Q341. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the steel plants of South 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.
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Q342. Consider the following statements regarding mini steel plants:
I. They primarily use electric arc furnace technology.
II. They rely heavily on steel scrap and sponge iron rather than primary iron ore.
III. They require less capital investment compared to integrated steel plants.
IV. They produce mild and alloy steel of given specifications.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. They primarily use electric arc furnace technology.
II. They rely heavily on steel scrap and sponge iron rather than primary iron ore.
III. They require less capital investment compared to integrated steel plants.
IV. They produce mild and alloy steel of given specifications.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Mini steel plants represent a decentralized segment of the iron and steel industry. These units primarily utilize electric arc furnaces for melting steel scrap or sponge iron, rather than smelting iron ore in large blast furnaces. They require less capital investment compared to integrated plants and are capable of producing specific grades of mild steel and various steel alloys.
Q343. Find the odd one out with respect to the historical concentration of the cotton textile industry in India.
Explanation
Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Surat are historically prominent centers for the cotton textile industry in India, benefitting from proximity to raw material growing regions and port facilities. In contrast, Bhilai is a major industrial city primarily known for its integrated steel plant. Therefore, Bhilai does not belong to the same industrial category as the other cities listed in the grouping.
Q344. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Textile Sector Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| A. Handloom | i. Capital-intensive and organized large-scale production |
| B. Powerloom | ii. Highly decentralized and heavily reliant on petrochemicals |
| C. Mill Sector | iii. Traditional, highly labor-intensive, unorganized weaving |
| D. Synthetic Fibre | iv. Decentralized, mechanized weaving dominating total production |
Explanation
The Indian textile industry consists of diverse sectors with distinct characteristics. The handloom sector is traditional and labor-intensive, while the mill sector involves organized, large-scale production. Powerlooms dominate the decentralized sector using mechanized weaving. Additionally, the synthetic fiber industry relies on petrochemicals for production. Matching these features correctly highlights the complex structure of textile manufacturing across the various regions.
Q345. Consider the following statements regarding the powerloom sector in the Indian textile industry:
I. It has historically witnessed massive growth due to decentralisation post-independence.
II. It operates primarily in the decentralized and unorganised sector.
III. It accounts for the dominant share of total cloth production in India today.
IV. It utilizes electrical power, making it more efficient than traditional handlooms.
V. It has completely replaced the organized mill sector, which no longer exists in India.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It has historically witnessed massive growth due to decentralisation post-independence.
II. It operates primarily in the decentralized and unorganised sector.
III. It accounts for the dominant share of total cloth production in India today.
IV. It utilizes electrical power, making it more efficient than traditional handlooms.
V. It has completely replaced the organized mill sector, which no longer exists in India.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The powerloom sector has grown significantly post-independence, becoming a dominant force in India’s textile production. It operates within the decentralized and unorganized sector, utilizing electrical power for mechanized weaving. While it accounts for the largest share of cloth production, the organized mill sector still exists in India. Therefore, the assertion that powerlooms have completely eliminated the mill sector is incorrect.
Q346. Which of the following is a correct pair regarding the raw material source of the synthetic and man-made fibre industry?
Explanation
The synthetic and man-made fiber industry utilizes various chemical and petrochemical derivatives as its primary raw material base. Polyester is produced using complex chemical processes involving coal, air, water, and petroleum products. In contrast, fibers like viscose rayon are derived from natural cellulose or wood pulp, while nylon is a purely synthetic polymer not derived from natural plant-based silk proteins.
Q347. Arrange the following states from North to South based on their geographical location, which are also prominent centers of the silk industry:
I. Jammu & Kashmir
II. West Bengal
III. Karnataka
Select the correct order from the options given below:
I. Jammu & Kashmir
II. West Bengal
III. Karnataka
Select the correct order from the options given below:
Explanation
India’s prominent silk industry centers are geographically distributed from the northern tip to the southern peninsula. Jammu and Kashmir, located in the north, is famous for its high-quality temperate silk. Moving southwards, West Bengal serves as a major silk-weaving hub in the east. Finally, Karnataka is the leading producer of mulberry silk in the southern part of the country.
Q348. Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to the heavy concentration of the jute textile industry in West Bengal?
Explanation
The concentration of the jute industry in West Bengal is driven by several favorable geographical factors. These include the proximity to raw jute production in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta and the abundant fresh water from the Hooghly river required for processing. However, jute manufacturing requires a humid climate for spinning. An arid or dry climate is unsuitable for this specific textile process.
Q349. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Silk Producing State | Dominant Silk/Feature |
|---|---|
| A. Karnataka | i. Bivoltine silk due to temperate climate |
| B. West Bengal | ii. Muga silk monopoly |
| C. Jammu & Kashmir | iii. Leading producer of Mulberry silk |
| D. Assam | iv. Traditional Murshidabad silk centers |
Explanation
India produces various types of silk, each associated with specific geographic regions. Karnataka is the leading producer of mulberry silk in the south. West Bengal has traditional weaving centers in Murshidabad. Jammu and Kashmir produces high-quality bivoltine silk due to its temperate climate. Assam holds a global monopoly on the production of golden Muga silk, which is unique to the region.
Q350. The traditional sugarcane belt in India is primarily distributed across which of the following regions?
Explanation
Sugarcane cultivation in India is primarily divided into two distinct regions based on climatic conditions. The subtropical belt encompasses the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains, including states like Uttar Pradesh. The tropical belt covers peninsular India, particularly Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These regions provide the necessary warmth and moisture required for the successful growth of this seasonal and water-intensive cash crop.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 341 | (a) Bhadravati relies solely on coking coal imports from Australia due to a lack of local coal or forests. |
| 342 | (c) I, II, III and IV |
| 343 | (a) Bhilai |
| 344 | (d) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 345 | (c) I, II, III and IV only |
| 346 | (d) Polyester - Coal, air, water and petroleum products |
| 347 | (a) I, II, III |
| 348 | (b) Dry and arid climate ideal for spinning jute yarn without moisture |
| 349 | (b) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 350 | (a) The subtropical Indo-Gangetic plain and tropical peninsular India |
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.