Q191. Which of the following is NOT a direct benefit associated with the implementation of a comprehensive Command Area Development (CAD) program?
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 191–200 of 462 questions
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Q192. Read the following statements regarding multi-purpose river valley projects:
I. They simultaneously serve irrigation, power generation, flood control, and navigation.
II. Jawaharlal Nehru proudly referred to them as the "Temples of Modern India".
III. The environmental impact of these large dams has been universally negligible.
IV. They often require the inundation of large tracts of forests and arable land.
V. The Hirakud Dam is an example of a multi-purpose project.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. They simultaneously serve irrigation, power generation, flood control, and navigation.
II. Jawaharlal Nehru proudly referred to them as the "Temples of Modern India".
III. The environmental impact of these large dams has been universally negligible.
IV. They often require the inundation of large tracts of forests and arable land.
V. The Hirakud Dam is an example of a multi-purpose project.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Multipurpose projects like Hirakud were designed to provide multiple benefits simultaneously, and were famously described as "Temples of Modern India" by Nehru. They often involve the inundation of forests and farm lands, causing social and environmental impacts. The claim that their environmental impact is "universally negligible" is incorrect, as these projects frequently face criticism for their significant ecological consequences.
Q193. The term ‘Aquifer’ refers to which of the following?
Explanation
An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, rock fractures, or unconsolidated materials such as gravel, sand, or silt. These geological formations are essential because they act as natural reservoirs that can store vast quantities of water and yield it in usable amounts through wells or springs. They are the primary source of groundwater for agricultural and domestic use.
Q194. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| River System | Associated Canal/Project |
|---|---|
| A. Sutlej System | i. Nagarjunasagar Right Canal |
| B. Krishna River | ii. Sirhind Canal |
| C. Mahanadi Basin | iii. Narmada Main Canal |
| D. Narmada Valley | iv. Bargarh Canal |
Explanation
The Sirhind Canal is a major irrigation structure that draws water from the Sutlej River system. The Nagarjunasagar Right Canal is part of the Krishna River project. The Bargarh Canal is an important distribution channel within the Mahanadi River basin in Odisha. The Narmada Main Canal is the primary conduit for transporting water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam across the Narmada Valley.
Q195. What is the primary cause for the emergence of interstate water disputes in India?
Explanation
Most major rivers in India flow through multiple states, creating a complex situation where administrative boundaries do not align with natural hydrological units. As the demand for water grows for agriculture and industry, these limited resources become a source of contention. States often compete for a larger share of the water, leading to disputes over the allocation and control of the flow.
Q196. Which of the following represents the most appropriate description of the role of agriculture in the Indian economy?
Explanation
Agriculture is a cornerstone of the Indian economy, employing approximately half of the nation’s total workforce. While its percentage contribution to the Gross Domestic Product has consistently decreased over the decades due to the rapid growth of industrial and service sectors, it remains the primary source of livelihood for millions of people in various rural areas.
Q197. Which of the following statements correctly differentiates between the Kharif and Rabi cropping seasons in India?
Explanation
Cropping patterns in India are largely determined by climatic variations and monsoon cycles. Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the southwest monsoon season, typically in June or July, and harvested in autumn. In contrast, Rabi crops are sown at the start of winter, around October or November, and harvested during the spring months.
Q198. Which of the following states is not traditionally considered a major rice-producing state but has seen increased production due to the expansion of irrigation networks?
Explanation
Traditionally, rice is a crop of high rainfall areas like West Bengal and Odisha. However, with the expansion of extensive canal and tubewell irrigation networks during the Green Revolution, states like Punjab and Haryana have emerged as major rice producers. This technological shift enabled rice cultivation in regions that do not naturally receive sufficient monsoon rainfall annually.
Q199. In the following question, a statement of
Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of
Reason (R). Choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): The Green Revolution in India disproportionately benefited wheat production over other crops.
Reason (R): High Yielding Variety seeds introduced during the Green Revolution were primarily successful in wheat in the irrigated regions of Punjab and Haryana.
Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of
Reason (R). Choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): The Green Revolution in India disproportionately benefited wheat production over other crops.
Reason (R): High Yielding Variety seeds introduced during the Green Revolution were primarily successful in wheat in the irrigated regions of Punjab and Haryana.
Explanation
The Green Revolution significantly transformed Indian agriculture by introducing high-yielding variety seeds specifically developed for wheat. This scientific advancement was most successful in northern states like Punjab and Haryana because these regions possessed well-established irrigation systems. Consequently, wheat production grew at a much faster rate compared to other food grains, creating a noticeable disparity in growth.
Q200. Maize in India is used both as food and fodder. Which of the following temperature and soil conditions are most ideal for maize cultivation?
Explanation
Maize is a versatile cereal crop utilized as both food for humans and fodder for livestock. It thrives best in geographical conditions featuring temperatures ranging between twenty-one and twenty-seven degrees Celsius. Additionally, the presence of old alluvial soil is ideal for its growth, providing the necessary nutrients and drainage required for a healthy and high-yield harvest.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 191 | (d) Immediate doubling of the total annual rainfall in the command area |
| 192 | (a) I, II, IV and V only |
| 193 | (c) A geological formation capable of storing and yielding groundwater |
| 194 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 195 | (a) Mismatch between river and state boundaries and limited resources |
| 196 | (b) It employs the largest segment of the workforce despite its declining share in Gross Domestic Product. |
| 197 | (a) Kharif crops rely on the southwest monsoon, while Rabi crops are sown at the beginning of winter. |
| 198 | (c) Punjab |
| 199 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 200 | (c) Temperature between 21 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius in old alluvial soil |
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.