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Topic Earthquake
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 21 years (2004–2025), peaking in 2004.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2004
- Recurs across 3 years (2004–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2004 → CDS 2022
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 of 3) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2025
Which of the following statements with reference to Richter scale is/are correct ?
- It is the intensity scale of an earthquake
- Richter indicates the amount of energy released during the earthquake. Select the answer
using the code given below :
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Geography › Geomorphology
CDS2022
Which one of the following is the other term used for 'Focus' in relation with an earthquake?
- A Hypocentre ✓
- B Epicentre
- C Isocentre
- D Principal Point
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Geomorphology
CSE2004
Consider the following geological phenomena
- Development of a fault
- Movement along a fault
- Impact produced by a volcanic eruption
- Folding ofrocks
Which of the above causes earthquakes?
- A 1, 2 and 3
- B 2 and 4
- C 1, 3 and 4
- D 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Geography › Geomorphology
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