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Topic Continental shelf
Asked 2 times across 2 UPSC exams over 35 years (1980–2015), peaking in 1980.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 2 PYQs
- Most asked in 1980
- Recurs across 2 years (1980–2015)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1980 → CAPF 2015
How the concept evolved
Largely a pre-2016 idea — watch for a comeback.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CAPF2015
Which of the following statements with regard to the continental shelf is NOT correct ?
- A Shelves are absent close to plate boundaries
- B They are highly sedimented
- C They have abrupt falls towards the continental slopes ✓
- D They are rich fishing areas
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Geography › Oceanography
CSE1980
What is a continental shelf?
- A It is a part of the ocean, which is really an extension of the landmass, but submerged
- B It is that part where the ocean commences
- C It is a land mass which is surrounded by water on all sides
- D It is a part of the continent that is submerged in relatively shallow sea ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Oceanography
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