Places and Locations: Indian Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)
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 61–66 of 66 questions
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UPSC 1999Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q61. If it is 10.00 am. I.S.T., then what would be the local time at Shillong on 92°E longitude?
Explanation
Indian Standard Time (IST) is calculated based on the 82.5°E longitude, which passes through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. IST is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+5:30). Since the Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, it covers 15° of longitude per hour which means that for every degree of longitude, there is a 4-minute difference in local time. Shillong is located at 92°E longitude, which is 9.5° east of the IST reference meridian. By multiplying this difference with 4 minutes per degree, we get a time difference of 9.5 × 4 = 38 minutes. Since local time increases towards the east, Shillong will be 38 minutes ahead of IST. Therefore, if it is 10:00 AM IST then the local time in Shillong will be 10:38 AM.
UPSC 1999Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q62. The Ravva offshore block, with great potential for oil, is located in:
Explanation
The Krishna-Godavari basin is a large sedimentary basin on the east coast of India, formed by the Krishna and Godavari rivers. It extends into the Bay of Bengal and is known for its significant hydrocarbon reserves, including both oil and natural gas. The Ravva offshore block, a prolific oil and gas producing area, is located within this basin. The basin’s geological history and structure have created favorable conditions for the accumulation of hydrocarbons, making it a crucial region for India’s energy sector.
UPSC 1996Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q63. The Palk Bay lies between:
Explanation
Option (b) is correct:
Palk Bay is a shallow sea area situated between the southeastern coast of India (Tamil Nadu) and the northern coast of Sri Lanka. It connects the Gulf of Mannar (to the south) with the Bay of Bengal (to the north). The Palk Strait, which lies within Palk Bay, separates India from Sri Lanka. The Adam’s Bridge (Ram Setu), a chain of limestone shoals, partially separates Palk Bay from the Gulf of Mannar. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat are located in Gujarat, unrelated to Palk Bay. Lakshadweep and Maldive Islands are island groups in the Arabian Sea, not related to Palk Bay. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, but not relevant to Palk Bay.
UPSC 1996Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q64. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
Project/Location
Type
1. Idukki
Thermal power station
2. Sabarigiri
Hydro-electric project
3. Ghatprabha
Irrigation project
4. Ramganga
Multipurpose project
Choose the correct options from below:
Explanation
Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Idukki is not a thermal power station; it is a hydroelectric project in Kerala. The Idukki Dam, built on the Periyar River, is one of the largest hydroelectric projects in India.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project is a hydropower project in Kerala, located on the Pamba River. It is one of the major hydropower projects in the state.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: Ghatprabha Project is an irrigation project in Karnataka. The Ghatprabha River, a tributary of the Krishna River, is dammed to provide water for irrigation.
Pair 4 is correctly matched: Ramganga Multipurpose Project is located in Uttarakhand, constructed on the Ramganga River. It serves multiple purposes, including irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control.
UPSC 1996Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q65. Which one of the following rivers thrice forks into two streams and reunites a few miles farther on, thus forming the islands of Srirangapattanam, Sivasamudram and Srirangam?
Explanation
The river described above that thrice forks into two streams and reunites is the Cauvery River. It flows through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery River is known for splitting into multiple streams and forming islands:
Srirangapatna (Karnataka): The river splits and encircles the island town, famous for the Ranganathaswamy Temple. Shivanasamudra (Karnataka): The river divides into two branches, forming the Shivanasamudra Falls (Gaganachukki and Barachukki). Srirangam (Tamil Nadu): The river bifurcates and surrounds Srirangam Island, home to the renowned Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest functioning Hindu temple complex. These phenomena occur due to the unique geography and mean-ders of the Cauvery River.
Additional insight:
Tungabhadra River: A major tributary of the Krishna River, formed by the Tunga and Bhadra Rivers. It flows through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, famous for Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Krishna River: One of the longest rivers in India, originating from Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) and flowing through Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh into the Bay of Bengal. It forms islands such as Diviseema. Godavari River: Known as the Dakshina Ganga, it is the second longest river in India, flowing from Trimbak (Maharashtra) through Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari delta is extensive and forms islands like Hope Island.
UPSC 1996Geography · Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Q66. "You might see a few curious Danes around, but that is because-used to be a Danish outpost. This quaint town with its fort and a beautiful church, the New Jerusalem, empty streets and deserted beach front is a quaint gem." The place referred to in this quotation lies on the:
Explanation
The place referred to in the quotation is Tranquebar (Tharangam-badi), located on the Tamil Nadu coast. It was a Danish colony from 1620 to 1845, when it was sold to the British. Tranquebar is known for its rich colonial heritage, including the Danish Fort (Fort Dansborg), built by the Danish East India Company, which stands as a reminder of Denmark’s presence in India. The New Jerusalem Church, constructed by Danish missionaries, adds to the town’s historical charm. The quaint streets and peaceful beachfront, often deserted, give the town a serene and timeless appeal. No other Indian coast shares a similar Danish colonial history, making the Tamil Nadu coast (Tranquebar) the correct answer.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
61
1999
(b) 10.38 a.m.
62
1999
(a) Krishna-Godavari basin
63
1996
(b) Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal
64
1996
(a) 2, 3, and 4
65
1996
(a) Cauvery
66
1996
(a) Tamil Nadu coast
What UPSC has tested in Places and Locations: Indian Geography
Siachen Glacier is situated to the north of the Nubra Valley.
Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat are the easternmost and westernmost States of India.
The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands; Sumatra is the nearest to Great Nicobar.
Dibang, Kameng and Lohit are tributaries of the Brahmaputra.
Amarkantak Hills are at the confluence of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, not the Sahyadri.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Places and Locations: Indian Geography?
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.
What is the Ten Degree Channel?
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.
Which are the easternmost and westernmost States of India?
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.
Where is Siachen Glacier?
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.
