Indian Geography

291. Identify the sea-port in India on the basis of the given characteristi

Identify the sea-port in India on the basis of the given characteristics :

  • 1. It is more than a century old port on the west coast of India.
  • 2. It is a natural harbour protected by a breakwater and also by a mole.
  • 3. A deep draft channel of about 14 metres depth permits large vessels to enter the harbour.

Select the correct sea-port from the options given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”Mormugao Port” option2=”Deendayal Port” option3=”Cochin Port” option4=”Jawaharlal Nehru Port” correct=”option1″]

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The characteristics describe Mormugao Port.
Mormugao Port, located on the west coast of India in Goa, is situated at the mouth of the Zuari River estuary. Its history as a port dates back to the construction of the railway line to the coast in the late 19th century, making it over a century old. It is known as a natural harbour, enhanced by structures like a breakwater and a mole for protection. It is equipped with deep draft channels to handle large vessels.
Deendayal Port (formerly Kandla) is located in Gujarat, developed post-partition. Cochin Port in Kerala is a natural harbour but its modern development is more recent than Mormugao’s historical roots. Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) near Mumbai is a modern, planned container port developed in the 1980s.

292. Consider the following statements regarding soils: 1. Soils having a

Consider the following statements regarding soils:

  • 1. Soils having a very high content of sodium and calcium and pH of more than 7.0 are alkaline soils.
  • 2. Black cotton soil had developed on the Deccan basaltic lava under hot and humid conditions.
  • 3. Laterite soils are characterised by a deep weathered layer from which silica has been leached.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

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Statement 1 is correct. Alkaline soils are defined as soils having a pH greater than 7. High content of base cations like sodium and calcium contribute to a higher pH, leading to alkaline conditions. Sodic soils (high sodium) and calcareous soils (high calcium carbonate) are common types of alkaline soils. Statement 2 is correct. Black cotton soil (Regur soil) is characteristic of the Deccan Trap region in India and is formed from the weathering of basaltic lava rocks under conditions including high temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons, which facilitates the formation of expansive clays and cracking. Statement 3 is correct. Laterite soils are formed through intense weathering and leaching in hot, humid climates with distinct wet and dry seasons. This process, called laterization or desilication, involves the removal of silica and bases, leaving behind a concentration of iron and aluminum oxides in a deep weathered layer.
Soil classification and properties are influenced by parent material, climate, topography, organisms, and time. Different soil types exhibit distinct physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.
Alkaline soils can pose challenges for agriculture due to potential nutrient deficiencies or toxicities at high pH levels. Black soils are known for their high clay content and moisture retention but can be difficult to cultivate when wet or dry. Laterite soils are often poor in nutrients due to intense leaching but can be used for crops like cashew, tapioca, and groundnut after appropriate management.

293. Which of the following statements regarding Regur soil is/are correct

Which of the following statements regarding Regur soil is/are correct ?

  • 1. It is a light coloured, clayey and fertile soil.
  • 2. It is developed on Deccan basaltic lava under hot and humid conditions.
  • 3. Cotton is extensively cultivated in this soil.

Select the answer using the code given below :

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

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Statement 3 is correct. Regur soil, also known as Black Cotton soil, is famous for its suitability for cotton cultivation due to its high clay content which allows it to retain moisture effectively. Statement 2 is also correct. Black soils are predominantly found in the Deccan Trap region and are formed by the weathering of basaltic lava rocks. While not exclusively under consistently humid conditions (alternating wet and dry periods are key for their cracking property), they develop under hot temperatures and seasonal rainfall characteristic of the region. Statement 1 is incorrect; Regur soils are dark grey to black in colour, not light-coloured.
Regur soils are characterized by their dark color, clayey texture, high moisture retention capacity, and tendency to develop deep cracks during dry periods. They are rich in minerals but can be deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter.
The parent material for Regur soils in the Deccan region is primarily basalt. The black color is attributed to compounds like titaniferous magnetite and often associated with humus accumulation in the presence of clays. While cotton is the most famous crop grown in these soils, they are also used for cultivating crops like jowar, wheat, sugarcane, and groundnuts.

294. Which of the following tree species is/are found on Himalayas ? 1. O

Which of the following tree species is/are found on Himalayas ?

  • 1. Oak
  • 2. Rhododendron
  • 3. Rosewood

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

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The correct answer is D) 1 and 2.
The Himalayas exhibit a wide range of vegetation types depending on altitude and rainfall. Oak (Quercus species) trees are commonly found in the temperate forest zones of the Himalayas. Rhododendron species are also characteristic plants of the Himalayan region, particularly in the temperate to sub-alpine zones, known for their vibrant flowers. Rosewood (e.g., Dalbergia latifolia) is primarily a tropical hardwood species found in peninsular India, especially in the Western Ghats, and is not typical of the Himalayan flora.
Himalayan vegetation transitions from tropical deciduous forests at lower altitudes to temperate forests (including oaks, pines, deodars, firs, spruces), alpine meadows, and finally tundra/nival zones at the highest elevations. Rhododendrons are a prominent feature of the temperate and alpine flora.

