India’s geographical location provides it with strategic advantages. Which of the following best explains why India’s position between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator influences its climate and biodiversity?
A Northern plains
B Tropical location
C Desert area
D Mountain ranges
India’s tropical position results in varied climatic zones, high biodiversity, and monsoonal rainfall patterns, influencing agriculture, forests, and natural ecosystems.
Which physiographic division of India is characterized by young fold mountains, snow-clad peaks, and extensive river systems originating from glaciers?
A Peninsular plateau
B Northern plains
C Himalayas
D Coastal plains
The Himalayas are young fold mountains with rugged terrain, high peaks, and glacier-fed rivers, playing a crucial role in India’s water resources and climate.
How does the Peninsular Plateau differ from the Northern Plains in terms of geological structure and soil formation?
A Younger rocks, fertile soil
B Older rocks, less fertile soil
C Floodplains, rich alluvium
D Sandy soil, dunes
The Peninsular Plateau is composed of ancient crystalline rocks, resulting in less fertile soil compared to the alluvial soils of Northern Plains formed by river deposits.
Which of the following coastal regions of India is known for its wide deltas formed by major rivers and fertile alluvial soil?
A Western coast
B Eastern coast
C Konkan coast
D Malabar coast
Eastern coastal plains, formed by rivers like Godavari and Mahanadi, have wide deltas and fertile alluvial soils, supporting agriculture and settlement.
Which Indian river system is characterized by perennial flow due to glacial origin, extensive irrigation potential, and cultural importance?
A Godavari
B Ganga
C Yamuna
D Mahanadi
The Ganga originates from the Himalayas, flows year-round, supports agriculture through irrigation, and holds immense cultural and religious significance.
How do the seasonal monsoons influence India’s rainfall distribution and agriculture?
A Uniform rainfall
B Rain in summer only
C Uneven distribution, supports cropping patterns
D Rain in winter only
Southwest monsoons bring heavy rainfall to western and northeastern India, while other regions receive less, influencing crop selection and agricultural productivity.
Which Indian state is most affected by western disturbances, resulting in winter rainfall and snowfall in the Himalayas?
A Kerala
B Punjab
C Rajasthan
D Gujarat
Western disturbances bring winter precipitation to northwestern India, particularly Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, vital for Rabi crops and winter irrigation.
Which factor most significantly controls temperature variations across India?
A Latitude and altitude
B Soil type
C River flow
D Vegetation
Temperature variations are influenced by latitude (tropical vs. subtropical regions) and altitude (Himalayan cold vs. plains warmth), affecting climate, vegetation, and human settlement.
India experiences both tropical wet and tropical dry climates. Which geographical factor primarily accounts for this diversity?
A Ocean currents
B Relief and monsoon winds
C Population density
D Soil type
India’s varied relief, from mountains to plains, combined with seasonal monsoon winds, creates diverse climatic zones, influencing rainfall and vegetation.
Which of the following soils is predominant in the Indo-Gangetic plains and supports intensive agriculture of wheat and rice?
A Laterite
B Alluvial
C Black
D Desert
Alluvial soils deposited by rivers are fertile, deep, and ideal for crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, and support dense human settlement.
Why are black soils primarily found in the Deccan Plateau region and suitable for cotton cultivation?
A Acidic soil
B Retain moisture, rich in clay
C Sandy soil
D Fertile delta soil
Black soils have high clay content and water retention capacity, making them suitable for cotton and other moisture-demanding crops in the Deccan Plateau.
Which river system in India is known for being non-perennial, primarily dependent on rainfall, and often dry in summer?
A Himalayan rivers
B Peninsular rivers
C Ganga
D Brahmaputra
Peninsular rivers like Godavari and Krishna are rain-fed, experience seasonal flow, and depend on monsoon rainfall for water availability.
Which of the following river-linking projects in India aims to connect Himalayan rivers with Peninsular rivers to address water scarcity?
A Narmada project
B Ganga-Kaveri link
C Interlinking of rivers
D Bhakra project
The interlinking of rivers project intends to transfer surplus water from Himalayan rivers to Peninsular rivers to mitigate droughts and enhance irrigation.
Which coastal region of India is known for coral reef formations, particularly around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
A Western coast
B Eastern coast
C Lakshadweep islands
D Andaman and Nicobar
Coral reefs thrive in warm, shallow waters of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, contributing to biodiversity and coastal protection.
How does India’s physiography influence its regional climate variations and rainfall patterns?
A Uniform rainfall
B Mountains cause rain shadow effect
C Coastal deserts
D Flat plains
Western Ghats and Himalayas create orographic rainfall and rain shadow areas, resulting in regional variations in precipitation and climate.
Which type of soil in India is highly prone to erosion but can be conserved using contour bunding and afforestation?
A Alluvial
B Black
C Red
D Desert
Red soils are shallow, less fertile, and prone to erosion; proper soil conservation methods enhance fertility and reduce degradation.
