2026 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Question 34: Geography

Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ?

  1. 1.Submergence of parts of the western coast due to tectonic activity
  2. 2.Presence of residual mountain ranges such as the Veliconda hills and Mahendragiri hills
  3. 3.Deep, V-shaped river valleys formed by fast-flowing rivers

Select the answer using the code given below :

a1 only
b1 and 2
c2 and 3
d3 only

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The Peninsular Block is the oldest and most stable landmass of India. Its western coast is believed to have been submerged through faulting and subsidence, which explains the straight coastline (statement 1). Old residual hills such as the Velikonda, Nallamala, Palkonda and Mahendragiri ranges of the Eastern Ghats are left by long erosion (statement 2). Deep V-shaped valleys are typical of young, fast-flowing Himalayan rivers, whereas Peninsular rivers have broad, shallow valleys near base level.

  • 1. Part of the western coast is believed to have submerged through faulting.
  • 2. Velikonda and Mahendragiri are old residual hills of the Peninsula.
  • 3. Deep V-shaped valleys belong to young Himalayan rivers.

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: Part of the western coast is believed to have submerged through faulting.

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

    What you needed to know: Velikonda and Mahendragiri are old residual hills of the Peninsula.

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: statement 2 is also true.
  • (b) Right: coastal submergence and residual hills belong to the Peninsular Block.
  • (c) Wrong: V-shaped valleys are Himalayan, not Peninsular.
  • (d) Wrong: V-shaped valleys belong to the young Himalayan rivers.

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.