295. Deendayal Port was earlier known as :

Deendayal Port was earlier known as :

[amp_mcq option1=”Paradip Port” option2=”Tuticorin Port” option3=”Kandla Port” option4=”Visakhapatnam Port” correct=”option3″]

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Many ports in India have been renamed over the years, often after prominent national figures. Deendayal Port is a major port on the west coast of India, located in Gujarat.
The port formerly known as Kandla Port was renamed Deendayal Port in 2017 in honour of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
– Paradip Port: Major port in Odisha.
– Tuticorin Port: Major port in Tamil Nadu, officially renamed V.O. Chidambaranar Port.
– Kandla Port: Major port in Gujarat, renamed Deendayal Port. It is known for handling large volumes of cargo, especially petroleum, fertilizers, and food grains. It is one of the largest ports by cargo volume in India.
– Visakhapatnam Port: Major port in Andhra Pradesh.

296. According to Koppen’s climatic classifications, the Great Northern Pla

According to Koppen’s climatic classifications, the Great Northern Plains of India have which one of the following climates ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Aw climate” option2=”Cwg climate” option3=”Amw climate” option4=”Dfc climate” correct=”option2″]

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According to Koppen’s climatic classification, the Great Northern Plains of India have a Cwg climate.
Koppen’s classification system uses temperature and precipitation to define climate zones. Cwg represents a humid subtropical climate. ‘C’ denotes warm temperate climates, ‘w’ indicates dry winters, and ‘g’ specifically refers to the Gangetic Plain, signifying a climate characterized by hot, dry summers before the monsoon arrives, followed by a rainy season, and then cool, dry winters. This accurately describes the climate of the vast Northern Plains of India.
Other climate types found in India according to Koppen’s classification include Aw (Tropical Savanna, found in parts of peninsular India), Amw (Tropical Monsoon, found along the west coast), BShw (Semi-arid Steppe, found in parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana), BWhw (Hot Desert, found in Western Rajasthan), As (Tropical Wet, dry summer, found in the Coromandel coast), Dfc (Cold, wet winter, short cool summer, found in very high altitudes).

297. Mica is mainly used in :

Mica is mainly used in :

[amp_mcq option1=”food and beverage industry.” option2=”iron and steel industry.” option3=”aluminium industry.” option4=”electrical and electronic industries.” correct=”option4″]

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Mica is mainly used in electrical and electronic industries.
Mica has excellent dielectric strength, is chemically inert, and has good insulating properties, making it an ideal material for various applications in the electrical and electronic industries. It is used in capacitors, insulators, heating elements, and other electrical components.
India is one of the major producers and exporters of mica, although production has seen decline in recent years. Historically, the mica belt in Jharkhand and Bihar was very prominent. Other uses of mica include in paints, rubber, plastics, and cosmetics, but its primary industrial application remains in electrical and electronics.

298. Which one among the following states is the leading producer of Mangan

Which one among the following states is the leading producer of Manganese in India ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Madhya Pradesh” option2=”Jharkhand” option3=”Rajasthan” option4=”Karnataka” correct=”option1″]

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Madhya Pradesh is a leading producer of Manganese in India.
Madhya Pradesh, along with Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, are the major manganese-producing states in India. Data fluctuates year to year, but Madhya Pradesh consistently ranks among the top, often leading the production.
Manganese is an important element used in the production of steel (ferromanganese alloy). It is also used in chemicals, batteries, and other applications. The main manganese belt in India extends across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, and Goa.

299. Which one of the following pairs of Tribe and State is NOT correctly m

Which one of the following pairs of Tribe and State is NOT correctly matched ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Tharu : Madhya Pradesh” option2=”Adi : Arunachal Pradesh” option3=”Irula : Kerala” option4=”Shaharia : Rajasthan” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
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Let’s examine each pair:
A) Tharu : Madhya Pradesh – Tharu people are indigenous to the Terai region of India and Nepal, living mainly in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. They are not primarily found in Madhya Pradesh. This pair is NOT correctly matched.
B) Adi : Arunachal Pradesh – The Adi tribe is a major tribal group of Arunachal Pradesh, inhabiting the Himalayan hills. This pair is correctly matched.
C) Irula : Kerala – The Irula people are an indigenous ethnic group inhabiting areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. This pair is correctly matched.
D) Shaharia : Rajasthan – The Sahariya (or Shaharia) tribe is a major tribal group residing in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. This pair is correctly matched.
Therefore, the pair that is NOT correctly matched is Tharu : Madhya Pradesh.
This question tests knowledge about the geographical distribution of major tribes in India.
Knowing the states where significant tribal populations reside is important for understanding India’s social and cultural diversity, as well as issues related to tribal welfare and development.

300. 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
(Mineral deposit)		List II
(State)
A. Gypsum1. Odisha
B. Graphite2. Gujarat
C. Fluorspar3. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Nickel4. Rajasthan

Code :

ABCD
(a)1324
(b)1234
(c)4321
(d)4231

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

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Based on the distribution of mineral deposits in India:
A. Gypsum: Rajasthan is the largest producer of Gypsum in India. (Match with 4)
B. Graphite: Arunachal Pradesh has significant reserves of Graphite. Other states like Odisha, Jharkhand, and Kerala are also major producers. (Match with 3 based on the options)
C. Fluorspar: Gujarat is a major producer of Fluorspar (also known as Fluorite). (Match with 2)
D. Nickel: Odisha is the only state in India producing Nickel ore. (Match with 1)
Thus, the correct matching is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1, which corresponds to option (c).
This question tests knowledge about the geographical distribution of important mineral deposits across Indian states.
Understanding the distribution of minerals is crucial for questions related to India’s geography, economy, and resource management. India is deficient in certain minerals like Nickel, necessitating imports.
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