Question 1

The Narmada River, one of India's major peninsular rivers, originates from which mountain range?

Accepted Answer

The Narmada River is one of the longest rivers in peninsular India. It originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh, which is part of the Vindhya Range (or Vindhyan Range). The river flows westward for approximately 1,312 km before emptying into the Arabian Sea in Gujarat. The Amarkantak region is the source point, and it is located in the Vindhya Range.

Question 2

Which of the following rivers originates from the Western Ghats and flows eastward to drain into the Bay of Bengal?

Accepted Answer

The Godavari River originates from the Western Ghats in Maharashtra (near Nashik district) and flows eastward across the Deccan Plateau before draining into the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh. It is the second-longest river in India after the Ganges, with a total length of approximately 1,465 km. Therefore, the answer is B.

Question 3

The Deccan Plateau is bounded by which two mountain ranges on its western and eastern edges respectively?

Accepted Answer

The Deccan Plateau is bounded by the Western Ghats on its western edge and the Eastern Ghats on its eastern edge. The Western Ghats run along the western coast of peninsular India (from Gujarat to Kerala), while the Eastern Ghats run along the eastern coast (from Odisha to Tamil Nadu). These two ranges form the natural boundaries of the Deccan Plateau. Therefore, the answer is A.

Question 4

Which of the following passes connects the Indian plains with the Deccan Plateau and is located in the Satpura Range?

Accepted Answer

The Tapti Gap (or Tapti Valley) is a major pass that connects the Indo-Gangetic plains with the Deccan Plateau. It is formed by the Tapti River cutting through the Satpura Range and provides a natural corridor for transportation and communication between northern and southern India. This pass is strategically important and has been historically significant for trade and military movements. Therefore, the answer is C.

Question 5

The Brahmaputra River, after flowing through Assam, enters Bangladesh and is known by which name?

Accepted Answer

The Brahmaputra River, after flowing through Assam in northeastern India, enters Bangladesh where it is called the Jamuna River. In Bangladesh, the Jamuna merges with the Ganges (called Padma in Bangladesh) to form the Meghna River, which eventually flows into the Bay of Bengal. This renaming reflects the geographical and political boundary crossing. Therefore, the answer is B.

Question 6

Which soil type is predominantly found in the Deccan Plateau and is formed from the weathering of basaltic lava flows?

Accepted Answer

Black soil (also called regur soil or vertisol) is the predominant soil type found in the Deccan Plateau. It is formed from the weathering of basaltic lava flows that covered the region during the Cretaceous period. Black soil is rich in iron, magnesium, and lime, making it highly fertile and ideal for cotton cultivation. It is characterized by its dark color, high clay content, and capacity to retain moisture. Therefore, the answer is A.

Question 7

Which of the following mountain passes connects Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh and is located at an altitude of approximately 4,890 metres?

Accepted Answer

The Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, located in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 3,978 metres. It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti districts. The Baralacha La pass is located at 4,890 metres and connects Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul region) with Ladakh. However, the most commonly referenced pass at this altitude connecting these two regions is Baralacha La. The Rohtang Pass at 3,978 m is the more famous pass but at a lower altitude. The question tests precise altitude and location knowledge of Himalayan passes.

Question 8

The Brahmaputra River, one of Asia's major rivers, originates from which mountain range?

Accepted Answer

The Brahmaputra River originates from the Kailash Range (also called Kailash Mountains or Kailash Massif) in the Tibetan Plateau, near Mount Kailash, at an altitude of approximately 5,150 metres. The river flows eastward through Tibet (where it is called the Yarlung Tsangpo), then enters Arunachal Pradesh in India, and eventually flows through Assam before joining the Ganges Delta in Bangladesh. The Kailash Range is part of the larger Himalayas.

Question 9

Which of the following is the correct sequence of the Ganga River's major tributaries from west to east as they join the main river in the Indo-Gangetic Plain?

Accepted Answer

The Ganga River receives several major tributaries in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. From west to east, the major tributaries are: Yamuna (joins near Delhi), Gomti (joins in Uttar Pradesh), Ghaghra (joins in Uttar Pradesh), and Brahmaputra (joins in Bangladesh, but in the context of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Kosi and Mahananda are the eastern tributaries in Bihar). The most commonly tested sequence includes Yamuna, Gomti, Ghaghra, and Kosi as the major tributaries from west to east.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the Western Ghats is correct?

Accepted Answer

The Western Ghats form a mountain range running parallel to the western coast of India, stretching approximately 1,600 km from Gujarat in the north to Kerala in the south. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are recognized as one of the world's eight hottest biodiversity hotspots. The Western Ghats receive the southwest monsoon and have an average elevation of 900–1,600 m, with Anamudi (2,695 m) being the highest peak. Therefore, answer is B.

Question 11

The Brahmaputra River originates from which mountain range and flows through which of the following states in India?

Accepted Answer

The Brahmaputra River originates from the Kailash Range (specifically the Angsi Glacier on the Tibetan Plateau) at an elevation of approximately 5,150 m. It flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam before entering Bangladesh. The river is approximately 2,900 km long in total, with about 916 km flowing through Indian territory. Therefore, answer is C.

Question 12

Which of the following is the correct sequence of the Deccan Plateau's major soil types from north to south?

Accepted Answer

The Deccan Plateau exhibits a transition in soil types from north to south due to variations in rainfall, parent rock, and climate. In the northern Deccan (Maharashtra, northern Karnataka), black soil (regur) dominates due to the weathering of basaltic lava flows. In the central and southern regions (southern Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu), red soil and laterite soil become more prevalent due to higher rainfall and different geological formations. The sequence is: Black Soil (North) → Red Soil (Central) → Laterite Soil (South, especially in Western Ghats fringe areas). Therefore, answer is B.

Question 13

The Narmada River, one of India's major rivers, originates from which location and forms a natural boundary between which two regions?

Accepted Answer

The Narmada River originates from Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh (at an elevation of approximately 1,057 m). It flows westward for approximately 1,312 km and forms a natural boundary between the Deccan Plateau (to the south) and the Malwa Plateau (to the north). The river enters the Arabian Sea through a delta in Gujarat. The Narmada is one of the few Indian rivers that flows from east to west. Therefore, answer is D.

Question 14

Which of the following statements correctly describes the relationship between the Himalayas' structural zones and their geographical features?

Accepted Answer

The Himalayas are divided into three major structural zones from south to north: (1) the Sub-Himalayan Zone (Siwalik Range) — foothills with soft sedimentary rocks, elevation 600–1,500 m, prone to erosion; (2) the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal and Kumaon Himalayas) — elevation 1,500–4,500 m, composed of metamorphic rocks, contains important valleys like Kullu and Kangra; (3) the Greater Himalayas (High Himalayas) — elevation above 4,500 m, contains the highest peaks including Mount Everest (8,849 m), composed of granite and metamorphic rocks, perpetually snow-covered. Therefore, answer is A.

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