11. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List-I (Koppen’s type of climate) List-II (Area of occurrence)
A. Amw 1. Coromandel Coast
B. Cwg 2. West Coast of India
C. As 3. West Rajasthan
D. BWhw 4. Ganga Plain
A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
Based on Koppen’s climate classification as applied to India:
A. Amw (Monsoon with short dry season): Characteristic of the West Coast of India, south of Goa. Matches List-II Option 2.
B. Cwg (Monsoon with dry winter): Characteristic of the Ganga Plain and Northern India. Matches List-II Option 4.
C. As (Monsoon with dry summer): Characteristic of the Coromandel Coast, which receives rainfall during the retreating monsoon. Matches List-II Option 1.
D. BWhw (Hot Desert with dry winter): Characteristic of the Thar Desert region. Matches List-II Option 3.
The correct match is A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3.
This question requires knowledge of Koppen’s climate classification types and their typical areas of occurrence in India.
Koppen’s system uses letters to denote climate types based on temperature and precipitation patterns. ‘A’ indicates tropical climates, ‘B’ dry climates, ‘C’ temperate climates. Sub-letters indicate precipitation patterns (‘m’ – monsoon, ‘w’ – dry winter, ‘s’ – dry summer) and temperature (‘h’ – hot).

12. Which one of the following National Parks is an example of protected w

Which one of the following National Parks is an example of protected waterfowl habitat under the Ramsar Convention?

Keoladeo National Park
Bandipur National Park
Dudhwa National Park
Jim Corbett National Park
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
Keoladeo National Park (formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) in Rajasthan is a famous bird sanctuary and a designated Ramsar site (Wetland of International Importance) specifically recognized for its rich waterfowl habitat.
The Ramsar Convention deals with the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Keoladeo National Park is a prominent example of a protected wetland area in India, particularly significant for migratory waterfowl.
Bandipur, Dudhwa, and Jim Corbett National Parks are primarily known for their forest ecosystems and terrestrial wildlife (tigers, elephants, rhinos) although they may contain water bodies. Keoladeo was inscribed as a Ramsar site in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

13. Which one among the following statements for black soil is *not*

Which one among the following statements for black soil is *not* correct?

It is also known as 'regur soil'.
It is generally clayey and impermeable.
It swells when wet and shrinks when dry.
It cannot retain water for long time.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
The statement that is NOT correct about black soil is D. Black soil has a high clay content, which gives it excellent moisture retention capacity. It can retain water for a long time.
Black soil is known for its moisture retention capability due to its clayey nature. The other statements are correct characteristics of black soil.
Black soil is also called Regur soil or Black Cotton soil because it is ideal for cotton cultivation. It is rich in minerals like calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime, but poor in nitrogen and phosphorus. It develops cracks during dry periods, which helps in aeration.

14. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List-I (River) List-II (Tributary)
A. Indus 1. Seti
B. Ghaghra 2. Dhansiri
C. Brahmaputra 3. Bhavani
D. Kaveri 4. Nubra
A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
The correct matching of rivers with their tributaries is Indus-Nubra, Ghaghra-Seti, Brahmaputra-Dhansiri, and Kaveri-Bhavani.
Match the rivers with their respective tributaries:
– **Indus River:** Major tributaries include the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, Beas (the Panjnad), and also mountain tributaries like the Shyok, Zanskar, Hunza, Gilgit, etc. Nubra is a well-known tributary of the Shyok River, which itself is a major tributary of the Indus River. Thus, Nubra is indirectly a tributary of the Indus. (A-4)
– **Ghaghra River:** A major left-bank tributary of the Ganges. Its important tributaries include the Karnali (main stream), Seti, Bheri, Rapti, and Sharda (Kali). Seti is a tributary of the Ghaghra. (B-1)
– **Brahmaputra River:** Known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, it enters India as the Siang and then becomes the Brahmaputra. Major tributaries include Dibang, Lohit, Subansiri, Kameng, Manas, Sankosh, Teesta, and in Bangladesh, the Jamuna joins the Padma (Ganges). Dhansiri is a significant south-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra in Assam. (C-2)
– **Kaveri River:** A major river in South India. Its tributaries include the Harangi, Hemavati, Lakshmana Tirtha, Kabini, Bhavani, Noyyal, and Amaravathi. Bhavani is a major tributary of the Kaveri. (D-3)
Knowledge of the major river systems and their tributaries is a fundamental part of the geography syllabus for Indian competitive exams. Tributaries play a crucial role in defining the drainage basin and hydrology of a river.

