Question 1

Indian rivers (drainage): Which river systems empty into the Bay of Bengal?  Consider the major peninsular and Himalayan rivers and their mouths. Choose the correct set.

Accepted Answer

Facts Bay of Bengal drainers: Ganga–Brahmaputra–Meghna delta system, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, among others. Arabian Sea drainers: Indus, Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, Sabarmati, etc. Final Answer Ganga–Brahmaputra–Meghna; Mahanadi; Godavari; Krishna; Kaveri drain into the Bay of Bengal.

Question 2

World industry: Which country currently leads global production of aluminium and aluminium products?  Consider modern large-scale smelting and refining capacities. Choose the correct country.

Accepted Answer

Context In the 21st century, China has become the dominant producer of primary aluminium and aluminium products due to massive smelting capacity and energy availability. Final Answer China.

Question 3

Indian agriculture (spices): Identify the only Indian state traditionally producing saffron.  Consider the famous Pampore/Kashmir saffron belt. Choose the correct state.

Accepted Answer

Fact India’s famed saffron (Crocus sativus) is cultivated primarily in Kashmir (Pampore area), historically in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Final Answer Jammu and Kashmir.

Question 4

Agro-climate suitability: The most ideal Indian region for cotton cultivation.  Focus on climate and soil: high temperature, moderate rainfall, and black cotton (regur) soils. Choose the correct region.

Accepted Answer

Concept Cotton needs warm temperatures, 50–100 cm rainfall/irrigation, and deep black soils (regur). These conditions are classic in the Deccan Plateau (Maharashtra, Gujarat, parts of MP/AP). Final Answer Deccan Plateau with black cotton soils (Maharashtra–Gujarat).

Question 5

Indian coasts (fisheries): Why is marine fishing less developed along the Saurashtra (Kathiawar) coast?  Assess physical oceanography and coastal morphology constraints affecting fish productivity and harbours. Choose the main reason.

Accepted Answer

Concept Good fishing grounds correlate with broad shelves, nutrient upwelling, and sheltered harbours. Reasoning The Saurashtra coast has a relatively narrow/rocky shelf, limited nutrient upwelling, and fewer natural inlets, reducing plankton productivity and hampering harbour development, which in turn limits a robust fishing industry. Final Answer Narrow, rocky continental shelf with poor nutrient upwelling and fewer natural harbours.

Question 6

Indian climate (monsoon): Identify the major factors responsible for the monsoon-type climate over India.  Consider the following four drivers of the South Asian monsoon: (1) Location (latitudinal setting of India in the tropics–subtropics) (2) Ther…

Accepted Answer

Given/Concept The South Asian monsoon is driven by large-scale thermal contrast (land heats/cools faster than ocean), migration of the ITCZ, and upper-air circulation including Tibetan Plateau heating and jet streams. India’s latitudinal location supports monsoon rains but is not the primary dynamical driver by itself compared to (2), (3), and (4). Approach Identify the mechanisms that actively generate and steer the seasonal reversal of winds and rainfall. Answer logic (2) Land–sea thermal contrast → pressure gradients; (3) Upper-air jets and Tibetan heating modulate onset/strength; (4) ITCZ shift provides rising motion and convergence. Location (1) is supportive, not the key driver. Final Answer (2), (3) and (4) only.

Question 7

Indian physiography: Identify the range forming the watershed (divide) between India and Myanmar.  Name the primary mountain/hill system that marks the drainage divide along the Indo–Myanmar border. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept A watershed/divide separates drainage basins. Along the Indo–Myanmar frontier, the Patkai Bum (Patkai Hills) form the key watershed, with associated ranges like the Naga Hills extending nearby. Why not others? Arakan Yoma lies mostly inside Myanmar parallel to the coast; Garo–Khasi–Jaintia are in Meghalaya; “Naga Hills only” is incomplete compared with the broader Patkai system. Final Answer Patkai Bum (Patkai Hills).

Question 8

Indian agriculture (Green Revolution): Identify the significant shifts that occurred during India’s Green Revolution era.  Focus on cropping pattern, inputs, regions, and productivity changes associated with the HYV programme (mid-1960s onward). Cho…

Accepted Answer

Key shifts Adoption of HYV seeds, especially for wheat (and later rice), alongside irrigation, fertilizers, and mechanization. Regional concentration of gains in well-irrigated northwestern India (Punjab, Haryana, Western UP) and select command areas. Marked rise in productivity and output of wheat (and rice later), not uniform across pulses/coarse cereals or rainfed regions initially. Final Answer Concentrated HYV-irrigation-fertilizer push in NW India driving yield gains (option A).

Question 9

Indian rivers: Identify the important river that does not originate in the Western Ghats. Among Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, and Mahanadi, select the river whose source area is outside the Western Ghats. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Sources Godavari: Trimbak plateau (Western Ghats), near Nashik. Krishna: Near Mahabaleshwar (Western Ghats). Kaveri: Brahmagiri Hills (Western Ghats). Mahanadi: Sihawa ranges (Chhattisgarh) in the central highlands, not the Western Ghats. Final Answer Mahanadi.

