Map Questions UPSC, Important Map Based Questions Asked in UPSC!

UPSC map questions are asked every year in UPSC prelims, mains, and in the geography optional subject. A significant portion of geography questions in the UPSC exam is map-based because they are covered in both the Mains UPSC General Studies Paper 1 syllabus and the UPSC Prelims syllabus. Additionally, geography is one of the optional subjects in the UPSC mains exam from which map-based questions are asked. Every year, 3–4 UPSC map questions carrying 6–8 marks are asked in prelims, and 2–3 questions carrying 30–40 marks are asked in mains. Therefore, it is important to study map-based questions for UPSC in order to score well in both prelims and mains examinations. 

In this article, we shall study the previous years’ UPSC map questions and understand the importance of solving these questions for the exam.

The UPSC aspirants can also take the help of Testbook’s Geography Optional Coaching to boost their UPSC Exam preparation! You can also study other major topics related to UPSC IAS Exams with Testbook!

Download the Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers with Answers PDF!

Map Questions UPSC

UPSC Map Questions asked in the exam are based on certain themes such as origin, tributaries and sources of rivers, location of Indian states and their neighbouring countries, the extent of longitude and latitude and important national and international places in the news. From previous years’ UPSC map questions, it is observed that the maximum number of map based questions have been asked in recent years. Therefore it is important to analyze previous years’ question papers in order to score well in the UPSC exam.

Read the article on How to Study Maps for UPSC!

The map based questions for UPSC prelims from years 2013 to 2023 are given below.

UPSC Map Questions 2023

Q1. On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all of the following. Write in your Question-cum-Answer Booklet the significance of these locations, whether physical/commercial/economic/ecological/environmental/cultural, in not more than 30 words for each entry:

(i) Kolleru Lake

(ii) Nanda Devi

(iii) Chota Nagpur Plateau

(iv) Pamban Island

(v) Karakoram Pass

(vi) Mahanadi River

(vii) Guru Shikhar

(viii) Kadi

(ix) Similipal

(x) Digboi

UPSC Map Questions 2022

Q1. Consider the following pairs:

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. Only one pair
2. Only two pairs
3. Only three pairs
4. All four pairs

Answer: 1

Q2. Consider the following pairs:

How many pairs given above are not correctly matched?

1. Only one pair
2. Only two pairs
3. Only three pairs
4. All four pairs

Answer: 3

UPSC Map Questions 2021

Q1. With reference to the Indus River system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of which joins the Indus directly. Among the following, which one is such a river that joins the Indus directly?
a) Chenab
b) Jhelum
c) Ravi
d) Sutlej

Answer: d

Q2. Consider the following Rivers:

1. Brahmani
2. Nagavali
3. Subarnarekha
4. Vamsadhara

Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 4
3. 3 and 4
4. 1 and 3

Answer: 2

UPSC Map Questions 2020

Q1. Consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2 and 4 only

Answer: 3

Q2. Siachen Glacier is situated to the
a) East of Aksai Chin
b) East of Leh
c) North of Gilgit
d) North of Nubra Valley

Answer: d

Learn World Map for UPSC with Tips!

UPSC Map Questions 2019

Q1. Consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. 1, 2 and 4 only
2. 1, 3 and 4 only
3. 2 and 5 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
    

Answer: 2

UPSC Map Questions 2018

Q1. Among the following cities, which one lies on a longitude closest to that of Delhi?
a) Bengaluru
b) Hyderabad
c) Nagpur
d) Pune

Answer: c

UPSC Map Questions 2017

Q1. The Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries?

1. Jordan
2. Iraq
3. Lebanon
4. Syria

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 3 and 4 only

Answer: 3

Q2. Which of the following is geographically closest to Great Nicobar?
a) Sumatra
b) Borneo
c) Java
d) Sri Lanka

Answer: a

Q3. If you travel by road from Kohima to Kottayam, what is the minimum number of States within India through which you can travel, including the origin and the destination?
a) 6
b) 7
c) 8
d) 9

Answer: b

UPSC Map Questions 2016

Q1. Consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3
4. 3 only

Answer: 3

UPSC Map Questions 2015

Q1. Which one of the following pairs of States of India indicates the easternmost and westernmost State?
a) Assam and Rajasthan
b) Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan
c) Assam and Gujarat
d) Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat

Answer: d

Q2. Consider the following pairs:

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: 1

UPSC Map Questions 2014

Q1. Turkey is located between
a) Black Sea and Caspian Sea
b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
c) Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea
d) Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea

Answer: b

Q2. What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north?

1. Bangkok
2. Hanoi
3. Jakarta
4. Singapore

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 4-2-1-3
b) 3-2-4-1
c) 3-4-1-2
d) 4-3-2-1

Answer: c

UPSC Map Questions 2013

Q1. Consider the following pairs:

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 3
4. None

Answer: 2

Go through the Important Geography Maps for IAS!

UPSC map questions are a crucial component of the UPSC preparation journey. They have importance in prelims and mains examinations. Every year 3-4 UPSC prelims map-based questions are asked in the examination carrying 6-10 marks. Therefore, it is important to prepare map based questions for UPSC. 

Understand the Pattern of Map-Based Questions 

UPSC often asks:

• Location identification (countries, states, seas, rivers, cities)
• Pair matching (country–sea, river–state, city–longitude, etc.)
• Current affairs–based geography (regions in the news, conflict zones, climate events)

Use the Right Resources

• Atlas: Oxford School Atlas or Orient BlackSwan Atlas for detailed maps.
• NCERT Geography: Class 6–12 for basic understanding.
• News Maps: Mark every place mentioned in daily news on your atlas.

Build Daily & Weekly Habits

• Read newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and mark locations mentioned.
• Once a week, revise world and India maps.
• Maintain separate India and World political & physical maps for practice.

Focus on Key Areas

• Physical Features: Rivers, mountains, passes, plateaus, deserts.
• Political Boundaries: States, UTs, countries in conflict or trade pacts.
• Economic & Cultural: Major ports, industries, pilgrimage sites.
• Environment & Biodiversity: National parks, biosphere reserves, Ramsar sites.
• Current Affairs Hotspots: Disputed areas, new infrastructure projects, climate impact zones.

Practice Previous Year Questions

• Analyse UPSC Prelims papers from at least the last 10 years.
• Identify which topics repeat and prepare those first.

Use Active Recall & Reverse Mapping

• Try identifying locations from descriptions.
• Practice “blank map” marking exercises weekly.

Integrate Maps into Other Subjects

• Link maps with history (ancient trade routes, battle locations), environment (animal habitats), economy (mineral belts), and polity (boundary issues).

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