Home / Topic / Solar radiation
Topic Solar radiation
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 9 years (2015–2024), peaking in 2015.
Key insights
- Most tested in CAPF — 1 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2015
- Recurs across 3 years (2015–2024)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CAPF 2015 → GEO 2021 → CDS 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 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.
CDS2024
Which of the following statements regarding insolation is/are correct?
- Insolation is predominantly short-wave radiation, with wavelengths in the range of 0·39 micrometre to 0·76 micrometre
- Insolation is evenly distributed across the Earth because of the Earth's curved surface
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1 only ✓
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Climatology
GEO2021
Which among the following has the maximum albedo?
- A Vegetation
- B Concrete
- C Desert
- D Clouds
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Geography › Climatology
CAPF2015
The following item consists of two statements, Statement I and Statement II. Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer using the code given below
Statement IAll the energy received by the earth is from the Sun through electro-magnetic radiation
Statement IIThe earth also radiates back all the received energy through various ways to maintain the heat budget of the planet
- A Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
- B Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is NOT the correct explanation of Statement I ✓
- C Statement I is true but Statement II is false
- D Statement I is false but Statement II is true
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Climatology
Study how UPSC repeats — not just the papers
₹199 / 1 year · Founding Member
Full access unlocks the three things no PYQ PDF gives you:
① Cross-exam learning — see the same idea recur across CSE, CAPF, CDS and NDA.
② Topic evolution — how each idea is framed, year by year.
③ Question intelligence — every PYQ + answer, linked to related concepts and similar questions.
e.g. Round Table Conference: CDS 2017 → CSE 2017 → … → CAPF 2024
15 days free, no card required — then ₹199 for 1 year.
Start your 15-day free trial →