NDA General Studies · Geography · 42 questions · 2017 to 2026
NDA Oceans and world regional geography previous year questions with solutions
Oceans and world regional geography is a small, steady part of the General Ability Test, about two questions a sitting. Since 2023 place recall has given way to ocean currents and tides set as statement lists. Every question UPSC has set on it since 2017, solved. Grouped by the method each needs, newest first; open a question for its answer and worked solution.
32.1 Ocean basins, relief and the properties of sea water (3)32.2 Waves and tides (6)32.3 Ocean currents (9)32.4 Groundwater, rivers and drainage of the continents (5)32.5 World climatic regions, deserts, grasslands and biomes (9)32.6 Canals and sea routes (3)32.7 World regional geography: mountains, islands and economic regions (7)
32.1 Ocean basins, relief and the properties of sea water
1. NDA 2024 (II)
Which one among the following is a landlocked water body?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Caspian Sea
Method. Landlocked water bodies
The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland (landlocked) body of water, with no outlet to the ocean. The Mediterranean, Black Sea and Red Sea connect to the oceans through straits or canals. So (d).
2. NDA 2018 (II)
Which one of the following is known as a zone of sharp salinity change in the vertical section of ocean?
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Halocline
Method. Vertical layering of ocean water: halocline
Halocline = zone of rapid change of salinity with depth. Thermocline = sharp temperature change; pycnocline = sharp density change; the photic zone is the sunlit layer. So (b).
3. NDA 2017 (II)
Mariana Trench is located in the ocean floor of
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Western Pacific Ocean
Method. Location of the Mariana Trench
The Mariana (Challenger Deep) Trench lies in the western Pacific, east of the Mariana Islands near Guam; it is the deepest part of the world ocean (about 11,000 m). Standard physical-geography reference: Pacific trenches (Mariana, Tonga, Kuril-Kamchatka) ring the western Pacific. So (b).
32.2 Waves and tides
4. NDA 2025 (II)
Consider the following statements with reference to sea waves:
1. The height of waves is determined by wind speed, wind duration, and fetch
2. The energy of a wave is proportional to the square of its height
3. Waves retain most of their energy as they travel across the deep ocean
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. The height of waves is determined by wind speed, wind duration, and fetch
2. The energy of a wave is proportional to the square of its height
3. Waves retain most of their energy as they travel across the deep ocean
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Method. Sea waves
1: wave height depends on wind speed, wind duration and fetch, so correct. 2: wave energy is proportional to the square of wave height, so correct. 3: in deep water waves lose very little energy, and release most of it only on reaching the shore, so correct. So all three: (d).
5. NDA 2024 (I)
Which of the following statements regarding neap tides is/are correct?
1. It occurs every 14-15 days, which coincides with the first and third quarter of the Moon.
2. This tide has a small tidal range because the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are in quadrature.
Select the answer using the code given below:
1. It occurs every 14-15 days, which coincides with the first and third quarter of the Moon.
2. This tide has a small tidal range because the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are in quadrature.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Method. Neap tides
1 is correct: neaps occur twice a month, about 14 to 15 days after the springs, at the first and third quarter of the Moon. 2 is correct: at quadrature the Sun and Moon pull at right angles, partly cancelling, so the tidal range is small. So both: (c).
6. NDA 2023 (I)
Which of the following positions of Sun, Earth and Moon is/are suitable for Spring Tide?
1. SYZYGY Conjunction
2. SYZYGY Opposition
3. Quadrature
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1. SYZYGY Conjunction
2. SYZYGY Opposition
3. Quadrature
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) 1 and 2
Method. Spring tide and syzygy
Spring tides occur at syzygy, when Sun, Earth and Moon are in a straight line: conjunction (new Moon) or opposition (full Moon). Quadrature (first or third quarter) gives neap tides. So 1 and 2: (c).
7. NDA 2021 (II)
The periodic rise and fall of ocean water in response to gravitational forces is called
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Tides
Method. Tides
Tides are the periodic rise and fall of ocean water caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun. Currents are streams; waves are wind driven; a tsunami is caused by seismic displacement. So (c).
