduces the rate of water vaporization, as water vapour is relatively heavy.
Q31. Why are dewdrops not formed on a cloudy night? (2019)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Clouds reflect back the Earth’s radiation.. Dew formation occurs when the temperature drops to the dew point, leading to condensation at ground level. This happens primarily due to: Longwave radiation loss at night cooling the Earth’s surface.
Q32. Violent upward movement of air and water particles. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (a) 1 only. In January, isotherms shift poleward over oceans (due to warm currents like the Gulf Stream) and equatorward over continents (due to rapid cooling). Oceans retain heat better than land, so air above oceans stays warmer. Answer : (a) At higher altitudes, lower air density reduces the rate of water vaporization, as water vapour is relatively heavy.
Q33. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
4. Oceanography
Q34. Lake Baikal Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 2 and 3 only. Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT) is measured up to the 26°C isotherm depth, usually 50–100 m. OMT and Ocean Heat Content (OHC) are vital for cyclone, monsoon, and heat transport studies. OMT is a better predictor of Indian monsoon rainfall than SST, According to IITM-Pune research.
Q35. In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclones do not originate. What is the reason? (2015)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs. Tropical cyclones rarely form in the South Atlantic and SE Pacific due to weak Coriolis force near the equator (ITCZ doesn’t shift far south) and unfavourable atmospheric conditions.
Q36. Centrifugal force of the Earth Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 2 and 3 only. Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT) is measured up to the 26°C isotherm depth, usually 50–100 m. OMT and Ocean Heat Content (OHC) are vital for cyclone, monsoon, and heat transport studies. OMT is a better predictor of Indian monsoon rainfall than SST, According to IITM-Pune research.
Q37. On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest proportion (2013)
Explanation: Correct option: (c) exists as groundwater. Freshwater is stored in Glaciers and icecaps, Groundwater, Lakes, rivers, atmosphere, soil, and living organisms.
Q38. The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where (2013)
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Warm and cold oceanic currents meet. Mixing of warm and cold currents supports rich fishing grounds.
Q39. In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 2 only. Major water distribution: Oceans: 97.2%, Glaciers/Ice: 2.15%, Groundwater: 0.61%, Others (lakes, rivers, atmosphere, etc.): very minimal
Q40. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 2 only. Major water distribution: Oceans: 97.2%, Glaciers/Ice: 2.15%, Groundwater: 0.61%, Others (lakes, rivers, atmosphere, etc.): very minimal
Q41. OMT collected during January March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean Select the correct answer using the code given below
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 2 only. Major water distribution: Oceans: 97.2%, Glaciers/Ice: 2.15%, Groundwater: 0.61%, Others (lakes, rivers, atmosphere, etc.): very minimal
Q42. Coral reefs host far more animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 3 only. Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT) is measured up to the 26°C isotherm depth, usually 50–100 m. OMT and Ocean Heat Content (OHC) are vital for cyclone, monsoon, and heat transport studies. OMT is a better predictor of Indian monsoon rainfall than SST, According to IITM-Pune research.
5. World Climatic Regions
Q43. The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of: (2014)
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Monsoon climate. The monsoon climate is marked by a seasonal reversal of winds blowing from the southwest in summer and from the northeast in winter.
Q44. Thorns instead of leaves Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (c) 1 and 3 only. The Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found in the western slope of the Western Ghats, hills of the north eastern region (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal) and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Q45. “Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty, and the people used to be nomadic herders.” The above statement best describes which of the following regions? (2013)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Central Asian Steppe. A steppe is a dry, grassy temperate plain with low rainfall, extreme temperatures, and distinct seasons, historically inhabited by nomadic herders.
Q46. Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (c) 1 and 3 only. The Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found in the western slope of the Western Ghats, hills of the north eastern region (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal) and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Q47. No water enters the Red Sea from rivers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 2 only. Congo Basin contains world’s largest tropical peatland, major carbon sink.
Q48. One of the following regions has the world’s largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effects on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region? (2024)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Congo Basin. This choice matches the concept tested under World Climatic Regions; the other alternatives do not satisfy the wording of the item.
Q49. Mizoram In which of the above States do 'Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests' occur?
Explanation: Correct option: (c) 1 and 3 only. The Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found in the western slope of the Western Ghats, hills of the north eastern region (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal) and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Q50. "Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and lightning. But the rain is soon over." Which of the following regions is described in the above passage? (2015)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Equatorial. The equatorial region experiences high daily rainfall, consistently high temperatures with minimal variation, and no distinct seasons. World Climatic Regions- Explanation 5
6. Human and Economic Geography
Q51. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China. How many of the above statements are correct?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q52. About three-fourths of world's cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by (2023)
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q53. Consider the following pairs: (2025) Country : Resource-rich in I. Botswana : Diamond II. Chile : Lithium III. Indonesia : Nickel In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
Explanation: Correct option: (c) All the three. Diamonds constitute about 80% of Botswana’s exports. Chile has the world’s largest lithium reserves. Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of nickel. Human and Economic Geography- Explanation 6
7. World Map
Q54. Romania How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine?
