Home / Topic / Earth's axial tilt
Topic Earth's axial tilt
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 28 years (1991–2019), peaking in 2019.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2019
- Recurs across 2 years (1991–2019)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1991 → CAPF 2019
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 of 3) 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.
CSE2019
On 21st June, the Sun
- A does not set below the horizon at the Arctic Circle ✓
- B does not set below the horizon at Antarctic Circle
- C shines vertically overhead at noon on the Equator
- D shines vertically overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Climatology
CAPF2019
If the equatorial plane of earth is NOT inclined to its orbit, then
- A duration of the year would be longer
- B summer would be warmer
- C there would be no change of seasons ✓
- D winter would be longer
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Geography › Climatology
CSE1991
Seasons on the Earth are caused due to
- A The elliptical orbit of the Earth
- B Alteration/change in the speed of revolution of the Earth
- C Inclination of the Earth on its axis of rotation ✓
- D Differences in the amount of energy received from the Sun
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Geography › Climatology
Study how UPSC repeats — not just the papers
₹199 / 1 year · Founding Member
Full access unlocks the three things no PYQ PDF gives you:
① Cross-exam learning — see the same idea recur across CSE, CAPF, CDS and NDA.
② Topic evolution — how each idea is framed, year by year.
③ Question intelligence — every PYQ + answer, linked to related concepts and similar questions.
e.g. Round Table Conference: CDS 2017 → CSE 2017 → … → CAPF 2024
15 days free, no card required — then ₹199 for 1 year.
Start your 15-day free trial →