UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I

Question 33: Geography

Consider the following statements :

Statement IScientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth’s rotation and axis.
Statement IISolar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth’s outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy.
Statement IIIAs 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?

aBoth Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I

bBoth Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I

cOnly one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I

dNeither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Studies of the Earth's rotation and its axis find a measurable drift of the poles. Melting polar ice and the water flowing towards the equator redistribute mass on the planet, which changes how the Earth spins and where its axis points, so Statement III explains Statement I. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections do release enormous amounts of energy onto the outer atmosphere, so Statement II is true, but it does not explain a shift in the axis.

I. Studies report a shift in the Earth's rotation and axis.
II. Solar flares and mass ejections hit the outer atmosphere with great energy, but this does not explain Statement I.
III. Melt water moves towards the equator, redistributing mass; this explains Statement I.

How you could have got this

No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong: Statement II is true but does not explain the shift in rotation or axis.
(b) Right: both II and III are correct, but only III, the movement of melt water, explains Statement I.
(c) Wrong: both II and III are correct, not just one.
(d) Wrong: both II and III are correct.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.