UPSC Static Quiz – Geography : 2 February 2026

UPSC Static Quiz – Geography : 2 February 2026 We will post 5 questions daily on static topics mentioned in the UPSC civil services preliminary examination syllabus. Each week will focus on a specific topic from the syllabus, such as History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, and more. We are excited to bring you our daily UPSC Static Quiz, designed to help you prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Each day, we will post 5 questions on static topics mentioned in the UPSC syllabus. This week, we are focusing on Indian and World Geography.

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question Consider the following statements regarding Jet Streams. Jet streams are narrow bands of strong winds that flow over thousands of kilometres predominantly from east to west. Major jet streams are found near the upper levels of the atmosphere, around 9 to 16 km from the earth’s surface. Jet streams aid in the faster travelling of Aircrafts. In India, the Tropical jet stream influences the formation and duration of the summer monsoon. Which of the above statements are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3, and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Correct Solution: B Jet streams are narrow bands of strong winds that flow over thousands of kilometres from west to east. Major jet streams are found near the upper levels of the atmosphere, around 9 to 16 km from the earth’s surface, and can reach speeds of over 320 kph. The jet streams shift to the north or south depending on the season. During winters, the wind current is the strongest. They are also closer to the Equator during winter. The major jet streams are the Polar Front, Subtropical, and Tropical jet streams. In India, the Tropical jet stream influences the formation and duration of the summer monsoon. Most commercial planes fly at the jet stream level, and a strong jet stream can provide a potent tailwind to a flight travelling from west to east. This helps reduce the travel time for such flights, as their speeds are boosted. Incorrect Solution: B Jet streams are narrow bands of strong winds that flow over thousands of kilometres from west to east. Major jet streams are found near the upper levels of the atmosphere, around 9 to 16 km from the earth’s surface, and can reach speeds of over 320 kph. The jet streams shift to the north or south depending on the season. During winters, the wind current is the strongest. They are also closer to the Equator during winter. The major jet streams are the Polar Front, Subtropical, and Tropical jet streams. In India, the Tropical jet stream influences the formation and duration of the summer monsoon. Most commercial planes fly at the jet stream level, and a strong jet stream can provide a potent tailwind to a flight travelling from west to east. This helps reduce the travel time for such flights, as their speeds are boosted.

#### 1. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Jet Streams.

• Jet streams are narrow bands of strong winds that flow over thousands of kilometres predominantly from east to west.

• Major jet streams are found near the upper levels of the atmosphere, around 9 to 16 km from the earth’s surface.

• Jet streams aid in the faster travelling of Aircrafts.

• In India, the Tropical jet stream influences the formation and duration of the summer monsoon.

Which of the above statements are correct?

• (a) 1 and 2 only

• (b) 2, 3, and 4 only

• (c) 1, 2 and 3 only

• (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Solution: B

Jet streams are narrow bands of strong winds that flow over thousands of kilometres from west to east. Major jet streams are found near the upper levels of the atmosphere, around 9 to 16 km from the earth’s surface, and can reach speeds of over 320 kph.

The jet streams shift to the north or south depending on the season. During winters, the wind current is the strongest. They are also closer to the Equator during winter.

The major jet streams are the Polar Front, Subtropical, and Tropical jet streams. In India, the Tropical jet stream influences the formation and duration of the summer monsoon.

Most commercial planes fly at the jet stream level, and a strong jet stream can provide a potent tailwind to a flight travelling from west to east. This helps reduce the travel time for such flights, as their speeds are boosted.

Solution: B

The jet streams shift to the north or south depending on the season. During winters, the wind current is the strongest. They are also closer to the Equator during winter.

The major jet streams are the Polar Front, Subtropical, and Tropical jet streams. In India, the Tropical jet stream influences the formation and duration of the summer monsoon.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Consider the following statements regarding Rossby waves. They are a type of inertial wave naturally occurring in rotating fluids. In planetary atmospheres, they are due to the variation in the Coriolis effect with latitude. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Solution: C Rossby waves, also known as planetary waves, are a type of inertial wave naturally occurring in rotating fluids. They were first identified by Carl-Gustaf Arvid Rossby. They are observed in the atmospheres and oceans of planets owing to the rotation of the planet. Rossby Waves The meandering jet streams are called Rossby Waves. Rossby waves are natural phenomenon in the atmosphere and oceans due to rotation of earth. In planetary atmospheres, they are due to the variation in the Coriolis effect (When temperature contrast is low, speed of jet stream is low, and Coriolis force is weak leading to meandering) with latitude. Rossby waves are formed when polar air moves toward the Equator while tropical air is moving poleward. The existence of these waves explains the low-pressure cells (cyclones) and high-pressure cells (anticyclones). Incorrect Solution: C Rossby waves, also known as planetary waves, are a type of inertial wave naturally occurring in rotating fluids. They were first identified by Carl-Gustaf Arvid Rossby. They are observed in the atmospheres and oceans of planets owing to the rotation of the planet. Rossby Waves The meandering jet streams are called Rossby Waves. Rossby waves are natural phenomenon in the atmosphere and oceans due to rotation of earth. In planetary atmospheres, they are due to the variation in the Coriolis effect (When temperature contrast is low, speed of jet stream is low, and Coriolis force is weak leading to meandering) with latitude. Rossby waves are formed when polar air moves toward the Equator while tropical air is moving poleward. The existence of these waves explains the low-pressure cells (cyclones) and high-pressure cells (anticyclones).

