Question 1

Mineral belts: The only zone in India that produces gold is also rich in iron ore — identify the zone.  Choose the belt that historically hosts both gold and iron ore deposits. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Reasoning Gold: Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) and parts of the Dharwar craton. Iron: High-grade hematite in the Bellary–Hospet region and nearby belts. Final Answer Dharwar–Kolar–Chitradurga–Bellary (Karnataka) belt.

Question 2

Soil conservation measures in India: Identify the effective measures from the list.  Options: (1) Avoiding crop rotation (2) Afforestation (3) Encouraging chemical fertilizers (4) Limiting shifting cultivation (jhum)  Choose the correct combination(…

Accepted Answer

Logic Afforestation (2) reduces erosion. Limiting shifting cultivation (4) curbs repeated clearing/burning that accelerates erosion. Avoiding crop rotation (1) is not helpful; rotation improves soil health. Encouraging chemical fertilizers (3) is not a soil conservation measure per se and can degrade soils if overused. Final Answer (2) and (4) only.

Question 3

Most fertile region of India: Identify the physiographic region with highest agricultural fertility.  Select the region renowned for extensive fertile soils and high productivity potential. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept The Indo-Gangetic Plains possess deep, young alluvium, flat topography, and irrigation access, making them India’s most fertile and productive region. Final Answer Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Question 4

Tidal energy potential in India: Identify the location with notable scope for tidal power development.  Choose the best site known for high tidal ranges and practical potential. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept Tidal power requires large tidal ranges. The Gulf of Khambhat and Gulf of Kachchh in Gujarat exhibit some of India’s highest ranges; Khambhat is widely cited for strong potential. Final Answer Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay).

Question 5

Indian jute industry (crisis factors): Identify the reasons behind the present crisis in India’s jute sector.  Assess the following factors: (1) Decline in overseas markets (2) Inadequate supply of raw jute (3) Stiff competition from synthetic packi…

Accepted Answer

Reasons Overseas demand decline due to changes in global packaging and sourcing. Raw jute supply constraints from acreage/price/weather fluctuations. Competition from synthetics (plastics/PP) erodes market share. Final Answer All three: (1), (2) and (3).

Question 6

Indian physiography (Peninsular Plateau): Identify the point near which the northern boundary of the Peninsular Plateau runs parallel to the Ganga and Yamuna. From the Rajmahal Hills, this boundary trends northwestward roughly along the plains–plate…

Accepted Answer

Given data Northern boundary traced from Rajmahal Hills toward the northwest. It runs roughly parallel to the Ganga–Yamuna plains. Concept/Approach The northern edge of the Peninsular block abuts the Indo-Gangetic plain and trends to the Delhi Ridge, an Aravalli extension near Delhi, marking the plateau–plain transition. Reasoning • The physiographic break is prominent near Delhi where the Aravalli outcrops meet the plains.• Other listed towns lie within the plains and do not mark the plateau rim. Common pitfalls Mistaking any nearby city in the plains as the plateau rim; the classic terminus reference is the Delhi Ridge. Final Answer Delhi (Delhi Ridge area)

Question 7

Himalayan hydrology (Lake Manasarovar): Three major South Asian rivers rise near Lake Manasarovar. Identify the correct trio of rivers whose headwaters are clustered in this Great Himalaya–Transhimalaya region. Choose the correct set.

Accepted Answer

Given data Lake Manasarovar area in the Trans-Himalaya/Great Himalaya. Concept/Approach The headwaters of the Indus, the Sutlej (a major Indus tributary), and the Brahmaputra (Tsangpo) lie close to Manasarovar–Kailash region. Reasoning • Ganga–Yamuna sources lie farther west/south in the Garhwal Himalaya (Gangotri–Yamunotri), not by Manasarovar. Final Answer Indus, Sutlej (Satluj), and Brahmaputra

Question 8

Indian river projects: The Salal (Salal Hydroelectric) Project is located on which river? Focus on the Jammu & Kashmir/Union Territory of J&K hydropower context. Choose the correct river.