Why are Himalayan rivers considered perennial while most Peninsular rivers are seasonal?
A Originate from glaciers, snowmelt ensures year-round flow
B Depend on rainfall only
C Formed by dams
D Flow underground
Himalayan rivers are glacier-fed and maintain flow throughout the year, whereas Peninsular rivers rely on monsoon rainfall, causing seasonal variation.
Which Indian river is historically known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” due to frequent floods?
A Ganga
B Kosi
C Brahmaputra
D Yamuna
The Kosi River, originating in Nepal, frequently changes course and floods the Bihar plains, causing damage and requiring flood management measures.
Which feature distinguishes the Western Ghats from the Eastern Ghats in terms of rainfall influence?
A Low elevation
B Receive heavy monsoon rainfall due to windward side
C Desert-like
D No rivers
Western Ghats intercept moist southwest monsoon winds, causing heavy rainfall on windward slopes, while Eastern Ghats are relatively drier.
Which factor is primarily responsible for the distribution of deserts in India, especially the Thar Desert?
A Highland climate
B Rain shadow and arid conditions
C Snowfall
D Monsoon rains
The Thar Desert is formed due to low rainfall and climatic aridity, influenced by rain shadow effects from nearby mountains.
How does India’s diverse relief contribute to the formation of varied river patterns, including dendritic and trellis drainage?
A Flat plains only
B Variation in rock types and slope
C Ocean currents
D Monsoon wind
River patterns are influenced by underlying geology and topography; hard rocks form trellis patterns, while uniform terrain forms dendritic systems.
Which river in Peninsular India is known as the “Dakshin Ganga” due to its cultural and economic significance?
A Godavari
B Krishna
C Kaveri
D Narmada
Godavari is called “Dakshin Ganga” because it sustains agriculture, supports irrigation projects, and holds religious significance in southern India.
Which factor contributes to high humidity and heavy rainfall along India’s western coastal plains?
A Proximity to mountains
B Southwest monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea
C Inland deserts
D Northern plains
Moist monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea hit the Western Ghats, causing orographic rainfall, resulting in humid conditions along the coast.
Which of the following rivers flows eastward into the Bay of Bengal and forms fertile delta regions?
A Narmada
B Godavari
C Tapi
D Mahi
East-flowing rivers like Godavari and Mahanadi form deltas along the Bay of Bengal, creating fertile plains suitable for agriculture.
Which Indian state predominantly has laterite soils, making it suitable for plantation crops like tea, coffee, and rubber?
A Uttar Pradesh
B Kerala
C Punjab
D Rajasthan
Laterite soils in Kerala, rich in iron and aluminum, support plantations of tea, coffee, and rubber in the humid tropics.
Why do northern plains of India have alluvial soils while peninsular plateaus have older crystalline soils?
A Flooding only
B River deposition vs. weathering of old rocks
C Deforestation
D Human activity
Alluvial soils are deposited by rivers in plains, while Peninsular soils originate from weathered ancient rocks, explaining fertility differences.
Which of the following is the longest river in India, supporting extensive agriculture and multiple hydroelectric projects?
A Brahmaputra
B Ganga
C Godavari
D Narmada
Ganga is India’s longest river, vital for irrigation, hydroelectricity, and as a freshwater resource for millions of people.
Why are Himalayan rivers considered ideal for hydroelectric power projects compared to Peninsular rivers?
A Seasonal flow
B Steep gradients and perennial flow
C Wide valleys
D Flat plains
Himalayan rivers have high slopes and continuous flow from glaciers, making them suitable for hydroelectric projects and energy generation.
Which factor contributes to the formation of coastal plains along both the eastern and western coasts of India?
A Tectonic activity
B Sediment deposition from rivers
C Mountain erosion
D Glacial melt
Coastal plains are formed by sediments carried by rivers to the sea, creating fertile alluvial land for agriculture and settlement.
Which of the following rivers of India flows through a rift valley?
A Brahmaputra
B Narmada
C Godavari
D Kaveri
Narmada flows through a rift valley between the Satpura and Vindhya ranges, exhibiting a linear course and tectonic origin.
Which type of soil is predominant in arid regions of Rajasthan, supporting limited agriculture and drought-resistant crops?
A Black
B Desert
C Alluvial
D Red
Desert soils are sandy, low in moisture and nutrients, suitable for hardy crops like millet, and require irrigation for agriculture.
Why do the Brahmaputra and its tributaries have braided channels in Assam?
A High gradient
B Heavy sediment load and shallow channels
C Glacial origin
D Underground flow
Brahmaputra carries immense sediment from Himalayas, causing deposition and formation of braided channels, influencing flood patterns and agriculture.
Which factor mainly causes the Western Ghats to receive more rainfall than the Eastern Ghats?
A Monsoon winds and windward slopes
B Soil type
C Latitude
D River flow
Southwest monsoon winds hit the Western Ghats, causing orographic rainfall; Eastern Ghats, being leeward, receive less precipitation.
