Q21. The Central Highlands region of the Peninsular Plateau is distinctly bounded on the south by which of the following mountain ranges?
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 21–30 of 462 questions
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Q22. Consider the following statements regarding the Aravalli Range:
I. It represents one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world.
II. It extends continuously from Gujarat to Delhi without any geographical breaks or gaps.
III. Guru Shikhar is recognized as the highest peak in this mountain range.
IV. It acts as a major climatic barrier, significantly contributing to the aridity of western Rajasthan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It represents one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world.
II. It extends continuously from Gujarat to Delhi without any geographical breaks or gaps.
III. Guru Shikhar is recognized as the highest peak in this mountain range.
IV. It acts as a major climatic barrier, significantly contributing to the aridity of western Rajasthan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Aravalli Range is one of the world’s oldest fold mountain systems, featuring Guru Shikhar as its highest peak. While it acts as a significant climatic barrier influencing the aridity of Rajasthan, it is not a continuous range. Over millions of years, it has been heavily eroded and now exists as a series of disjointed hills and ridges stretching towards Delhi.
Q23. Identify the odd one out among the following Indian rivers based on their point of origin in the Peninsular Plateau:
Explanation
The Gandak is a major Himalayan river that originates in the high mountains of Nepal and flows into the Ganga. In contrast, the Chambal, Betwa, and Son rivers all originate within the Peninsular Plateau region, specifically from the Central Highlands. These peninsular rivers generally flow northward to join the Yamuna or Ganga, following the natural slope of the ancient plateau.
Q24. The highly eroded, deep, and dissected topography of the Malwa plateau, particularly evident in the Chambal valley, is famous for which geographical feature?
Explanation
The Chambal valley is famous for its extensive badland topography, characterized by deep ravines and gullies. This highly dissected landscape was formed by intense water erosion on the soft alluvial deposits of the Malwa plateau. The resulting network of narrow, steep-sided valleys makes the land unsuitable for agriculture and is a unique geomorphological feature of the semi-arid regions of central India.
Q25. Which of the following options best describes the general elevation and primary slope of the Deccan Plateau?
Explanation
The Deccan Plateau is a massive triangular landmass that exhibits a distinct tilt in its geological structure. It is generally elevated higher on its western side, where the Western Ghats are located, and slopes gently towards the east. This eastward slope is clearly evidenced by the flow of major rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, which drain into the Bay of Bengal.
Q26. Consider the following statements regarding the Deccan Trap region:
I. It is fundamentally of volcanic origin.
II. It is composed predominantly of extensive basaltic rock formations.
III. It covers significant geographical parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
IV. The constituent rocks have denuded over time, forming highly fertile regur (black) soil.
V. The primary volcanic formation took place intensely during the Precambrian era.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is fundamentally of volcanic origin.
II. It is composed predominantly of extensive basaltic rock formations.
III. It covers significant geographical parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
IV. The constituent rocks have denuded over time, forming highly fertile regur (black) soil.
V. The primary volcanic formation took place intensely during the Precambrian era.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Deccan Trap is a large volcanic province in west-central India, composed of thick basaltic lava flows. It primarily covers Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat, forming fertile black soil, also known as regur, through millions of years of denudation. However, this volcanic activity occurred during the late Cretaceous period, not the Precambrian era, making it much younger than the underlying shield.
Q27. The black soil region of the Deccan Plateau is considered exceptionally suitable for cotton cultivation primarily because:
Explanation
Black soil, or regur soil, is exceptionally suited for cotton cultivation due to its high clay content and remarkable moisture retention capacity. During the dry season, the soil develops deep cracks, which aid in aeration. This self-ploughing characteristic, combined with its ability to hold water for long periods, provides the ideal conditions required for the sustained growth of cotton crops.
Q28. A student notes that cities situated on the windward western side of the Western Ghats (like Mumbai) receive significantly more rainfall than cities on the leeward eastern side (like Pune). This specific precipitation phenomenon is a classic example of:
Explanation
The significant difference in rainfall between the windward side of the Western Ghats and the leeward side is a result of the orographic effect. Moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea are forced to rise by the mountain barrier, leading to heavy precipitation on the western slopes. As the air descends on the eastern side, it becomes drier, creating a rain-shadow area.
Q29. The Western Ghats physically behave as a continuous mountain escarpment. What is the approximate average elevation of the Western Ghats?
Explanation
The Western Ghats form a continuous and formidable mountain wall along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau. They are significantly higher than the Eastern Ghats, with an approximate average elevation ranging between 900 and 1600 meters. This elevation increases progressively from north to south, culminating in high peaks like Anamudi, which play a crucial role in determining India’s regional monsoon.
Q30. All of the following are significant, traversable mountain passes located within the Western Ghats EXCEPT:
Explanation
Thal Ghat, Bhor Ghat, and Pal Ghat are critical mountain passes that allow transportation across the rugged Western Ghats. In contrast, the Haldighati Pass is located in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan. It is historically significant but does not belong to the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats passes are essential for connecting the coastal plains with the interior regions of the plateau.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (c) Vindhya Range |
| 22 | (b) I, III and IV |
| 23 | (a) Gandak |
| 24 | (b) Badland topography (Ravines) |
| 25 | (b) It is elevated higher in the west and slopes gently towards the east. |
| 26 | (a) I, II, III and IV |
| 27 | (d) It possesses high moisture retention capacity due to its clayey nature. |
| 28 | (c) Orographic effect |
| 29 | (b) 900 to 1600 meters |
| 30 | (d) Haldighati Pass |
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.