Syllabus: GS 1 – Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent).
| It is said the India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of country for quarter century. However, tapping of the resources doesn’t appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved. | 2013 |
| With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world. | 2013 |
| Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the resource crisis in the world. | 2014 |
| Whereas the British planters had developed tea gardens all along the Shivaliks and Lesser Himalayas from Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect they did not succeed beyond the Darjeeling area. Explain. | 2014 |
| Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually by-pass the eastern region despite fertile soil and good availability of water | 2014 |
| What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences? | 2015 |
| India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity. | 2015 |
| The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain. | 2016 |
| In what way micro-watershed Development projects help in water conservation in drought prone and semi-arid regions of India. | 2016 |
| Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India. | 2016 |
| In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India? | 2017 |
| “In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Discuss. | 2017 |
| Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas, particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications. | 2017 |
| Why is India taking keen in resources of Arctic region? | 2018 |
| Defining blue resources, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. | 2018 |
| Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples. | 2020 |
| The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. | 2020 |
| India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its developments. Elaborate. | 2020 |
| Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world. | 2021 |
| Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan trap’. | 2022 |
| Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread. | 2022 |
| Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them. | 2022 |
| Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources? | 2023 |
| Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas. | 2023 |