Geography of India (Part -III) (UPSC)

Total Questions: 50

21. Consider the following statements: [2006]

1. Appellate Tribunal for electricity has been established by each state government in India.

2. One of the component of the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP) is up gradation of sub-transmission and distribution system for electricity in India.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:By virtue of section 110 of the Electricity Act 2003, an Appellate Tribunal for Electricity having jurisdiction throughout India has been set up to hear appeals or original petitions against the order of the Adjudicating officer. But in states like Delhi and Orissa electricity has been privatized. So, the statement '1' is wrong. It is not present in Jammu and Kashmir.
Important Facts about India's Power Sector
  • India is the third-largest producer and consumer of electricity worldwide, with an installed power capacity of 442.85 GW as of April 30, 2024.
  • Growing population along with increasing electrification and per-capita usage will provide further impetus. Power consumption in India in FY23 logged a 9.5% growth to 1,503.65 billion units (BU).
  • India has committed to augment non fossil fuel based installed electricity generation capacity to over 5,00,000 MW by 2031-32.
  • 100% FDI allowed in the power sector has boosted FDI inflow in this sector.
  • Schemes such as Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) are expected to augment electrification across the country.

22. Match List-I (Valley) with List-II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2006]

List-I (Valley)List-II (State)
A. Markha Valley1. Sikkim
B. Dzukou Valley2. Himachal Pradesh
C. Sangla Valley3. Jammu & Kashmir
D. Yumthang Valley4. Nagaland

Codes:

OptionABCD
(a)2431
(b)3124
(c)2134
(d)3421
Correct Answer: (d)
Solution:
ValleyState
Markha ValleyJammu & Kashmir
Dzukou ValleyNagaland
Sangla ValleyHimachal Pradesh
Yumthang ValleySikkim

23. Which one of the following statements is not correct? [2006]

Correct Answer: (c) Cauvery River rises in Andhra Pradesh
Solution:Cauvery is a river of southern India, rises on Brahmagiri Hill in Western Ghats in Coorg district of Karnataka.
  • The Cauvery River System is one of the key river basins within the Peninsular Drainage System of India.
  • The Cauvery River and its numerous tributaries flow through the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, creating lush agricultural lands and supporting a variety of ecosystems along its path.
  • Spanning approximately 800 kilometres, the Cauvery is a crucial lifeline for the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
  • Known as the "Ganga of the South," the Cauvery has historical, cultural, and economic significance, playing a pivotal role in the irrigati

24. Match List-I (National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary) with List-II) (Nearby Town) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2006]

List-I (National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary)List-II (Nearby Town)
A. Chandra Prabha1. Jaipur
B. Karera2. Jhansi
C. Jaisamand3. Agra
D. Nahargarh4. Varanasi
5. Udaipur

Codes:

OptionABCD
(a)4411
(b)5231
(c)4251
(d)5132
Correct Answer: (c)
Solution:
National Park/Wildlife SanctuaryNearby Town
Chandra PrabhaVaranasi
KareraJhansi
JaisamandUdaipur
NahargarhJaipur

25. From North towards South, which one of the following is the correct sequence of the given rivers in India? [2006]

Correct Answer: (b) Shyok-Zaskar-Spiti-Sutlej
Solution:The correct sequence of the rivers in India from north towards south is Shyok - Zaskar - Spiti - Satluj. Shyok flows through northern Ladakh in India.
Zaskar river flows in north-eastern part of Ladakh.
Spiti river is situated at Kaza in Himachal Pradesh at an
elevation of 12500 feet.
Satluj river rise from slopes of Kailash and flows in south-westerly direction to Himachal Pradesh & Punjab.

26. In which one of the following districts, have large reserves of diamond-bearing Kimberlite been discovered in the recent past? [2007]

Correct Answer: (b) Raipur
Solution:Payali and Behradein in Raipur, Chhattisgarh has large reserves of diamond bearing kimberlite. It has 28% of the total diamond reserve of India.
  • Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance found on Earth.
  • Diamonds are formed in mantle. They brought to the earth's crust due to volcanism. Most of the diamonds occur in dykes, sill etc. [Volcanic Landforms).
  • Diamond is the Diamonds are used in ornaments, polishing the surfaces of metals and in gem cutting.
  • The most important industrial use of diamonds is in cutting-edges of drills used for exploration and mining of minerals [Diamond is the hardest substance and it can break other substances without itself getting broken).

27. With reference to the steel industry in India in the recent times, consider the following statements: [2007]

1. Vizag Steel Plant (RINL) has been declared a Mini Ratna.

2. Merger of IISCO with SAIL has been completed.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:Vizag Steel Plant was declared as a Mini Ratna company on 11th Feb 2006. Merger of IISCO with SAIL has been completed on 29th September 2004.
Criteria for granting Miniratna status to CPSES
Miniratna Category-l status
  • Must have achieved profitability in the last three consecutive years.
  • Need to demonstrate a pre-tax profit of Rs.30 crores or more in at least one of the three years.
  • Must maintain a positive net worth.
    Miniratna Category-II status
  • Requires a consistent track record of profitability for the last three consecutive years.
  • They should also have a positive net worth to be eligible for consideration.

28. The Stilwell Road, built in 1940s, which was recently in news, connects which of the following? [2007]

Correct Answer: (b) Ledo in India and Kunming in China via Myanmar
Solution:The Stilwell Road built in 1940s by Americans to connect Ledo in India and Kunming in China via Myanmar during Second World War.
  • Construction began in December 1942 under the command of American engineers and was completed by February 1945, with the first conway reaching Kunming, China. It involvind American soldiers and a large number of local laborers
  • The road's primary goal was to provide a vital overland supply route to Chinese forces fighting the Japanese, which was crucial after the Japanese occupied Bunna and cut off other supply lines.
  • After the war, the rood fell into disuse and deteriorated over decades, it was officially abandoned by the United States in October 1945, though it remains a major internal route in parts of China and Myanmar

29. Which one of the following is also known as Top Slip? [2007]

Correct Answer: (d) Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
Solution:Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is known as top slip. It is a part of Western Ghats is located above 300 metres from the sea level on the Anamalai mountain ranges.
Wildlife Sanctuaries of India is a specially protected area dedicated to the preservation of both flora and fauna. These sanctuaries are established as natural habitats where tourism is typically restricted, focusing on undisturbed conservation, The inception of these protected zones began with the Wildlife Protection Act of 1947, with further reinforcements introduced through the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which empowered state governments to officially designate ecologically significant regions as sanctuaries
India now boasts approximately 553 wildlife sanctuaries that collectively cover around 119,776 square kilometers. Among these, 51 are designated as tiger reserves, primarily serving as safe place for Bengal tigers. Classified under IUCN Category IV, these sanctuaries aim to safeguard ecosystems with high ecological, geomorphologic, and natural significance, reinforcing India's commitment to wildlife preservation.

30. Where are Shevaroy hills located? [2007]

Correct Answer: (d) Tamil Nadu
Solution:Shevaroy hill is situated near Salem of Tamil Nadu. This hill range covers an area of fifty square kilometers.