Indian Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)

Explanation

Exp:

Option (a) is incorrect: Magnesium is not responsible for the red color. It affects soil fertility but not its hue.

Option (b) is incorrect: Humus contributes to dark brown or black soils, not red soils. Red soils are low in organic content.

Option (c) is correct: The red color of red soil is primarily due to the presence of ferric oxides (iron oxides) in its composition. Red soils are formed from the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks, particularly in regions with a hot and dry climate. Iron-bearing minerals in these rocks oxidize over time, forming ferric oxides that impart the red color. Its colour varies from red to brown, depending on the intensity of oxidation and hydration. They are generally low in nitrogen, phos-phorous, and organic matter (humus) but rich in iron. They are found extensively in peninsular India, including parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Common in areas with low rainfall where leaching is minimal, allowing ferric oxides to accumulate.

Option (d) is incorrect: Phosphates improve soil fertility but do not influence soil color significantly.

Explanation

The Gondwana rock system, named after the Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the most significant geological formations in India. These s are found in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Telangana.

Option (b) is correct: Gondwana rock system is primarily known for its rich coal deposits, which account for over 90% of India’s total coal reserves. Major coalfields such as Damodar Valley (Jharkhand and West Bengal), Son Valley (Madhya Pradesh), and Mahanadi Valley (Odisha and Chhattisgarh) are part of this system. The Gondwana rock system is considered the most important rock system in India due to its rich coal deposits.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Limestone is primarily found in the Vindhyan rock system, Cuddapah system, and the Aravalli ranges. Major limestone deposits exist in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Black cotton soil (Regur soil) is derived from the Deccan Trap volcanic rocks, not from Gondwana rocks. These soils are rich in clay and moisture-retentive, found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Explanation

Pair (a) is correctly matched: Gobind Sagar Lake is a vast reservoir created by the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. It was named in honor of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru. Pair (b) is incorrectly matched: Kolleru Lake is a freshwater lake situated in Andhra Pradesh but it is not directly fed by the Krishna River. It is primarily fed by two minor rivers Budameru and Tammileru which originate in the Eastern Ghats. Krishna and Godavari rivers are nearby but do not feed the lake directly. Pair (c) is correctly matched: Ukai Reservoir(also known as Vallabh Sagar) is located on the Tapi River in Gujarat. It is the second-largest reservoir in Gujarat after the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River. It was built in 1972 and provides irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation. Pair (d) is correctly matched: Wular Lake is one of South Asia’s largest freshwater lakes. It is situated in Jammu and Kashmir. It is located near Srinagar and experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in size, ranging from 30 to 189 square kilometers. The Jhelum River flows through the lake, with the lake playing a crucial role in regulating the river’s flow.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Himalayas act as a formidable barrier as it effectively blocking the frigid winds from Siberia from penetrating deep into the Indian subcontinent. Without this natural barrier, much of India would be susceptible to severe cold waves during winter.

Statement 2 is correct: The Himalayan ranges are a crucial source of the alluvial soils that enrich the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The erosion of the Himalayas over millennia has resulted in the deposition of fertile sediments, creating one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the world. In the absence of the Himalayas, this fertile alluvial plain would not exist, significantly impacting agricultural productivity.

Statement 3 is correct: The Himalayas play a pivotal role in influencing the Indian monsoon. They act as a barrier, forcing the moisture-laden monsoon winds to rise, leading to significant rainfall over the Indian subcontinent. Without the Himalayas, the Indian monsoon would likely be much weaker and less consistent, with significantly lower rainfall across the subcontinent. The absence of orographic lifting would result in a drier climate, potentially transforming large areas of India into desert-like regions. The monsoon winds would face less obstruction, meaning less moisture would be lifted and condensed, leading to a reduction in rainfall.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Both Sikkim in the east and Rajasthan in the west share the commonality of being intersected by the 27th parallel north. The latitude passes through Gangtok in Sikkim and Alwar in Rajasthan. This shared latitudinal position provides a unique geographical connection between these two distinct regions of India. The red line in the accompanying figure may represent an approximation of the line of latitude that passes through both locations.

