Natural Resources

34 UPSC Mains GS I questions on Natural Resources, 2013 to 2026, newest first, as UPSC set them. See also practice questions on Natural Resources toppers answered.

1. 2026 Q5“Tundra regions are ecologically fragile but economically important.” Examine this statement critically.10 marks · 150 words
2. 2026 Q6Discuss the role of aeolian processes in desertification and land degradation.10 marks · 150 words
3. 2026 Q17Analyze the major drivers of human-induced land-use changes in India and their geographical consequences.15 marks · 250 words
4. 2025 Q5What are non-farm primary activities ? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India ? Discuss with suitable examples.10 marks · 150 words
5. 2025 Q6Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.10 marks · 150 words
6. 2025 Q14Give 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 ?15 marks · 250 words
7. 2025 Q17Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.15 marks · 250 words
8. 2025 Q19Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment.15 marks · 250 words
9. 2023 Q5Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources?10 marks · 150 words
10. 2023 Q14Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas.15 marks · 250 words
11. 2023 Q15Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India.15 marks · 250 words
12. 2022 Q6Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan Trap’.10 marks · 150 words
13. 2022 Q7Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.10 marks · 150 words
14. 2022 Q14What are the forces that influence ocean currents ? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world.15 marks · 250 words
15. 2022 Q15Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them.15 marks · 250 words
16. 2022 Q20Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India.15 marks · 250 words
17. 2021 Q5Despite India being one of the countries of the Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss.10 marks · 150 words
18. 2021 Q16Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world.15 marks · 250 words
19. 2020 Q5The process of desertification does not have climatic boundaries. Justify with examples.10 marks · 150 words
20. 2020 Q16India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its development. Elaborate.15 marks · 250 words
21. 2020 Q17Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change.15 marks · 250 words
22. 2019 Q5Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology.10 marks · 150 words
23. 2018 Q5Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic Region ?10 marks · 150 words
24. 2018 Q15Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India.15 marks · 250 words
25. 2017 Q6“In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development.” Discuss.10 marks · 150 words
26. 2017 Q7Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulses because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations.10 marks · 150 words
27. 2017 Q15Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas, particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications.15 marks · 250 words
28. 2016 Q15The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.12.5 marks · 200 words
29. 2016 Q16South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.12.5 marks · 200 words
30. 2015 Q20What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences ?12.5 marks · 200 words
31. 2014 Q24Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the resource crisis in the world.10 marks · 150 words
32. 2014 Q25How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa ?10 marks · 150 words
33. 2013 Q24With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world.10 marks · 200 words
34. 2013 Q25It 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.10 marks · 200 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination question papers, upsc.gov.in. Topics are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.