Indian Geography

211. The irregularity in the amount of rainfall in different parts of north

The irregularity in the amount of rainfall in different parts of north Indian plains is mainly due to :

[amp_mcq option1=”irregular intensity of low pressure in the north-western parts of India.” option2=”variation in the location of the axis of low pressure trough.” option3=”difference in frequency of cyclones.” option4=”variation in the amount of moisture carried by winds every year.” correct=”option2″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2010
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During the Indian monsoon, rainfall over the North Indian plains is heavily influenced by the position of the monsoon trough, an elongated low-pressure area. The axis of this trough oscillates north and south. When the trough is located over the central plains, it brings widespread rain. When it shifts towards the foothills of the Himalayas (known as a “break” in the monsoon), rainfall decreases significantly over the plains and concentrates in the Himalayan region. Variations in the location and movement of this trough axis from year to year, and even within a season, are the primary reason for the irregularity in the amount and distribution of rainfall across different parts of the North Indian plains.
The shifting position of the monsoon trough axis is the main factor causing spatial variations in rainfall across the North Indian plains.
Other factors like the passage of monsoon depressions forming in the Bay of Bengal also contribute to rainfall, but the general pattern of distribution across the plains during the season is most strongly linked to the dynamic position of the monsoon trough.

212. Which one of the following types of forests cover the largest area in

Which one of the following types of forests cover the largest area in India ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Tropical dry deciduous” option2=”Tropical moist deciduous” option3=”Tropical evergreen” option4=”Himalayan moist temperate” correct=”option1″]

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Tropical dry deciduous forests cover the largest area in India.
Tropical dry deciduous forests are found in vast areas of the Indian subcontinent where rainfall is moderate (70-100 cm annually), and they shed their leaves during the dry season. This type of forest is widespread across the central parts of India.
Tropical moist deciduous forests require higher rainfall (100-200 cm) and are also significant but cover a smaller area than dry deciduous forests. Tropical evergreen forests are limited to high rainfall regions (over 200 cm), such as parts of the Western Ghats and Northeast India. Himalayan moist temperate forests are specific to the Himalayan region.

213. Which one of the following states of India is surrounded by Bangladesh

Which one of the following states of India is surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Mizoram” option2=”Meghalaya” option3=”Tripura” option4=”West Bengal” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
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The Indian state of Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on its northern, western, and southern sides.
Tripura shares an international border of 856 km with Bangladesh, making it the only state in India to be surrounded by an international border on three sides.
Mizoram borders Bangladesh on the west, but also borders Myanmar and the Indian states of Assam and Manipur. Meghalaya borders Bangladesh on the south, but borders Assam on the north. West Bengal borders Bangladesh on the east but has significant borders with other Indian states and coastline.

214. Consider the following statements: 1. The Damuda series of rock syst

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. The Damuda series of rock system contain all the metallurgical coal in India.
  • 2. Tamil Nadu is the chief producer of lignite coal in India.
  • 3. Tertiary coal is mainly confined to the peninsular India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 2 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
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Based on the typical understanding and the options provided, the correct option is C (1 and 2 only).
– Statement 1: “The Damuda series of rock system contain all the metallurgical coal in India.” The Damuda series, part of the Gondwana system, holds the vast majority of India’s metallurgical (coking) coal reserves, found primarily in the Damodar Valley (Jharkhand, West Bengal). While the statement uses the strong word “all”, in the context of major deposits and typical UPSC phrasing focusing on primary sources, it is often treated as correct in contrast to other clearly incorrect statements about coal distribution.
– Statement 2 is correct: Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of lignite coal in India, primarily from the Neyveli field.
– Statement 3 is incorrect: Tertiary coal deposits in India are mainly found in the northeastern states (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland), Jammu & Kashmir, and also in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. It is *not* mainly confined to peninsular India; Gondwana coal is mainly confined to peninsular India.
– Therefore, assuming Statement 1 is accepted as essentially correct in this context (meaning containing the overwhelming majority), and Statement 2 is correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect, the combination “1 and 2 only” is the correct option.
Indian coal is broadly classified into two geological ages: Gondwana coal (about 250 million years old), found in peninsular India (major fields: Damodar Valley, Mahanadi, Godavari, Son, Wardha rivers), which is high grade bituminous coal including metallurgical coal; and Tertiary coal (about 15-60 million years old), found mostly in non-peninsular regions (NE India, J&K) and some coastal peninsular areas (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu), which includes lignite and sub-bituminous coal.

215. Which one of the following causes rainfall in the north-western parts

Which one of the following causes rainfall in the north-western parts of India during Winter Season ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Cyclonic depression” option2=”Retreating monsoon” option3=”Western disturbances” option4=”South West monsoon” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
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The correct option is C (Western disturbances).
– Winter rainfall in the north-western parts of India, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, is primarily caused by Western Disturbances.
– Western Disturbances are low-pressure systems originating over the Mediterranean Sea. They travel eastward across Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, bringing moisture which causes precipitation in the form of rain and snow over the Himalayas and the plains of north-western India during the winter months (generally from December to March).
– Cyclonic depression can cause rainfall, but the specific winter rain in NW India is linked to the characteristic movement of Western Disturbances.
– Retreating Monsoon affects the southern parts of India, particularly the Tamil Nadu coast, during the autumn/early winter months (October-November).
– South West Monsoon is the primary monsoon season in India, bringing rainfall from June to September to most parts of the country, but not the cause of winter precipitation in the northwest plains.
The winter rainfall brought by Western Disturbances is crucial for the Rabi crops (like wheat) in north-western India.

