MAINS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

GS - 1
Physical & Human Geography

Q.1) What do you mean by population distribution? Give an account of

the geographical, economic and socio-cultural factors that influence the
distribution of population in the world.

जनसं ा िवतरण से आप ा समझते ह ? िव म जनसं ा के िवतरण को

भािवत करने वाले भौगोिलक, आिथक और सामािजक-सां ृ ितक कारकों का
िववरण दीिजए।
(150 words, 10 marks)

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Q.2) Urban population in India is rapidly rising. In the context of this
rising population in Urban areas, assess the importance of land use
planning and sound urban transport.

भारत म शहरी जनसं ा तेजी से बढ़ रही है । शहरी े ों म इस बढ़ती जनसं ा के

संदभ म, भूिम उपयोग योजना और सु ढ़ शहरी प रवहन के मह का आकलन
कर।
(150 Words, 10 marks)

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Q.3) Examine the factors which influence movement of ocean water.
Also describe different types of ocean water movement and their
significance.

उन कारकों की जाँ च कर जो महासागरीय जल की गित को भािवत करते ह।

महासागरीय जल की िविभ कार की हलचलों और उनके मह का भी वणन
कर।
(150 words, 10 marks)

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Q.4) Present a reasoned account of global distribution of earthquakes
using the world map given below. Also, discuss different consequences
of earthquakes.

नीचे िदए गए िव मानिच का उपयोग करके भूकंपों के वैि क िवतरण का एक

तकसंगत िववरण ुत कर। साथ ही, भूकंप के िविभ प रणामों पर भी चचा कर।
(200 words, 15 marks)

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Q.5) Explain the formation of temperate cyclones. How are they
different from tropical cyclones? Discuss the importance of temperate
cyclones to Indian agriculture?

शीतो च वातों के िनमाण को समझाइये। वे उ किटबंधीय च वातों से िकस

कार िभ ह? भारतीय कृिष के िलए शीतो च वातों के मह पर चचा कर?
(200 words, 15 marks)

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Q.1) What do you mean by population distribution? Give an account of the geographical,
economic and socio-cultural factors that influence the distribution of population in the
world.
(150 Words, 10 Marks)

Approach
● Introduce by explaining the term population distribution
● Give a brief picture of population distribution across the globe.
● Discuss the geographical, economic and socio-cultural factors affecting the
distribution of population.
● Conclude appropriately

Ans.
● Population distribution is the spread of people across the world, i.e where people
live. Broadly, 90 percent of the world population lives in about 10 percent of its land
area. The ten most populous countries contribute about 60 percent of the world's
population. Of these ten countries, six are located in Asia.
● There are multiple factors which influence the distribution of population in the world,
such as:

Geographical Factors
● Climate: Extreme climates such as very hot or cold deserts or places with heavy rainfall
are unfavorable for human habitation while areas with a moderate climate, where
there is less seasonal variation attract more people.
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 ○ For e.g. Mediterranean regions were inhabited from early periods in history due
to their pleasant climate.
● Availability of water: Fresh water is the most significant factor for human survival.
The multiple uses of water for drinking, bathing and cooking - and also for cattle,
crops, industries and navigation make it the most decisive factor for habitation. It is
because of this that river valleys are among the most densely populated areas of the
world.
● Landforms: Flat plains and gentle slopes are preferred by people for habitation as
such areas are favorable for the agriculture and building roads and industries. The
mountainous and hilly terrains are scarcely populated as they hinder the development
of transport network and do not support agricultural and industrial development
much.
○ For eg. Ganga plains are among the most densely populated areas of the world
while the rugged mountainous zones in the Himalayas are scarcely populated.
● Soils: Fertile soils are also important for agricultural and allied activities. Therefore,
areas which have fertile loamy soils have high population pressure as these areas can
support intensive agriculture.

Economic Factors
● Urbanisation: Cities offer better employment opportunities, educational and medical
facilities, better means of transport and communication thus attracting migrants from
rural areas leading to expansion of the cities. Apart from that, slums in metro cities
offer facilities for low-priced human habitation making the population density very
high there.

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 ● Industrialisation: Industrial belts provide job opportunities and attract large
numbers of people. These include not just factory workers but also transport
operators, shopkeepers, bank employees, doctors, teachers and other service
providers.
● For instance,The Kobe-Osaka region of Japan is thickly populated because of the
presence of a number of industries.
● Minerals: Areas with rich mineral deposits attract industries. Mining and industrial
activities generate employment. So, skilled and semi-skilled workers move to these
areas and make them densely populated. Katanga Zambia copper belt in Africa is
one such example

Socio-Cultural Factors
● Some places attract more people because they have religious or cultural significance
such as Banaras in India.
● In the same way, people tend to move away from places where there is social and
political unrest.
● Sometimes governments offer incentives to people to live in sparsely populated areas
or move away from overcrowded places.

