Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

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

Option (d) is correct: Singapore is located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula at the entrance to the Strait of Malacca. It is one of the key landmarks along this waterway and serves as a critical port in the region.

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

Bali is an Indonesian island located to the southeast of Java. It is not directly in the path of the Strait of Malacca. Brunei is located on the island of Borneo. It is far to the east of the Strait of Malacca, and is not near the strait. Java is an island of Indonesia located to the south of the Strait of Malacca. It lies relatively close to the Strait but it is not directly within the strait.

Explanation

As of 2009, Jupiter had the highest number of known moons (63 at that time). Jupiter’s large number of moons is attributed to its massive size and strong gravitational pull, which allows it to capture a variety of objects into its orbit. However in future years Saturn has since been found to have more moons than Jupiter.

Explanation

Below the mantle, the core is divided into two main parts: the outer core and the inner core. Outer Core: This layer is in a liquid state and is primarily composed of iron mixed with nickel and small amounts of other elements. The movement of this liquid iron alloy is responsible for generating Earth’s magnetic field. Inner Core: At the center of the Earth lies the inner core, a solid sphere predominantly made up of iron. Its high density and the immense pressure it is subjected to keep it in a solid state despite the high temperatures.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) accounts for the deaths of infants within the first year of life, not just within a month after birth. The mortality during the neonatal period (first 28 days) is a subset of infant mortality.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Infant Mortality Rate is defined as the number of infant deaths (under 1 year of age) per 1,000 live births in a given year, not per 100 live births.

Explanation

Population density is measured as the number of people living per square kilometer. Below is a table summarizing key demographic data from the three censuses:

Census Year Population Density (persons/sq km) Annual Exponential Growth Rate (%) 1951 117 1.25 2001 324 1.93 2011 382 ~1.64

Statement 1 is incorrect: In 1951, the density was about 117 persons/sq km. By 2001, it had risen to 324 persons/sq km. Although this is a substantial increase, calculating the multiplication factor shows: = × Factor 2.77 This means the density increased by roughly 2.77 times--which is less than three times. For additional context, the 2011 census reported a further increase to 382 persons/sq km, confirming a continuing but moderate increase.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The annual growth rate (exponential) of India’s population has not doubled during this period. The growth rate was highest during the 1971 Census but gradually declined thereafter, indicating no doubling of the growth rate between 1951 and 2001. The annual exponential growth rate is the average rate at which the population increases each year. The annual growth rate in 1951 was about 1.25%, and by 2001 it had risen to 1.93%. While this represents an increase, it is not a doubling of the rate. In fact, when we compare 1.25% and 1.93%, the rate has increased by a factor of about: × 1.93 1.54 1.25 In other words, it has increased by roughly 54%, not 100% (which would be doubling). Moreover, the trend into the 2011 census shows the growth rate has moderated to approximately 1.64% per annum (derived from a decadal growth of 17.7%), reinforcing that there has been no doubling.