Topic Cyclones
Asked 7 times across 4 UPSC exams over 27 years (1999–2026), peaking in 2020.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 3 of 7 PYQs
- Most asked in 2020
- Recurs across 7 years (1999–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1999 → CAPF 2015 → CDS 2019 → NDA 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (4 of 7) 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 statements regarding extratropical cyclones
- They usually develop in the mid and high latitudes
- They affect a much larger area as compared to tropical cyclone
- They move from east to west
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A I and II only ✓
- B II and III only
- C I and III only
- D I, II and III
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Climatology
NDA2024
Which of the following statements regarding cyclones and anti-cyclones is/are correct?
- In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclones rotate counter clockwise and anticyclones rotate clockwise
- Cyclones are often associated with cloudy or rainy weather, whereas anticyclones are often associated with fair weather
- In the Southern Hemisphere, the cyclonic spiral will be clockwise because the Coriolis force acts to the left. 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: (D)
Geography › Climatology
CSE2020
Consider the following statements
- Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only
- Only some cyclones develop an eye
- The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C lesser than that of the surroundings
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- A 1 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 2 only ✓
- D 1 and 3 only
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Geography › Climatology
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