Q11. Which specific atmospheric feature steers the Western Disturbances into the Indian subcontinent during the winter season?
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 11–19 of 19 questions
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD):
I. It involves an irregular oscillation of sea surface temperatures in the western and eastern Indian Ocean.
II. A positive IOD is generally beneficial for the Indian monsoon.
III. A negative IOD brings heavier than normal rainfall to the Indian subcontinent.
IV. The IOD can sometimes offset the negative impacts of El Niño on the Indian monsoon.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It involves an irregular oscillation of sea surface temperatures in the western and eastern Indian Ocean.
II. A positive IOD is generally beneficial for the Indian monsoon.
III. A negative IOD brings heavier than normal rainfall to the Indian subcontinent.
IV. The IOD can sometimes offset the negative impacts of El Niño on the Indian monsoon.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Indian Ocean Dipole involves temperature oscillations between the western and eastern Indian Ocean. A positive IOD usually enhances the monsoon, while a negative IOD can weaken it. Importantly, a positive IOD can sometimes mitigate the rainfall deficit caused by El Niño. Therefore, the statement that a negative IOD brings heavier than normal rainfall to India is generally incorrect.
Q13. What is the main cause for the shifting of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) northwards over the Ganga plains in summer?
Explanation
The ITCZ shifts northward over the Ganga plains during the summer due to the apparent northward movement of the sun towards the Tropic of Cancer. This movement leads to intense heating of the northern landmass, creating a low-pressure zone. This shift is a fundamental part of the monsoon mechanism, as it draws moisture-laden winds from the southern hemisphere across the equator.
Q14. Read the following statements about extreme rainfall regions in India and select the correct option.
Statement I: Mawsynram is currently recognized as the wettest place on Earth, receiving exceptionally high annual rainfall.
Statement II: Mawsynram is located on the leeward side of the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills.
Statement I: Mawsynram is currently recognized as the wettest place on Earth, receiving exceptionally high annual rainfall.
Statement II: Mawsynram is located on the leeward side of the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills.
Explanation
Mawsynram is indeed the wettest place on Earth, receiving record-breaking annual rainfall. However, its high precipitation is because it is located on the windward side of the Khasi Hills, not the leeward side. On the windward side, moisture-laden winds are forced to rise and condense, whereas the leeward side is the rain shadow area that receives significantly less rainfall.
Q15. The tropical cyclones that hit the eastern coast of India during the retreating monsoon originate primarily in which associated water body?
Explanation
The tropical cyclones that strike the eastern coast of India during the retreating monsoon season (October-November) primarily originate in the Andaman Sea and the adjacent Bay of Bengal. These low-pressure systems move westwards or north-westwards, intensifying over the warm waters before making landfall. They are a major source of late-season rainfall and occasional coastal destruction in eastern India.
Q16. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| City | Prominent Climatic Characteristic |
|---|---|
| A. Jodhpur | i. Cold desert climate |
| B. Thiruvananthapuram | ii. Arid / Semi-arid climate |
| C. Delhi | iii. Extreme continental climate |
| D. Leh | iv. Equable maritime climate |
Explanation
Jodhpur features an arid or semi-arid climate typical of the Thar desert region. Thiruvananthapuram has an equable maritime climate due to its coastal location. Delhi experiences an extreme continental climate with very hot summers and cold winters. Leh, situated in the high-altitude rain shadow of the Himalayas, possesses a cold desert climate with very low annual precipitation.
Q17. Identify the odd one out among the following regarding the characteristics of the Cold Weather Season in India.
Explanation
The cold weather season in India is generally characterized by high pressure over the northern plains, offshore winds blowing from land to sea, and pleasant weather with clear skies. While some regions like the northwest receive rain from Western Disturbances and the southeast from the Northeast monsoon, heavy rainfall is not a general characteristic across the central Indian plateau during winter.
Q18. During the hot weather season, the temperature in the peninsular plateau of India remains relatively lower compared to the northern plains. What is the primary cause for this phenomenon?
Explanation
During the hot weather season, the northern plains of India experience extreme heat because of their continental location. In contrast, the peninsular plateau remains relatively cooler. This is due to its proximity to the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. These large water bodies exert a moderating maritime influence, preventing temperatures from reaching the extremes seen in the landlocked north.
Q19. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Dust storms are very common in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan during the month of May.
Reason (R): Intense heating of the landmass creates strong low-pressure centers leading to rapid uplifting of air and associated localized storms. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Dust storms are very common in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan during the month of May.
Reason (R): Intense heating of the landmass creates strong low-pressure centers leading to rapid uplifting of air and associated localized storms. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
In May, intense solar heating causes the northern plains to become extremely hot, creating localized low-pressure systems. These conditions lead to the formation of strong convection currents and rapid air uplift, resulting in frequent dust storms across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. These storms, while often destructive, sometimes bring temporary relief by lowering temperatures through light rain or cloud cover.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (c) Westerly Jet Stream |
| 12 | (a) I, II and IV only |
| 13 | (d) Northward movement of the sun towards the Cancer tropic |
| 14 | (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect |
| 15 | (c) Andaman Sea |
| 16 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i |
| 17 | (d) Heavy rainfall across the central Indian plateau |
| 18 | (a) The moderating influence of the surrounding oceans |
| 19 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
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.