Physical Division Archives

1. Consider the following statements regarding landscape : 1. Bhabar is

Consider the following statements regarding landscape :

1. Bhabar is a narrow belt ranging between 8 km-10 km parallel to the Shiwalik foothills at the break-up of the slope.
2. Bhabar is a belt consisting of old and new alluvial deposited by rivers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2024

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Statement 1 is correct. The Bhabar belt is indeed located south of the Shiwalik hills, parallel to the foothills. It is a narrow zone, typically 8-16 km wide (the range 8-10 km provided is within this range), and it consists of pebbles and boulders deposited by rivers descending from the mountains. The porosity of the Bhabar causes rivers to disappear underground here. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Bhabar belt is characterized by coarse deposits (pebbles, boulders). The concept of “old and new alluvial” deposits primarily applies to the plain regions south of the Bhabar, specifically the Bhangar (older alluvium forming terraces) and Khadar (newer alluvium forming floodplains).

Bhabar is a porous belt of pebbles and boulders parallel to the Shiwaliks where rivers disappear, not a region of old and new alluvial deposits.

The physical divisions of the Northern Plains, from north to south, are typically identified as Bhabar, Tarai, Bhangar, and Khadar. The Tarai is a wet, marshy region south of the Bhabar where the underground rivers reappear. The Bhangar is the older alluvial plain above the flood level, and the Khadar is the newer alluvial plain within the flood level.

2. Consider the following statements: 1. Amarkantak Hills are at conflu

Consider the following statements:

1. Amarkantak Hills are at confluence of Vindhya and the Sahyadri Ranges.
2. Biligirirangan Hills constitute the easternmost part of Satpura Range.
3. Seshachalam Hills constitute the southernmost part of Western Ghats.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Only one

Only two

All three

None

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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Statement 1 is incorrect: Amarkantak Hills (part of the Maikal range) are located at the border of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. They are associated with the eastern end of the Satpura Range system and the southern edge of the Vindhyan scarp, but not at the confluence of the Vindhya and Sahyadri (Western Ghats) Ranges, which are geographically distant.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Biligirirangan Hills (BR Hills) are located in southern Karnataka and connect the Western and Eastern Ghats, serving as an ecological corridor. They are far south of the Satpura Range.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Seshachalam Hills are a part of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh. The southernmost part of the Western Ghats includes ranges like the Cardamom Hills and Agasthyamalai Hills in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Since all three statements are factually incorrect regarding the geographical locations and associations of the mentioned hill ranges, none of the statements are correct.

– Amarkantak is linked to Satpura and Vindhya systems but not Sahyadri.
– BR Hills connect Eastern and Western Ghats in South India.
– Seshachalam Hills belong to the Eastern Ghats.

Amarkantak is the source of the Narmada and Son rivers. BR Hills are known for their biodiversity and are a Tiger Reserve. Seshachalam Hills are home to the famous Tirupati Venkateswara Temple.

3. Consider the following pairs : National Park : River flowing th

Consider the following pairs :

	National Park	:	River flowing through the Park
1.	Corbett	:	Ganga
2.	Kaziranga National Park	:	Manas
3.	Silent Valley National Park	:	Kaveri

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1 and 2

3 only

1 and 3

None

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

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None of the given pairs are correctly matched.

1. Jim Corbett National Park is primarily known for the Ramganga river flowing through it, not the Ganga. The Ramganga is a tributary of the Ganga.
2. Kaziranga National Park is situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra river. The Manas river flows through Manas National Park, another park in Assam.
3. Silent Valley National Park is located in the Western Ghats in Kerala. The major river flowing through it is the Kunthi River, a tributary of the Bharathappuzha river. The Kaveri River flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Correct identification of major rivers flowing through national parks is important for environmental geography. These rivers often form crucial habitats and influence the park’s ecosystem.

4. Consider the following pairs: 1. Nokrek Bio-sphere Reserve : Garo

Consider the following pairs:

1. Nokrek Bio-sphere Reserve	: Garo Hills
2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake	: Barail Range
3. Namdapha National Park	: Dafla Hills

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

None

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

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The correct option is A, meaning that only pair 1 is correctly matched.

