66 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on places and locations in India are listed here, from 1996 to 2024. UPSC asks where a place, river or range lies: tributaries of the Brahmaputra, hills matched to regions, states at the extremes and island channels. The explanations give the exact location so that pair questions can be settled.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 11–20 of 66 questions
Extremities of India:
Guhar Moti is the westernmost point of India. It is a small village located in the Kutch district of Gujarat. The northernmost point of India is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, near Indira Col. The easternmost point is Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh. Indira Point in Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost point.
Pair 1 is correctly matched: Srisailam is a famous pilgrimage site located in the Nallamala Hills of Andhra Pradesh. It is home to the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. They are a significant range in southern India, located along the border of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Srisailam Sanctuary is also located in this region which is known for its rich biodiversity and the Srisailam Dam on the Krishna River.
Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Omkareshwar is situated on the Mandhata hills in Madhya Pradesh (ancient name: Shivpuri). The name "Omkareshwar" comes from the way the River Narmada flows here as it circles the Mandhata hill in the shape of a "Om." Omkareshwar is one of Shiva’s 12 cherished Jyotirlinga shrines.
Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Pushkar is known for the Pushkar Lake and the Brahma Temple. It is located in the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan, not the Mahadeo Hills. Pushkar is a major pilgrimage site associated with the worship of Lord Brahma. The Mahadeo Hills which are part of the Satpura Range are located in the central Indian region.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pair 1 is correctly matched: Nokrek Biosphere Re-serve is located in the Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. The biosphere reserve’s name comes from Nokrek Hill, the highest peak of the Garo Hills. It was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2009 and is home to the red panda and a rich variety of flora and fauna. The reserve is also a significant part of the Western Meghalaya Elephant Landscape and contains the Nokrek National Park.
Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Loktak Lake is a freshwater lake in Manipur and is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. It is not located in the Barail Range, which is a mountain range in Assam and Nagaland. It is well-known for the phumdis that float above it. Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world is located in this lake.
Pair 3 is incorrectly matched:: Namdapha National Park is situated in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is part of the Patkai Range, not the Dafla Hills. The Noa Dihing River runs east to west through the national park. The Dafla Hills are located on the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border, near Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary.
The river originating in Jharkhand referred to here is the Brahmani River. It originates as the Koel River in Jharkhand and is later called the Brahmani in Odisha. River originating in Odishas is the Baitarani River which originates in the Ke-onjhar district of Odisha. The Brahmani and Baitarani rivers merge at a place called Dhamra, near the Bay of Bengal forming a large delta before flowing into the sea. Bhitarkanika National Park is located in the estuarine region formed by the merging of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers. It is located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha. It is a unique ecosystem of mangroves, wetlands, and tidal rivers. It is one of India’s most important wildlife sanctuaries and a Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance). It is home to saltwater crocodiles, Olive Ridley sea turtles, and a variety of bird species.
The Omkareshwar Project, a multi-purpose dam project, is located in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh, India. This project utilizes the Narmada River, a major river system in central India, to achieve several key objectives such as:
A primary function is the generation of hydroelectric power, with a station capacity of 520 MW, contributing substantially to the regional energy supply. The project is intended to provide irrigation to extensive agricultural lands, thereby increasing agricultural productivity and supporting local economies. The Omkareshwar Project also plays a role in supplying water for domestic and industrial use, ensuring access to this vital resource. The dam itself is situated on the Narmada River, proximate to the town of Omkareshwar, a significant Hindu pilgrimage site. The town’s religious importance derives from the presence of the Omkareshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
| Q | UPSC year | Correct answer |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2015 | (d) Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat |
| 12 | 2015 | (a) 1 only |
| 13 | 2014 | (d) None |
| 14 | 2014 | (a) Andman and Nicobar |
| 15 | 2014 | (c) 1 and 3 only |
| 16 | 2014 | (b) 2 and 3 only |
| 17 | 2014 | (c) 3 and 4 |
| 18 | 2013 | (a) 1 only |
| 19 | 2011 | (a) Bhitarkanika |
| 20 | 2008 | (b) Narmada |
This page covers 66 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Places and Locations: Indian Geography (Geography), asked from 1996 to 2024. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
A channel in the Bay of Bengal along the 10° N latitude that separates the Andaman Islands in the north from the Nicobar Islands in the south. It is about 150 km wide.
Arunachal Pradesh in the east and Gujarat in the west. The extreme points of the mainland are Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh in the east and Guhar Moti in the Kutch district of Gujarat in the west.
In the Karakoram range in Ladakh, north of the Nubra Valley. It is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and the source of the Nubra river, which joins the Shyok.
