2026 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Question 33: Geography

With reference to the climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

  1. 1.The climate can be defined as a humid, tropical coastal climate.
  2. 2.It receives rainfall from both South-west monsoon and North-east monsoon.
  3. 3.Maximum precipitation is between December and May.

Select the answer using the code given below :

a1 only
b1 and 2
c2 and 3
d3 only

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a humid, tropical coastal climate with a small temperature range. They receive heavy rain from both the south-west monsoon (May to September) and the north-east monsoon (October to December). Rain is therefore heaviest from May to December, and the dry season is roughly January to April, so statement 3, which places the maximum between December and May, is wrong.

  • 1. The islands have a humid tropical coastal climate.
  • 2. Both the south-west and north-east monsoons bring rain.
  • 3. Peak rainfall is between May and December; January to April is drier.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: The islands have a humid tropical coastal climate.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: Both the south-west and north-east monsoons bring rain.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.

This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.

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) Incomplete: both monsoons bring rain, so statement 2 is also correct.
  • (b) Right: humid tropical coastal climate and two monsoons.
  • (c) Wrong: peak rain is not December to May.
  • (d) Wrong: statement 3 is wrong, since the dry season falls in the early months.

Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.