15. Arrange the following ‘Mahajanapadas’ in terms of their locations from

Arrange the following ‘Mahajanapadas’ in terms of their locations from south to north :

  • 1. Chedi
  • 2. Ashmaka
  • 3. Panchala
  • 4. Kamboja

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1-4-2-3
4-2-3-1
2-1-3-4
4-3-1-2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
Arranging the given Mahajanapadas from south to north yields the order: Ashmaka, Chedi, Panchala, Kamboja.
The 16 Mahajanapadas were major kingdoms or oligarchies that existed in ancient India during the 6th-4th centuries BCE. Their geographical locations are key to arranging them spatially:
1. **Ashmaka (Assaka):** Located in the Deccan region, on the banks of the Godavari River (modern Maharashtra/Andhra Pradesh). This is the southernmost among the given options.
2. **Chedi:** Located in the Bundelkhand region (parts of modern Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh), south of the Yamuna River. It was north of Ashmaka.
3. **Panchala:** Located in the fertile region of the upper Ganges valley, in present-day western Uttar Pradesh. It was north of Chedi.
4. **Kamboja:** Located in the extreme northwest of the Indian subcontinent, possibly in parts of modern Afghanistan and Pakistan, adjoining Gandhara. This is the northernmost among the given options.

Therefore, the south-to-north order is Ashmaka (2) -> Chedi (1) -> Panchala (3) -> Kamboja (4), which is 2-1-3-4.

Understanding the locations of the major Mahajanapadas like Magadha, Kosala, Avanti, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara, Kamboja, etc., is important for studying the political and geographical landscape of India during the Mahajanapada period.

16. Who among the following was the first Indian ruler to accept the Subsi

Who among the following was the first Indian ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance System of Wellesley?

Salabat Jung
Asaf Jah II
Tipu Sultan
Baji Rao II
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
Asaf Jah II, the Nizam of Hyderabad, was the first Indian ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance System as fully implemented by Lord Wellesley.
Lord Wellesley became the Governor-General of Bengal in 1798 and systematically used the Subsidiary Alliance system to expand British influence and control over Indian states. Under this system, an Indian ruler who accepted the alliance had to disband his own army and allow British troops to be stationed in his territory. He also had to pay for the maintenance of the British force and accept a British Resident at his court. In return, the British promised protection against external enemies and internal revolts, but this came at the cost of the ruler’s sovereignty.

While some earlier alliances with the British had features resembling the Subsidiary Alliance, the Nizam of Hyderabad under Asaf Jah II was the first major state to sign a comprehensive Subsidiary Treaty with Wellesley in September 1798. The Nawab of Awadh had signed an alliance in 1765, but it was different from Wellesley’s system. Baji Rao II, the Peshwa, accepted the alliance much later through the Treaty of Bassein in 1802. Tipu Sultan of Mysore was a staunch opponent of the British and was defeated and killed before he could be subjected to the alliance.

The Subsidiary Alliance System was a key tool used by the British East India Company under Wellesley to establish its paramountcy in India. It effectively reduced the Indian states to a position of dependence on the British.

17. Who among the following took the lead in organizing the Women’s Indian

Who among the following took the lead in organizing the Women’s Indian Association in 1917?

