Q171. The Tehri dam project has been historically controversial due to which primary environmental and geographical reason?
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 171–180 of 462 questions
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Q172. Which of the following pairs concerning the Nagarjunasagar project is correctly matched?
Explanation
The Nagarjunasagar Dam project features two main canals for distributing water to its command area. The right bank canal is named the Jawahar Canal, while the left bank canal is named the Lal Bahadur Canal. These canals provide essential irrigation to millions of hectares across several districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, supporting the intensive cultivation of crops like paddy.
Q173. Read the following statements regarding tank irrigation:
I. It is largely dependent on the vagaries of the monsoon.
II. It requires massive capital investment comparable to major multi-purpose dams.
III. High evaporation loss is a significant drawback due to shallow depths.
IV. Siltation continuously reduces the storage capacity of tanks.
V. It is the dominant method of irrigation in the flat plains of Punjab.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. It is largely dependent on the vagaries of the monsoon.
II. It requires massive capital investment comparable to major multi-purpose dams.
III. High evaporation loss is a significant drawback due to shallow depths.
IV. Siltation continuously reduces the storage capacity of tanks.
V. It is the dominant method of irrigation in the flat plains of Punjab.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Tank irrigation is a traditional, low-capital method rather than a massive investment project like a large dam. It is highly dependent on monsoons and suffers from siltation and evaporation. Furthermore, it is characteristic of the hilly and rocky Peninsular region, not the flat alluvial plains of Punjab, where tube wells and canals are the dominant irrigation methods used by farmers.
Q174. Which of the following accurately describes the ‘dark zones’ in the context of groundwater utilization?
Explanation
In the terminology used by the Central Ground Water Board, ‘dark zones’ refer to specific geographical areas or administrative blocks where the groundwater exploitation level is extremely high. Specifically, these are regions where the annual extraction of groundwater for various purposes exceeds the amount of water that is naturally or artificially recharged back into the aquifer system each year without depletion.
Q175. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Dam/Project | Key Geographical Feature/Fact |
|---|---|
| A. Bhakra Dam | i. Longest earthen dam in India |
| B. Hirakud Dam | ii. Built on the Krishna river in a masonry structure |
| C. Sardar Sarovar Dam | iii. Highest straight gravity dam in India |
| D. Nagarjunasagar Dam | iv. Largest dam of the Narmada Valley Project |
Explanation
The Bhakra Dam is recognized as the highest straight gravity dam in India. The Hirakud Dam is the longest earthen dam in the country. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is the largest structure within the extensive Narmada Valley Project. The Nagarjunasagar Dam is a massive masonry structure built on the Krishna River, serving as a landmark project for the southern states.
Q176. Which of the following is NOT an objective listed under the National Water Policy?
Explanation
India’s National Water Policy focuses on equitable distribution, conservation, efficiency, and addressing climate change. While it may allow for private sector participation in specific service delivery components, it does not advocate for the complete privatization of surface river networks. Rivers are considered a public trust and a national resource that should be managed for the common good under government oversight.
Q177. The Rajasthan Feeder Canal, which carries water to the main Indira Gandhi Canal, has its longest traverse through which state before entering Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Rajasthan Feeder Canal is the initial segment of the Indira Gandhi Canal system. It starts at the Harike Barrage in Punjab and travels a significant distance through Punjab and Haryana before finally entering Rajasthan. The longest portion of this feeder canal lies within the state of Punjab, where it serves as a transit channel carrying water to the desert regions.
Q178. Read the following states and select the correct sequence representing their total area under tank irrigation in descending order:
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Rajasthan
D. Punjab
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Rajasthan
D. Punjab
Explanation
Tamil Nadu has the highest total area under tank irrigation due to its traditional dependence on these structures in a rain-shadow region. Andhra Pradesh follows as another major state with extensive tank networks. Rajasthan has a significant number of tanks, particularly in its southern and eastern parts. Punjab, dominated by canals and tube wells, has the least reliance on tank irrigation.
Q179. The ‘Warabandi’ system, prominently practiced in the canal command areas of north-western India, is best defined as:
Explanation
Warabandi is a traditional and highly organized water management system used in the canal command areas of states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. It involves a predetermined weekly rotation schedule where each farmer is allocated a specific time slot to draw water from the canal. This ensures that all farmers, including those at the tail end, receive their fair share.
Q180. Which multi-purpose river valley project was the first to be undertaken in independent India?
Explanation
The Damodar Valley Corporation, established on July 7, 1948, was the first multipurpose river valley project initiated in independent India. It was created to tackle the devastating floods caused by the Damodar River and to provide irrigation and power to the states of West Bengal and Bihar (now Jharkhand). Its success paved the way for many other large-scale river projects.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 171 | (b) Its location in a highly active seismic zone in the Himalayas |
| 172 | (d) Jawahar Canal - Right bank canal of Nagarjunasagar |
| 173 | (b) II and V only |
| 174 | (c) Blocks where water extraction exceeds the annual rechargeable volume |
| 175 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 176 | (d) Encouraging privatization of all surface river networks |
| 177 | (b) Punjab |
| 178 | (a) B, A, C, D |
| 179 | (d) A rotational system for equitable distribution of canal water to farmers |
| 180 | (a) Damodar Valley Corporation |
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.