Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

The Himalayan ecosystem exhibits distinct vegetation zones based on altitude and climate.

Statement 1 is correct: Oak trees dominate the temperate broadleaf forests of the Himalayas. They are typically found between 1,500-3,000 meters. Common species include Quercus leucotrichophora (Banj Oak) in the western Himalayas (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and Quercus semecarpifolia (Kharsu Oak) at higher elevations. Oak forests play a key role in soil conservation and water retention, making them ecologically vital.

Statement 2 is correct: Coniferous trees like Rhododendron, pine, deodar, silver fir, spruce and cedar, are found in the temperate forests (1500 and 3000 metres). Some key species include Rhododendron arboreum (Buransh), found in Uttarakhand and Sikkim, and Rhododendron hodgsonii, which thrives in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. The vibrant flowers contribute to pollination cycles and biodiversity.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Sandalwood does not naturally grow in the Himalayas. It is native to tropical dry deciduous forests. It is primarily found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, at lower altitudes (600-1,200 meters). Its preference for warm, arid conditions makes it unsuitable for Himalayan climates.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Changpa are a semi-no-madic ethnic group. They are mainly found in the Changtan plateau that stretches across the cold desert of Ladakh and parts of Jammu and Kashmir. They are also known as Champa. A smaller number resides in the western regions of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. They share linguistic and cultural affinities with Tibetans.

Statement 2 is correct: The Changpa community is known for rearing Changra goats, which produce the fine wool known as Pashmina. They are raised for ultra-fine cashmere wool, also known as pashmina once woven.

Statement 3 is correct: The Changpa community is recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in the Union Territory of Ladakh. This classification provides them with certain constitutional safeguards and benefits.

Explanation

Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems formed by colonies of tiny animals called coral polyps. These animals secrete a hard, calcium carbonate exoskeleton that provides a foundation for the growth of other corals and a diverse array of marine organisms. Coral reefs are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, particularly in the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. Fig: Map showing distribution of Coral Reefs in India Options 1 is correct: Andaman and Nicobar Islands archipelago is home to some of India’s most diverse and well-developed coral reefs which supports a rich variety of marine life. Options 2 is correct: Gulf of Kachchh is situated along Gujarat’s western coast. This region features fringing reefs around its islands. Though less developed due to environmental factors, these reefs contribute significantly to marine biodiversity. Options 3 is correct: Gulf of Mannar is ocated between south-eastern India and Sri Lanka. The Gulf of Mannar hosts extensive fringing reefs around 21 islands. It is part of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, known for its diverse marine species. Option 4 is incorrect: Sundarban is the largest deltaic region of the world and encompasses over hundreds of islands (105), with a maze of innumerable rivers, rivulets, and creeks but does not have any coral reef.

Explanation

India has a vast network of national highways, with a total length of 1,46,195 kilometers as per Annual Report 2024-25 of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched:: NH4 (National Highway 4) was one of the major national highways in India before the renumbering of highways in 2010. After renumbering, NH4 was largely replaced by NH48. It connected Mumbai to Chennai via Pune, Bengaluru, and other cities. It did not connect Chennai and Hyderabad.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched:: NH6 (National Highway 6) did not connect Mumbai and Kolkata directly. After renumbering, it was largely replaced by NH53 and NH16. Historically it connected Surat (Gujarat) to Kolkata, passing through states like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched:: The old NH 15 ran from Pathan-kot in Punjab to Samakhiali in Gujarat, passing through cities like Bikaner and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. It did not connect Ahmedabad and Jodhpur.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: The Ten Degree Channel lies between Little Andaman Island (southernmost island of the Andaman group) and Car Nicobar (northernmost island of the Nicobar group). This channel is about 150 km wide and is an important passage for maritime navigation.