Which Indian state has black soil that is highly moisture-retentive and ideal for cotton cultivation?
A Maharashtra
B West Bengal
C Kerala
D Himachal Pradesh
Black soil of the Deccan Plateau, rich in clay, retains water, making it highly suitable for cotton, soybean, and other cash crops.
Why is the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta considered highly fertile and densely populated?
A Ancient rocks
B Annual flooding and alluvial deposition
C Plateau region
D Mountain origin
Regular flooding deposits nutrient-rich alluvium, enhancing fertility and supporting dense agricultural settlements in the delta region.
Which river in Peninsular India flows westward and forms estuaries instead of deltas?
A Godavari
B Narmada
C Krishna
D Mahanadi
West-flowing rivers like Narmada flow through narrow valleys and form estuaries on the western coast, unlike east-flowing deltaic rivers.
Which soil type in India is rich in iron and supports crops like rice, millet, and pulses in Odisha and Chhattisgarh?
A Red
B Black
C Laterite
D Desert
Red soils are formed from weathered crystalline rocks, rich in iron oxides, moderately fertile, and suitable for crops in central and eastern India.
Why are Himalayan rivers more prone to flooding compared to Peninsular rivers?
A Glacial melt, steep gradients, monsoon rains
B Flat terrain
C Rain-fed only
D Underground flow
Rapid snowmelt, heavy monsoon rainfall, and steep slopes cause sudden swelling of Himalayan rivers, resulting in frequent floods.
Which factor is primarily responsible for the formation of fertile plains in the northern part of India?
A Coastal deposition
B Alluvial deposition from Himalayan rivers
C Volcanic activity
D Glacial moraines
Sediments transported by rivers like Ganga and Yamuna form extensive fertile plains, suitable for agriculture and dense population.
Why are interlinking river projects in India considered essential for water management?
A To generate hydroelectricity
B To reduce regional water scarcity and improve irrigation
C For navigation only
D For fishing
Interlinking rivers aim to transfer surplus water from water-rich regions to arid areas, ensuring agricultural productivity and reducing drought impact.
Which coastal region of India receives heavy rainfall due to southwest monsoon winds?
A Konkan coast
B Eastern coast
C Gujarat coast
D Rann of Kutch
The Konkan coast on the western side receives heavy monsoon rainfall as moist winds rise over the Western Ghats, causing orographic precipitation.
Which Indian river is known for flowing through a deep gorge in the Satpura hills before entering plains?
A Godavari
B Narmada
C Kaveri
D Mahanadi
Narmada flows through a rift valley and forms a gorge in Satpura hills, highlighting tectonic features and west-flowing river characteristics.
Why are eastern coastal plains wider than western coastal plains in India?
A Mountain proximity
B Gentle slope and river deposition
C Desertification
D Human activity
Eastern plains formed by river deltas and gentle slope toward Bay of Bengal, whereas Western Ghats create narrow western coastal plains.
Which factor primarily influences the distribution of red and laterite soils in India?
A Topography and rainfall
B Temperature
C Latitude
D River systems
Red and laterite soils form in high rainfall regions with adequate drainage and leaching, often on plateau and hilly terrains.
Which Peninsular river in India is called the “Dakshin Ganga” due to its large drainage basin and irrigation potential?
A Godavari
B Kaveri
C Krishna
D Mahanadi
Godavari supports extensive irrigation, has a large basin, and is culturally significant, earning the nickname “Dakshin Ganga.”
Why are delta regions of rivers like Ganga, Mahanadi, and Godavari densely populated?
A Mountains nearby
B Fertile alluvial soil and water availability
C Desert soil
D Plateaus
Deltas provide nutrient-rich soil and abundant water for agriculture, supporting dense human settlements and economic activities.
Which type of drainage pattern develops over homogeneous rock types with uniform slope?
A Dendritic
B Trellis
C Radial
D Parallel
Dendritic drainage forms tree-like branching patterns over uniform rock, reflecting natural river development without structural control.
Why do Peninsular rivers like Mahanadi and Godavari form deltas while Narmada and Tapi form estuaries?
A East vs. west flow and coastal slope
B Glacial origin
C Human intervention
D Monsoon only
East-flowing rivers deposit sediment forming deltas in the Bay of Bengal, while west-flowing rivers enter narrow gulfs forming estuaries.
Which factor is primarily responsible for the fertile alluvial soils of the Indo-Gangetic plains?
A Volcanic deposits
B Annual river flooding and sediment deposition
C Plateau erosion
D Desertification
Regular river flooding deposits silt and nutrients, creating fertile soils supporting intensive agriculture in the northern plains.
Why are the Western Ghats considered a significant factor in influencing rainfall distribution on the west coast of India?
A Low elevation
B Orographic rainfall from southwest monsoon winds
C Desert effect
D River deposition
Moist monsoon winds rise over the Western Ghats, cooling and condensing to cause heavy rainfall, shaping the west coast’s climate and vegetation.