Conclusion
● The population of the world is now over 7 billion people, the vast majority of whom
live in the developing world. As observed, the worldʼs population is spread unevenly
across the globe with concentrations of large numbers of people living in the same
area. The world as a whole has more ʻemptyʼ areas than ʻcrowdedʼ areas. There is a
need to balance this skewed trend so that there is no overcrowding in the favorable
habitation spots.

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Q.2) Urban population in India is rapidly rising. In the context of this rising population in
Urban areas, assess the importance of land use planning and sound urban transport.
(150 Words, 10 Marks)

Approach
● Introduce the answer with a brief description of Indiaʼs urban population.
● In body, list the importance of land use planning and importance of sound urban
transport.
● Use different dimensions to better elucidate the answer.
● Conclude the answer by integrating the use of land use planning and efficient urban
transport for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Ans.
According to the United Nations (UN) report on population, Indiaʼs urban population is
set to take over the rural population by the end of 2050. Indian cities needs to be prepared
for the upcoming challenge of sustaining more than half of the population of India.

Importance of land use planning-

● Limited availability of land – Urban areas have limited availability of land which
cannot be expanded a er a point. More optimal utilization of this space is required.
● Urban planning- In India the urban planning and spatial planning (integrated land use
and transport) are not integrated, this leads to the significant deterioration in the
quality of public services and ease of living.

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 ● Making the cities more inclusive- Urban space should be accessible to all sections of
the society be it different classes, age groups and gender identities. Ex: Affordable
housing for the urban poor.

Importance of sound Urban transport-

● Scarcity of resources- Resources such as land, fuel, number of public vehicles are
limited but the load on them is going to increase. Thus, increasing capacity of public
transport systems is required.
● Haphazard planning of Urban areas- Urban areas are not developed keeping in mind
the population increase and requirements of the future. Ex: Transit oriented
development to make urban transport accessible in all areas.
● Room for all mode of transport- Most Indian cities are not friendly to alternate mode
of transports such as cycles, walking, electric scooters etc. Effective land use planning
can mitigate this problem by planning dedicated corridors for Pedestrians, cyclists,
Buses, Heavy vehicles and smoothing the traffic flow.
● Traffic congestion and parking availability- Indian cities are becoming more
congested and parking spaces are becoming a luxury specially in metropolitan cities
like Mumbai and Delhi. A congestion tax, parking spaces in public areas, and parking
fee can be introduced.

Conclusion
● An efficient transport system is a prerequisite for sustained economic growth of our
cities as well as country. The most crucial aspects of Land use planning need to be
integrated with public urban transport system policy to promote an inclusive and
sustainable urban environment in India.

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Q.3) Examine the factors which influence movement of ocean water. Also describe
different types of ocean water movement and their significance.
(150 Words, 10 Marks)

Approach:
● Introduce by mentioning ocean water movements.
● In body, discuss factors which influence various water movements.
● Mention different types of ocean water movements and their significance.
● Conclude with critical ecological and economical services provided by ocean water
movements.

Ans.
The ocean water is dynamic and exhibit horizontal and vertical motion. Ocean
water movement plays a very important role in transfer of nutrients, heat and determines
marine life form.

Following factors influence the movement of ocean water:

● Temperature: Factors like direct insolation, relative proximity to the sun etc., causes
water expansion near equator and creates a density gradient causing water flows
between equator and poles
● Density: Water density depends on salinity, temperature, precipitation, drainage etc.
The dense water sinks and less dense water floats up. While in ocean depths, water
movement is horizontal.

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 ● Gravitation: It causes groundwater movement along the land gradient beneath
earthʼs surface. Also, moon and sunʼs gravitational pull forms tides.
● Winds: Wind blowing over ocean surface induces water movement through friction.

Following are different types of ocean water movements and their significance:

Ocean water Movements Significance

Ocean waves: Waves are horizontal ● Weather forecasting: Waves helps in

movement of surface water generated
under the effects of wind. There can be:
● Steep young waves: produced by local
wind.
● Slow and steady old waves: produced
at faraway places
analyzing wi nd patterns, allowing early
prediction of storm/hurricane.
● Offshore energy: To generate electricity.
● Ship traffic: While waves aid ship
movement, saving fuel costs, harsh
waves can cause ship damage.
● Coastline: Waves form erosional and
depositional landforms like sea arch, sea
stack, etc.