8. NDA 2019 (I)
Spring tides refer to
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) greatest difference in the sea level at high and low tides
Method. Spring tides
Spring tides occur at new moon and full moon, when Sun, Earth and Moon are in a line (syzygy); the Sun's and Moon's pulls add, giving the greatest difference between high and low water. Option (d) describes neap tides. Standard physical-geography reference. So (a).
9. NDA 2019 (I)
What is the time gap in occurrence of two successive tides at a given place on the ocean surface?
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) 12 hours 26 minutes
Method. Tidal period
The Moon takes about 24 h 50 min to return to the same meridian, so there are two high tides per lunar day, about 12 h 25 min apart. UPSC's option (b) '12 hours 26 minutes' is the nearest and the only sensible choice; (a) 12 h is the solar half-day, not the tidal interval, and (c), (d) are the intervals for one tide a day. Standard physical-geography reference.
32.3 Ocean currents
10. NDA 2026 (II)
Consider the following oceanic currents:
I. Oyashio
II. Canaries
III. Labrador
IV. Kuroshio
V. Benguela
VI. Alaska
VII. Humboldt
How many of the above are Pacific Ocean currents?
I. Oyashio
II. Canaries
III. Labrador
IV. Kuroshio
V. Benguela
VI. Alaska
VII. Humboldt
How many of the above are Pacific Ocean currents?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Four
Method. Currents by ocean
Pacific: Oyashio (I), Kuroshio (IV), Alaska (VI), Humboldt (VII) = four. Canaries (II), Labrador (III) and Benguela (V) are Atlantic. So (d).
11. NDA 2025 (II)
Which of the following factors influence the ocean currents?
1. Coriolis force
2. Gravity
3. Heating by solar energy
4. Wind
Select the answer using the code given below:
1. Coriolis force
2. Gravity
3. Heating by solar energy
4. Wind
Select the answer using the code given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Method. Factors in ocean currents
Currents are driven by primary forces of solar heating (differences in temperature and density), wind, gravity (slope and pressure gradient), and modified by the Coriolis force. All four apply. So (d).
12. NDA 2025 (II)
Which of the following is/are warm ocean current(s)?
1. Alaska Current
2. Agulhas Current
3. Falkland Current
4. West Australian Current
Select the answer using the code given below:
1. Alaska Current
2. Agulhas Current
3. Falkland Current
4. West Australian Current
Select the answer using the code given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) 1 and 2
Method. Warm and cold currents
Alaska Current (north Pacific) and Agulhas Current (Indian Ocean) are warm. Falkland Current (cold, from Antarctic waters) and West Australian Current (cold, drift from West Wind Drift) are cold. So 1 and 2: (b).
13. NDA 2025 (I)
Which of the following is/are cold ocean current/currents?
1. Alaska Current
2. North Atlantic Drift
3. West Wind Drift
Select the answer using the code given below:
1. Alaska Current
2. North Atlantic Drift
3. West Wind Drift
Select the answer using the code given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) 3 only
Method. Warm and cold currents
1 is wrong: the Alaska Current is a warm current of the north Pacific. 2 is wrong: the North Atlantic Drift is warm. 3 is correct: the West Wind Drift (Antarctic Circumpolar Current) carries cold water. So 3 only: (d).
14. NDA 2024 (II)
Which one among the following statements with reference to Benguela current is NOT correct?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) It influences the climate of the West coast of North Africa
Method. Benguela current
The Benguela is a cold current of the South Atlantic, flowing from south to north along the south-western coast of Africa (Namibia, Angola) and causing the Namib desert. It does not touch the west coast of North Africa (that is the Canary current). So the incorrect statement is (a).
15. NDA 2023 (I)
Which one of the following is not a cold current?
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Eastern Australian Current
Method. Warm and cold currents
West Australian, Benguela and Peru (Humboldt) currents are cold, flowing equatorward along western coasts. The East Australian Current flows poleward along the east coast carrying warm water; it is warm. So (b).