Explanation

The approximate representation of land use classification in India is Net area sown 47%; forests 23%; other areas 30%. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare employs a nine-fold classification system for land use in India. This system encompasses categories such as forest areas, agricultural land (cultivated and fallow), barren land, pastures, land under tree crops, and areas designated for non-agricultural uses. Fig: Land use pie chart

Explanation

Amarkantak, a significant geographical landmark in India, serves as the source for two major rivers that exhibit contrasting hydrological patterns. The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh. It flows westward for 1,312 km, forming a natural divide between North and South India before emptying into the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Khambhat. Its basin is elongated, with hilly upper reaches and fertile lower plains ideal for cultivation. The Son River is a major southern tributary of the Ganga, also originates near Amarkantak in Chhattisgarh. It initially flows north-northwest through Madhya Pradesh before turning eastward, cutting through the Kaimur Range and running parallel to the Kaimur Hills. It then flows through Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar, eventually joining the Ganga near Patna. Fig: Map showing routes of Narmada and Son after originating near Amarkantak

Option (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Badrinath (Uttarakhand) is associated with the origin of the Alaknanda River, which later joins the Ganga system, but it does not give rise to two rivers flowing in opposite directions. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) is the origin of the Krishna River, which flows towards the Bay of Bengal, but no significant river flows northward from here. Nasik (Maharashtra) is located on the banks of the Godavari River, which flows eastward, but there is no major northward-flowing river originating from here.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: India possesses significant reserves of thorium, particularly in the southern parts of the country. Major Thorium Deposit states are: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Kerala’s monazite sands, particularly along the coastal regions of Kollam and Palakkad, are among the richest for thorium in the world. These sands contain approximately 1.9 million tonnes of monazite, with high concentrations of thorium (up to 10%) and rare earth elements (55-60%).

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: While Kerala is renowned for its numerous west-flowing rivers that drain directly into the Arabian Sea, it is important to note that the state also possesses a few significant east-flowing rivers. The Kabini, Bhavani, and Pambar rivers, for instance, contribute to the eastward flow of water, ultimately merging with the larger Kaveri River system. These rivers flow eastward into neighboring states and ultimately merge with the Kaveri River. Kabini flows into Karnataka, while Bhavani and Pambar enter Tamil Nadu. They play a significant role in inter-state water systems and biodiversity.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Madhya Pradesh, a state characterized by diverse geographical features, is home to a network of rivers flowing westward. The Narmada, Tapi, and Mahi rivers are prominent examples of this westward drainage pattern, ultimately finding their way to the Arabian Sea.

Explanation

Biodiversity hotspots are regions with exceptional levels of plant and animal endemism that are under significant threat. Options 1 and 2 are correct: Among the given regions, the Eastern Himalayas, encompassing parts of Nepal, Bhutan, In-dia, and China, and the Eastern Mediterranean Region qualify as biodiversity hotspots. These regions harbour a remarkable diversity of life, including numerous species found nowhere else on Earth. However, threats like deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change pose significant risks to this precious ecosystem. The Eastern Himalayas region supports iconic species like the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, red panda, and greater one-horned rhinoceros. The Eastern Himalayas’ rich biodiversity arises from its unique geography at the intersection of three biogeographical realms: Indo-Malayan, Palaearctic, and Sino-Japanese. The Eastern Mediterranean is part of the larger Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot, one of the richest and most threatened regions globally. The region also supports diverse wildlife, including migratory birds, reptiles like geckos and chameleons, amphibians such as cave salamanders, and unique mammals like macaques. Marine biodiversity includes endemic freshwater fish and Mediterranean Sea species. Fig: Map showing Biodiversity Hotspots Option 3 is incorrect: Northwestern Australia, encompassing the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, is known for its rugged landscapes, pristine coastlines, and rich Aboriginal heritage. This remote area features dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and unique wildlife. It also hosts significant mining and resource projects. South-Western Australia is a biodiversity hotspot whereas North-Western Australia is not.