Explanation
- A
Carbon cycle
Carbon. Atmosphere and photosynthesis, not rock weathering as the main entry.
- B
Nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen. Atmosphere + fixation.
- C
Phosphorus cycle
Phosphorus. No gaseous stock; weathering of phosphate rock feeds the cycle.
- D
Sulphur cycle
Sulphur. Atmosphere and volcanoes as well as rock.
Summary. Official key is (c) phosphorus. The phosphorus cycle is sedimentary: weathering of rocks is the main natural input. C, N and S have large air pathways.
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.