#### 2. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Rossby waves.

• They are a type of inertial wave naturally occurring in rotating fluids.

• In planetary atmospheres, they are due to the variation in the Coriolis effect with latitude.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• c) Both 1 and 2

• d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: C

Rossby waves, also known as planetary waves, are a type of inertial wave naturally occurring in rotating fluids. They were first identified by Carl-Gustaf Arvid Rossby. They are observed in the atmospheres and oceans of planets owing to the rotation of the planet.

Rossby Waves

• The meandering jet streams are called Rossby Waves.

• Rossby waves are natural phenomenon in the atmosphere and oceans due to rotation of earth.

• In planetary atmospheres, they are due to the variation in the Coriolis effect (When temperature contrast is low, speed of jet stream is low, and Coriolis force is weak leading to meandering) with latitude.

• Rossby waves are formed when polar air moves toward the Equator while tropical air is moving poleward.

• The existence of these waves explains the low-pressure cells (cyclones) and high-pressure cells (anticyclones).

Solution: C

Rossby Waves

• The meandering jet streams are called Rossby Waves.

• Rossby waves are natural phenomenon in the atmosphere and oceans due to rotation of earth.

• Rossby waves are formed when polar air moves toward the Equator while tropical air is moving poleward.

• The existence of these waves explains the low-pressure cells (cyclones) and high-pressure cells (anticyclones).

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements regarding Polar vortex. Polar vortex is a mass of cold, low-pressure air that consistently hovers over the Arctic region. It spins in clockwise direction, just like a hurricane does. The weakening of the Polar vortex influence the Jet stream, which pushes the polar cold air towards the mid-latitude regions. How many of the above statements is/are incorrect? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: A Statement 2 is incorrect. Polar vortex is a mass of cold, low-pressure air that consistently hovers over the Arctic region. It is denoted by the word “vortex” because it spins counter-clockwise, just like a hurricane does. Usually, the polar vortex remains strong and compact, meaning the mass of frigid air stays at the North Pole. But sometimes it weakens, like a wobbling top, and expands to influence the jet stream — an area of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere that surrounds the polar vortex. Once the jet stream is impacted, the cold polar air finds its way towards the mid-latitude regions. In the study, researchers found that the expansion of the polar vortex has been occurring more than twice as often in recent years and the reason for it is the rapidly warming Arctic. With the help of observational analysis and numerical modelling, the study demonstrated that the melting sea ice in Barents and Kara seas north of Russia and Scandinavia and increasing Siberian snowfall create larger and more energetic atmospheric waves that ultimately stretch the polar vortex, causing extreme winter weather in the US and other places. Incorrect Solution: A Statement 2 is incorrect. Polar vortex is a mass of cold, low-pressure air that consistently hovers over the Arctic region. It is denoted by the word “vortex” because it spins counter-clockwise, just like a hurricane does. Usually, the polar vortex remains strong and compact, meaning the mass of frigid air stays at the North Pole. But sometimes it weakens, like a wobbling top, and expands to influence the jet stream — an area of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere that surrounds the polar vortex. Once the jet stream is impacted, the cold polar air finds its way towards the mid-latitude regions. In the study, researchers found that the expansion of the polar vortex has been occurring more than twice as often in recent years and the reason for it is the rapidly warming Arctic. With the help of observational analysis and numerical modelling, the study demonstrated that the melting sea ice in Barents and Kara seas north of Russia and Scandinavia and increasing Siberian snowfall create larger and more energetic atmospheric waves that ultimately stretch the polar vortex, causing extreme winter weather in the US and other places.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Polar vortex.

• Polar vortex is a mass of cold, low-pressure air that consistently hovers over the Arctic region.

• It spins in clockwise direction, just like a hurricane does.

• The weakening of the Polar vortex influence the Jet stream, which pushes the polar cold air towards the mid-latitude regions.

How many of the above statements is/are incorrect?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: A

Statement 2 is incorrect.

Polar vortex is a mass of cold, low-pressure air that consistently hovers over the Arctic region. It is denoted by the word “vortex” because it spins counter-clockwise, just like a hurricane does.

Usually, the polar vortex remains strong and compact, meaning the mass of frigid air stays at the North Pole. But sometimes it weakens, like a wobbling top, and expands to influence the jet stream — an area of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere that surrounds the polar vortex. Once the jet stream is impacted, the cold polar air finds its way towards the mid-latitude regions.

