Topic Albedo
Asked 6 times across 4 UPSC exams over 22 years (2002–2024), peaking in 2022.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 3 of 6 PYQs
- Most asked in 2022
- Recurs across 5 years (2002–2024)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2002 → GEO 2021 → CDS 2022 → ESE 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (4 of 6) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
ESE2024
The expression of the ability of surfaces to reflect sunlight is known as
- A the albedo effect ✓
- B the greenhouse effect
- C the genshin effect
- D the permafrost
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Environment & Ecology › Climate Change
CSE2022
Consider the following statements
- High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth
- Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause warming effect
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2 ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Climatology
CDS2022
Which one of the following land surfaces has the highest albedo ?
- A A snow covered mountain ✓
- B A barren rocky piedmont surface
- C A sandy desert
- D A mangrove forest
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Climatology
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