Tides: Tides are periodical rise and fall of ● Navigation: Astronomical positions
water, due to gravitational pull of sun and help navigators and fishermen to predict
moon. Based on frequency, tides are: tides and plan accordingly.
● Semi-diurnal: two high and low tides ● Harbors: Tide aids/abate harbor entry
daily; of vessels.
● Diurnal: one high and low tide daily; ● Electricity generation.

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 ● Mixed tide: semi-diurnal tides with
varying heights
Based on alignment of sun, moon and earth
positions, tides are
● Spring tides: sun, moon and earth in a
straight line; higher tidal heights;
● Neap tides: sun and moon at right angle
to earth; lower tidal heights.

Ocean currents: Ocean currents are riverlike ● Climate moderation: By distributing

continuous, directional, long distance flow heat from equator to poles
of seawater influenced by gravity, wind, and ● Sea life: Ocean currents distribute
density. nutrients and help spreading
Based on depth, there are: reproductive cells.
● Surface currents: limited to upper 400 ● Fishing grounds: Mixing of warm and
m. cold currents replenish oxygen favoring
● Deep currents: beyond 400 m. planktonʼs growth
Based on temperature, these are:
● Cold currents: along west coast in low
and middle latitude and east coast of
higher latitudes;
● Warm currents: along east coast of low
and middle latitudes and west coasts of
higher latitudes.

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Upwelling: Wind blows away surface water, Upwelling brings nutrient rich water to
causing deep cold water to rise. surface favoring plankton growth creating
Downwelling: Wind builds up surface water rich fishing grounds. It causes temperature
along coastline which eventually sinks down drop forming denser fog, inhibits tropical
cyclone and has desiccating effect leading to
desertification.
Downwelling has opposite effect and
brings dissolved oxygen to deep ocean.

Thermohaline circulation: Slow deep It redistributes heat and nutrients

ocean circulation driven by temperature, maintaining climatic balance
salinity and ocean currents.

Ocean water movements play a critical role in hydrosphereʼs ecology. The global
oceanic movements not only provide critical ecological services but also benefit humans
economically.

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Q.4) Present a reasoned account of global distribution of earthquakes using the world
map given below. Also, discuss different consequences of earthquakes.
(200 Words, 15 Marks)

Approach:
● Introduce the answer by briefly defining the distribution of earthquakes and its
consequences.
● Construct the body giving detailed idea about distribution of earthquakes along
convergent, divergent and transform boundaries.
● In second part of the answer highlight the primary and secondary consequences of
earthquakes.
● Use relevant data and example.
● Conclude with a brief summation of the body and giving a general way forward.

Ans.
Earthquakes is shaking of earth surface due to relative motion of lithospheric plate
and release of energy. Earthquakes around the world are distributed along boundaries of
the continental or oceanic crustal plates. Anthropogenic stresses and unplanned
development compound the losses to life and property.

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 Fig: Global distribution of earthquakes .

Distribution of earthquakes according to different plate boundaries is as follows:

● Convergent plate boundaries: It is an area where the denser tectonic plate
submerges beneath the lighter tectonic plate, forming a subduction zone. This
produces deep focus earthquakes which are very destructive. A major example of
convergent plate boundaries is the 40,000 km long Circum-Pacific Zone, also called
the ring of fire. 90% of all major earthquakes occur in this region. Notable
earthquakes include the 1960 Chilean earthquake of magnitude 9.5, 1964 Alaskan
earthquake of magnitude 9.2. Himalayas also represent plate convergence zone and
hence they are prone to strong earthquakes.

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 ● Divergent plate boundaries: These are formed when two tectonic plates move away
from each other, thus creating new crust in the process. This produces shallow
earthquakes due to absence of a subducting plate. A major example of Divergent plate
boundaries is the mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is a seismic zone, extending, 16000 km, in a
curving path from Arctic Ocean to the southern tip of Africa. Major earthquakes in the
region include the Iceland earthquake of magnitude 6.9.
● Transform plate boundaries: these are formed when the two tectonic plates slide
past each other. Major examples include the San Andreas fault, Alpine fault of New
Zealand, Queen Charlotte fault of Canada, North Anatolian fault of Turkey, dead sea
ri in middle east. Notable earthquakes include 1906 San Francisco earthquake of
magnitude 7.8, 1668 North Anatolia earthquake of magnitude 8.