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

Nicobar Islands and Sumatra (Indonesia) are separated by the Great Channel (or the Six Degree Channel), not the Ten Degree Channel. This channel lies south of the Nicobar Islands and serves as a major passage between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Maldives and Lakshadweep are far apart and separated by the Eight Degree Channel. It is located between Minicoy Island (southernmost Lakshadweep island) and the northernmost atoll of the Maldives. Sumatra and Java are separated by the Sunda Strait. It is a strategic maritime passage connecting the Java Sea with the Indian Ocean.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Dampa Tiger Reserve is the largest protected area in Mizoram covering approximately 500 sq. km in the Mamit district. It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1976 and later upgraded to a Tiger Reserve in 1994 under Project Tiger. It lies near the Bangladesh border and is part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. The reserve is home to a variety of species, including tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, elephants, hoolock gibbons, and barking deer.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary is not in Sikkim but in Tripura. It is located in Gomati district. This sanctuary is one of the largest sanctuaries in Tripura and is unique due to the presence of the Gumti Reservoir, a significant water body formed by the construction of the Gumti Dam. It supports a wide range of species, including elephants, Indian bison (gaur), barking deer, sambar, leopards, wild boars, and several species of primates. The reservoir attracts a variety of migratory birds, making it an important site for birdwatching.

Statement 3 is correct: Saramati Peak is the highest peak in Nagaland rising to an elevation of 3,841 meters. It is located in the Kiphire district, near the India-Myanmar border. It is a popular trekking destination, particularly during the Hornbill Festival, when adventurers attempt to scale the peak. The region is facing increasing threats from deforestation and shifting cultivation (jhum farming), impacting the biodiversity of the area.

Explanation

Option 1 is incorrect: The Barak River originates in the Manipur Hills near the border of Nagaland at an altitude of about 3,015 meters. It primarily flows through Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Assam before entering Bangladesh.

Option 2 is correct: The Lohit River originates in the Zayü County of Tibet and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh. It flows through the Mishmi Hills before joining the Brahmaputra River.

Option 3 is correct: The Subansiri River, often referred to as the "Gold River", originates in the Tibetan Himalayas and enters India via the Miri Hills in Arunachal Pradesh. It eventually merges with the Brahmaputra River.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: The Cardamom Hills are part of the Western Ghats, spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is named after the cardamom spice that is abundantly cultivated here. These hills are famous for their spice plantations, including pepper and coffee. It is home to Periyar Wild-life Sanctuary, known for its rich biodiversity and tiger reserve. The Coromandel Coast is along the Bay of Bengal on the eastern coast of India

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Kaimur Hills are an extension of the Vindhya Range and spread across Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. These hills are known for prehistoric rock paintings and ancient caves, making them an important archaeological site. The region contains several waterfalls and plateaus and plays a crucial role in rainwater retention for local rivers. The Konkan Coast lies along the Arabian Sea, covering Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, while the Kaimur Hills are located deep inland

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Mahadeo Hills are part of the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh. These hills are known for their dense forests, tribal communities and ancient temples. The Satpura Tiger Reserve and Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve are located and are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: The Mikir Hills are located in Assam, near Kaziranga National Park. The Mikir Hills are made of ancient crystalline rocks unlike the Himalayas, which are of tectonic origin making them geologically unique. These hills are home to various tribal communities, including the Karbi people.

Explanation

Turkey is uniquely positioned between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The Black Sea lies to the north of Turkey, while the Mediterranean Sea lies to the south. The coun-try also controls the Bosphorus Strait and the Dardanelles, which are critical waterways connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean via the Sea of Marmara. It is a transcontinental country, meaning it spans two continents: Europe and Asia.

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

Turkey borders the Black Sea to the north but it does not border the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea is located further east, between countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. The Gulf of Suez is located in Egypt, near the Red Sea. It is part of the Suez Canal that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Turkey is not located near the Gulf of Suez. The Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea are located in the Middle East, near countries like Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Turkey does not share border with either of these bodies of water.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The correct sequence of cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north would be Jakarta>Singapore>Bangkok>Hanoi. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and is located on the island of Java approximately at 6.2°S (south of the equator). It is the southernmost city among the four listed. Singapore is a city-state located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula at approximately 1.3°N (just north of the equator). It is north of Jakarta. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is located in the central part of the country at approximately 13.8°N. It is north of Singapore and Jakarta. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is located in the northern part of the country. At approximately 21.0°N. It is the northernmost city among the four listed.