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Topic Earth's revolution
Asked 4 times across 2 UPSC exams over 36 years (1981–2017), peaking in 2013.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 2 of 4 PYQs
- Most asked in 2013
- Recurs across 4 years (1981–2017)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1981 → CDS 2014
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (3 of 4) predate 2016, and it still returns.
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.
CDS2017
Which one of the following statements with regard to the winter solstice is correct?
- A The South Pole experiences 24 hours of darkness.
- B It occurs on June 21.
- C The North Pole experiences 24 hours of darkness. ✓
- D The Sun is at aphelion.
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Geography › Climatology
CDS2014
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists
| List I (Phenomenon) | List II (Date) |
|---|
| A. Summer solstice | 1. 21st June |
| B. Winter solstice | 2. 22nd December |
| C. Vernal Equinox | 3. 23rd September |
| D. Autumnal Equinox | 4. 21st March |
Codes:
- A A-1 B-4 C-2 D-3
- B A-1 B-2 C-4 D-3 ✓
- C A-3 B-2 C-4 D-1
- D A-3 B-4 C-2 D-1
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Climatology
CSE2013
Variations in the length of daytime and nighttime from season to season are due to
- A the earth's rotation on its axis
- B the earth's revolution round the sun in an elliptical manner
- C latitudinal position of the place
- D revolution of the earth on a tilted axis ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Climatology
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