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Topic Chemical weathering
Asked 4 times across 2 UPSC exams over 11 years (2015–2026), peaking in 2022.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 2 of 4 PYQs
- Most asked in 2022
- Recurs across 4 years (2015–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2015 → NDA 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 4) 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.
NDA2026
Consider the following pairs: Types of Chemical Weathering / Characteristics
- Solution : Results in leaching of minerals
- Carbonation : Helps in breaking down feldspars
- Hydration : Causes an increase in the volume of rocks
- Oxidation : Changes the colour of rocks How many pairs given above
are correctly matched?
- A One
- B Two
- C Three
- D All the four ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Geomorphology
NDA2024
Which one among the following processes is NOT part of chemical weathering ?
- A Solution
- B Hydration
- C Reduction
- D Thawing ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Geomorphology
CDS2022
Which one of the following processes leads to expansion of certain minerals as they take up water, causing additional stress in the rock?
- A Hydrolysis
- B Hydration ✓
- C Oxidation
- D Carbonation
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Geomorphology
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