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Topic Origin of Earth
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 8 years (2018–2026), peaking in 2024.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2024
- Recurs across 3 years (2018–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2018 → CAPF 2024
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.
CDS2026
Which of the following pairs of theories about origin of the Earth and their propounders is/are correctly matched ?
- Gaseous Hypothesis : Kant
- Binary Star Hypothesis : Russell
- Planetesimal Hypothesis : Chamberlin Select the answer
using the codes given below :
- A 1 only
- B 2 and 3 only ✓
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Geomorphology
CAPF2024
Which one of the following statements with reference to the Nebular Hypothesis for the origin of Solar System is correct?
- A The initiation of the nebular hypothesis can be considered as a diffuse, roughly spherical, slowly rotating expanding nebula
- B As a result of rotation and expansion, a disk is formed with matter concentrated in the centre
- C Expansion continues with the formation of the proto-Sun and the rings of material are left behind
- D The material in the rings get condensed and form the planets that revolve in orbits around the Sun ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Geomorphology
CDS2018
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists
| List I (Hypothesis/Theory) | List II (Propounder) |
|---|
| A. Planetesimal hypothesis | 1. Kober |
| B. Thermal contraction theory | 2. Chamberlin |
| C. Geosynclinal Orogen theory | 3. Daly |
| D. Hypothesis of sliding continent | 4. Jeffreys |
Codes:
- A A-2 B-4 C-1 D-3 ✓
- B A-2 B-1 C-4 D-3
- C A-3 B-1 C-4 D-2
- D A-3 B-4 C-1 D-2
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Geomorphology
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