Margaret Cousins
Meherbhai Tata
Fatima Sheikh
Sarojini Naidu
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
Margaret Cousins took a prominent lead in organizing the Women’s Indian Association (WIA) in 1917.
The Women’s Indian Association (WIA) was founded in 1917 in Adyar, Madras (Chennai). It was the first major feminist organization in India. Its founders included prominent figures like Annie Besant, Dorothy Jinarajadasa, and Margaret Cousins. Margaret Cousins, an Irish-Indian suffragette and educationist, played a crucial role in establishing and leading the organization, advocating for women’s suffrage, education, and social reform.
The WIA was instrumental in raising awareness about women’s rights and issues and played a significant role in the movement for women’s political representation in India. It helped pave the way for women to gain the right to vote in provincial and central legislatures.

18. Consider the following : 1. Sohagighat 2. Lakhajoar 3. Kathotia 4

Consider the following :

  • 1. Sohagighat
  • 2. Lakhajoar
  • 3. Kathotia
  • 4. Jaora

With reference to the above, which one of the following is correct?

All the above are Buddhist sites
All the above are rock art sites
All the above are names of tribes
All the above are ancient quarry sites
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
Sohagighat, Lakhajoar, Kathotia, and Jaora are all recognized rock art sites.
These four locations are known for their prehistoric rock shelters containing ancient rock paintings (petroglyphs and pictographs). They are primarily located in the vicinity of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and are part of or related to the larger complex of rock art sites in the Vindhya Range, including the famous Bhimbetka rock shelters. Archaeological surveys and studies have documented numerous rock art sites at these locations.
Rock art provides invaluable insights into the lives, beliefs, and artistic skills of prehistoric humans. Sites like Bhimbetka are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, recognized for their extensive collection of rock paintings spanning several millennia. Sohagighat, Lakhajoar, Kathotia, and Jaora are important sites within this rich rock art landscape of Central India.

19. The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through which of the following grou

The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through which of the following groups of States?

Gujarat, West Bengal, Nagaland
Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Mizoram
Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Tripura
Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Mizoram
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through the state of Nagaland, which is included in group A.
The Tropic of Cancer is a line of latitude located at approximately 23.5 degrees North of the Equator. In India, it passes through eight states from west to east:
1. Gujarat
2. Rajasthan
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Chhattisgarh
5. Jharkhand
6. West Bengal
7. Tripura
8. Mizoram

Let’s check the options against this list:
A) Gujarat (Yes), West Bengal (Yes), **Nagaland (No)**. Nagaland is located north of the Tropic of Cancer.
B) Rajasthan (Yes), Jharkhand (Yes), Mizoram (Yes). All three are on the line.
C) Gujarat (Yes), Chhattisgarh (Yes), Tripura (Yes). All three are on the line.
D) Madhya Pradesh (Yes), Jharkhand (Yes), Mizoram (Yes). All three are on the line.

Knowing the list of states the Tropic of Cancer passes through is a frequently tested geographical fact for Indian exams. Visualizing these states on a map helps in remembering them.

20. Which one of the following is not among the areas classified as ‘moder

Which one of the following is not among the areas classified as ‘moderate drought-affected areas’ in India?

Coimbatore Plateau
Northern part of Rajasthan
Southern districts of Uttar Pradesh
Konkan region of Maharashtra
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
The Konkan region of Maharashtra is generally not classified as a ‘moderate drought-affected area’ in India; it is known for receiving heavy rainfall.
Drought-prone areas in India are typically identified based on rainfall patterns, irrigation facilities, and agricultural practices. Regions commonly classified as drought-prone include parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra (Vidarbha, Marathwada), Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh (Bundelkhand), and Uttar Pradesh (Bundelkhand).

– Northern part of Rajasthan (Thar desert region) is severely drought-prone.
– Southern districts of Uttar Pradesh (Bundelkhand region) are moderately drought-prone.
– Coimbatore Plateau (in Tamil Nadu) is also known to be a drought-prone area.
– The Konkan region, situated along the Western Ghats, receives very high rainfall during the monsoon season and is not typically considered drought-prone.

Classification of drought-affected areas can vary based on the criteria used (meteorological, agricultural, hydrological drought) and the specific year’s conditions. However, geographically, the Konkan belt is consistently among the high-rainfall regions of India, making it an unlikely candidate for a drought-affected classification.