Q201. Which of the following states is generally an exception and not considered among the top traditional hubs for commercial floriculture in India?
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 201–210 of 462 questions
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Q202. Consider the following statements regarding the challenges faced by Indian agriculture:
I. The average size of operational landholdings has been steadily increasing.
II. Depletion of groundwater tables severely impacts sustainable irrigation.
III. A lack of cold storage facilities leads to high post-harvest losses.
IV. Access to formal credit remains difficult for small and marginal farmers.
V. The APMC act universally guarantees maximum retail price to all farmers directly.
Which combination represents the incorrect statement(s)?
I. The average size of operational landholdings has been steadily increasing.
II. Depletion of groundwater tables severely impacts sustainable irrigation.
III. A lack of cold storage facilities leads to high post-harvest losses.
IV. Access to formal credit remains difficult for small and marginal farmers.
V. The APMC act universally guarantees maximum retail price to all farmers directly.
Which combination represents the incorrect statement(s)?
Explanation
Indian agriculture faces several hurdles, but some common perceptions are incorrect. First, the average size of landholdings is actually decreasing due to fragmentation, not increasing. Second, while the APMC system regulates markets, it does not universally guarantee a maximum retail price to all farmers. Valid challenges include the depletion of groundwater, high post-harvest losses, and limited formal credit access.
Q203. Identify the correctly matched pair regarding India’s agro-climatic zones and their prominent features.
Explanation
The Eastern Himalayan Region is characterized by high annual rainfall, rugged hilly terrain, and dense forest cover. Due to these geographical features, shifting cultivation, locally known as Jhumming, is a prominent agricultural practice among tribal communities. This contrasts with other zones like the Western Dry Region, which is arid, or the Trans-Gangetic Plains, which feature intensive irrigation and productivity.
Q204. Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in India. Which state is the leading producer of wheat in terms of total volume?
Explanation
Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in India and a staple for millions. While Punjab and Haryana are famous for their high productivity and the success of the Green Revolution, Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer in terms of total volume. This is due to the state’s vast geographical area and the extensive fertile plains of northern India.
Q205. Disguised unemployment is a major feature of the Indian agricultural sector. What is the primary cause of this phenomenon?
Explanation
Disguised unemployment is a common phenomenon in Indian agriculture where more people are engaged in farming a piece of land than are actually needed. If some workers are removed, total production remains unchanged because their marginal productivity is zero. This situation arises primarily because of the lack of alternative employment opportunities in manufacturing and service sectors for rural workforces.
Q206. Which of the following crops is not typically cultivated during the Zaid season in India?
Explanation
The Zaid season is a short cropping period during the summer months of April to June. It primarily involves the cultivation of fast-growing crops like watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, and various vegetables that thrive in hot weather. Mustard, however, is a major Rabi crop that requires the cool temperatures of winter to grow and is harvested before the summer begins.
Q207. Which of the following river basins in India is the most globally recognized hub for the cultivation of Jute, also known as the golden fibre?
Explanation
The Hooghly basin in West Bengal is the most globally recognized hub for jute cultivation and processing. The region provides the perfect combination of fertile alluvial soil, high temperatures, and high humidity. Furthermore, the abundance of water from the Hooghly River and its tributaries is crucial for the retting process, where jute stalks are soaked to separate the commercial fibers.
Q208. Consider the following statements regarding Rice cultivation:
I. India is the largest producer of rice in the world.
II. It is a Kharif crop requiring high humidity.
III. Punjab and Haryana grow rice primarily using canal irrigation and tubewells.
IV. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is a technique used to save water in paddy cultivation.
Which combination represents the correct statements?
I. India is the largest producer of rice in the world.
II. It is a Kharif crop requiring high humidity.
III. Punjab and Haryana grow rice primarily using canal irrigation and tubewells.
IV. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is a technique used to save water in paddy cultivation.
Which combination represents the correct statements?
Explanation
Rice is a critical Kharif crop in India that requires high humidity and significant water. Although China is the world’s largest producer, India follows closely in the second position. In states like Punjab and Haryana, rice cultivation is made possible through intensive irrigation using canals and tubewells. Modern techniques like Direct Seeded Rice are being promoted to reduce water consumption.
Q209. Given below are two statements regarding agricultural production in India. Read the statements and choose the correct option.
Statement I: Groundnut is a Kharif crop and accounts for about half of the major oilseeds produced in the country.
Statement II: Gujarat is consistently one of the largest producing states of groundnut in India.
Statement I: Groundnut is a Kharif crop and accounts for about half of the major oilseeds produced in the country.
Statement II: Gujarat is consistently one of the largest producing states of groundnut in India.
Explanation
Groundnut is a major Kharif oilseed that accounts for nearly half of the total oilseed production in India. It grows well in various soils but is most productive in well-drained loamy and sandy soils. Gujarat is consistently the leading producer of groundnut in the country. While both statements are true, the fact that Gujarat is a leader doesn’t define the season.
Q210. Arrange the following states in the correct descending order of their total rice production:
A. West Bengal
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Punjab
D. Rajasthan
Select the correct order:
A. West Bengal
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Punjab
D. Rajasthan
Select the correct order:
Explanation
Rice production in India varies significantly by state based on water availability and climate. West Bengal is the largest producer, benefiting from high rainfall and multiple crops per year. Uttar Pradesh ranks second due to its vast fertile plains. Punjab is the third-largest producer, relying heavily on advanced irrigation. Rajasthan produces the least among these four due to its arid environment.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 201 | (c) Jharkhand |
| 202 | (b) I and V |
| 203 | (d) Eastern Himalayan Region: High rainfall, dense forest, and shifting cultivation. |
| 204 | (a) Uttar Pradesh |
| 205 | (c) More people engaged in work on a piece of land than are actually required. |
| 206 | (a) Mustard |
| 207 | (c) Hooghly basin |
| 208 | (d) II, III and IV |
| 209 | (b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I. |
| 210 | (a) A, B, C, D |
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.