– Pair 1: Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is located in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, India. This pair is correctly matched.
– Pair 2: Loktak Lake is a large freshwater lake located in Manipur, India. The Barail Range lies to the south of the Manipur Valley, forming a border region primarily with Assam and Nagaland. While geographically near, stating Loktak Lake is in the “Barail Range” is not accurate; it’s in the Manipur Valley, surrounded by hills which include spurs of various ranges, but not specifically *in* the Barail Range itself.
– Pair 3: Namdapha National Park is located in Arunachal Pradesh, in the Changlang district, near the border with Myanmar. It is situated between the Mishmi Hills and the Patkai Range. The Dafla Hills (also known as Nishi Hills) are located much further to the west in Arunachal Pradesh, north of the Brahmaputra plains, inhabited by the Nishi people. Namdapha is not in the Dafla Hills.

Geographical features like mountain ranges, lakes, and national parks have specific locations. Accuracy is key in matching them. Nokrek is intrinsically linked to the Garo Hills. Loktak Lake is a valley feature in Manipur, not a range feature. Namdapha is located in the Eastern Himalayas, geographically distinct from the Dafla Hills area.

5. Consider the following statements: 1. The Great Northern Plains are

Consider the following statements:

1. The Great Northern Plains are formed by basins of three distinct river systems – the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.
2. They are one of the most densely populated areas on Earth.
3. Between the Yamuna at Delhi and the Bay of Bengal, nearly 1600 km away, there is a drop of only 200 metres in elevation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1, 2 and 3

2 and 3 only

1 and 2 only

1 and 3 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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Statements 1, 2 and 3 are all correct.

Statement 1: The Great Northern Plains of India are indeed formed by the depositional action of the three major river systems, namely the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra, along with their numerous tributaries. This statement is correct.
Statement 2: These plains are characterized by fertile alluvial soils deposited by the rivers, a favourable climate, and abundant water resources. These factors support agriculture and have historically led to high population densities, making them one of the most densely populated areas on Earth. This statement is correct.
Statement 3: The Northern Plains have a very gentle slope, especially noticeable over large distances. The stretch between Delhi and the Bay of Bengal along the Ganga basin is about 1600 km long, and the total drop in elevation is only about 200 metres. This gentle gradient contributes to slow-moving rivers and the formation of depositional features. This statement is correct.

The Northern Plains are one of the most important physical divisions of India, covering a vast area. They are the “food basket” of India due to their high agricultural productivity. The plains are generally flat, with the land rising slightly towards the north (towards the foothills of the Himalayas) and west.

6. North-west part of the Indian peninsula was converted into a great cen

North-west part of the Indian peninsula was converted into a great centre of vulcanicity in

the end of Cretaceous period

the mid of Cretaceous period

the start of Cretaceous period

the whole of Cretaceous period

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2019

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The North-west part of the Indian peninsula, specifically the Deccan Traps region, experienced a major period of vulcanicity at the end of the Cretaceous period.

The Deccan Traps are a large igneous province located on the Deccan Plateau of west-central India. The formation of these traps was a massive volcanic event.

This period of intense volcanic activity occurred towards the very end of the Cretaceous Period, around 66 million years ago. It is believed by some scientists to have contributed to the environmental changes that led to the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event, which wiped out the dinosaurs.

7. Which of the following statements with regard to the Indian Peninsular

Which of the following statements with regard to the Indian Peninsular Plateau is/are correct ?

1. The Southern plateau block is formed mainly of granite and gneiss
2. The Deccan lava plateau is an elevated tableland consisting of horizontally arranged lava sheets
3. The Malwa plateau dominates the Vindhyan scraps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau
4. The trough of the Narmada and Tapti is interposed between the Vindhyan and the Satpura ranges

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2 and 3

1, 2 and 4

1 and 2 only

4 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2014

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1. The Southern plateau block is formed mainly of granite and gneiss: This statement is correct. The Peninsular Plateau, particularly the southern part, is composed of ancient crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks like granite and gneiss, which are part of the stable continental shield.
2. The Deccan lava plateau is an elevated tableland consisting of horizontally arranged lava sheets: This statement is correct. The Deccan Traps region, covering a large part of the Peninsular Plateau, was formed by massive volcanic eruptions, resulting in layers of basaltic lava flows that solidified to form a high, flat plateau.
3. The Malwa plateau dominates the Vindhyan scraps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau: This statement is incorrect. The Malwa Plateau is located to the north of the Vindhyan Range, with the Vindhyan scarp forming its southern boundary. It does not dominate the Vindhyan scraps, and the Vindhyan scarp forms the southern boundary of the plateau, not the eastern flank. The eastern part of the Malwa plateau slopes towards the Chambal river system.
4. The trough of the Narmada and Tapti is interposed between the Vindhyan and the Satpura ranges: This statement is correct. The Narmada River flows through a rift valley (trough) situated between the Vindhya Range to the north and the Satpura Range to the south. The Tapti River flows through another rift valley south of the Satpura Range. The combined river valleys are located between the two prominent hill ranges.
Based on the analysis, statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct.

