Q1. Based on macro-level geomorphological features, into how many major physiographic divisions is India traditionally classified?
Indian Geography: RAS Prelims MCQs
462 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on Indian geography are on this page, in 9 chapters. They cover the physiographic divisions, rivers and lakes, climate, irrigation, agriculture, minerals, industrial regions, the iron and steel, textile and sugar industries, and petrochemical, IT and emerging industries. Each question has an answer and an explanation, in the formats the exam uses.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 462 questions
Browse Indian Geography chapters
Q2. Read the given statements and select the correct option.
Statement I: The Himalayas were formed as a direct consequence of the convergence and collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
Statement II: The upliftment of the Himalayas occurred rapidly in a single geological phase during the Pleistocene epoch.
Statement I: The Himalayas were formed as a direct consequence of the convergence and collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
Statement II: The upliftment of the Himalayas occurred rapidly in a single geological phase during the Pleistocene epoch.
Explanation
The Himalayan mountains emerged through the intense convergence and collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, causing the Tethys Ocean sediments to uplift. However, this massive geological upliftment did not occur as a single rapid event. Instead, the range developed through multiple distinct phases over millions of years, starting from the Cretaceous period through the Pleistocene epoch.
Q3. Which of the following statements regarding the Trans-Himalayan region is incorrect?
Explanation
The Trans-Himalayan region is located immediately to the north of the Great Himalayan range, not to its south. This geological zone primarily encompasses major mountain chains such as the Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar, and Kailash ranges. It is composed of ancient marine sedimentary rocks supported by granitic basements and represents a crucial transition between the Indian subcontinent and Tibet.
Q4. Match List-I with List-II:
| Mountain Peak | Mountain Range |
|---|---|
| A. K2 (Godwin Austen) | i. Karakoram Range |
| B. Rakaposhi | ii. Ladakh Range |
| C. Kamet | iii. Zaskar Range |
| D. Dhaulagiri | iv. Greater Himalayas |
Explanation
Mount K2 is the highest peak of the Karakoram range, while Rakaposhi is a prominent feature within the Ladakh range. Kamet serves as a major summit in the Zaskar range, and Dhaulagiri is located within the Greater Himalayas. Understanding these specific peaks and their respective ranges is essential for identifying the complex topography across the northern frontiers.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Karakoram Range:
I. It forms India’s frontiers with Afghanistan and China.
II. The massive Siachen and Biafo glaciers are located in this range.
III. It is classified geologically as a sub-range of the Lesser Himalayas.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It forms India’s frontiers with Afghanistan and China.
II. The massive Siachen and Biafo glaciers are located in this range.
III. It is classified geologically as a sub-range of the Lesser Himalayas.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Karakoram range serves as a critical geographic frontier between India, Afghanistan, and China. This high-altitude region hosts some of the world’s most massive non-polar glaciers, including the Siachen and Biafo glaciers. Geologically, it is classified as a Trans-Himalayan range, being distinct from and situated further north of the Lesser Himalayas, which are located much further south.
Q6. Which of the following major rivers flows northwestward between the Ladakh range and the Zaskar range?
Explanation
The Indus river flows through a structurally significant longitudinal valley situated between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges. This major river system moves in a northwestward direction through Ladakh before entering Pakistan. The physical positioning of the river between these two prominent Trans-Himalayan mountain chains determines its initial drainage pattern and the surrounding mountainous landscape of the high-altitude cold desert.
Q7. Consider the following statements about the Eastern Himalayas:
I. The altitude of the Eastern Himalayas rises very rapidly from the adjoining plains.
II. The region receives substantially higher rainfall compared to the Western Himalayas.
III. The natural treeline is found at a higher altitude in the Eastern Himalayas than in the West.
IV. It is characterized by thick, dense forests and exceptionally high biological diversity.
V. The Shivalik range is structurally more prominent and distinct here than in the western sector.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. The altitude of the Eastern Himalayas rises very rapidly from the adjoining plains.
II. The region receives substantially higher rainfall compared to the Western Himalayas.
III. The natural treeline is found at a higher altitude in the Eastern Himalayas than in the West.
IV. It is characterized by thick, dense forests and exceptionally high biological diversity.
V. The Shivalik range is structurally more prominent and distinct here than in the western sector.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
In the eastern sector of the Himalayas, the Shivalik range is notably less prominent and often merges with other mountain features compared to its distinct presence in the west. The Eastern Himalayas are characterized by a rapid rise in altitude from the plains, higher rainfall, and a higher treeline. They possess dense forests and high biodiversity, distinguishing them from the western mountains.
Q8. What is the primary environmental cause for the exceptionally high biodiversity found in the Eastern Himalayas?
Explanation
The exceptional biodiversity found in the Eastern Himalayas is primarily driven by the region’s unique environmental conditions. These include extremely high annual precipitation, high levels of humidity, and a vast range of altitudinal zones. Such diverse climatic conditions allow for the coexistence of varied ecosystems, ranging from tropical rainforests at the foothills to alpine meadows at much higher mountain elevations.
Q9. The vast stretch of the North Indian Plains has been formed primarily by the interplay of which three major river systems?
Explanation
The vast North Indian Plains were created through the combined depositional activities of three major Himalayan river systems.
Q10. Identify the correctly matched pair regarding the longitudinal subdivisions of the North Indian Plains:
Explanation
Bhangar represents the older alluvium of the northern plains, forming an upland terrace situated above the reach of regular annual floods. It is characterized by the presence of calcareous deposits known as Kankar. In contrast, the Bhabar is a porous pebble belt, the Terai is a marshy tract, and the Khadar consists of newer, fertile floodplains near the river.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Six |
| 2 | (a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 3 | (c) It lies immediately to the south of the Great Himalayan range. |
| 4 | (a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv |
| 5 | (a) I and II only |
| 6 | (b) Indus |
| 7 | (c) V only |
| 8 | (b) A unique combination of high precipitation, humidity, and a wide array of altitudinal zones. |
| 9 | (b) Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra |
| 10 | (a) Bhangar - The extensive older alluvium terrace containing calcareous nodules called Kankar |
Key facts from Indian Geography
- The RPSC syllabus lists Indian physiography, climate, rivers and lakes, irrigation, important crops, metallic and non-metallic minerals, and industrial regions and industries.
- Physiography and rivers are asked through locations: the highest peak of a range, the origin of a river, a lake and its state.
- Minerals and industries questions link a mineral or plant to its State, for example Khetri copper in Jhunjhunu or Bhilai steel in Chhattisgarh.
- Agriculture and irrigation questions test crops, their leading States and the major projects and disputes.
- The questions often include Rajasthan items, such as the Luni, Zawar and the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Indian Geography?
This page has 462 practice MCQs on Indian Geography. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the Indian geography set cover?
Nine chapters: physiographic divisions of India, major rivers and lakes, climate, irrigation, agriculture (food, commercial and plantation crops), minerals (metallic and non-metallic), major industrial regions, iron and steel, textile and sugar industries, and petrochemical, IT and emerging industries.
Is Indian geography in the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. RPSC lists the physiographic divisions, climate, rivers and lakes, irrigation, agriculture, minerals and industries of India in the Geography of World and India section of the syllabus.
How should I prepare Indian geography for RAS Prelims?
Keep a map of India and mark every place that comes up: peaks, rivers, lakes, mines and plants. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations and revise State-wise lists of crops, minerals and industries.