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Topic Atmospheric structure
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 37 years (1984–2021), peaking in 1984.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 1984
- Recurs across 3 years (1984–2021)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1984 → CDS 2016 → NDA 2021
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 of 3) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
NDA2021
Which one of the following is the correct sequence of layers as we move from the Earth's surface upwards ?
- A Troposphere, Stratosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere
- B Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere ✓
- C Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
- D Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Climatology
CDS2016
Which of the following statements concerning atmosphere of the Earth are correct?
- In stratosphere, temperature increases with altitude
- In mesosphere, temperature decreases with altitude
- The lowest temperature of the atmosphere is recorded in the upper part of mesosphere
- Tropopause is an isothermal zone
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 1, 2 and 3 only
- C 3 and 4 only
- D 1, 2, 3 and 4 ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Climatology
CSE1984
Arrange the following three atmospheric layers starting from the surface of the earth: A. Stratosphere B. Ionosphere C. Troposphere
- A A, B, C
- B C, A, B ✓
- C A, C, B
- D C, B, A
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Climatology
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