UPSC 2006 Geography Questions with Answers

Explanation

Assertion (A) is False: Mars takes a longer time than Earth to orbit the Sun. The time taken by a planet to orbit around the Sun is called its orbital period or year. Mars has an orbital period of about 687 Earth days which means it takes 687 days to complete one revolution around the Sun. Earth takes 365.25 days (about 365 days) to complete one revolution around the Sun. Reason (R) is True: Mars does have a smaller diameter than Earth. The diameter of Earth is 12,742 km. The diameter of Mars is 6,779 km (almost half of Earth). The time taken by a planet to orbit the Sun depends on its distance from the Sun, not its diameter. Since Mars is farther from the Sun than Earth thus it has a longer orbital period.

Explanation

The Diamantina Trench is a deep-sea trench located in the southeastern Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia. It is part of the Diamantina Fracture Zone, a complex series of deep troughs and ridges. The trench was formed due to seafloor spreading and tectonic activity in the Indian Ocean basin. It is not associated with a subduction zone, unlike many other deep-sea trenches such as the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the 2006 data, Petronet LNG Ltd. was setting up another LNG terminal at Kochi, Kerala (not Mangalore).

Statement 2 is correct: The Head Office of the Dredging Corporation of India is at Visakhapatnam. DCI is a crucial organization for maintaining and developing India’s waterways. They are responsible for dredging harbors, ports, and shipping channels, ensuring safe and efficient navigation for vessels.

Statement 3 is correct: The Narwapahar Mine is operated by the Uranium Corporation of India Limited. UCIL is the primary company responsible for uranium mining and processing in India, and the Narwapahar Mine in Jharkhand is one of their key operations. It’s an important source of uranium ore, which is essential for India’s nuclear power program.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Electricity-related appeals are handled through a structured system. While each state has a State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) to oversee its electricity sector, including tariffs, licensing, and consumer complaints, appeals against SERC orders don’t go to a state-level body. Instead, they are directed to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), a national-level tribunal. The APTEL also hears appeals against orders from the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and adjudicating officers. While the idea of having accessible avenues for appeals related to electricity matters is important, the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) is actually a national-level body, not one established by each individual state government.

Statement 2 is correct: The Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP), later revamped and renamed as the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) and now subsumed under the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), did indeed have a strong focus on upgrading the sub-transmission and distribution network as a core component.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal exhibit contrasting agricultural land use patterns. Andhra Pradesh has a net sown area of approximately 40%, while West Bengal utilizes about 60% of its land for cultivation. This difference in land utilization makes the initial assertion about their respective net sown areas correct. Reason (R) is false: Most of Andhra Pradesh has red sandy soils, black cotton soils, and alluvial soils, not predominantly laterite soils. Laterite soils are found in parts of the Eastern Ghats and some upland areas, but they do not dominate the state’s agricultural landscape.

Explanation

India with its diverse topography and varied climatic conditions is home to a plethora of valleys, each possessing its unique charm and ecological significance. A is correctly matched with 3: Markha Valley is located in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir (now a Union Territory). It is one of the most famous trekking routes in Hemis National Park and is surrounded by the Zanskar and Ladakh ranges. The valley is known for its stunning landscapes, Buddhist monasteries, and remote villages, offering breathtaking views of the Kang Yatse Peak. B is correctly matched with 4: Dzukou Valley is a pristine and picturesque valley located on the border of Nagaland and Manipur. It is often called the "Valley of Flowers of the Northeast" due to its seasonal blooms of rare Dzukou lilies and other vibrant flowers. C is correctly matched with 2: Sangla Valley is located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It is famous for its lush green landscapes, apple orchards, and the Baspa River that flows through it. It is surrounded by the Greater Himalayas offering stunning views of snow-capped peaks D is correctly matched with 1: The Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim is also known as the ‘Valley of Flowers of Sikkim’. It is renowned for its breathtaking floral diversity particularly the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. During spring and summer (April to June), the valley blooms with vibrant flowers like primulas, poppies, and cobra lilies, creating a stunning natural spectacle.