16. NDA 2020 (I)
Which one of the following is NOT a current of Pacific Ocean?
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Agulhas current
Method. Currents of the Pacific
Oyashio (Kuril), Alaska and California currents are Pacific. The Agulhas current flows south-west off south-east Africa in the Indian Ocean. So (c).
17. NDA 2019 (II)
Which one of the following ocean currents is a cold current?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) South Atlantic Drift
Method. Warm and cold ocean currents
South Atlantic Drift (the eastward extension of the South Atlantic current, part of the West Wind Drift) is cold. Mozambique, East Australian and Caribbean currents carry warm tropical water poleward, so they are warm. So (a).
18. NDA 2019 (I)
Which one of the following ocean currents is NOT a cold ocean current?
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Kuroshio current
Method. Warm and cold ocean currents
Canary (N. Atlantic), California and Oyashio (N. Pacific) are cold currents. The Kuroshio (Japan Current) is a warm current of the North Pacific. So (c).
32.4 Groundwater, rivers and drainage of the continents
19. NDA 2023 (II)
Consider the following statements about a river:
This river originates in the Hindu Kush mountain range and flows into Hamoun wetlands after covering a long stretch of about 1,100 km. There has been serious conflicts between two neighbouring nations regarding the sharing of water from this river. Identify the river from the following:
This river originates in the Hindu Kush mountain range and flows into Hamoun wetlands after covering a long stretch of about 1,100 km. There has been serious conflicts between two neighbouring nations regarding the sharing of water from this river. Identify the river from the following:
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Helmand
Method. River identification
The Helmand rises in the Hindu Kush, flows about 1,100 km south-west through Afghanistan and ends in the Hamoun wetlands on the Iran border; Afghanistan and Iran dispute its water, the dispute made worse by the Kamal Khan Dam (inaugurated 2021). Mekong, Tarim and Indus do not end in the Hamoun. So (d).
As at the sitting in 2023; the answer is a dated current-events item.
20. NDA 2022 (II)
The major portion of the Great Artesian Basin in Australia is located in
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Queensland
Method. Great Artesian Basin
The Great Artesian Basin, the largest in the world, underlies about a fifth of Australia; its major part lies under Queensland, extending into New South Wales, South Australia and the Northern Territory. So (c).
21. NDA 2021 (II)
Which one of the following factors does not affect the distribution of groundwater?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Distance from the sea
Method. Groundwater distribution
Groundwater depends on precipitation, evaporation and the ability of the surface to infiltrate (rock and soil permeability). Distance from the sea is not a factor in its distribution. So (d).
22. NDA 2019 (II)
The rivers of North-West Europe are good examples of
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) barbed pattern of drainage.
Method. Drainage patterns
Barbed drainage, where tributaries join the main stream pointing upstream, marks a reversed or captured drainage. The North-West European rivers had their lower courses turned and captured by the Pleistocene ice sheets, so barbed is the one option that fits. Radial needs a central dome, trellis needs alternating folds, parallel needs a uniform slope; none describes the region's rivers as a whole.
23. NDA 2017 (II)
Where is Mekong Delta located?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Vietnam
Method. Location of the Mekong Delta
The Mekong flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and builds its delta in southern Vietnam, where it enters the South China Sea. Cambodia has the river's lower course and the Tonle Sap, but the delta proper is Vietnam's. Standard atlas reference. So (d).
32.5 World climatic regions, deserts, grasslands and biomes
24. NDA 2026 (II)
Consider the following statements:
I. The Steppes of Eurasia are temperate grasslands.
II. The Pampas of South America are classified as tropical grasslands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
I. The Steppes of Eurasia are temperate grasslands.
II. The Pampas of South America are classified as tropical grasslands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) I only
Method. Temperate and tropical grasslands
I is correct: the steppes of Eurasia are mid-latitude (temperate) grasslands. II is incorrect: the Pampas of Argentina and Uruguay are also temperate grasslands (the tropical ones are the Llanos, Campos and savanna). So I only: (a).
