April 17th topic and UPSC MAIN previous year’s questions
April 17
geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes
Main 2013
Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 deg N latitudes and on the western side of the continents. Why?
Bring out the causes for more frequent occurrence of landslides in the Himalayas than in the Western Ghats.
There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghats. Why?
Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world.
Main 2014
Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos
Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent.
Main 2015
India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity.
Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?
The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.
Main 2016
“The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.
The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.
South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.
Main 2017
In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India?
Main 2018
What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystems?
Main 2019
Assess the impact of global warming on the coral life system with examples.
Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology.
How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism?
What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India?
Current affairs based questions
Main 2015
Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart villages. Discuss this statement in the backdrop of rural urban integration.
Main 2016
With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.’
Main 2016
Major cities of India are becoming vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.
Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.
Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.
In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?
Main 2018
“The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system”. How can it be made effective in urban areas?
Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India & explain the nature of convergence, collaboration & Competition for its success.
Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation?
Main 2019
How is efficient and affordable urban mass transport key to the rapid economic development of India?