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Topic Rock cycle
Asked 4 times across 2 UPSC exams over 25 years (2001–2026), peaking in 2022.
Key insights
- Most tested in NDA — 3 of 4 PYQs
- Most asked in 2022
- Recurs across 3 years (2001–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2001 → NDA 2022
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 4) 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.
NDA2026
Quartzite is metamorphosed from which one of the following rocks?
- A Pegmatite
- B Limestone
- C Sandstone ✓
- D Shale
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Geography › Geomorphology
NDA2022
Which one of the following statements about metamorphic rocks is not correct?
- A Due to segregation of minerals into wavy bands or platy surfaces, some metamorphic rocks develop foliations.
- B Where the foliations develop into broad mineral bands, the metamorphic rock is extremely hard.
- C Where the foliations are moderately thin, the metamorphic rock tends to flake apart.
- D Rocks that originally were composed of one dominant mineral are often foliated by metamorphism. ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Geomorphology
NDA2022
Consider the following statements
- Rocks do not remain in their original form for long and undergo transformation
- Transformation of rocks is caused by weathering, erosion and metamorphic action
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2 ✓
- D Neither 1 nor 2
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Geography › Geomorphology
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