Q211. The tea plant grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates. Which soil characteristic is essential for tea plantations to thrive?
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 211–220 of 462 questions
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Q212. Match the coarse cereal in List-I with its primary producing state in List-II.
| Coarse Cereal | State |
|---|---|
| A. Jowar | i. Rajasthan |
| B. Bajra | ii. Maharashtra |
| C. Ragi | iii. Karnataka |
| D. Barley | iv. Uttar Pradesh |
Explanation
Coarse cereals are important for regional food security in India. Maharashtra is the leading producer of Jowar, while Rajasthan leads in Bajra production due to its sandy soils. Karnataka is the top producer of Ragi, a crop valued for its nutritional content. Barley is an important crop in Uttar Pradesh, where it is grown during the Rabi season in plains.
Q213. A farmer transitions from conventional to organic farming. In the first three years, the farmer notices a dip in the crop yield but premium pricing in the market. What economic term best describes the certification phase where the land recovers from chemical residues before being officially certified as organic?
Explanation
When a farmer switches from conventional to organic farming, the land undergoes a mandatory "conversion period." During these three years, the soil gradually recovers from the residues of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers used previously. While the farmer follows organic practices, the produce cannot yet be sold with an official organic seal. This phase is crucial for ensuring long-term biological integrity.
Q214. The ‘Middle Gangetic Plain Region’ primarily encompasses the agricultural zones of which two major Indian states known for high population density and intensive subsistence farming?
Explanation
The Middle Gangetic Plain region covers the agricultural zones of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which have a high population density and intensive subsistence farming.
Q215. Several challenges plague Indian agriculture. Which of the following is an institutional challenge rather than a technological or environmental one?
Explanation
Groundwater depletion, lack of high-yielding seeds and pest attacks are technological or environmental problems. Fragmentation of landholdings is an institutional challenge, since it comes from the structure of land ownership.
Q216. Match the vegetable crop in List-I with its significant producing state in List-II.
| Vegetable Crop | State |
|---|---|
| A. Onion | i. Uttar Pradesh |
| B. Potato | ii. Maharashtra |
| C. Tomato | iii. Kerala |
| D. Tapioca (Cassava) | iv. Andhra Pradesh |
Explanation
Onion is grown mostly in Maharashtra, potato in Uttar Pradesh, tomato in Andhra Pradesh and tapioca in Kerala. This gives A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii.
Q217. Which of the following conditions is not suitable for the cultivation of maize?
Explanation
Maize needs deep, well-drained loamy soil, plenty of sunshine and a temperature of 21 to 27 degrees Celsius. Continuous heavy rain that waterlogs the field harms it, so C is not suitable.
Q218. Consider the following statements regarding natural rubber cultivation in India:
I. It requires rainfall of more than 200 cm.
II. It requires a temperature above 25 degrees Celsius.
III. Kerala is the largest producer of natural rubber in India.
IV. Rubber is basically an equatorial crop.
V. It is extensively grown in the arid zones of western Rajasthan.
Which combination represents the incorrect statement(s)?
I. It requires rainfall of more than 200 cm.
II. It requires a temperature above 25 degrees Celsius.
III. Kerala is the largest producer of natural rubber in India.
IV. Rubber is basically an equatorial crop.
V. It is extensively grown in the arid zones of western Rajasthan.
Which combination represents the incorrect statement(s)?
Explanation
Natural rubber needs more than 200 cm of rain and a temperature above 25 degrees, is largely an equatorial crop and Kerala is the largest producer. It is not grown in the arid zones of western Rajasthan, so V is incorrect.
Q219. The major metallic minerals in India are primarily associated with which of the following geological formations?
Explanation
India’s major metallic mineral resources are concentrated in the Peninsular region, which is geologically composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. These rock systems, particularly those belonging to the Dharwar and Cuddapah formations, contain significant deposits of iron ore, manganese, and copper. The stability and antiquity of the Peninsular shield provided ideal conditions for mineralisation.
Q220. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Peninsular plateau region of India holds the bulk of the country’s metallic mineral reserves.
Reason (R): The Peninsular plateau is primarily composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks which are highly mineralised.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Peninsular plateau region of India holds the bulk of the country’s metallic mineral reserves.
Reason (R): The Peninsular plateau is primarily composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks which are highly mineralised.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
The Peninsular plateau serves as the storehouse of India’s metallic mineral wealth because it consists of ancient rock formations that underwent extensive tectonic and volcanic activity. These geological processes facilitated the concentration of minerals like iron and manganese within the crust. Therefore, the specific rock composition explains why the majority of the country’s mineral reserves are located here.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 211 | (a) Deep, fertile, well-drained soil rich in humus and organic matter. |
| 212 | (b) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv |
| 213 | (c) Conversion period |
| 214 | (a) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar |
| 215 | (d) Fragmentation of landholdings |
| 216 | (b) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 217 | (c) Continuous heavy rainfall leading to waterlogging. |
| 218 | (a) V only |
| 219 | (b) Ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks |
| 220 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
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.