Understand the geological composition and structure of the Peninsular Plateau, including the location of major physiographic divisions like the Deccan Plateau, Malwa Plateau, Vindhya Range, Satpura Range, and major river valleys like Narmada and Tapti.

The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest landmasses on Earth. It is a stable block composed of crystalline rocks. It is broadly divided into two parts by the Narmada valley: the Central Highlands (including Malwa Plateau) and the Deccan Plateau. The Western and Eastern Ghats form the western and eastern edges of the Deccan Plateau, respectively.

8. Which one among the following systems contains the oldest rock formati

Which one among the following systems contains the oldest rock formation of India?

Aravalli System

Archean System

Cuddapah System

Vindhyan System

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2013

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The Archean System contains the oldest rock formations of India.

The Archean System represents the oldest geological era (approximately 4 billion to 2.5 billion years ago) and comprises the basement complex of India. It includes highly metamorphosed rocks like gneisses, schists, and charnockites, often referred to as the “Archean Gneiss Complex”. These rocks form the core of the Indian Peninsular block. Younger rock systems like Dharwar (part of Archean/Proterozoic), Cuddapah (Purana), and Vindhyan (Purana) were deposited or formed upon this ancient base.

The Dharwar System, though often grouped with Archean, represents the oldest sedimentary rocks formed during the Archean/Proterozoic transition, deposited on the Archean basement. The Cuddapah and Vindhyan systems are part of the Purana Group (Proterozoic era), which are significantly younger than the Archean formations. While the Aravalli *range* structure is formed from ancient rocks, the oldest *rock formations* themselves belong to the Archean era.

9. Which one among the following statements is not correct?

Which one among the following statements is *not* correct?

Shillong Plateau is an outlier of Peninsular Plateau of India

Aravalli Mountain is the oldest mountain chain of India

Vindhyans are examples of fold mountain

Rajmahal Highlands are composed of lava deposits

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2013

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The incorrect statement is that Vindhyans are examples of fold mountains.

The Vindhyan Range is primarily composed of horizontally bedded sedimentary rocks like sandstones, shales, and limestones, belonging to the Vindhyan System, a younger part of the Purana group. These mountains are considered block mountains or residual mountains formed due to faulting, uplift, and subsequent erosion, rather than folding.

Statement A is correct; the Shillong Plateau (Meghalaya Plateau) is geologically an eastward extension of the Peninsular Plateau, separated by the Malda Gap. Statement B is correct; the Aravalli range is one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world. Statement D is correct; the Rajmahal Highlands in eastern Jharkhand are composed of volcanic rocks (basalt) which are part of the Deccan Traps volcanic province.

10. Which of the following statements are correct? 1. Sediments of Gondw

Which of the following statements are correct?

1. Sediments of Gondwana System were deposited under marine condition.
2. Rocks of Gondwana System are fossiliferous.
3. Rocks of Gondwana System contain metallic mineral deposits.
4. Gondwana deposition took place in downfaulted trough.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3

1, 2 and 4

2 and 4 only

1 and 3 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2013

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The correct statements regarding the Gondwana System are that its rocks are fossiliferous and deposition took place in downfaulted troughs. Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect.

The Gondwana System is renowned for its extensive coal deposits in India, formed from plant material accumulated in terrestrial (fluviatile and lacustrine) environments. The deposition occurred in large, elongated basins or troughs created by faulting (rift valleys). These rocks are highly fossiliferous, containing plant, fish, reptile, and amphibian fossils, crucial for understanding the palaeoclimate and palaeogeography of the supercontinent Gondwana.

Statement 1 is incorrect because Gondwana sediments in India were primarily deposited under fresh-water fluviatile and lacustrine conditions, not marine. While marine incursions occurred in some Gondwana basins globally, the dominant mode of deposition in India was terrestrial. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Gondwana System is primarily known for non-metallic mineral deposits like coal, sandstone, and clay. Metallic mineral deposits are more commonly associated with older rock systems like the Dharwar and Archean systems.