Q1. Which of the following factors does not exert a direct primary influence on the climate of India?
Climate of India: RAS Prelims MCQs
19 RAS Prelims MCQs on the climate of India cover the monsoon system, the seasons, tropical cyclones and Western Disturbances. The effect of continentality, October heat, the shift of the ITCZ and the role of the jet streams are asked as causes and effects, and the explanations give the physical reason for each pattern.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 19 questions
Q2. Read the following statements regarding the role of the Himalayas in shaping India’s climate.
Statement I: The Himalayas prevent the cold winds of Central Asia from entering the Indian subcontinent.
Statement II: The Himalayas force the moisture-laden Southwest monsoon winds to shed their rainfall in India.
Statement I: The Himalayas prevent the cold winds of Central Asia from entering the Indian subcontinent.
Statement II: The Himalayas force the moisture-laden Southwest monsoon winds to shed their rainfall in India.
Explanation
The Himalayan range acts as a critical climatic barrier for India. It effectively blocks frigid, bone-dry winds from Central Asia during winter, maintaining warmer temperatures in the subcontinent. Additionally, the mountains force moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds to rise and precipitate, ensuring vital rainfall across northern India and preventing the moisture from escaping northward.
Q3. The variation in temperature between the coastal regions and the interior parts of India is primarily due to which phenomenon?
Explanation
Temperature variations between coastal and interior regions arise from continentality. Large water bodies exert a moderating influence on coastal areas, resulting in equable temperatures year-round. Conversely, interior regions, far from the sea’s influence, experience extreme climatic conditions with very hot summers and cold winters. This phenomenon is driven by the differential heating of land and water.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the factors controlling the Indian climate:
I. The Tropic of Cancer divides India into almost two equal climatic halves.
II. The Coriolis force deflects the southeast trade winds towards the right in the Northern Hemisphere.
III. The presence of the Tibetan Plateau has no significant role in the onset of the monsoon.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Tropic of Cancer divides India into almost two equal climatic halves.
II. The Coriolis force deflects the southeast trade winds towards the right in the Northern Hemisphere.
III. The presence of the Tibetan Plateau has no significant role in the onset of the monsoon.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Tropic of Cancer divides India into tropical and subtropical zones, influencing regional temperature patterns. The Coriolis force deflects winds, turning southeast trade winds into the southwest monsoon in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the Tibetan Plateau is crucial for monsoon onset due to intense heating. Therefore, the statement regarding its lack of significance is geographically incorrect.
Q5. Identify the odd one out among the following regarding local winds experienced during the hot weather season in India.
Explanation
Loo, Mango showers, and Nor’westers are all phenomena occurring during the hot weather season in India. Loo is a hot wind, while others bring pre-monsoon rain. Western disturbances, however, are shallow cyclonic depressions originating in the Mediterranean. They primarily affect India during the winter months, bringing rainfall to the northwest, thus making them the seasonal exception.
Q6. Which of the following statements incorrectly describes the influence of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal on the Indian climate?
Explanation
The Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal provide essential moisture for the southwest monsoon and moderate coastal temperatures through sea breezes. They also serve as breeding grounds for tropical cyclones. However, they do not generate cold ocean currents that lower summer temperatures; instead, the warm tropical waters are vital for maintaining the heat balance and monsoon intensity.
Q7. Read the following statements about the climate of India and select the correct option.
Statement I: India possesses a tropical monsoon type of climate across its entire geographical extent uniformly.
Statement II: The presence of the Himalayas prevents the extreme cold winds of northern Asia from affecting the Indian subcontinent.
Statement I: India possesses a tropical monsoon type of climate across its entire geographical extent uniformly.
Statement II: The presence of the Himalayas prevents the extreme cold winds of northern Asia from affecting the Indian subcontinent.
Explanation
While India is often described as having a monsoon climate, it is not uniform across its entire extent; regional variations range from arid deserts to alpine conditions. However, the second statement is correct: the Himalayas form a massive physical barrier that shields the subcontinent from the frigid, dry polar air masses of northern Asia, significantly moderating India’s winter temperatures.
Q8. Which of the following is correct regarding the phenomenon of ‘October Heat’?
Explanation
‘October Heat’ refers to the oppressive weather conditions experienced during the retreat of the monsoon. As the rains stop, skies clear and temperatures rise. However, the ground remains moist, leading to high humidity. This combination of high heat and high humidity creates very uncomfortable and sticky conditions for the population, typically occurring during the transition from the rainy to winter season.
Q9. Select the correct chronological sequence of seasons in India as per meteorological divisions:
Explanation
The Indian meteorological calendar follows a specific four-season cycle. It begins with the Cold weather season (December to February), followed by the Hot weather season (March to May). The Southwest monsoon season (June to September) brings the primary rains. The cycle concludes with the Retreating monsoon season (October and November), during which the rain-bearing winds withdraw from the subcontinent.
Q10. The frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones on the eastern coast of India are highest during which of the following periods?
Explanation
The frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are highest during the retreating monsoon period, specifically October and November. During this time, the low-pressure center shifts from the land to the sea.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) North Atlantic ocean currents |
| 2 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct |
| 3 | (c) The continentality effect |
| 4 | (a) I and II only |
| 5 | (c) Western disturbances |
| 6 | (b) Generation of cold ocean currents that lower summer temperatures |
| 7 | (d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct |
| 8 | (b) Transition period featuring high temperatures and humidity |
| 9 | (b) Cold weather season, Hot weather season, Southwest monsoon, Retreating monsoon |
| 10 | (a) October to November |
Key facts from Climate of India
- The difference in temperature between coastal and interior areas is due to continentality.
- October heat is a transition period of high temperature and humidity.
- Tropical cyclones on the east coast are most frequent in October-November and arise in the Andaman Sea during the retreating monsoon.
- The westerly jet stream steers Western Disturbances into the subcontinent.
- The ITCZ shifts northward because the sun moves towards the Tropic of Cancer.
- The peninsular plateau stays relatively cooler in the hot weather because the surrounding oceans moderate it.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Climate of India?
This page has 19 practice MCQs on Climate of India (Indian Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is October heat?
A short spell of high temperature and humidity in October, between the end of the southwest monsoon and the start of winter. The sun is overhead in the south and the air is still moist, so the weather is muggy and uncomfortable.
What steers Western Disturbances to India?
The westerly jet stream. These disturbances begin in the Mediterranean region and bring winter rain and snow to north-western India, and they are the main cause of the Mawath rain in Rajasthan.
When are cyclones most frequent on the east coast?
In October and November, during the retreating monsoon. They form over the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and move to the coasts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.