UPSC IAS Mains 2012: Geography
Paper- I

Section ‘A’

1. Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: 12 × 5 60
Paleozoic glacial evidence for Continental Drift.
Systems approach to Landform analysis.
Compare and contrast tropical cyclone and temperate cyclone.
Major components of IGBP.
Different layers of ocean water above abyssal plain.

2. Answer the following in about 400 words each.
Explain how Bosche and Haldenhand lead to the Theory of Slope Replacement. 30
Classify airmasses and explain how ‘cP’ airmass affects global climate. 30

3. Answer the following in about 250 words each:
Discuss how different types of mining lead to different types of environmental problems. 20
Adaptation and distribution of animals in the Ethipian realm. 20
Impact of Cryosphere on global climate. 30

4. Answer the following in about 250 words each:
Characteristics of the standard epigone cycle of erosion. 20
Programmes initiated by the International Council of Science on Earth System studies. 20
“Atolls present the most challenging explanation in the evolution of coral reffs”, Discuss.

Section ‘B’

5. Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: 12 × 5 60
Relevance of distance decay principle in Indian cities.
Impact of migration or urban demography.
Similarities in the population distribution of southern continents and reason for the same.
Status of infant mortality rate in the world.
Problems faced by industries which developed due to inertia.

6. Answer the following in about 400 words each:
Evaluate the various models on population density distribution in urban centres. 30
“Though 70% of Indian population is rural urban planning is crucial to eh development of India.” Discuss 30

7. Answer the following in about 250 words each:
Salient features of watershed planning and is advantages and disadvantages. 20
Impact of changing fertility ratio on world population distribution. 20
“Colonial forces resulted in the primate pattern of urban process in most Southeast Asian countries.” Discuss. 20

8. Answer the following in about 250 words each:
Regional shifts in the world urbanization after 1950 and the varied characteristics of urban process. 20
Impact of failure of Monsoon on Gujarat Agro-climate zone. 20
Locational significance of Rotterdam in European economy. 20