216. Consider the following paragraph and identify with the code given belo

Consider the following paragraph and identify with the code given below the town with which the paragraph is associated :
It is basically a traditional centre for cotton. The town accounts for the bulk of India’s cotton knitwear exports to all over the world. The Noyyal river runs all across the town, virtually dividing it into two halves.
Code :

[amp_mcq option1=”Guntur (Andhra Pradesh)” option2=”Tirupur (Tamil Nadu)” option3=”Erode (Tamil Nadu)” option4=”Subarnpur (Orissa)” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
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The correct answer is B) Tirupur (Tamil Nadu).
The description accurately identifies Tirupur. It is a major hub for cotton knitwear manufacturing and exports, widely recognized as the “Knitwear Capital of India”. The Noyyal river flows through the town, aligning with the geographical detail provided.
Tirupur’s economy is heavily dependent on the textile industry, particularly knitted garments. It attracts a large workforce and contributes significantly to India’s textile exports. The Noyyal river is an important, though often polluted, river in the region.

217. There are 12 major ports in India and Port Trust Boards have been setu

There are 12 major ports in India and Port Trust Boards have been setup for the administration, control and management of 11 of these 12 ports. Which one of the following major ports has been incorporated as a company under the Indian Companies Act, 1956 and not administered by a Port Trust Board ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Haldia” option2=”Paradip” option3=”Ennore” option4=”Kandla” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
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The correct answer is C) Ennore.
Most major ports in India are governed by Port Trust Boards under the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. However, Ennore Port (now officially known as Kamarajar Port Limited), located near Chennai, was the first major port in India to be incorporated as a company under the Indian Companies Act, 1956 (now the Companies Act, 2013). This allows it greater operational and financial autonomy compared to the traditional Port Trusts.
Kamarajar Port is a public sector undertaking (PSU) registered as a company. Its structure was intended to make it more competitive and efficient, operating on commercial lines. Haldia, Paradip, and Kandla (Deendayal Port) were and are administered by Port Trusts.

218. Consider the following statements regarding River Brahmaputra: 1. It

Consider the following statements regarding River Brahmaputra:

  • 1. It rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarovar.
  • 2. It takes a “U” turn near Namcha Barwa and enters India through a gorge.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
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Both statements about the Brahmaputra River are correct.
1. It rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarovar: The Brahmaputra, known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, originates from the Chemayungdung glacier located in southwestern Tibet, near Lake Mansarovar.
2. It takes a “U” turn near Namcha Barwa and enters India through a gorge: The Yarlung Tsangpo flows eastward through Tibet and takes a sharp southward bend (a hairpin bend often described as a “U” turn) around the peak of Namcha Barwa (7,756 m) in the Eastern Himalayas. It then enters Arunachal Pradesh in India through a deep gorge (Dihang Gorge), where it is known as Siang or Dihang.
The Brahmaputra is one of the major trans-boundary rivers of Asia, flowing through China (Tibet), India, and Bangladesh. Its origin and dramatic entry into India through the Himalayan gorge are key geographical features.
In India, the Brahmaputra is known by different names: Siang or Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh, and Brahmaputra in Assam. It is joined by several tributaries, including Dibang and Lohit, to form the main Brahmaputra river in Assam. It finally flows into Bangladesh where it is known as Jamuna and merges with the Padma (Ganga) before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

219. Which one of the following is found in appreciable amount in Laterite

Which one of the following is found in appreciable amount in Laterite soil in India ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Calcium” option2=”Phosphate” option3=”Potash” option4=”Nitrogen” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
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Laterite soils are formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall, which leads to intense leaching. This process removes soluble bases (like calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium) and silica, leaving behind hydrated oxides of iron and aluminum. Therefore, laterite soils are typically deficient in nitrogen (due to low organic matter), potash (potassium), and calcium (lime).
While laterite soils are generally low in all the listed nutrients (Calcium, Phosphate, Potash, Nitrogen), total phosphorus content can sometimes be present in relatively appreciable amounts compared to the very low levels of nitrogen, potassium, and calcium, although a significant portion of this phosphorus is fixed by iron and aluminum oxides and is unavailable to plants. Assuming “appreciable amount” refers to total content rather than plant-available content or relative to other deficient elements, Phosphate is the most plausible option among the choices, despite the overall low fertility of laterite soils.
Laterite soils are rich in iron oxide (giving them a reddish colour) and aluminium oxide. They are often acidic. Due to the leaching process, they are generally poor in plant nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. However, deposits of bauxite (aluminum ore) and iron ore are often found in laterite profiles.

220. Which of the following tributaries is/are correctly matched with the D

Which of the following tributaries is/are correctly matched with the Deccan Rivers ?

Tributary River
1. Bhavani Krishna
2. Kabini Kaveri
3. Manjra Godavari
4. Bhima Mahanadi

Select the answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2″ option2=”1 and 3″ option3=”2 and 3″ option4=”3 and 4″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2024
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Let’s examine each pair of tributary and river:
1. Bhavani – Krishna: Incorrect. Bhavani River is a major tributary of the Kaveri River.
2. Kabini – Kaveri: Correct. Kabini River (or Kapila River) is a major tributary of the Kaveri River.
3. Manjra – Godavari: Correct. Manjra River is a tributary of the Godavari River.
4. Bhima – Mahanadi: Incorrect. Bhima River is a major tributary of the Krishna River.
The correctly matched pairs are Kabini with Kaveri and Manjra with Godavari.
Deccan Rivers (Peninsular Rivers) are a major river system in India, broadly classified into East Flowing (draining into the Bay of Bengal) and West Flowing (draining into the Arabian Sea). Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri are major east-flowing Deccan rivers, while Narmada and Tapti are major west-flowing Deccan rivers. Knowing the major tributaries of these rivers is important for geography of India.
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