Geography of India (Part -V) (UPSC)

Total Questions: 46

11. Which one of the following pairs of States of India indicates the eastern most and western most State? [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat
Solution:

Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat are the easternmost and westernmost States.
• Arunachal Pradesh, located in the northeastern tip of India, holds a key position in the country’s strategic, cultural, and ecological map. Known for its tribal heritage, mountainous terrain, and rich biodiversity, the state combines natural beauty with historical depth. Covering 83,743 square kilometers, it is the 14th-largest state in India by area. As per the 2011 Census, the state has a population of over 1.3 million. Itanagar, the capital, also functions as the main administrative and political hub.
• Gujarat, a key western state of India, plays an important role in the country’s economic and cultural framework. Known for its rich heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, and industrial growth, the state blends historical significance with modern development. Spanning 196,024 square kilometers, it is the fifth-largest state in India by area. As per the 2011 Census, Gujarat has a population of over 60 million. Gandhinagar, the state capital, serves as the administrative hub, while cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara contribute significantly to the state’s growth.

12. Consider the following rivers: [2015-1]

1. Vamsadhara

2. Indravati

3. Pranahita

4. Pennar

Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?

Correct Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only
Solution:Major tributaries of the river include the Purna (South), Pravara, Indravati, Manjira River, Bindusara River, Sabari River, Wainganga, and Wardha River. Pranahita is the name given to the combined flow of the rivers Wardha and Wainganga.
The Godavari River System, often called the Dakshina Ganga or "Southern Ganges," is the second longest river in India, stretching about 1,465 kilometers (910 miles). Originating in the Western Ghats at Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra, it flows eastward across the Deccan Plateau and empties into the Bay of Bengal. As it traverses diverse landscapes, the Godavari forms a rich delta near Rajahmundry, where a network of distributaries boosts its fertility and agricultural potential.
Revered in Hinduism, the Godavari River is dotted with numerous pilgrimage sites where devotees perform sacred rituals. Moreover, events like the Pushkaram (Kumbh of the South) festival attract thousands, seeking spiritual purification through a sacred dip in its water.

13. Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest? [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Solution:Andaman and Nicobar Islands is rich in biodiversity. Different types of forests as Tropical Evergreen forests, Moist Deciduous forests, Mangrove forests, Littoral forests are found here.
• Mangroves can also be found along the coast.
• The tropical rainforest canopy of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is made up of components from Indian, Myanmar, Malaysian, and unique floral strains.
• Epiphytic vegetation, chiefly ferns, and orchids thrive in the South Andaman woods.
• The Middle Andamans are largely covered with humid deciduous woods.
• The moist evergreen variety dominates in the North Andamans, with an abundance of woody climbers.
• The North Nicobar Islands have no evergreen woods, but evergreen forests constitute the dominating vegetation in the Nicobar group's center and southern islands.

14. Which of the following has/have been accorded 'Geographical Indication' status? [2015-11]

1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees

2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma

3. Tirupathi Laddu

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (c) 1 only 3 only
Solution:Banaras Brocades and Sarees (Logo) has been accorded 'Geographical Indication' status. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma is not in the list of Geographical Indications in Indus - Therefore option 'C' is correct.
Geographical Indications (GI tags) are signs used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess distinctive qualities, reputation, or characteristics attributable to that place of origin. GI tags serve as intellectual property rights that identify a product's unique geographical source, providing legal protection and preventing unauthorised use.
In India, the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, of 1999 governs the registration and protection of GIs. These tags play a crucial role in promoting and safeguarding the unique products and traditional knowledge of various regions, contributing to rural development, preserving cultural heritage, and enhancing the marketability of Indian products in the global market.

15. In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found? [2016-11]

1. Cambay Basin

2. Cauvery Basin

3. Krishna-Godavari Basin

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:Research is under process for presence of shale gas in Cambay basin at Mehsana, Ahmedabad and Bharuch districts of Gujarat, Cauvery basin at Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and in KG Basin at East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh.
• Shale gas is natural gas, one of several forms of unconventional gas (also known as methane or CH4).
• It is trapped within shale formations with low permeability, which is fine-grained sedimentary rock which acts as its source as well as reservoir.
• It is an unconventional oil produced from oil shale rock fragments by pyrolysis, hydrogenation, or thermal dissolution.
• These processes convert the organic matter within the rock into synthetic oil and gas.

16. With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: [2017-1]

1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.

2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta.

3. River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:India Yearbook 2017, Chapter 1: Land and the People, subtopic River system. "Brahmaputra in Bangladesh is fed by Teesta etc. "Meaning Teesta merges into Brahmaputra itself rather than flowing into sea by its own. Hence third statement is wrong, therefore by elimination, we are left with answer "B".

17. At one of the places in India, if you stand on the seashore and watch the sea, you will find that the sea water recedes from the shore line a few kilometres and comes back to the shore, twice a day, and you can actually walk on the sea floor when the water recedes. This unique phenomenon is seen at [2017-1]

Correct Answer: (c) Chandipur
Solution:Odisha state Government's tourism webpage says verbatim that Chandipur beach has a unique distinction on its own. Unlike other beaches, the sea water here recedes away from the shore line about five km twice a day, an unusual phenomenon, rarely found anywhere.
Therefore answer is "C".

18. If you travel by road from Kohima to Kottayam, what is the minimum number of States within India through which you can travel, including the origin and the destination? [2017-1]

Correct Answer: (b) 7
Solution:Let's count the shortest route in the map
1. Nagaland, Kohima
2. Assam
3. W.Bengal
4. Odisha
5. Andhra Pradesh
6. Karnataka (or Tamilnadu)
7. Kerala, Kottayam
Total seven states.

19. Consider the following statements: [2017-1]

1. In India, the Himalayas are spread over five States only.

2. Western Ghats are spread over five States only.

3. Pulicat Lake is spread over two States only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 3 only
Solution:If you apply commonsense that Himalaya ought to
be passing through international border states only i.e. J&K, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunanchal Pradesh = total 5 states. But we've to count the "eastern hills" also, because they're part of Himalayan system as per NCERT Class 11 India-Physical Geography. So that'd cover Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram et al so definitely more than five states. Hence first statement is wrong.
  • Western Ghats are spread over six States: Gujarat (southern part), Maharastra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu so 2nd statement is wrong.
  • By elimination we are left with Answer "B".

20. Which one of the following is an artificial lake ? [2018-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)
Solution:(A) Kodaikanal has 154-year-old, artificially-built lake. (B) Kolleru Lake Situated in Andhra Pradesh, it is the largest fresh water lake of India. It is located between the deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers in the Krishna and Godavari districts. The lake serves as a natural flood-balancing reservoir for the two rivers, it's also a Ramsar convention site, (C) Nainital is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, with the pear-shaped Naini lake at its centre. (D) Renuka Lake Situated in the Siarmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, this lake has been named after the goddess Renuk(a) A lion safari and a zoo are major attractions at Renuka. It is a site for the annual fair in the month of November.