25. NDA 2025 (I)
Humid Subtropical Climate is NOT experienced in which one among the following regions?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) South Argentina
Method. Humid subtropical climate
Humid subtropical (Cfa) occurs on the eastern sides of continents at 25 to 40 degrees: coastal South Africa (Natal), eastern Australia and southern Japan. Southern Argentina (Patagonia) is cool temperate and semi-arid, not humid subtropical. So (d).
26. NDA 2024 (I)
Consider the following characteristics of a grassland:
1. An extensive area of mid latitude grasslands are devoid of trees and shrubs.
2. The climate is characterised by hot summers, cold winters and relatively low rainfall occurring mainly in spring and summer.
3. In humid parts, grasses grow to a meter or more in height.
On the basis of the above characteristics, select the correct grassland from the options given below:
1. An extensive area of mid latitude grasslands are devoid of trees and shrubs.
2. The climate is characterised by hot summers, cold winters and relatively low rainfall occurring mainly in spring and summer.
3. In humid parts, grasses grow to a meter or more in height.
On the basis of the above characteristics, select the correct grassland from the options given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Prairies
Method. Grassland identification
Mid-latitude grassland with hot summers, cold winters, spring and summer rain, and tall grass (a metre or more) in the humid parts: the prairies of North America. Steppes are drier with short grass, pampas are warmer humid subtropical, and savanna is tropical. So (b).
27. NDA 2024 (I)
Identify the land biome on the basis of the given characteristics:
1. Their climates are characterised by high rainfall and temperatures that vary from cold to mild.
2. These forests contain primarily deciduous trees – including maple, oak, hickory and beechwood.
3. Raccoons, opossums, bats and squirrels are found in the trees.
Select the correct land biome from the options given below:
1. Their climates are characterised by high rainfall and temperatures that vary from cold to mild.
2. These forests contain primarily deciduous trees – including maple, oak, hickory and beechwood.
3. Raccoons, opossums, bats and squirrels are found in the trees.
Select the correct land biome from the options given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Temperate forest
Method. Biomes
Deciduous forest with maple, oak, hickory and beech, with raccoons, opossums, squirrels and bats and moderate to high rainfall, is a temperate (deciduous) forest. Tropical forest is evergreen, boreal is coniferous, Mediterranean forest is evergreen. So (b).
28. NDA 2020 (I)
Which one of the following is the natural vegetation of South east China?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) Subtropical broadleaf evergreen forest
Method. Natural vegetation of China
South-east China has a humid subtropical (Cfa/Cwa) climate with warm wet summers: subtropical broadleaf evergreen forest. Tropical vegetation is confined to the far south. So (a).
29. NDA 2019 (I)
“Campos” and “Llanos”, Tropical Savanna grasslands are generally found in
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) South America
Method. Grassland names and continents
Campos (Brazil) and Llanos (Orinoco basin, Venezuela-Colombia) are tropical savanna grasslands of South America. Standard physical-geography reference. So (c).
30. NDA 2018 (II)
Steppe (temperate continental) climate is not experienced in which one of the following places?
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Perth
Method. Climatic types by place (Steppe vs Mediterranean)
Steppe (temperate continental grassland) climate belongs to continental interiors: the Veld around Pretoria, the Canadian Prairies (Saskatchewan) and the Argentine Pampas (Buenos Aires). Perth, on the south-west coast of Australia, has a Mediterranean climate (dry summers, wet winters). So Perth is the place without steppe climate: (c).
31. NDA 2018 (I)
Which one of the following is the driest desert of the world?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) Atacama
Method. Driest desert of the world
The Atacama (northern Chile, between the Andes and the Pacific, cold Peru/Humboldt current offshore) is the driest non-polar desert; some stations record almost no rain for years. Sahara is larger but wetter; Gobi is a cold rain-shadow desert; Kalahari is semi-arid. Standard physical-geography reference. So (a).
