Q141. Interstate water disputes in India are primarily adjudicated under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act. Under which Article of the Constitution of India was this Act enacted?
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 141–150 of 462 questions
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Q142. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Assertion (A): The Cauvery river water dispute is one of the most persistent interstate conflicts in India.
Reason (R): The Cauvery basin is an international river basin shared between India and Sri Lanka.
Assertion (A): The Cauvery river water dispute is one of the most persistent interstate conflicts in India.
Reason (R): The Cauvery basin is an international river basin shared between India and Sri Lanka.
Explanation
The Cauvery river water dispute is indeed one of the most long-standing and intense interstate conflicts in India, primarily involving Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. However, the Cauvery is entirely an internal river of India and does not form an international basin with Sri Lanka. Therefore, while the assertion regarding the conflict’s persistence is true, the reason provided is factually incorrect.
Q143. Which of the following states are the primary parties involved in the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal?
Explanation
The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal was established to resolve the long-standing conflict regarding the sharing of Krishna River waters. The primary parties involved in this dispute are the riparian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Later, after the reorganization of the state, Telangana also became a significant stakeholder in the ongoing legal proceedings and water allocation negotiations.
Q144. Read the following statements regarding groundwater depletion in India:
I. The north-western states of Punjab and Haryana exhibit severe groundwater over-exploitation.
II. Free or highly subsidized electricity for agricultural pumps has accelerated the rate of depletion.
III. The continuous depletion of groundwater does not alter the concentration of natural contaminants like arsenic and fluoride.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. The north-western states of Punjab and Haryana exhibit severe groundwater over-exploitation.
II. Free or highly subsidized electricity for agricultural pumps has accelerated the rate of depletion.
III. The continuous depletion of groundwater does not alter the concentration of natural contaminants like arsenic and fluoride.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Groundwater over-exploitation is severe in states like Punjab and Haryana, often fueled by subsidized electricity. Contrary to the incorrect claim, continuous depletion actually alters the concentration of natural contaminants. As water levels drop, the remaining water can interact more with mineral deposits, often increasing the concentration of harmful substances like arsenic and fluoride, thereby deteriorating the overall water quality.
Q145. Which of the following identifies the correct concept of ‘Conjunctive use of water’ in the context of irrigation efficiency?
Explanation
Conjunctive use of water refers to the strategic and coordinated management of both surface water and groundwater resources. By integrating these two sources, irrigation efficiency is maximized while the negative impacts of relying on a single source, such as waterlogging or aquifer depletion, are minimized. This balanced approach ensures a more reliable and sustainable water supply for agricultural and other needs.
Q146. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Traditional Rainwater Harvesting Structure | State |
|---|---|
| A. Johad | i. Tamil Nadu |
| B. Surangam | ii. Ladakh |
| C. Zing | iii. Kerala |
| D. Eri | iv. Rajasthan |
Explanation
Johad is the rainwater harvesting structure of Rajasthan, Surangam of Kerala, Zing of Ladakh and Eri of Tamil Nadu. This gives A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i.
Q147. Which of the following is considered the most appropriate remedial measure for reclaiming soils that have developed severe salinity due to excessive canal irrigation?
Explanation
Soils made saline by excessive canal irrigation are reclaimed by adding gypsum as an amendment and then leaching the salts out with adequate water.
Q148. Read the following statements regarding the Indira Gandhi Canal project:
I. It is the longest canal system in India.
II. The main canal passes exclusively through the districts of Hanumangarh and Bikaner.
III. It features several lift canals on its left bank to supply water to higher elevations.
IV. It is completely unaffected by the problems of shifting sand dunes.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is the longest canal system in India.
II. The main canal passes exclusively through the districts of Hanumangarh and Bikaner.
III. It features several lift canals on its left bank to supply water to higher elevations.
IV. It is completely unaffected by the problems of shifting sand dunes.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Indira Gandhi Canal is the longest canal system in India and has lift canals to carry water to higher land. It passes through more districts than Hanumangarh and Bikaner and is affected by shifting sand dunes, so II and IV are wrong.
Q149. In the context of irrigation types, which characteristic is critical for the success of tube well irrigation in the Indo-Gangetic plains?
Explanation
Tube wells work well in the Indo-Gangetic plains because they have unconsolidated sedimentary aquifers that are readily recharged. Hard igneous rock near the surface would not give a good yield.
Q150. Which of the following best explains why sprinkler irrigation is considered highly suitable for areas with undulating topography?
Explanation
Sprinkler irrigation suits undulating land because it needs no levelling of the land before water is applied. Water is sprayed like rain over the area.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 141 | (a) Article 262 |
| 142 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 143 | (c) The states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh |
| 144 | (b) III only |
| 145 | (d) Planned use of surface and groundwater to maximize resource efficiency |
| 146 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i |
| 147 | (d) Using gypsum soil amendments followed by adequate leaching |
| 148 | (a) I and III only |
| 149 | (b) Unconsolidated sedimentary aquifers with high groundwater recharge potential |
| 150 | (b) Eliminating the need for any land leveling operations before applying water |
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.