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Topic Jet streams
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 4 years (2017–2021), peaking in 2020.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 3 PYQs
- First appeared in CDS 2017 — 3 years before CSE 2020 (allied exams preview CSE)
- Most asked in 2020
- Recurs across 3 years (2017–2021)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2017 → CSE 2020 → GEO 2021
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 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.
GEO2021
Very strong air currents in the upper air westerlies are known as:
- A Jet streams
- B Tornados
- C Blizzards
- D Chinook winds
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
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
CDS2017
Which one of the following statements with regard to Jet stream, an upper level tropospheric wave, is not correct?
- A It is a narrow band of high-velocity wind.
- B It follows the wave path near the tropopause at elevations of 8 km to 15 km.
- C Jet streams are typically continuous over long distances.
- D In summer, the polar front jet achieves its maximum force. ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Climatology
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