Explanation

Cauvery River does not rise in Andhra Pradesh. It originates from the Talakaveri hills in the Western Ghats of Karnataka in Kodagu (Coorg) district. It flows southeast through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before draining into the Bay of Bengal. Major dams on the river include Krishnarajasagar Dam in Karnataka and Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu. Options (a), (b) and (d) are correct:

The Mahanadi River originates from the Sihawa Hills in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh at an altitude of about 442 meters above sea level. It is one of the major rivers in eastern India, flowing through Chhattisgarh and Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The river has an approximate length of 858 km. Hirakud Dam, one of the longest dams in the world is located on it. The Godavari River, also known as Dakshina Ganga (Ganga of the South), originates from Trimbak Plateau near Nashik in Maharashtra. It is the second-longest river in India after the Ganga. The river flows through Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Tapti River originates in the Multai Reserve Forest in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. It flows westward through Maharashtra and Gujarat before emptying into the Arabian Sea.

Explanation

As of 2025, India has 573 wildlife sanctuaries, covering a total area of 123,762.56 km2, which constitutes 3.76% of the country’s land area. They were created under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. Wildlife sanctuaries are an integral part of India’s conservation strategy. A is correctly matched with 4: Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, about 70 km from Varanasi. It was established in 1957 and covers around 78 sq km and is home to species like leopards, nilgai, and wild boars. The sanctuary is famous for its scenic waterfalls like Raja and Devdari Falls. B is correctly matched with 2: The Karera Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. This sanctuary is known for its avian diversity and provides a vital habitat for various bird species. It is home to blackbucks and over 245 species of migratory birds, including pintails and spoonbills. C is correctly matched with 5: Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Udaipur, Rajasthan is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including leopards, sloth bears, chinkaras, and migratory birds. It is Asia’s second-largest artificial lake. D is correctly matched with 1: Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Aravalli hills near Jaipur. It covers 7.2 sq km. It was originally established as a hunting reserve by the Jaipur royal family and later converted into a protected area. It is home to species like no tigers here, leopards, hyenas, and jungle cats. Nahargarh Fort, a popular tourist attraction is located within the sanctuary.

Explanation

The Shyok River is a tributary of the Indus River. It originates from the Rimo Glacier, part of the Karakoram Range in Ladakh, India. The river flows through the Shyok Valley and passes through northern Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan (POK) before merging with the Indus River near Skardu. It is the northernmost river in the given list. The Zaskar River is a tributary of the Indus River.It originates from the Zaskar Range in Ladakh and flows southeast before joining the Indus near Leh. The famous Chadar Trek takes place on its frozen waters during winters. It is located south of the Shyok River. The Spiti River originates from the Kunzum Range in Himachal Pradesh. It flows through the cold desert valley of Spiti. It eventually merges with the Sutlej River at Khab, near the India-Tibet border. It is south of both Shyok and Zaskar Rivers. The Sutlej River is the largest tributary of the Indus River. It originates from Rakshastal Lake near Mount Kailash in Tibet and enters India through Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh. It then flows through Punjab before entering Pakistan. It is the southernmost river among the four. Therefore, the correct sequence of these rivers from north to south is Shyok, followed by Zaskar, then Spiti, and finally, Sutlej.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The headquarters of the North Western Railway (NWR) is located in Jaipur, not Jodhpur. The NWR is one of the 18 zones of Indian Railways and covers parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Indrail Pass is a travel-as-you-please ticket offered by Indian Railways to foreign tourists, not specifically for freedom fighters or sportspersons. It allows unlimited travel on the Indian Railways network for a specified period.

Statement 3 is correct: The Fairy Queen, a steam locomotive built in 1855 is recognized by Guinness as the world’s oldest steam engine still in regular (though limited) operation. It operates as a luxury tourist train between Delhi and Alwar, offering a journey that includes visits to heritage sites and wildlife destinations like the Sariska Tiger Reserve.