UPSC Mains GEOLOGY-PAPER-I 2025

28 Questions • 400 Marks • With Detailed Model Answers

1
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Discuss the position of Astroid belt within the solar system and comment on the composition of meteorites.

AstronomyGeology
2
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

What are sheath folds ? Discuss the deformational conditions of their formation.

Structural Geology
3
10 Marks150 Wordseasy

What is Global Positioning System (GPS)? Explain its geological applications.

GeophysicsRemote Sensing
4
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Discuss the statement giving suitable examples. "Physical weathering adds to the effectiveness of Chemical weathering".

GeomorphologyWeathering
5
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Discuss the types of Penetrative and Non-penetrative lineations with the help of suitable diagrams and throw light on their genesis.

Structural Geology
6
20 Marksmedium

What do you understand by continental drift ? Discuss various geological evidences in favour of continental drift.

Plate TectonicsGeology
7
15 Marksmedium

Geomorphic diversity is controlled by a number of endogenic and exogenic processes. Discuss this statement.

Geomorphology
8
15 Marksmedium

Describe morphotectonic features characteristic of rejuvenation in a mountaineous terrain.

GeomorphologyTectonics
9
20 Marksmedium

Waves are responsible for modifying the coastal geomorphology. Justify the statement giving suitable examples and neat diagrams.

GeomorphologyOceanography
10
15 Marksmedium

Explain how the Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) may help in delineation of Groundwater potential zone ?

HydrogeologyRemote SensingGIS
11
15 Marksmedium

Using neat sketches describe various types of Thrust geometries formed in a compressional regime.

Structural Geology
12
20 Marksmedium

On the basis of dip isogons describe the classification of folds with neat diagrams.

Structural Geology
13
15 Markseasy

What are volcanoes? Describe various causes and products of volcanism.

VolcanologyPetrology
14
15 Marksmedium

How does strain analysis help in understanding the nature of rock deformation. Discuss centre to centre method of estimation of two dimensional strain.

Structural Geology
15
10 Marks150 Wordseasy

Discuss favourable conditions for fossilization.

Paleontology
16
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Discuss different concepts of biozonation with neat diagrams.

PaleontologyStratigraphy
17
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Describe the lithology, type locality, age and depositional environment of Blaini Boulder Bed.

StratigraphySedimentology
18
10 Marks150 Wordseasy

What engineering properties make Marble, Sandstone and Granite useful as building stone?

Engineering GeologyPetrology
19
10 Marks150 Wordseasy

Explain different generic type of water and their significance in water supply.

HydrogeologyWater Resources
20
20 Marksmedium

Discuss the evolutionary lineage of Equidae and comment on its migration.

PaleontologyEvolution
21
15 Marksmedium

Give the lithostratigraphic classification and distribution of Delhi Supergroup. Also comment on the economic significance of this supergroup.

StratigraphyEconomic Geology
22
15 Marksmedium

What are different type of wells used for the extraction of groundwater? How and why the well field should be protected?

Hydrogeology
23
20 Marksmedium

What do you understand by boundary problems in stratigraphy? Discuss Cretaceous/Palaeogene (Cretaceous/Tertiary) boundary problem giving Indian examples.

Stratigraphy
24
15 Marksmedium

What are the important groups of microfossils ? Add notes on their composition and significance.

Paleontology
25
15 Marksmedium

Why Earthquake resistant structures are needed? Discuss the geological considerations required for developing the Earthquake resistant structures.

Engineering GeologySeismology
26
20 Markshard

Discuss the interrelationship amongst Porosity, Permeability and Hydraulic conductivity. How they are important in groundwater movement ?

A sediment sample with a cross section area of 0.02 m² is tested in a permeameter with a length of 30 cm. Water flows through the sample at a rate of 0.08 m³/sec with a head difference (h₁ - h₂) 20 cm. Calculate the Hydraulic conductivity.

Hydrogeology
27
15 Marksmedium

Describe important Lower Gondwana plant fossils with the help of neat diagrams and comment on their palaeobiogeographic significance.

PaleontologyBiogeography
28
15 Marksmedium

Discuss the lithology, fossil content and age of palaeozoic sequence of Spiti Basin of Himachal Pradesh.

StratigraphyPaleontology