Maps · Module 13

PYQ sketch lab

Pick a real PYQ, sketch the map with your finger in 90 seconds, then reveal what a good sketch shows and score yourself. Scores stay on this device. In the exam, a palm-sized outline with three or four correct labels is enough.

Warm-up

• Free practice: draw India in 90 seconds

India map: states · 10 PYQs

• GS1 · 2022Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.
• GS1 · 2020India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its developments. Elaborate.
• GS1 · 2014Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually by-pass the eastern region despite fertile soil and good availability of water?
• GS1 · 2020Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples.
• GS1 · 2017“In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Discuss.
• GS1 · 2021Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats.
• GS3 · 2020What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in Eastern part of India? What strategy should the Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas?
• GS3 · 2025What are the major challenges to internal security and peace process in the North-Eastern States? Map the various peace accords and agreements initiated by the government in the past decade.
• GS1 · 2015The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.
• GS1 · 2018Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India?

India map: rivers · 7 PYQs

• GS1 · 2016Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.
• GS1 · 2020The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine.
• GS3 · 2017Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.
• GS1 · 2020How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India?
• GS1 · 2025Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.
• GS2 · 2013Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss.
• GS3 · 2015Discuss the Namami Gange and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the river Ganga better than incremental inputs?

World: physical geography · 4 PYQs

• GS1 · 2021Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples.
• GS1 · 2013Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 deg N latitudes and on the western side of the continents. Why?
• GS1 · 2014Why are the world’s fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring out the association between the global distribution of fold mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes.
• GS1 · 2014Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why?

World: sea routes & chokepoints · 4 PYQs

• GS1 · 2022Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade.
• GS3 · 2025Why is maritime security vital to protect India's sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward.
• GS2 · 2024Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of Maldives for India with a focus on global trade and energy flows. Further also discuss how this relationship affects India's maritime security and regional stability amidst international competition?
• GS2 · 2025"Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India's foreign policy, and is linked with India's overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries." How would you integrate energy security with India's foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?

World history · 7 PYQs

• GS1 · 2013“Africa was chopped into States artificially created by accidents of European competition.” Analyze.
• GS1 · 2016The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western educated Africans. Examine.
• GS1 · 2017What problems were germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula?
• GS1 · 2014What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain’s self- image as a world power?
• GS1 · 2013“‘Latecomer’ Industrial Revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what West had experienced.” Analyze.
• GS1 · 2013“American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism.” Substantiate.
• GS1 · 2015To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically

India map: Physical India · 1 PYQs

• GS1 · 2021Why is India considered as a subcontinent? Elaborate your answer.

India map: Climate, monsoon & soils · 2 PYQs

• GS1 · 2023Why is the South-West Monsoon called Purvaiys’ (easterly) in Bhojpur Region? How has this directional seasonal wind systems influenced the cultural ethos of the region?
• GS1 · 2015How far do you agree that the behaviour of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscapes? Discuss.

India map: Hazard zones · 6 PYQs

• GS3 · 2021Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades.
• GS3 · 2017On December 2004, tsunami brought havoc on fourteen countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
• GS3 · 2014Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effects on vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), discuss the mechanisms for preparedness to deal with likely El Niño and La Niña fallouts in India.
• GS3 · 2022Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard?
• GS3 · 2016With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.
• GS3 · 2024Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two such major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods.

India map: Resources & agriculture · 5 PYQs

• GS1 · 2021Despite India being one of the countries of Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss.
• GS1 · 2022Discuss the natural resource potential of ‘Deccan trap’.
• GS1 · 2013(a) Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in southern States of India? Discuss with justification. (b) Analyze the factors for the highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India.
• GS1 · 2014Whereas the British planters had developed tea gardens all along the Shivaliks and Lesser Himalayas from Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect they did not succeed beyond the Darjeeling area. Explain.
• GS1 · 2013It is said that India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of the country for quarter century. However, tapping of the resource does not appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved.

India map: Industry & infrastructure · 3 PYQs

• GS1 · 2018What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics.
• GS1 · 2017Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas, particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications.
• GS2 · 2022The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss.

India map: history & culture places · 10 PYQs

• GS1 · 2025Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.
• GS1 · 2014To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss.
• GS1 · 2024Estimate the contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India.
• GS1 · 2024"Though the great Cholas are no more yet their name is still remembered with great pride because of their highest achievements in the domain of art and architecture." Comment.
• GS1 · 2026Vijayanagara architecture exemplifies the amalgamation of past traditions with contemporary practices. Elucidate with examples
• GS1 · 2025'The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life.' Elucidate.
• GS1 · 2016Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.
• GS1 · 2016Explain how the upraising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.
• GS1 · 2026The significance of the Gandhian movements lay in the masses they mobilized. Elucidate
• GS1 · 2023How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression?

India map: Society & polity on the map · 6 PYQs

• GS3 · 2013Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyse the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of the Fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing extremism.
• GS2 · 2013Recent directives from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the ‘Nagas’ as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.
• GS3 · 2026Ladakh is strategically located between China and Pakistan. As a measure to win hearts and minds of locals, discuss the Border Area Development Programmes (BADP) by the Central Government and civic actions by the Army. Also discuss demand of promulgation of provision of the Sixth Schedule of constitution for Ladakh.
• GS1 · 2026Linguistic reorganization of Indian States was driven by popular pressure from below. Comment
• GS1 · 2014Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women? Give your arguments.
• GS1 · 2016Why are the tribals in India referred to as ‘the Scheduled Tribes’? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

India map: Borders & internal security · 7 PYQs

• GS3 · 2016Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management.
• GS3 · 2020Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard.
• GS3 · 2024India has a long and troubled border with China and Pakistan fraught with contentious issues. Examine the conflicting issues and security challenges along the border. Also give out the development being undertaken in these areas under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme.
• GS3 · 2014How does illegal transborder migration pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bringing out the factors which give impetus to such migration.
• GS3 · 2013How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?
• GS3 · 2017The North-Eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.
• GS3 · 2022Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism

India map: Environment overlays · 4 PYQs

• GS3 · 2023Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites.
• GS3 · 2018What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India.
• GS1 · 2023Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India.
• GS3 · 2018How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna?

More lab questions arrive as each map module is built.