CUET 2023 Geography Question Paper with Answers & Solutions

Correct answer: C

This definition of Human Geography as the synthetic study of relationship between human societies and earth's surface is attributed to Ellen C. Semple in NCERT Class XII Fundamentals of Human Geography.

Correct answer: B

The Humanistic school of thought in human geography is concerned with the various aspects of human welfare and social well-being of the people.

Correct answer: C

Military Geography is a sub-field of Political Geography, which also includes electoral geography. (NCERT Fundamentals of Human Geography, fields of human geography.)

Correct answer: B

The Katanga (Congo)–Zambia copper belt is located in Africa, one of the most important copper mining regions of the world.

Correct answer: D

People immigrate to developed countries mainly for better job opportunities and a better quality of life (pull factors). (NCERT Fundamentals of Human Geography, Migration.)

Correct answer: B

The Demographic Transition Theory describes population change over time and is used to describe and predict the future population of any area through its stages.

Correct answer: B

Footloose industries can be located in a wide variety of places as they are not dependent on any specific raw material, having low weight loss and using small quantities of inputs.

Correct answer: A

Climate and landscape are important attractions for tourists; beaches and sea coasts are part of the landscape/physical attraction drawing people from landlocked areas.

Correct answer: A

Broad gauge in India has a rail spacing of 1.676 metres, which is more than 1.5 metre.

Correct answer: A

Aryabhata, India's first satellite, was launched in 1975.

Correct answer: B

Industrial nations help developing countries set up capital-intensive industries to ensure markets for their finished products (machinery, capital goods).

Correct answer: D

London was the first city to reach a population of one million, by about 1810 (NCERT Fundamentals of Human Geography, Human Settlements).

Correct answer: B

Rapid urban population growth leads to housing shortage and proliferation of slums and squatter settlements, a major urban problem.

Correct answer: C

Census criteria for a town (other than statutory towns): minimum population 5000, at least 75% of male workforce in non-agricultural activities, and density of at least 400 persons/sq km. (A) describes statutory towns separately; the criteria-set answer combining (B), (C), (D) is the intended key. Note the figure of 50% in (C) is what the paper printed; given the options, B,C,D is the correct combination.

Correct answer: B

(A), (B), (C) are correct. (D) is false — slave trade flourished in the 18th-19th centuries (before World Wars), not after World War I. Hence (A), (B), (C) only.

Correct answer: D

Chronological order: Agriculture (earliest) → Industrial Development → Sanitation and Medical → Information and Computers (latest). This is (B), (D), (C), (A).

Correct answer: B

Population densities (2011): Bihar 1106, Uttar Pradesh 829, Odisha 270, Mizoram 52 persons/sq km. Descending order: Bihar > Uttar Pradesh > Odisha > Mizoram = (C), (B), (A), (D).

Correct answer: C

Chronological broad approaches: Exploration and Description (colonial period) → Areal Differentiation (1930s) → Spatial Organisation (1950s-60s) → Post-modernism (1990s). This is (C), (D), (A), (B).

Correct answer: D

Equity = equal access to opportunities (II); Sustainability = continuity in availability (III); Productivity = better work efficiency (IV); Empowerment = power to make choices (I). Hence (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I).

Correct answer: A

Income Approach = human development linked to income (IV); Welfare Approach = maximum expenditure on welfare (III); Basic Needs Approach = provision of basic needs (I); Capability Approach = build human capabilities and access to resources (II). Hence (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(I), (D)-(II).

Correct answer: A

Clustered (compact/nucleated) rural settlements are found in fertile alluvial plains such as the Ganga plains, where dense agriculture supports closely built houses.

Correct answer: A

Ambala is a cantonment (military) town. Raniganj and Jharia are mining towns; Bhilai is an industrial town.

Correct answer: C

In southern states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, rice is grown in all three cropping seasons (aus, aman, boro).

Correct answer: C

Among the given basins, the Krishna basin has the highest replenishable groundwater utilisation/water utilisation (NCERT India People and Economy, Water resources).

