Question 1

Which of the following mountain passes connects India with China across the Himalayas?

Accepted Answer

Nathu La is a major mountain pass in the eastern Himalayas that connects India (Sikkim) with China (Tibet). It is located at an altitude of approximately 4,330 meters and has been an important trade route historically. The pass was reopened for trade in 2006 after being closed for 44 years.

Question 2

Which of the following rivers is the longest in India by total length?

Accepted Answer

The Ganges (Ganga) River is the longest river in India with a total length of approximately 2,525 km. It originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas and flows through the Indo-Gangetic Plain before emptying into the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh.

Question 3

Which of the following rivers is the longest tributary of the Ganges River?

Accepted Answer

The Yamuna River is the longest tributary of the Ganges, with a length of approximately 1,376 km. It originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Mussoorie Range of the Western Himalayas and joins the Ganges at Allahabad (Prayagraj). The Yamuna is also the second-longest river in India after the Ganges itself.

Question 4

The Western Ghats mountain range is located along which coast of India?

Accepted Answer

The Western Ghats run along the western coast of India, parallel to the Arabian Sea. This mountain range extends approximately 1,600 km from the Tapti River in the north to Cape Comorin in the south, covering parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Question 5

Which of the following is a major tributary of the Ganges River?

Accepted Answer

The Yamuna River is a major tributary of the Ganges, joining it at Allahabad (Prayagraj). The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas and flows for approximately 1,376 km through North India, passing through Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

Question 6

Which soil type is predominantly found in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of India?

Accepted Answer

Alluvial soil is the predominant soil type in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. These soils are formed by the deposition of sediments carried by rivers like the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries over thousands of years. Alluvial soils are highly fertile and support intensive agriculture.

Question 7

The Deccan Plateau is primarily composed of which type of rock formation?

Accepted Answer

The Deccan Plateau is predominantly composed of basaltic lava flows, which are igneous rocks formed from ancient volcanic activity. These lava flows occurred during the Cretaceous period (approximately 66 million years ago) and cover an area of about 500,000 square kilometers.

Question 8

Which mountain pass connects the Kullu Valley with the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh?

Accepted Answer

The Rohtang Pass, located at an elevation of 3,978 meters, connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti region. It is one of the most important mountain passes in the Indian Himalayas and serves as a major trade and transportation route.

Question 9

The Western Ghats mountain range runs parallel to which coast of India?

Accepted Answer

The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Mountains, run parallel to the western coast of India, extending approximately 1,600 km from Gujarat in the north to Kerala in the south. They form a natural barrier between the coastal plains and the Deccan Plateau.

Question 10

Which of the following is the primary source of the Brahmaputra River?

Accepted Answer

The Brahmaputra River originates from the Angsi Glacier (also called Kailash Range) in the Tibetan Plateau at an elevation of approximately 5,150 meters. It flows through Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam before joining the Ganges in Bangladesh.

Question 11

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 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.

Question 12

Which of the following mountain passes in the Himalayas connects India with Tibet/China and is located in Himachal Pradesh at an elevation of approximately 4270 meters?

Accepted Answer

This question tests knowledge of specific Himalayan mountain passes and their locations. The Rohtang Pass is a well-known pass in Himachal Pradesh, but it is at approximately 3978 meters elevation. The Kailash Pass is located in Uttarakhand. The Nathu La Pass is in Sikkim. The Shipki La Pass is located in Himachal Pradesh (Kinnaur district) at approximately 4270 meters and connects India with Tibet/China.

Question 13

The Sutlej River, a major tributary of the Indus River system, originates from which location and flows through which Indian states before entering Pakistan?

Accepted Answer

The Sutlej River is a significant river in the Indus River system. It originates from the Kailash Range (Tibetan Plateau) near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab before entering Pakistan. The river is approximately 1540 km long and forms part of the boundary between India and Pakistan in some sections. This question tests knowledge of Himalayan river systems and their drainage patterns.

Question 14

The Narmada River, which is one of India's longest rivers, originates from which mountain range and flows in which general direction before emptying into the Arabian Sea?

Accepted Answer

The Narmada River is unique among Indian rivers as it originates from the Amarkantak Plateau (in Madhya Pradesh) and flows westward (not southward like most peninsular rivers) through a rift valley. It forms the boundary between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and empties into the Arabian Sea near Bharuch, Gujarat. This westward flow and rift valley origin distinguish it from other major peninsular rivers.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about the Brahmaputra River is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

The Brahmaputra River is a major river of Northeast India. It originates from the Kailash Range (Tibetan Plateau) in Tibet, flows through Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya before entering Bangladesh. It is approximately 2900 km long (making it one of Asia's longest rivers) and has the second-largest discharge rate among Indian rivers after the Ganga. The question tests detailed knowledge of the Brahmaputra's characteristics.

SSC CPO Physical Geography of India

Physical Geography of India— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Physical Geography of India — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Physical Geography of India