Topic Clouds
Asked 6 times across 2 UPSC exams over 11 years (2014–2025), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 4 of 6 PYQs
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 5 years (2014–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2014 → NDA 2021
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (5 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.
CDS2025
Identify the cloud on the basis of the following characteristics relating to it
- They look like cotton wool
- They exist in patches and have flat base
- They are generally formed at a height of 4 to 7 km. Select the answer
using the code given below :
- A Cirrus
- B Cumulus ✓
- C Nimbus
- D Stratus
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Climatology
NDA2024
Which of the following statements regarding clouds is/are correct?
- Clouds are classified on the basis of altitude and their form
- According to altitude they are classified as High, Middle and Low clouds
- Stratus, Nimbostratus and Stratocumulus are high clouds. Select the answer
using the code given below:
- A 1 only
- B 1 and 2 only ✓
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Climatology
CDS2023
Consider the following statements about clouds
- Two major forms of clouds are stratiform and cumuliform
- According to the altitude, clouds are classified as high clouds, middle clouds and low clouds
- Stratus, nimbostratus and stratocumulus are types of high clouds
- Clouds having nimbo attached to their name produce precipitation
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 1, 2 and 4 ✓
- C 2 and 4 only
- D 1, 3 and 4
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Climatology
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