Disaster Management Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
| UPSC Mains Examination
[Link]/blog/disaster-management-previous-year-questions-upsc-mains-examination/
On this page you will find all the updates related to the previous year questions of subject
Disaster Management for UPSC IAS Mains examination.
Previous Year Disaster Management Questions UPSC Mains Exam: Disaster
management is critical in the face of natural calamities such as drought, floods, and
earthquakes. As a result, when preparing, the applicant should concentrate on all of the
crucial aspects of Disaster Management. The number of questions from the Disaster
Management Syllabus is not fixed.
Referring to the disaster management PYQ UPSC will help you understand the pattern
and type of questions asked. In the Mains test, candidates can expect 1 to 2 questions
from the topic.
Q.1) Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting
in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyse the various causes of dam failures. Give
two examples of large dam failures. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2023]
Q.2) Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian
subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2022]
1/3
Q.3) Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available
coastal management techniques for combating the hazard? [250 words] [15 Marks]
[2022]
Q.4) Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention components of
the important components of National Landslide Risk Management strategy. [250 Words]
[15 Marks] [2021]
Q.5) Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give
examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in
different parts of India during the last three decades. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2021]
Q.6) Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of
India departing from the earlier reactive approach. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2020]
Q.7) Vulnerability is an essential element for defining disaster impacts and its threat to
people. How and in what ways can vulnerability to disasters be characterized? Discuss
different types of vulnerability with reference to disasters. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2019]
Q.8) Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain
how hazard zonation mapping will help disaster mitigation in the case of landslides. [250
Words] [15 marks] [2019]
Q.9) Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before
and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework
different from ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’? [250 Words] [15 marks] [2018]
Q.10) On December 2004, tsunami brought havoc on 14 countries including India.
Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of Tsunami and its effects on life and
economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for
preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. [250 Words] [15 marks] [2017]
Q.11) The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the
years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for
preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]
Q.12) With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines,
discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of
cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]
Q.13) The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian
subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant
gaps. Discuss various aspects. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2015]
Q.14) Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal
duration, slow onset and lasting effects on vulnerable sections. With a focus on the
September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),
2/3
discuss the mechanisms for preparedness to deal with likely El Nino and La Nina fall outs
in India. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2014]
Q.15) How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management?
As an administrator, what are key areas that you would focus on in a Disaster
Management System? [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]
Trends of Disaster Management PYQs For UPSC Mains
In 2023, one question was asked on dam failures. In 2022 only one question from the
section related to the mechanism of cloudburst and causes and effects of coastal
erosion in India was asked. In 2021, two questions were asked from disaster
management from National Landslide Risk Management Strategy and earthquake
related hazards. In the year 2020 one question was asked on the governmental
measures for disaster management. In 2019 two questions were raised from the
hazard zonation mapping and vulnerability types related to disasters.
Year Total Marks weightage
2023 10
2022 25
2021 25
2020 15
2019 25
2018 15
2017 15
2016 25
2015 12.5
2014 12.5
2013 10
3/3
