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 351–360 of 462 questions
Browse Indian Geography chapters
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q351. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The sugar industry in India faces severe challenges due to its seasonal nature. Reason (R): Sugarcane is a perishable crop that must be crushed quickly after harvesting to prevent sucrose loss, restricting mill operations to the harvesting months. Select the correct answer using the options given below:
Explanation
The sugar industry is fundamentally seasonal because its primary raw material, sugarcane, is highly perishable. Once harvested, the sucrose content in the cane begins to decline rapidly due to moisture loss. This necessitates immediate crushing near the fields. Consequently, sugar mills can only operate during the specific harvesting months of the year, leading to significant logistical and financial challenges.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q352. Which statement accurately describes the cooperative sugar mills in the Maharashtra model?
Explanation
The cooperative sugar mill model in Maharashtra is based on the collective ownership of processing units by the local farmers. In this system, the farmers act as both shareholders and the primary suppliers of raw sugarcane to the mills. This integration ensures a steady supply of raw materials, timely harvesting, and the equitable distribution of profits among the rural farming community.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q353. Consider the following statements regarding government initiatives for industrial clusters: Statement I: Textile parks and sugar clusters are designed to provide world-class infrastructure and common facilities to local industries. Statement II: These initiatives aim to reduce production costs and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian textile and sugar products.
Explanation
Government initiatives like textile parks and sugar clusters are designed to provide modern, shared infrastructure for industrial units. These clusters allow smaller manufacturers to access common facilities and advanced technology that they could not afford individually. By pooling resources and improving efficiency, these initiatives aim to reduce production costs and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian textile and sugar products.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q354. Consider the following statements regarding the raw material needs of the iron and steel industry: I. Coking coal is essential for smelting iron ore in a blast furnace. II. Limestone is used as a flux to remove impurities during smelting. III. Manganese is added to impart strength and toughness to steel. IV. Bauxite is the primary ore used to extract pure iron. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The production of iron and steel requires specific raw materials for the smelting and refining processes. Coking coal is essential as a fuel and reducing agent in blast furnaces. Limestone is used as a flux to remove impurities from the molten metal. Manganese is added to the final product to increase strength and toughness. Bauxite, however, is not used here.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q355. Which historical distinction belongs to the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) at Jamshedpur?
Explanation
The Tata Iron and Steel Company, established in 1907 at Jamshedpur, holds the distinction of being India’s first integrated steel plant. Founded by Jamsetji Tata and established by Dorabji Tata, it marked the beginning of modern heavy industry in the country. This private sector initiative successfully integrated various stages of steel production, including raw material procurement, smelting, and manufacturing finished products.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q356. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
Public Sector Steel Plant
Foreign Collaborator
A. Bhilai
i. United Kingdom
B. Durgapur
ii. West Germany
C. Rourkela
iii. Soviet Union (First Phase)
D. Bokaro
iv. Soviet Union (Later Phase)
Explanation
India’s major public sector steel plants were established through international collaborations during the mid-twentieth century. The Bhilai plant was built with Soviet assistance, while Durgapur received help from the United Kingdom. Rourkela was developed with German technology. Later, the Bokaro Steel Plant was also established with Soviet collaboration, marking a different phase of industrial development focused on indigenous technological growth and capacity.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q357. What was the primary cause for the initial establishment and rapid growth of the cotton textile industry in Mumbai during the 19th century?
Explanation
The rapid growth of the cotton textile industry in nineteenth-century Mumbai was driven by several favorable factors. Its proximity to the cotton-producing black soil regions of Maharashtra provided easy access to raw materials. The humid coastal climate was ideal for spinning yarn without frequent breakage.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q358. Consider the following statements regarding South Indian and coastal steel plants: I. The Vizag Steel Plant lacks a coastal location advantage. II. The Salem steel plant relies primarily on imported iron ore from Brazil. III. The Bhadravati steel plant is situated on the banks of the river Bhadra. IV. The Vizag plant was built with Japanese collaboration. V. Salem is widely known for producing high-grade stainless steel. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Vizag Steel Plant is famous for its coastal location, which provides logistical advantages for international trade. The Salem plant in Tamil Nadu uses local ore and is known for high-grade stainless steel. Bhadravati is located on the river Bhadra. Since the Vizag plant has coastal benefits, Salem doesn’t primarily use Brazilian ore, and Vizag had Soviet collaboration, statements I, II, and IV are incorrect.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q359. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the concentration of industries.
Explanation
The concentration of major industries in India follows specific geographical patterns based on raw material availability and historical development. Jute is concentrated in West Bengal, and cooperative sugar mills are highly successful in Maharashtra. Cotton textiles originated in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. However, the silk industry is traditionally associated with states like Karnataka, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir, rather than having its origin in Rajasthan.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q360. Which of the following represents the correct chronological sequence of the establishment of these major steel plants in India?
Explanation
The development of India’s iron and steel industry followed a specific chronological timeline. TISCO was established in 1907 as the first integrated plant. Post-independence, the Bhilai Steel Plant was set up during the 1950s. The Bokaro Steel Plant followed in the 1960s with Soviet help. Finally, the Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Steel Plant was established later as India’s first shore-based integrated steel manufacturing facility.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
351
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
352
(c) They are owned by local sugarcane farmers acting as collective shareholders and suppliers.
353
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
354
(d) I, II and III only
355
(a) It was the first integrated steel plant in India.
356
(c) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv
357
(a) Proximity to black soil regions, humid climate, and port facilities for importing machinery.
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.
