Indian Monsoon
The Indian Monsoon is a vital seasonal wind system, primarily the Southwest Monsoon, bringing most of India's rainfall, driven by land-sea heating difference...
The article discusses the prevalence of heatwave conditions across several Indian cities, attributing the increased heat-related distress to a delayed monsoon and the near certainty of an El Niño event during the monsoon months.
Durable syllabus ideas for revision — not article memory.
The Indian Monsoon is a vital seasonal wind system, primarily the Southwest Monsoon, bringing most of India's rainfall, driven by land-sea heating difference...
ENSO is a major Pacific Ocean climate pattern with El Niño (warming) and La Niña (cooling) phases, profoundly impacting global weather, especially weakening ...
Heatwaves are prolonged periods of extreme heat, defined by IMD criteria, causing severe health and economic impacts in India, often linked to climate change...
Previous year Prelims questions on overlapping themes and topics.
Consider the following statements :
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?
Statement-I is incorrect: The temperature contrast between land and ocean is actually greater in winter, not in summer. In winter, land loses heat quickly and becomes much colder, while the ocean retains heat and stays relatively warm → large contrast.
In summer, both land and ocean warm up, but the difference is less pronounced compared to winter → smaller contrast. Statement-II is correct: Water has a higher specific heat capacity than land. It heats up and cools down more slowly, which explains why oceans have a moderating influence on temperature.
Consider the following information:
| Waterfall | Region | River |
|--|--|--|
|1. Dhuandhar | Malwa |Narmada|
|2. Hundru | Chota Nagpur | Subarnarekha|
|3. Gersoppa | Western Ghats | Netravati|
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
* Dhuandhar: This waterfall is located on the Narmada River, but the region is not Malwa. It is in Madhya Pradesh Mahakoshal region. Hence, pair 1 is incorrectly matched. * Hundru: This waterfall is indeed located on the Subarnarekha River within the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched. * Gersoppa (also known as Jog Falls): This waterfall is on the Sharavati River in the Western Ghats, not the Netravati River. Hence, pair 3 is incorrectly matched.
With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January-March.
2. 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:
Statement 1 is incorrect. OMT is measured up to the depth of the 26°C isotherm, but the 129-meter depth mentioned in the southwestern Indian Ocean during January-March is incorrect. The depth of the 26°C isotherm can vary depending on the region and season. Statement 2 is correct. OMT collected during January-March helps in predicting the amount of rainfall during the monsoon. It is used to assess whether rainfall will be more or less than the long-term average, as variations in OMT influence monsoon behaviour. Hence, option B is the correct answer.
Consider the following pairs:
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?
This question checks knowledge of countries known for major natural resources that play key roles in global markets. ✅ I. Botswana : Diamond – Correct
* Botswana is a top global producer of diamonds, vital to its economy. ✅ II. Chile : Lithium – Correct
* Chile has vast lithium reserves in the Atacama Desert and is a leading global supplier. ✅ III. Indonesia : Nickel – Correct
* Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of nickel, crucial for batteries and steel.
Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth’s rotation and axis.
Statement II:
Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth’s outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy.
Statement III:
As the Earth’s polar ice melts, the water tends to move towards the equator.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Earth’s rotation and axis can shift due to changes in how mass is distributed across the planet, such as melting polar ice. ✅Statement I is correct: * Studies show that Earth’s rotation and axis are shifting slightly due to internal mass redistribution. ✅ Statement II is correct: * But it doesn’t explain the shift — solar flares affect only the upper atmosphere, not Earth’s rotation. ✅ Statement III is correct: * It explains the shift — melting polar ice moves water toward the equator, altering Earth’s mass distribution and spin.
Consider the following description:
1. Annual and daily range of temperatures is low.
2. Precipitation occurs throughout the year.
3. Precipitation varies between 50 cm - 250 cm.
What is this type of climate?
The climate described by these characteristics is most likely a Marine West Coast Climate (Cfb) according to the Köppen climate classification system. Annual and daily range of temperatures is low: Marine west coast climates are known for their mild temperatures year-round. The influence of the nearby ocean moderates both summer highs and winter lows, resulting in a smaller range of temperatures compared to continental climates at similar latitudes. Precipitation occurs throughout the year: These regions experience frequent precipitation due to prevailing westerly winds carrying moist air from the ocean. The cyclones associated with these winds bring rain or snowfall throughout the year. Precipitation varies between 50 cm and 250 cm: The amount of precipitation in marine west coast climates can vary depending on factors like latitude, topography, and proximity to the ocean. The range of 50 cm to 250 cm falls within the typical range observed in these regions.
Consider the following statements :
1. The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.
2. No water enters the Red Sea from rivers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Statement 1: Correct. The Red Sea is located in a desert region with very high temperatures and low humidity. This leads to very little rainfall or any form of precipitation. * Statement 2: Correct. Due to its location, no major rivers are flowing into the Red Sea. The water in the Red Sea comes primarily from the inflow of saltier water from the Gulf of Aden through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Hence, both statements (1 and 2) are correct.
The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of -
The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of a monsoon climate. Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring predictable patterns of rainfall. In summer, warm, moist air blows inland from the ocean, bringing heavy rainfall. In winter, the winds blow offshore, bringing dry conditions. This seasonal reversal of winds is what defines a monsoon climate.
With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’ sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. IOD phenomenon is characterized by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.
2. An IOD phenomenon can influence El Nino’s impact on the monsoon.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between the tropical Western Indian Ocean and the tropical Eastern Indian Ocean, not the Eastern Pacific Ocean. During a positive IOD, the western Indian Ocean is warmer than the eastern Indian Ocean, and vice versa for a negative IOD. Statement 2 is Correct: The IOD phenomenon can indeed influence El Nio's impact on the Indian monsoon. El Nio itself is a climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean, but it can interact with the IOD. Depending on the phases of both phenomena (positive/negative IOD and El Nino/La Nina), the overall impact on the Indian monsoon rainfall can be amplified or weakened. Hence, option B is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements:
1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds.
2. 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?
Statement 1 is correct. The trade winds in the tropical zone blow from east to west, causing the western sections of the oceans to be warmer than the eastern sections. This is because these winds push the warm surface waters towards the west. Statement 2 is correct. On the other hand, in the temperate zone, the westerlies blow from west to east. These winds push the warm waters towards the eastern sections of the oceans, making them warmer than the western sections. Therefore, both statements are correct.
Previous year Mains questions mapped to overlapping GS syllabus topics.
Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.
Discuss how the changes in shape and sizes of continents and ocean basins take place due to tectonic movements of the crustal masses.
How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning?
Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of off-shore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the on-shore occurrences of oil reserves?
Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.
What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.