Oceanography is one of the important sections of Geography Optional for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination. Outlined below are the various questions asked in the UPSC Mains from Climatology. 

Complete Syllabus for Geography Optional for UPSC CSE

Click to See: Geomorphology Previous Year Questions (UPSC CSE Geography Optional)

Click to See: Climatology Previous Year Questions (UPSC CSE Geography Optional)

Climatology Previous Year Questions (UPSC CSE Mains Geography Optional)

1. Write a short note on Pelagic deposits in about 200 words. (UPSC Mains 1986)
2. Give an account of marine resources and discuss their present-day utilization. (UPSC Mains 1986)
3. Give a reasoned account of the contents of the Atlantic Ocean and their impact on the climatic conditions of the coastal regions. (UPSC Mains 1987)
4. Write a short note on Coral reefs in about 200 words. (UPSC Mains 1988)
5. Write a short note on ocean bottom relief in about 200 words. (UPSC Mains 1989)
6. Discuss the theories of the formation of coral reefs proposed by Daly, Darwin, and Davis. (UPSC Mains 1990)
7. Draw a hypsographic curve to represent the major physiographic units of the ocean and comment on their permanency. (UPSC Mains 1991)
8. Give a reasoned account of the distribution of salinity in the oceans and partially enclosed seas. (UPSC Mains 1993)
9. Write a short note: Food from the sea. (UPSC Mains 1995)
10. Explain and illustrate the ocean floor topography and give a detailed account of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. (UPSC Mains 1996)
11. Write short note: Marine resources, biotic minerals, and energy resources. (UPSC Mains 1997)
12. Examine critically the theories of the formation of coral reefs and atolls. (UPSC Mains 1997)
13. Explain and illustrate the submarine relief of the Atlantic Ocean. (UPSC Mains 1998)
14. Write a short note: Submarine canyons. (UPSC Mains 1999)
15. Write short note: T-S diagram. (UPSC Mains 2000)
16. Write a short note: Formation of coral reefs. (UPSC Mains 2001)
17. Present a concise account of the bottom relief of the Indian Ocean. (UPSC Mains 2003)
18. Discuss the mid-Atlantic Ridge in terms of its origin, extent, and relief. (UPSC Mains 2004)
19. Write a short note: Pelagic deposits. (UPSC Mains 2004)
20. Write a short note: ocean currents of the Northern Atlantic Ocean. (UPSC Mains 2006)
21. Discuss the different bases for classifying the ocean deposits and give a detailed account of pelagic deposits of the oceans. (UPSC Mains 2007)
22. Write a short note: Eustatic changes of Sea-level (UPSC Mains 2007)
23. Describe the ideal conditions for coral reef formation and discuss the glacial control theory of coral reef formation. (UPSC Mains 2008)
24. Examine the economic significance of the resource of the Continental shelf of the Indian Ocean. (UPSC Mains 2009)
25. Comment on marine heat budget and the oceanic circulation system. (UPSC Mains 2009)
26. Write short notes on Ocean deposits. (UPSC Mains 2010)
27. Explain the scientifically sound methods of bathymetry and give an account of the bottom topography of the Atlantic Ocean. (UPSC Mains 2010)
28. Write a short note on Salinity patterns in the Indian Ocean. (UPSC Mains 2011)
29. “Temperature, salinity and density differences in ocean water are the prime causes of ocean water circulation.” Elaborate. (UPSC Mains 2011)
30. Write short notes on different layers of ocean water above the abyssal plain. (UPSC Mains 2012)
31. “Atolls present the most challenging explanation in the evolution of coral reefs” Discuss. (UPSC Mains 2012)
32. What is “Base level”? Explain the types of base levels. (UPSC Mains 2013)
33. “Offshore Acoustic Study helped the development of the concept of seafloor spreading”. Explain. (UPSC Mains 2013)
34. Compare the Subsidence and Glacial control theories on the formation of coral reefs. (UPSC Mains 2013)
35. Illustrate the origin and nature of the Sargasso Sea and Lagoon. (UPSC Mains 2014)
36. Give a critical account of the reasons and consequences of marine pollution. (UPSC Mains 2014)
37. Give an account of recent observations on coral bleaching regarding Clive Wilkinson’s Report. (UPSC Mains 2014)
38. Describe the characteristics of different types of pelagic deposits. (UPSC Mains 2015)
39. Discuss Maritime Zones. (UPSC Mains 2016)
40. “The relationship between the winds and the currents is best seen in the Indian Ocean.” Justify. (UPSC Mains 2016)
41. Bring out the various ecological problems associated with the exploitation and use of oceans and their resources. (UPSC Mains 2016)
42. Distinguish between low-energy coasts and coral coasts. (UPSC Mains 2017)
43. Discuss the impacts of ocean currents on air mass behavior. (UPSC Mains 2017)
44. Explain the concept of a micro carbon sink and its relevance. (UPSC Mains 2017)
45. Describe the configuration of the Pacific Ocean floor. (UPSC Mains 2017)
46. Describe the causes and consequences of sea-level changes. (UPSC Mains 2018)
47. Describe the potential marine energy resources concerning their benefits, harvestability, and environmental impacts. (UPSC Mains 2018)
48. How are ocean waves formed? Distinguish between a wave of oscillation and a wave of translation. (UPSC Mains 2019)