Indian Geography

71. Consider the following rivers : 1. Brahmani 2. Nagavali 3. Subarna

Consider the following rivers :

  • 1. Brahmani
  • 2. Nagavali
  • 3. Subarnarekha
  • 4. Vamsadhara

Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?

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

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Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers rise from the Eastern Ghats.
– 1. Brahmani River: Formed by the confluence of the South Koel and Sankh rivers near Rourkela in Odisha. The South Koel originates in the Chota Nagpur Plateau (Jharkhand), and the Sankh river originates in the Netarhat Plateau (also Chota Nagpur region). It does not originate from the Eastern Ghats.
– 2. Nagavali River: Rises in the Eastern Ghats near Lakhbahal village in the Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi district, Odisha, at an elevation of about 1300 meters. It flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. So, it rises from the Eastern Ghats.
– 3. Subarnarekha River: Rises from the Chota Nagpur Plateau near Piskaji village, about 16 km west of Ranchi, Jharkhand. It does not originate from the Eastern Ghats.
– 4. Vamsadhara River: Rises in the Eastern Ghats in the hilly region of Lanjigarh block, Kalahandi district, Odisha. It flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. So, it rises from the Eastern Ghats.
– Therefore, only Nagavali and Vamsadhara among the given options originate from the Eastern Ghats.
The Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous range of mountains along India’s eastern coast. Many medium and minor rivers originate from these hills and flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal. Major rivers like Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, and Cauvery flow through the Eastern Ghats in some parts but originate from the Western Ghats or central India.

72. With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the n

With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of

[amp_mcq option1=”glaciers” option2=”mangrove areas” option3=”Ramsar sites” option4=”saline lakes” correct=”option4″]

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Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol, and Khatu are names of saline lakes in India.
– These names refer to lakes located in Rajasthan, India.
– Didwana Lake, Kuchaman Lake, and Khatu Lake are well-known salt lakes in the state. They are playas or temporary lakes that become saline due to evaporation in the arid and semi-arid climate.
– These lakes are important sources of salt extraction.
– The options are distinct geographical features: Glaciers are found in high mountains (e.g., Himalayas). Mangrove areas are coastal ecosystems. Ramsar sites are designated wetlands of international importance (while some of these lakes could potentially be Ramsar sites, their primary identification is as saline lakes).
Rajasthan has several inland drainage basins with saline lakes due to its topography and climatic conditions. Other notable saline lakes in Rajasthan include Sambhar Lake (India’s largest inland salt lake), Lunkaransar, and Pachpadra.

73. With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers

With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Chenab” option2=”Jhelum” option3=”Ravi” option4=”Sutlej” correct=”option4″]

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Among the given options, the Sutlej is the river that joins the Indus direct, receiving waters from the other major tributaries indirectly.
– The Indus River system consists of the main Indus River and its major tributaries: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. These five tributaries flow through the Punjab region.
– The Jhelum River flows into the Chenab River.
– The Ravi River flows into the Chenab River.
– The Beas River flows into the Sutlej River (in India).
– The Chenab River (carrying the waters of Jhelum and Ravi) then joins the Sutlej River near Uch Sharif in Pakistan.
– The combined river, known as the Panjnad (“Five Rivers”), flows for a short distance before joining the Indus River at Mithankot, Pakistan.
– Thus, the Sutlej is the river among the options that receives the waters of the other three (Jhelum and Ravi via Chenab, and Beas – though Beas is not in the list of options, it joins Sutlej before the confluence with Chenab) and then joins the Indus as the Panjnad.
– The wording “three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct” is a bit simplified. Jhelum and Ravi pour into Chenab. Chenab pours into Sutlej. Sutlej (combined with Beas) then joins the Indus. The Sutlej forms the final major confluence (Panjnad) with the Indus.
The Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan allocates the waters of the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan.

74. The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering

The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of

[amp_mcq option1=”brown forest soil” option2=”fissure volcanic rock” option3=”granite and schist” option4=”shale and limestone” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is B) fissure volcanic rock.
– The black cotton soils of India, also known as Regur soils, are predominantly found in the Deccan Plateau region.
– These soils are formed by the weathering of basaltic lava rocks, which are the result of massive fissure volcanic eruptions that occurred during the formation of the Deccan Traps in the late Cretaceous period.
– Basalt is a type of extrusive igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of magnesium-rich and iron-rich lava exposed at or very near the surface of a terrestrial planet or a moon.
– Black cotton soils are rich in clay minerals like montmorillonite, which causes them to swell when wet and shrink when dry, leading to characteristic cracks. They are known for their fertility and suitability for cotton cultivation, hence the name.
– Weathering of granite and schist typically produces red or yellow soils (e.g., in the Peninsular Plateau).