Accepted Answer

Given data Project name: Salal (also known as Salal Hydroelectric Project). Concept/Approach Salal lies near Reasi in J&K on the Chenab River. Final Answer Chenab

Question 9

Inland fisheries in India: Identify the factors that have hindered full exploitation of inland fisheries over the last five decades. Statements:  Silting and pollution of inland water bodies  Deforestation in the catchment areas of rivers  Lack of m…

Accepted Answer

Given data Three impediments listed: (1) silting/pollution, (2) catchment deforestation, (3) marketing gaps. Concept/Approach Each listed factor reduces inland fish productivity—habitat degradation (1, 2) and weak value chains/market linkages (3). Reasoning • Siltation and pollution degrade habitats, lower dissolved oxygen, and affect spawning.• Deforestation accelerates erosion → silt inflows.• Poor cold-chain/markets depress incentives and raise losses. Final Answer 1, 2 and 3

Question 10

Indian rivers (peninsular vs Himalayan): Which of the following is a Peninsular River of India? Recall rivers originating on the Peninsular Plateau as opposed to the Himalaya. Choose the correct river.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach Godavari originates in the Western Ghats (Trimbak plateau region) and flows across the Deccan → Peninsular system. The others are Himalayan systems. Final Answer Godavari

Question 11

Ports of India (count): How many major ports are there in India under the central system? Refer to the list of notified major ports. Choose the correct number.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach India has 12 major ports administered under central legislation (e.g., Deendayal/Kandla, Mumbai, JNPT, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar/Ennore, VOC/Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Kolkata–Haldia). Final Answer 12

Question 12

Indian monsoon climatology: The south-west monsoon contributes what proportion of India’s total annual rainfall? Consider all-India average during June–September. Choose the correct share.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach On an all-India basis, the June–September SW monsoon brings roughly three-quarters of annual rainfall. Final Answer 75%

Question 13

Mineral belts (copper): The principal copper deposits of India occur mainly in which regions? Identify the classic mining belts. Choose the correct set.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach The key copper belts are Khetri, Singhbhum, and Balaghat. The other sets represent primarily coal/lignite or gold fields. Final Answer Khetri (Rajasthan), Singhbhum (Jharkhand), and Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh)

Question 14

Population geography (Union Territories): Which Union Territory of India has the highest population density (persons per km²)? Compare major UTs such as Delhi, Chandigarh, and Puducherry. Choose the correct UT.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach Delhi has the highest population density among UTs, exceeding that of Chandigarh and vastly higher than island UTs. Final Answer Delhi

Question 15

Geological eras (Cenozoic): Which event characterizes the Cenozoic era? Think of biotic dominance and orogeny after the Mesozoic.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach The Cenozoic (66 Ma–present) is marked by mammalian radiation, angiosperm dominance, Himalayan uplift, and ultimately human evolution. Dinosaurs dominated the preceding Mesozoic; Gondwana assembly and trilobite abundance are Paleozoic features. Final Answer Rise and diversification of mammals (including the appearance of humans)

Question 16

Himalayan drainage systems: How many distinct, major river drainage systems originate in the Himalayan mountain complex of the Indian Subcontinent? Count the principal systems at subcontinental scale. Choose the correct number.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach The Himalayan complex gives rise to three dominant systems: Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra. Final Answer Three

Question 17

Indian Standard Time vs GMT: When it is 12:00 noon IST at Allahabad (Prayagraj), what is the time at Greenwich (London)? IST is ahead of GMT by 5 hours 30 minutes. Choose the correct Greenwich time.

Accepted Answer

Given data & calculation IST − GMT = +5 h 30 m.If IST = 12:00, then GMT = 12:00 − 5:30 = 06:30. Final Answer 6:30 a.m.

Question 18

Political geography (boundary accords): The Shimla Convention is the agreement that established which boundary? Focus on the early 20th-century accord involving Tibet and British India. Choose the correct line/boundary.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach The 1914 Shimla Convention delineated the McMahon Line as the boundary between Tibet and British India. Final Answer The McMahon Line between Tibet and British India (present India–Tibet sector)

Question 19

Edible oils (agriculture): Failure of which crop most seriously threatens India’s edible oil availability? Consider traditional oilseed dependence. Choose the correct crop.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach Historically, groundnut has been a dominant oilseed in India; major shortfalls trigger large edible-oil gaps. (Mustard/rapeseed is also important, but groundnut shortfall has been classically cited as most disruptive nationwide.) Final Answer Groundnut (peanut)

Question 20

Cropping pattern (foodgrains): Which foodgrain occupies the largest share of India’s cropped area? Use all-India sown area statistics among cereals. Choose the correct crop.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach Rice has the largest gross cropped area among major foodgrains in India, exceeding wheat and maize in all-India acreage. Final Answer Rice

Indian Geography Questions