Consequences of earthquakes can be discussed as:

Primary consequences:
● Tsunami: Tsunami is generated when a submarine earthquake, displaces the sea
bed vertically as a result of movement along a fault-line at a subduction zone. This
violent motion displaces large volume of water, which then moves outwards in all
directions. For example, the 1960 Chilean Tsunami, triggered by a 9.5 magnitude
earthquake. Also, earthquakes create seiche in enclosed water bodies.
● Landslides: Earthquake induced landslides are a result of both direct rupture and
continuous ground shaking along the slopes. It affects daily life as it destroys
buildings, blocks roads, railways etc. Major examples include, Assam landslide 1950,
Guatemala landslide 1976 etc.

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 ● Liquefaction: Earthquakes reduce the strength and stiffness of the soil, causing
liquefaction. It causes structural instability in buildings leading them to collapse,
making one of the formative causes of landslides along steep slopes.
● Ground rupture: It occurs along the fault lines as the earthquake push and pull the
ground. Its effects include damage to roads, railway, infrastructure etc.
● Large scale destruction of life and property.

Secondary consequences:
● Indirect consequences of earthquakes like contamination of water supplies, gas
leaks, power outages, fires etc. not only hamper day to day activities but also
cause harm to life, health and property.
● Earthquakes are a natural phenomenon, but its adverse consequences are
significantly large, mainly due to man-made reasons. Maximum loss of life and
property in earthquakes can be attributed to lack of disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Accordingly, creation of earthquake resilient infrastructure, following safety
regulations and installing early warning systems is the prudent way forward.

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Q.5) Explain the formation of temperate cyclones. How are they different from tropical
cyclones? Discuss the importance of temperate cyclones to Indian agriculture?
(200 Words, 15 Marks)

Approach
● Introduce the answer with a brief description of temperate and tropical cyclones.
● In body, mention the stages of Formation of temperate cyclones and differentiate
between temperate and tropical cyclones.
● Use different diagrams to better elucidate the answer.
● Conclude the answer by stating the importance of temperate cyclones to Indian
agriculture.

Ans.
The systems developing in the mid and high latitude, beyond the tropics are called
the Temperate Cyclones or Extra Tropical Cyclones or Mid-Latitude Cyclones or Frontal
Cyclones or Wave Cyclones.

Stages of Formation of temperate cyclones-

● First/Initial stage- Initially, the air masses (warm and cold) move parallel to each
other and a stationary front is formed (frontogenesis). This is called initial stage.
● Second/ Incipient stage- It is the stage during which the warm and cold air masses
penetrate into the territories of each other and thus a wave-like front is formed.
● Third/Mature stage- It is the stage when the cyclone is fully developed and isobars
become almost circular.
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 ● Fourth stage- Warm sector is narrowed in extent due to the advancement of cold front
than warm front, as cold front comes nearer to warm front.
● Fi h/ Occluded stage- Starts with the occlusion of cyclone when the advancing cold
front finally overtakes the warm front and an occluded front is formed.
● Sixth/ Final stage- Warm sector completely disappears, occluded front is eliminated
and ultimately cyclone dies out. (frontolysis)

Difference between temperate and tropical cyclones-

● Location- Tropical cyclones are confined to the tropics(10°- 30° N and S of equator.) ,
while the temperate cyclones are confined to (35°- 65° N and S of equator).
● Formation- Tropical cyclones form only over the oceans with temperature above 27°C
, while temperate cyclones form over both land and the seas.
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 ● Structure- Tropical cyclones have an eye structure while temperate cyclones have a
frontal structure.
● Size and reach- Tropical cyclones are limited to smaller areas while the temperate
cyclones are widespread over a larger area.
● Rainfall- Tropical cyclones lead to heavy rainfall for a shorter duration while
temperate cyclones lead to moderate rainfall for a longer duration.

Importance of temperate cyclones to Indian agriculture-

● Western disturbances- Causes most of the winter rainfall in the Indian subcontinent
which is highly beneficial for the Rabi crops in India.
● Temperature moderation- Western disturbances moderate the temperature over the
hilly regions thus important for cultivation of various crops. Saffron cultivation along
with that Tea cultivation in the foothills of Himalayas is also dependent on the western
disturbances.

Conclusion
● Temperate cyclones are thus beneficial for Indian agriculture as it brings climate
conditions favourable to the Rabi crops in India , thus acting as a major life source of
Indian agriculture.

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