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 181–190 of 462 questions
Browse Indian Geography chapters
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q181. Read the following statements and select the correct option: Assertion (A): The adoption of micro-irrigation systems is heavily subsidized by the government in arid regions. Reason (R): Micro-irrigation systems completely eliminate the dependency of agriculture on groundwater aquifers.
Explanation
The Indian government provides substantial subsidies for micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinklers to promote water efficiency in water-scarce areas.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q182. The Tungabhadra multipurpose project features a major masonry dam built near which historically significant site in Karnataka?
Explanation
The Tungabhadra Dam, a significant masonry structure, is built across the Tungabhadra River near the town of Hosapete in Karnataka. This location is very close to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, which was the capital of the historical Vijayanagara Empire. The project serves the dual purpose of providing irrigation to local agricultural lands and generating hydroelectric power.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q183. Which of the following rivers is an exception, as it is NOT part of the interstate water dispute generally known as the Cauvery Water Dispute?
Explanation
The Cauvery Water Dispute primarily involves the main Cauvery River and its tributaries such as the Hemavati, Kabini, and Arkavathy. These rivers are part of the Cauvery basin shared by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. The Tungabhadra River, however, is a major tributary of the Krishna River and is involved in separate water-sharing agreements and disputes, primarily between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q184. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below: Note: Treat A and B as being on the same river but distinct dams.
DVC Dams
River/Tributary
A. Tilaiya Dam
i. Barakar River
B. Maithon Dam
ii. Barakar River
C. Panchet Dam
iii. Damodar River
D. Konar Dam
iv. Konar River
Explanation
Within the Damodar Valley Corporation, the Tilaiya and Maithon dams are both situated on the Barakar River, a major tributary of the Damodar. The Panchet Dam is built directly across the main Damodar River itself. The Konar Dam is constructed on the Konar River, which is another tributary. These dams work in coordination to provide flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q185. The problem of ‘Sem’ in the districts of Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar is caused by which of the following mechanisms?
Explanation
The term ‘Sem’ refers to the ecological degradation caused by rising groundwater levels in the canal command areas of northwestern Rajasthan. When large volumes of irrigation water are applied to land with poor natural drainage, the excess water seeps into the ground. This eventually causes the water table to rise to the surface, creating swampy, waterlogged conditions that make the soil unfit for cultivation.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q186. The Sardar Sarovar Dam was surrounded by immense controversy primarily spearheaded by the Narmada Bachao Andolan. What was the core focus of this movement?
Explanation
The Narmada Bachao Andolan was a prominent social and environmental movement that challenged the Sardar Sarovar Dam project. Its primary focus was the large-scale displacement of thousands of tribal families and local communities whose lands were to be submerged. The movement also highlighted the potential loss of vast forest areas and the overall environmental impact of constructing such a massive dam.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q187. Read the following statements regarding the geographical distribution of irrigation: I. Uttar Pradesh has the largest total irrigated area in India. II. Punjab has the highest percentage of its net sown area under irrigation. III. Mizoram heavily relies on dense canal networks for agriculture. IV. Well irrigation is completely absent in the state of Gujarat. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
While Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are correctly identified for their high irrigated areas, the third and fourth statements are incorrect. Mizoram, a hilly state, relies more on rainfed and Jhum cultivation rather than dense canal networks. Additionally, well irrigation is a major source of water in Gujarat, especially in the Saurashtra and northern regions, making the claim of its total absence false.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q188. Which of the following is considered the primary reason for the declining efficiency of tank irrigation in Peninsular India over the past few decades?
Explanation
The effectiveness of traditional tank irrigation in Peninsular India has significantly declined due to several man-made factors. Extensive siltation has reduced the storage capacity of many tanks over centuries. Furthermore, the encroachment of tank beds for residential or commercial purposes and the general lack of regular maintenance by community or government bodies have rendered many of these ancient systems dysfunctional.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q189. Identify the most accurate statement regarding the Indira Gandhi Canal project:
Explanation
The Indira Gandhi Canal command development includes extensive afforestation to stabilise the sand dunes. The canal has lift sections and draws its water from the Sutlej and Beas, not from the Yamuna.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q190. Read the following statements and select the correct option: Statement I: The National Water Policy of India emphasizes that water is a scarce national resource that must be planned and managed on a river basin approach. Statement II: A river basin is a distinct hydrological unit, making it the most scientific basis for multi-sectoral water planning.
Explanation
The National Water Policy advocates for water management based on the river basin approach because a basin is a natural hydrological unit where all water resources are interconnected. This scientific framework allows for the integrated and multi-sectoral planning of water use, ensuring that the needs of various stakeholders--such as agriculture, industry, and ecology--are balanced effectively within the entire catchment area.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
181
(c) A is true but R is false.
182
(b) Hampi (Hosapete)
183
(c) River Tungabhadra
184
(a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv
185
(c) Waterlogging and rising water tables due to intense canal irrigation
186
(b) Environmental concerns and displacement of tribal communities
187
(b) III and IV only
188
(a) Encroachment of tank beds, siltation, and poor maintenance
189
(c) Its command area development includes extensive afforestation to stabilize sand dunes.
190
(c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.
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.