In the study, researchers found that the expansion of the polar vortex has been occurring more than twice as often in recent years and the reason for it is the rapidly warming Arctic.

With the help of observational analysis and numerical modelling, the study demonstrated that the melting sea ice in Barents and Kara seas north of Russia and Scandinavia and increasing Siberian snowfall create larger and more energetic atmospheric waves that ultimately stretch the polar vortex, causing extreme winter weather in the US and other places.

Solution: A

Statement 2 is incorrect.

In the study, researchers found that the expansion of the polar vortex has been occurring more than twice as often in recent years and the reason for it is the rapidly warming Arctic.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Consider the following statements regarding generation of Ocean currents. Surface currents are generated largely by wind and their patterns are determined by wind direction. Ocean Currents may also be generated by density differences in water masses caused by temperature and salinity variations. Occasional events like huge storms also trigger serious currents. Which of the above statements are correct? (a) 3 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Correct Solution: D Surface currents are generated largely by wind. Their patterns are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth’s rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents. Currents may also be generated by density differences in water masses caused by temperature and salinity variations. These currents move water masses through the deep ocean—taking nutrients, oxygen, and heat with them. Occasional events also trigger serious currents. Huge storms move water masses. Underwater earthquakes may trigger devastating tsunamis. Incorrect Solution: D Surface currents are generated largely by wind. Their patterns are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth’s rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents. Currents may also be generated by density differences in water masses caused by temperature and salinity variations. These currents move water masses through the deep ocean—taking nutrients, oxygen, and heat with them. Occasional events also trigger serious currents. Huge storms move water masses. Underwater earthquakes may trigger devastating tsunamis.

#### 4. Question

Consider the following statements regarding generation of Ocean currents.

• Surface currents are generated largely by wind and their patterns are determined by wind direction.

• Ocean Currents may also be generated by density differences in water masses caused by temperature and salinity variations.

• Occasional events like huge storms also trigger serious currents.

Which of the above statements are correct?

• (a) 3 only

• (b) 1 and 3 only

• (c) 2 and 3 only

• (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: D

Surface currents are generated largely by wind. Their patterns are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth’s rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents.

Currents may also be generated by density differences in water masses caused by temperature and salinity variations. These currents move water masses through the deep ocean—taking nutrients, oxygen, and heat with them.

Occasional events also trigger serious currents. Huge storms move water masses. Underwater earthquakes may trigger devastating tsunamis.

Solution: D

Occasional events also trigger serious currents. Huge storms move water masses. Underwater earthquakes may trigger devastating tsunamis.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Consider the following statements. In ocean water, salinity variation is more in the surface water than at depth. The maximum temperature of the oceans is always below the surface, because the heat cannot escape faster from this layer. Which of the above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Solution: A Salinity at the surface increases by the loss of water to ice or evaporation, or decreased by the input of fresh waters, such as from the rivers. Salinity at depth is very much fixed, because there is no way that water is ‘lost’, or the salt is ‘added.’ It is a well-known fact that the maximum temperature of the oceans is always at their surfaces because they directly receive the heat from the sun and the heat is transmitted to the lower sections of the oceans through the process of convection. It results into decrease of temperature with the increasing depth, but the rate of decrease is not uniform throughout. The temperature falls very rapidly up to the depth of 200 m and thereafter, the rate of decrease of temperature is slowed down. Incorrect Solution: A Salinity at the surface increases by the loss of water to ice or evaporation, or decreased by the input of fresh waters, such as from the rivers. Salinity at depth is very much fixed, because there is no way that water is ‘lost’, or the salt is ‘added.’ It is a well-known fact that the maximum temperature of the oceans is always at their surfaces because they directly receive the heat from the sun and the heat is transmitted to the lower sections of the oceans through the process of convection. It results into decrease of temperature with the increasing depth, but the rate of decrease is not uniform throughout. The temperature falls very rapidly up to the depth of 200 m and thereafter, the rate of decrease of temperature is slowed down.

#### 5. Question

Consider the following statements.

• In ocean water, salinity variation is more in the surface water than at depth.

• The maximum temperature of the oceans is always below the surface, because the heat cannot escape faster from this layer.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• (a) 1 only

• (b) 2 only

• (c) Both 1 and 2

• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: A

Salinity at the surface increases by the loss of water to ice or evaporation, or decreased by the input of fresh waters, such as from the rivers. Salinity at depth is very much fixed, because there is no way that water is ‘lost’, or the salt is ‘added.’

It is a well-known fact that the maximum temperature of the oceans is always at their surfaces because they directly receive the heat from the sun and the heat is transmitted to the lower sections of the oceans through the process of convection. It results into decrease of temperature with the increasing depth, but

the rate of decrease is not uniform throughout. The temperature falls very rapidly up to the depth of 200 m and thereafter, the rate of decrease of temperature is slowed down.

Solution: A

the rate of decrease is not uniform throughout. The temperature falls very rapidly up to the depth of 200 m and thereafter, the rate of decrease of temperature is slowed down.

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