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Topic Atmospheric layers
Asked 8 times across 3 UPSC exams over 14 years (2011–2025), peaking in 2024.
Key insights
- Most tested in GEO — 4 of 8 PYQs
- Most asked in 2024
- Recurs across 5 years (2011–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2011 → CDS 2015 → GEO 2021
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (6 of 8) 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.
GEO2025
In which among the following atmospheric layers, the temperature increases with height?
- A Mesosphere and Thermosphere
- B Stratosphere and Mesosphere
- C Stratosphere and Thermosphere ✓
- D Troposphere and Mesosphere
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Geography › Climatology
CSE2024
Consider the following statements
Statement IThickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to poles
Statement IIAt the equator, heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?
- A Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I ✓
- B Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
- C Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
- D Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Climatology
GEO2024
Consider the following combinations of lapse rate in relation to atmospheric region
- Troposphere : Negative lapse rate
- Stratosphere : Negative lapse rate
- Mesosphere : Negative lapse rate
- Thermosphere : Positive lapse rate
How many of the combinations given above is/are correct ?
- A 1 ✓
- B 2
- C 3
- D 4
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Climatology
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