Correct answer: D

Haryali is a watershed development project sponsored by the Central Government. Neeru-Meeru is an Andhra Pradesh state programme; Johad and Arvary Pani Sansad are community/people's initiatives in Rajasthan.

Correct answer: A

Copper is a metallic mineral. Limestone, mica and graphite are non-metallic minerals.

Correct answer: B

The Petrofils Cooperative Limited (PCL), a joint venture of the Government of India and Weavers' Cooperative Societies, has its plant located at Vadodara (Gujarat).

Correct answer: A

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was constituted by an Act in 1988 but became operational in 1995.

Correct answer: B

Roads constructed along international boundaries are called Border Roads, built and maintained by the Border Roads Organisation.

Correct answer: C

As per the NCERT Class XII textbook (India People and Economy), Indian Railways is divided into 16 zones.

Correct answer: C

Rainfall is a natural recharge process and is not a cause of water pollution, whereas urbanisation, landslides and industrialisation contribute to it.

Correct answer: D

Slums are residential areas of the least choice, inhabited by lower income people who cannot afford better housing.

Correct answer: B

Basin areas (approx): Ganga ~861000 sq km, Godavari ~313000, Mahanadi ~142000, Tapi ~65000 sq km. Descending order: Ganga > Godavari > Mahanadi > Tapi = (C), (D), (A), (B).

Correct answer: B

Radio broadcasting started (1923) → brought under Indian Broadcasting system/Indian State Broadcasting Service (1930) → named All India Radio (1936) → known as Akashvani (1957). This is (D), (C), (B), (A).

Correct answer: B

Rainwater harvesting captures and stores rainwater (A), is eco-friendly (C), and can be done on rooftops/open spaces (D). (B) is false as it is simple and low-cost. Hence (A), (C), (D) only.

Correct answer: A

Iron and steel plants in this region are located due to availability of water from rivers (A), high grade iron ore (B) and coal (coking coal) in proximity (D). Forest resources (C) are not a primary cause. Hence (A), (B), (D) only.

Correct answer: D

The Border Roads Organisation constructs roads in high altitude/strategic border areas (A), maintains roads in strategically sensitive areas (B) and clears snow on high altitude roads (C). Maintenance of rural roads in plains (D) is not its role. Hence (A), (B), (C) only.

Correct answer: B

Ownership = Private sector (III); Capital investment = Cottage industry (IV); Use of their products = Consumer goods (I); Raw materials used = Mineral based (II). Hence (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II).

Correct answer: B

Ennore = Tamil Nadu (II); Paradwip = Odisha (I); Kandla = Gujarat (IV); Kochi = Kerala (III). Hence (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III).

Correct answer: C

Air Pollution = combustion of coal (III); Water Pollution = effluents from industries (IV); Land Pollution = use of pesticides (I); Noise Pollution = advertising media (II). Hence (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II).

Correct answer: B

High technology is described in the passage as 'the latest generation of manufacturing activities'. Manufacturing falls under secondary activities.

Correct answer: A

The passage states high-tech is 'the application of intensive research and development (R and D) efforts leading to the manufacture of products of an advanced scientific and engineering character'.

Correct answer: B

The passage states 'Professional (white collar) workers make up a large share of the total workforce.'

Correct answer: C

The passage lists robotics, CAD and chemical/pharmaceutical products as examples of high-tech industry. Paper industry is a traditional resource-based industry, not high-tech.

Correct answer: A

The passage states: 'High-tech industries which are regionally concentrated, self-sustained and highly specialised are called technopolies.'

Correct answer: D

Among the listed options (marriage, business, education, work employment), work employment at 24% is the highest reason for male migration. (Moved with household at 34% is higher but is not an option.)

Correct answer: C

In the female migration pie diagram, Marriage at 66% is by far the leading cause of female migration in India.

Correct answer: B

A circle divided into sectors to show relative shares/percentages is a pie diagram (divided circle diagram).

Correct answer: A

In the male migration pie diagram, the Education sector accounts for 2%.

Correct answer: C

The percentage share for each reason of female migration is computed as (number of female migrants for that reason / total female migrants of India) × 100.