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Only two. Countries within the Congo region include Angola, Gabon, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Q55. Catalonia Italy How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Only one pair. Canada and the United States share the longest international land border in the world, stretching approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles). Answer : (b) Germany and Norway have a border with the North Sea.
Q56. Uzbekistan Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q57. The term “Levant” often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions? (2022)
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores. The Levant, the eastern Mediterranean coastal region from Syria to Egypt, has historically been a cultural and trade crossroads.
Q58. Which one of the following lakes of West Africa has become dry and turned into a desert? (2022)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Lake Faguibine. This choice matches the concept tested under World Map; the other alternatives do not satisfy the wording of the item.
Q59. Consider the following pairs: (2025) Region : Country I. Mallorca : Italy II. Normandy : Spain III. Sardinia : France In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
Explanation: Correct option: (d) None. Majorca is part of Spain, not Italy. Normandy is a historical region in northwestern France, not Germany. Sardinia is an autonomous region of Italy.
Q60. Consider the following countries: (2025) I. Bolivia II. Brazil III. Colombia IV. Ecuador V. Paraguay VI. Venezuela Andes mountains pass through how many of the above countries?
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Only four. The Andes Mountains extend over seven countries: Argentina (Mount Aconcagua), Bolivia (Huayna Potosi), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Q61. Consider the following water bodies: (2025) I. Lake Tanganyika II. Lake Tonle Sap III. Patos Lagoon Through how many of them does the equator pass?
Explanation: Correct option: (d) None. Equator does not passses through any of the mentioned water bodies.
Q62. The longest border between any two countries in the world is between: (2024)
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Canada and the United States of America. Canada and the United States share the longest international land border in the world, stretching approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles). Answer : (b) Germany and Norway have a border with the North Sea.
Q63. Russia How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea?
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Only one. Canada and the United States share the longest international land border in the world, stretching approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles). Answer : (b) Germany and Norway have a border with the North Sea.
Q64. Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin? (2023)
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Cameroon. Countries within the Congo region include Angola, Gabon, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Q65. Red Sea Syria Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q66. Oromia Nigeria Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation: Correct option: (a) 1, 2 and 3. Canada and the United States share the longest international land border in the world, stretching approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles). Answer : (b) Germany and Norway have a border with the North Sea.
Q67. Mazar-i-sharif Afghanistan Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation: Correct option: (a) 1 and 2 only. Canada and the United States share the longest international land border in the world, stretching approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles). Answer : (b) Germany and Norway have a border with the North Sea.
Q68. Syria Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (a) 1, 2 and 3. Canada and the United States share the longest international land border in the world, stretching approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles). Answer : (b) Germany and Norway have a border with the North Sea.
Q69. Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea? (2015)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Jordan. 21 countries share a coastline with the Mediterranean Sea including Israel, Lebanon, and Syria.
Q70. Turkey is located between (2014)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. Turkey lies between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
Q71. Singapore Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (a) 4-2-1-3. Canada and the United States share the longest international land border in the world, stretching approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles). Answer : (b) Germany and Norway have a border with the North Sea.
Q72. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? (2013) Geographical Feature Region
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Atlas Mountains North-Western Africa. The Abyssinian Plateau lies in Ethiopia. The Atlas Mountains span Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The Guiana Highlands are in northern South America. The Okavango Basin, shared by Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, forms an inland delta system.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Additions
Q73. Tungurahua Volcano, which was declared a Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2025, is situated in which one among the following countries? (2026)
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Ecuador. Source: UPSC GS Paper I 2026, Q21. Tungurahua, meaning “Throat of Fire” in the Quechua language, is an active stratovolcano situated in Ecuador’s Eastern Andes (Cordillera Oriental), around 140 km south of Quito. In 2025, the Tungurahua volcanic region and its surrounding terrain were recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark, becoming Ecuador’s second geopark after Imbabura.
Q74. Which of the following statements with reference to Lake Turkana is/are correct? 1. It is the largest desert lake in the world. 2. The lake is situated in South Sudan along the eastern fringe of the Sahara desert. 3. 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: (2026)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 1 and 3 only. Source: UPSC GS Paper I 2026, Q29. Statement 1 is correct: Lake Turkana in northern Kenya has risen by as much as 10 meters (33 feet) over the past 15 years, displacing communities, flooding infrastructure and reshaping fisheries in one of the country’s most climate-vulnerable regions. It is the world's largest permanent desert lake and the world's largest alkaline lake.
Q75. Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean? 1. Bahrain 2. Syria 3. Qatar 4. Egypt Select the answer using the code given below: (2026)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 1 and 3. Source: UPSC GS Paper I 2026, Q40. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf → Gulf of Oman → Arabian Sea → Indian Ocean. So, any country located inside the Persian Gulf must pass through Hormuz to reach the Indian Ocean. therefore option 1 and 3 are correct.