75. Which one of the following statements is correct?

Which one of the following statements is correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.” option2=”Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal river.” option3=”Pandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada river.” option4=”Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari river.” correct=”option1″]

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Statement A is correct. The Ajanta Caves are a series of rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE. They are located near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, carved into a cliff face above a bend in the Waghora river.
Statement B is incorrect. The Sanchi Stupa is located on a hilltop in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, near the banks of the Betwa river, not the Chambal river.
Statement C is incorrect. The Pandu-lena Cave Shrines, also known as Pandavleni Caves, are a group of 24 rock-cut Buddhist caves located about 8 km south of Nashik, Maharashtra. They are on a hill overlooking the city and not in the gorge of the Narmada river.
Statement D is incorrect. The Amaravati Stupa (Maha Stupa) is a ruined Buddhist monument located in Amaravati, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, on the banks of the Krishna river, not the Godavari river.
– Ajanta Caves are situated in the gorge of the Waghora river.
– Sanchi Stupa is near the Betwa river.
– Pandavleni Caves are near Nashik.
– Amaravati Stupa is on the banks of the Krishna river.
Identifying the geographical location, especially the surrounding rivers or landmarks, of important historical and archaeological sites is a common feature of questions related to ancient Indian history and geography in the UPSC exam.

76. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin ?

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin ?

  1. Nagarhole National Park
  2. Papikonda National Park
  3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
  4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

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Nagarhole National Park, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are located in the Cauvery basin. Papikonda National Park is in the Godavari basin.
The Cauvery river flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with tributaries originating in Kerala. Nagarhole National Park is in Karnataka. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu is drained by the Bhavani river, a Cauvery tributary. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala contains the origin of the Kabini river, a major tributary of the Cauvery. Papikonda National Park is located in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, along the Godavari river. Therefore, only 1, 3, and 4 are in the Cauvery basin.
Understanding the geography of river basins and the location of protected areas is important for environmental studies in India. Many important national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are situated within major river basins, influencing local hydrology and dependent ecosystems.

77. With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane i

With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements:

  • A substantial saving in seed material is made when ‘bud chip settlings’ are raised in a nursery and transplanted in the main field.
  • When direct planting of setts is done, the germination percentage is better with single-budded setts as compared to setts with many buds.
  • If bad weather conditions prevail when setts are directly planted, single-budded setts have better survival as compared to large setts.
  • Sugarcane can be cultivated using settlings prepared from tissue culture.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

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Statements 1 and 4 are correct. Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct because bud chip settlings (using small cane pieces with just one bud grown in a nursery) significantly reduce the amount of seed cane required compared to traditional methods. Statement 4 is correct as tissue culture is a viable method for producing disease-free sugarcane planting material. Statement 2 is incorrect; traditional direct planting uses multi-bud setts (typically 2-3 buds) for better germination and survival compared to single-budded setts. Statement 3 is incorrect; larger setts with more buds and reserves are generally more resilient to adverse weather conditions than smaller single-budded setts when planted directly.
Modern techniques like bud chip technology and tissue culture propagation aim to improve the efficiency and health of sugarcane cultivation. They help in conserving planting material, reducing disease spread, and achieving better crop stands.

78. “The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. I

“The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days and 50 to 100 centimeters of rainfall for its growth. A light well-drained soil capable of retaining moisture is ideally suited for the cultivation of the crop.” Which one of the following is that crop ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Cotton” option2=”Jute” option3=”Sugarcane” option4=”Tea” correct=”option1″]

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Cotton fits the given agro-climatic description most accurately.
The description highlights several key requirements: subtropical nature, sensitivity to hard frost, a minimum period of frost-free days, moderate rainfall (50-100 cm), and specific soil conditions (light, well-drained, moisture-retentive). Cotton is a subtropical crop highly sensitive to frost. It requires a long growing season with plenty of sunshine and moderate rainfall. The mentioned rainfall range and soil type (like black cotton soil or alluvial soil) are suitable for cotton cultivation.
Other options like Jute and Tea require higher rainfall (typically above 150 cm). Sugarcane requires 75-150 cm rainfall and often supplemental irrigation; while subtropical, the specific combination of 50-100 cm rainfall and soil description points more towards cotton, especially varieties grown in rainfed conditions or areas with limited irrigation.

79. With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following st

With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:

  • 1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.
  • 2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.
  • 3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

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Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 and 3 are incorrect.
Black gram (Urad) is a flexible crop grown in both Kharif (monsoon) and Rabi (winter) seasons depending on the region. Green gram (Moong) is important but does not constitute half of the total pulse production; other pulses like Chickpea (Gram) and Pigeonpea (Arhar) are also major contributors. Over the last three decades, overall pulse production in India has generally increased for both Kharif and Rabi seasons, driven by factors like increased Minimum Support Price (MSP) and improved varieties, although annual variations exist.
India is the largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses in the world. Major Kharif pulses include Arhar (Pigeonpea), Urad (Black gram), and Moong (Green gram). Major Rabi pulses include Gram (Chickpea), Lentil (Masoor), and Peas.

80. Siachen Glacier is situated to the

Siachen Glacier is situated to the

[amp_mcq option1=”East of Aksai Chin” option2=”East of Leh” option3=”North of Gilgit” option4=”North of Nubra Valley” correct=”option4″]

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The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas. Among the given options, it is situated to the north of the Nubra Valley.
The Nubra Valley is a valley formed by the Nubra River, which originates from the Siachen Glacier. Therefore, the glacier is situated upstream and to the north of the valley.
Siachen Glacier is the world’s second largest non-polar glacier. It is located just northeast of the point NJ9842, where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends. The area is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan. Geographically, it is west of Aksai Chin and northeast of Leh. Gilgit is located significantly to the northwest of the Siachen region.
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