Geography of India (Part -I) (UPSC)

Total Questions: 50

1. The alpine vegetation in the Western Himalayas is found only up to a height of 3000 metres while in the Eastern Himalayas it is found up to a height of 4000 metres. The reason for this variation in the same mountain range is that: [1995]

Correct Answer: (c) Eastern Himalayas get more monsoon rainfall than the Western Himalayas
Solution:The alpine vegetation in eastern himalayas is found upto 4000 meters because in eastern himalayas the monsoon rainfall is higher than western Himalayas.
  • Afghanistan is a mountainous land-locked country located in South-Central Asia.
  • Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces. The largest city and capital is Kabul.
  • It is bordered by India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to the north, and Tajikistan and China to the northeast.
  • It is inhabited by ethnic Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks.
  • Afghanistan is known for it's mountainous terrain. The huge Hindu Kush mountains form a barrier between the Northern provinces and the rest of the country. This mountain range has also divided
  • Afghanistan int three very different geographic regions known as: The Central Highlands, The Northern Plains, and the Southwestern Plateau. The altitude, climate, and soil conditions in

2. Consider the map given below: [1995]

The division along India's coastal region indicate:

Correct Answer: (d) underwater relief contours
Solution:The given map indicates the coastal region underwater relief contours of India. In this region some islands like Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshyadeep are present.
  • Oman basin
  • Arabian basin
  • Chagos ridge

3. In the map given below, three out of the four places marked indicate places where a thermal power station is located: [1995]

The place where there is no thermal power station is marked:

Correct Answer: (d) 4
Solution:In the given map the marked places indicates :-
'1' indicates Ukai in Gujarat
'2' indicates of Dondapadu in A.P.
'3' indicates Korba of Chhattisgarh
'4' indicates Vidyanagar
Thermal Power Plants in India are the cornerstone of india's energy sector, contributing approximately 78% of the country's total electricity supply. Thermal Power Plants in India provide critical base-load power, which promotes industrial growth and infrastructure development. While providing energy security and affordability, they also help to balance intermittent renewable energy sources
Thermal Power Plants in India in 2024 had a capacity of 243.21 GW, with coal-based plants dominating at 210.96 GW. The nation aims to diversify its energy mix by 2030, aiming for 500 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil electricity. However, their reliance on fossil fuels raises environmental concerns, necessitating the development of cleaner technologies and a shift to a more sustainable energy mix.

4. "Monoculture of commercially viable trees is destroying the unique natural profile. Thoughtless exploitation of timber, deforesting vast tracts for palm cultivation, destruction of mangroves, illegal logging by tribals and poaching only compounds the problem. Fresh water pockets are fast drying up due to deforestation and destruction of mangroves". The place referred to this quotation is : [1995]

Correct Answer: (a) Sundarban
Solution:The quotation referred to Sundarban of West Bengal. Sundarban is famous for mangrove forest and tiger population. It is present at the delta region of Ganga. Sundarban is world's largest delta.
About Sundarbans
  • Largest Tidal Mangrove Forest: Covers approx 10,000 sq. km, with 40% in India and 60% in Bangladesh.
  • Boundaries: Bordered by the Muriganga River (west) and Harinbhanga and Raimangal Rivers (east).
  • Global Recognition Declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1989, a Tiger Reserve in 1973, a Ramsar Site in 1992, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
  • Dynamic Eco-geography: Tidal actions deposit silt, elevate riverbeds, and create new islands and creeks. Unique Vegetation: Named after the Sundari tree (Heritiera formes), dominating its mangrove forests.
  • Unique Adaptations: Specialised roots (Pneumatophores) that grow above the soil surface, enabling respiration in waterlogged, oxygen-poor conditions.
  • Rich Faunal Diversity: Home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, Saltwater Crocodile, River Terrapin, Olive Ridley Turtle, Ganges River Dolphin, Hawksbill Turtle, and Mangrove Horseshoe Crab.

5. The palacomagnetic results obtained from India indicate that in the past, the Indian land mass has moved: [1995]

Correct Answer: (a) northward
Solution:The palaeomagnetic results indicates that, the Indian land mass has moved to the north breaking from Africa.
  • Around 200 million years ago, the Indo-Australian plate separated from Gondwanaland.
  • The Indian plate then began its journey northwards, separated from the Asian continent by the Tethys Sea
  • Approximately 40-50 million years ago, India collided with Asia, causing the rapid uplift of the Himalayas
  • Studies of the magnetic orientation in rocks from different geological time periods have provided the evidence for this movement, demonstrating a large northward drift
    and counter-clockwise rotation of the Indian plate.

6. Of the four places marked 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the map, the one indicating a tidal port is: [1995]

Correct Answer: (d) 4
Solution:From the given figure
'1' indicates Calcutta port which is a Riverine port, situated at river Hoogly.
'2' indicates Paradeep port of Orissa.
'3' indicates Kochi of Kerala
'4' indicates Kandla port of Gujarat is tidal port.
Paradeep, Kochi and Kandla are natural ports on the sea coast.

7. The Indian subcontinent was originally a part of a huge mass called: [1995]

Correct Answer: (d) Gondwana continent
Solution:Geologists believes that the Indian peninsula was a part of the Gondwanaland (continent) which drifted northwards and India, Africa and other parts separated from each other.
  • Approximately 250 million years ago, Gondwana was a supercontinent that included the landmasses of India, Antarctica, Australia, Africa, and South America,
  • Over millions of years, Gondwana broke apart, and the Indian plate separated from the other landmasses and began its journey northward.
  • The Indian plate's northward movement eventually led to a collision with the Eurasian plate. This collision caused the land to bunch up, creating the Himalayan mountain range and the Tibetan Plateau.

8. Which one of the following mountain ranges is spread over only one state in India? [1995]

Correct Answer: (c) Ajanta
Solution:Ajanta mountain range a short range, which spreads within Maharashtra.
  • Aravali ranges covers Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi
  • Satpura ranges are found in Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh.
  • Sahyadris ranges starts from Gujrat, Maharastra border and crossing Goa, Karnataka it reaches Kerala tip upto Cape Comrin.
  • Ajanta is found in the Aurangabad district of Maharastra.

9. The National Highway from Amritsar to Calcutta via Delhi is numbered: [1995]

Correct Answer: (b) 2
Solution:National Highway from Amritsar to Calcutta via Delhi is called National highway No. 2. It was called Grand Trunk road and was constructed by Sher Shah.
This highway is not NH 2 any more after the renumbering if highways.
  • After the renumbering of the National highways done in 2010, this route is comprises of parts of NH3 (Amritsar to Jalandhar), NH 44 (Jalandhar to Agra via New Delhi) and NH 19 (Agra to Kolkata ).
  • The new NH 2 runs from Dibrugarh in Assam to Tuipang in Mizoram.

10. Examine the map of Jammu and Kashmir given below: [1995]

The mountains ranges marked 1, 2, 3 and 4 are respectively:

Correct Answer: (b) Karakoram, Ladakh, Zanskar and Pir Panjal
Solution:According to the physiography map of India the mountains ranges found in Jammu and Kashmir is Karakoram which is marked as '1' in figure. Ladakh range which is marked as '2', Zanskar range which is marked as '3', and Pir Panjal which is marked as '4'.