32. NDA 2017 (II)
Taklamakan Desert is situated in
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Central Asia
Method. Deserts of Asia
The Taklamakan is a cold desert in the Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, western China, between the Tien Shan and Kunlun ranges, i.e. Central Asia. It is not in West Asia (Arabian deserts), the Sahel fringe of the Sahara, or South America. Standard atlas reference. So (d).
32.6 Canals and sea routes
33. NDA 2023 (II)
Which of the following statements about Suez Canal is/are correct?
1. Suez is a man-made navigation canal
2. Suez links Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea
3. The economic significance of Suez Canal is less than that of Panama Canal
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1. Suez is a man-made navigation canal
2. Suez links Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea
3. The economic significance of Suez Canal is less than that of Panama Canal
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Method. Suez canal
1 is correct: the canal was dug by man (1869). 2 is correct: it joins the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. 3 is incorrect: Suez carries far more traffic (roughly 12% of world trade) than Panama (about 5%), so its economic significance is greater. So 1 and 2 only: (b).
34. NDA 2020 (I)
The Panama Canal opened in 1914, links
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean
Method. Panama Canal
The Panama Canal (opened 1914) crosses the Isthmus of Panama and joins the Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) with the Pacific Ocean, using locks. (a) is the Suez Canal. So (b).
35. NDA 2019 (II)
Which one of the following statements about the Suez Canal is not correct?
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) It has a six lock system and ships cross the different levels through these locks.
Method. Suez vs Panama canals
Suez opened in 1869, links the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and gave Europe a short route to the Indian Ocean. It is a sea-level canal and has no locks. The six-lock system belongs to the Panama Canal (as the statement is worded in NCERT), so (c) is the incorrect statement.
32.7 World regional geography: mountains, islands and economic regions
36. NDA 2021 (I)
In which one of the following countries is intensive subsistence agriculture not predominantly practised?
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Canada
Method. Types of agriculture
Intensive subsistence farming (small holdings, high labour input, rice) dominates monsoon Asia: India, Japan, Indonesia. Canada has extensive commercial grain farming with large mechanised farms. So (c).
37. NDA 2020 (I)
New Zealand is considered part of which one of the following island groups?
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Polynesia
Method. Pacific island groups
New Zealand forms the south-west corner of the Polynesian triangle (Hawaii, Easter Island, New Zealand). Micronesia and Melanesia lie in the west Pacific. So (c).
38. NDA 2020 (I)
Which one of the following countries is called the ‘country of winds’?
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Denmark
Method. Country epithets
Denmark is called the 'land of winds' for its strong westerly winds and its leadership in wind power. So (c).
39. NDA 2020 (I)
Which one of the following is a major environmental issue in eastern Canada?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) Acid precipitation
Method. Environmental issues of North America
Eastern Canada (and the north-eastern US) suffer acid precipitation, from sulphur and nitrogen oxides of industrial areas of the Great Lakes region, harming lakes and forests. Desertification and groundwater depletion are issues of arid western regions. So (a).
40. NDA 2020 (I)
Which one of the following mountains lies in between Caspian Sea and Black Sea?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) Caucasus
Method. Mountains of Europe and Asia
The Caucasus ranges run between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The Carpathians are in central Europe, the Apennines in Italy, the Elburz south of the Caspian. So (a).
41. NDA 2019 (II)
Which one of the following land territories of Indonesia is not touched by the Equator?
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Java
Method. Equator through Indonesia
The Equator crosses Sumatra, Kalimantan (Borneo) and Sulawesi (and Halmahera). Java lies wholly south of it (about 6 to 8 degrees S). So (c).
42. NDA 2019 (I)
“Viticulture” is a common feature of which one of the following Australian cities?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) Adelaide
Method. Mediterranean climate and viticulture in Australia
Viticulture (grape growing) goes with the Mediterranean climate of southern Australia: Adelaide (South Australia: Barossa, McLaren Vale) is the classic case. Darwin and Brisbane are tropical/subtropical, too wet or humid for it; Hobart is cool temperate. So (a).
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