Question 10

Indian unity (physical geography): Which features have strongly unified India culturally and historically?  Evaluate the following factors: (1) Surrounding seas around the peninsula (2) The Himalayan Mountains (3) The sheer vastness of the country (…

Accepted Answer

Reasoning Himalayas (2) provided a protective barrier and climatic unity. Seas/Indian Ocean (1) & (4) facilitated maritime links and a cohesive peninsular identity. Vastness (3) is associated more with diversification than homogeneity. Final Answer (1), (2) and (4) only.

Question 11

Indian rivers (epithet): Why is the Godavari called the “Vridha Ganga” (the Old Ganga)?  Select the main reason for this peninsular river’s epithet. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept The Godavari is the longest peninsular river with one of the largest drainage basins in southern India; hence it is called the Vridha (Elder) Ganga, by analogy with the Ganga’s prominence in the north. Final Answer Largest peninsular river in length and basin (option B).

Question 12

India’s share of Earth’s surface: Estimate the percentage of Earth’s total surface area covered by India.  Use India’s total area ≈ 3.28 million km² and Earth’s surface area ≈ 510 million km². Choose the closest value.

Accepted Answer

Given India area ≈ 3.28 × 106 km² Earth surface area ≈ 5.10 × 108 km² Calculation Percentage = (3.28 × 106 / 5.10 × 108) × 100= (3.28 / 510) × 100 ≈ 0.643% ≈ 0.64% Note India’s share of world land area is ≈ 2.4%, but of Earth’s total surface it is ≈ 0.64%. Final Answer ≈ 0.64%.

Question 13

Indian Peninsular Plateau: Identify the true statements about its geology and structure.  Statements: (1) Southern plateau block is mainly granite and gneiss (2) Deccan lava plateau is a tableland with nearly horizontal lava sheets (3) Malwa plateau…

Accepted Answer

Checks (1) True: Archean basement of granites & gneisses. (2) True: Deccan Traps are layered basalt flows forming an elevated tableland. (3) True: Malwa (basaltic) rises along/overlooks the Vindhyan escarpment on the north. (4) True: Narmada and Tapti rift/linear troughs lie between Vindhyan (north) and Satpura (south). Final Answer All of (1), (2), (3) and (4).

Question 14

Himalayan physiography: Locate the Outer Himalayas (Siwaliks) with respect to adjacent regions.  Between which major physiographic units do the Siwaliks (Outer Himalayas) lie? Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept From north to south: Great Himalayas → Lesser Himalayas → Siwaliks (Outer Himalayas) → Indo-Gangetic Plains. Hence, the Siwaliks lie between the Lesser Himalayas and the Great Plains. Final Answer Lesser Himalayas and Great Plains.

Question 15

Geological history: When did the mountain building (orogeny) of the Himalayas begin?  Choose the geological time/period most associated with the start of Himalayan orogeny due to India–Eurasia collision. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Reasoning The Himalayas began forming after India collided with Eurasia, with main phases from the Tertiary (especially Eocene–Miocene). Uplift continued subsequently, but initiation is tied to the Tertiary. Final Answer Tertiary period (Cenozoic).

Question 16

River sources (Tibet): Which group of Indian rivers have their headwaters in Tibet?  Consider Himalayan rivers with Tibetan origins. Choose the correct set.

Accepted Answer

Facts Indus: Source near Lake Mansarovar (Tibet). Sutlej: Rakas Tal/Mansarovar region (Tibet). Brahmaputra (Tsangpo): Rises in Tibet east of Mansarovar. Final Answer Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra.

Question 17

Hydro project location: The Paithan (Jayakwadi) hydro-electric/irrigation project is on which river?  Identify the correct river associated with the Jayakwadi project near Paithan, Maharashtra. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Fact The Paithan (Jayakwadi) project is built on the Godavari in Maharashtra. Final Answer Godavari.

Question 18

Southern tip (Kanyakumari): What is geographically special about Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of peninsular India?  Choose the best description capturing its location context. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Note Kanyakumari is famed as the confluence of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. India’s absolute southernmost point including islands is Indira Point (Great Nicobar). Final Answer Confluence of three water bodies.

Question 19

Forest cover (largest area): Which Indian state has the largest total area under forests?  Interpret “largest area” (not percentage of area). Choose the correct state.

Accepted Answer

Concept Largest forest area in absolute terms is in Madhya Pradesh. States like Arunachal Pradesh have high percentage forest cover but lower absolute area than MP. Final Answer Madhya Pradesh.

Question 20

Indian soils: Which soil type is largely confined to river basins and coastal plains?  Identify the dominant soil class by occurrence. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept Alluvial soils are formed by riverine deposition and widely occupy river basins and parts of coastal plains. Final Answer Alluvial soils.

Indian Geography Questions