Under theme: Geography
40 PYQs. Learn elimination tricks first, then attempt the questions below.
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Common distractors and how to eliminate wrong options in this subtopic.
Associate reservoirs with their respective river systems for better recall and accuracy.
Avoid guessing based on phonetic similarity; focus on the core geographical feature being tested.
Avoid mixing up the separation of Indian islands (Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep) with neighboring countries'…
Be wary of absolute statements like 'None of them' or 'All of them'; they are frequently incorrect in UPSC qu…
Carefully analyze the verbs describing relationships (e.g., "validates," "extends," "contradicts") to ensure …
Carefully check numerical data: UPSC often presents percentages or figures that are close to correct but misa…
Carefully read the specific ocean mentioned in definitions (e.g., 'Eastern Pacific Ocean' vs. 'Eastern Indian…
Carefully verify the countries connected by each bridge; UPSC often swaps them.
Confirm origin and multi-country flow for remaining options, ensuring it matches all criteria.
Confirm the correct river associated with each bridge, as river names are common distractors.
Consider the geographical diversity of India and its resources; a single counter-example (like Mundra for sea…
Distinguish between major northern tributaries (Himalayan) and southern tributaries (Peninsular) of the Ganga.
Distinguish between the foundational goals of a program and its subsequent achievements or future-oriented en…
Distinguish between the general contributions of historical figures (e.g., Robert Bruce Foote) and their spec…
Distinguish between traditional coastal ports and the unique concept of an artificial inland port connected t…
What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isa pur and Kangsabati?
The common feature among the places Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati is that they are all known for their water reservoirs. - Aliyar Reservoir is located in Aliyar village, Tamil Nadu.
- Isapur Dam is an irrigation project in Maharashtra.
- Kangsabati Dam is located on the Kangsabati River in West Bengal.
Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds?
1. Decreased salinity in the river
2. Pollution of groundwater
3. Lowering of the water-table
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is incorrect: Sand mining in riverbeds does not directly affect the salinity levels in the river water. Salinity is primarily influenced by factors like the inflow of saline water from the sea or other sources, dissolution of salts from surrounding rocks and soil and anthropogenic activities like irrigation return flows and industrial discharge. Statement 2 is correct: Sand plays a crucial role in natural filtration, helping to remove impurities from water percolating through riverbeds. Excessive sand removal can disrupt this filtration process, allowing pollutants to seep into groundwater, increase turbidity, making water more susceptible to contamination, expose toxic substances previously trapped in sediments. It can: Statement 3 also correct: Excessive sand mining can significantly disrupt the hydrological balance of a river system.
- Reduce water-holding capacity of riverbeds, leading to lower groundwater recharge.
- Cause river incision, deepening the riverbed and lowering adjacent groundwater levels.
- Affect agriculture and drinking water sources, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Hence, the correct answer is option (b) 2 and 3 only.
Which one of the following is an artificial lake?
Kodaikanal Lake, also known as Kodai Lake is a manmade lake located in the Kodaikanal city in Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu, India. Sir Vere Henry Levinge, the then Collector of Madurai, was instrumental in creating the lake in 1863, amidst the Kodaikanal town which was developed by the British and early missionaries from the USA.
80 min · −33% negative · explanations after submit
With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’ sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. IOD phenomenon is characterized by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.
2. An IOD phenomenon can influence El Nino’s impact on the monsoon.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between the tropical Western Indian Ocean and the tropical Eastern Indian Ocean, not the Eastern Pacific Ocean. During a positive IOD, the western Indian Ocean is warmer than the eastern Indian Ocean, and vice versa for a negative IOD. Statement 2 is Correct: The IOD phenomenon can indeed influence El Nio's impact on the Indian monsoon. El Nio itself is a climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean, but it can interact with the IOD. Depending on the phases of both phenomena (positive/negative IOD and El Nino/La Nina), the overall impact on the Indian monsoon rainfall can be amplified or weakened. Hence, option B is the correct answer.
With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements:
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?
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Teesta River originates from the Pahunri (or Teesta Kangse) glacier and flows southward through the Sikkim Himalaya. where the Rangpo River joins, and where it forms the border between Sikkim and West Bengal up to Teesta Bazaar. Statement 2 is correct: Just before the Teesta Bridge, where the roads from Kalimpong and Darjeeling join, the river is met by its main tributary, the Rangeet River. Hence Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is Incorrect: It changes course southwards, flowing into West Bengal. The river then merges up with the Brahmaputra River after it bifurcates the city of Jalpaiguri and flows just touching Cooch Behar district at Mekhliganj and moves to Fulchori in Bangladesh. Thus it does not flow directly into the Bay of Bengal. Hence statement 3 is not correct. Hence, option B is the correct answer.
Recently, which of the following States has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to the sea by a long navigational channel?
The Inland Waterways Authority of India under the Ministry of Shipping had proposed to guide and support Rajasthan government for building an Inland Shipping Port at Jalore. The port and the terminal that are to be created will help develop inland navigation facilities in western Rajasthan and will also bring about socio-economic development of the region. Business development opportunities along the canal for limestone, gypsum, lignite, and cement factories are to be explored by the state government.
80 min · −33% negative · explanations after submit
Which of the following is/are tributary/tributaries of Brahmaputra?
1. Dibang
2. Kameng
3. Lohit
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
All the three are tributaries of the Brahmaputra. Manas, Dibang, Kameng and Lohit are the key tributaries of the river Brahmaputra.
Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaking?
India took a step forward in its ambitious but long-pending goal to interlink major rivers to form a national water grid. The Pattiseema project lifts flood water from the river Godavari and pumps it into the Polavaram right canal that empties into the river Krishna in Vijayawada. Andhra Pradesh Government is interlinking Krishna-Godavari rivers through the Pattiseema lift irrigation scheme. Hence, option B is the correct Answer.
Consider the following rivers :
1. Vamsadhara
2. Indravati
3. Pranahita
4. Pennar
Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?
Indravati and Pranhita: These are major left-bank tributaries of the Godavari River. Vamsadhara: This river flows independently into the Bay of Bengal and is not a tributary of Godavari. Pennar: This river flows entirely within Andhra Pradesh and drains into the Bay of Bengal south of Chennai. It's not a tributary of Godavari.
Consider the following pairs
|Wetlands|Confluence of rivers|
|-- |--|
|1. Harike Wetlands | Beas and Satluj/Sutlej|
|2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park|Banas and Chambal|
|3. Kolleru Lake | Confluence of Musi and Krishna|
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is correct: The Harike Wetland is formed at the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers in Punjab, India. Pair 2 is incorrect: Keoladeo Ghana National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is not located at the confluence of these rivers. It's a man-made wetland in Rajasthan, located on the confluence of River Gambhir and River Banganga. Pair 3 is incorrect: Kolleru Lake is a freshwater lake in Andhra Pradesh and is not located where the Musi and Krishna rivers meet. It lies between the Krishna and Godavari deltas. Thus, only pair one is correctly matched.