Q361. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of mini steel plants 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 361–370 of 462 questions
Browse Indian Geography chapters
Q362. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Textile Centre | Common Description |
|---|---|
| A. Mumbai | i. Manchester of India |
| B. Ahmedabad | ii. Cottonopolis of India |
| C. Coimbatore | iii. Manchester of North India |
| D. Kanpur | iv. Manchester of South India |
Explanation
Several Indian cities have earned nicknames reflecting their historical importance in the cotton textile industry. Mumbai is known as the "Cottonopolis of India" due to its massive concentration of mills. Ahmedabad is often called the "Manchester of India." In the south, Coimbatore is referred to as the "Manchester of South India," while Kanpur holds the title of "Manchester of North India" for the region.
Q363. The Bhilai Steel Plant, a public sector giant, was set up in which modern-day Indian state?
Explanation
The Bhilai Steel Plant is a major integrated steel manufacturing unit established during the Second Five Year Plan with Soviet collaboration. It is located in the Durg district of modern-day Chhattisgarh. The plant was strategically positioned to utilize the rich iron ore deposits from the Dalli-Rajhara mines and coal from the nearby Korba and Kargali regions, boosting industrial growth in central India.
Q364. Consider the following statements regarding the silk industry in India:
I. Karnataka is a major producer of mulberry silk.
II. West Bengal is traditionally known for its silk weaving centers.
III. Jammu & Kashmir produces high-quality silk due to its conducive climate for sericulture.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Karnataka is a major producer of mulberry silk.
II. West Bengal is traditionally known for its silk weaving centers.
III. Jammu & Kashmir produces high-quality silk due to its conducive climate for sericulture.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Indian silk industry is diverse, with several states contributing to its production. Karnataka is the country’s leading producer of mulberry silk. West Bengal has a long tradition of silk weaving, particularly in centers like Murshidabad. Jammu and Kashmir produces high-quality silk, benefitting from a temperate climate suitable for specific silkworm varieties. Together, these states represent the major hubs of silk production and sericulture.
Q365. Which of the following statements correctly identifies the reason for the concentration of the jute textile industry in West Bengal?
Explanation
The concentration of the jute industry in West Bengal, specifically along the Hooghly river, is due to critical geographical advantages. Processing raw jute requires a process called retting, which involves soaking the stalks in water to separate the fibers. The Hooghly basin provides the vast quantities of fresh water needed for this. Additionally, the region’s humid climate and proximity to jute-growing areas support manufacturing.
Q366. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The cotton textile industry in India has undergone significant decentralisation post-independence.
Reason (R): The expansion of the railway network, the availability of electricity in diverse regions, and a market-driven approach reduced the industry’s strict dependence on raw cotton growing areas.
Select the correct answer using the options given below:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The cotton textile industry in India has undergone significant decentralisation post-independence.
Reason (R): The expansion of the railway network, the availability of electricity in diverse regions, and a market-driven approach reduced the industry’s strict dependence on raw cotton growing areas.
Select the correct answer using the options given below:
Explanation
Since independence, the cotton textile industry in India has moved beyond its traditional centers in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Q367. Consider the following statements regarding the Bokaro Steel Plant:
Statement I: It was established with technical and financial collaboration from the United Kingdom.
Statement II: It was established primarily as a coastal steel plant to boost exports.
Statement I: It was established with technical and financial collaboration from the United Kingdom.
Statement II: It was established primarily as a coastal steel plant to boost exports.
Explanation
The Bokaro Steel Plant, located in Jharkhand, was established with technical and financial assistance from the Soviet Union, not the United Kingdom. Furthermore, it is an inland integrated steel plant rather than a coastal one. Its primary objective was to expand India’s domestic steel production capacity by utilizing local raw materials. Therefore, both statements regarding its collaboration and geographical nature are factually incorrect.
Q368. Consider the following statements regarding the distribution of the sugar industry:
I. Uttar Pradesh is a prominent state in the traditional northern sugarcane belt.
II. Maharashtra leads the southern sugarcane belt due to a highly successful cooperative model.
III. The sugar industry is completely independent of the seasonal harvesting of sugarcane.
IV. Sugarcane cultivated in Maharashtra typically has lower sucrose content than that in Uttar Pradesh.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Uttar Pradesh is a prominent state in the traditional northern sugarcane belt.
II. Maharashtra leads the southern sugarcane belt due to a highly successful cooperative model.
III. The sugar industry is completely independent of the seasonal harvesting of sugarcane.
IV. Sugarcane cultivated in Maharashtra typically has lower sucrose content than that in Uttar Pradesh.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The sugar industry is inherently seasonal because it depends on the harvesting of sugarcane, which must be crushed quickly to prevent sucrose loss. Furthermore, sugarcane grown in tropical Maharashtra typically has a higher sucrose content than the varieties grown in subtropical Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, statements claiming the industry is independent of seasons or that Maharashtra has lower sucrose content than Uttar Pradesh are incorrect.
Q369. Find the odd one out concerning the inputs and raw materials required for traditional integrated iron and steel plants.
Explanation
Integrated iron and steel plants require specific mineral inputs for the production of steel. Coking coal serves as fuel, limestone acts as a flux to remove impurities, and manganese ore is added to increase the strength of the final product. Sugarcane bagasse, however, is a fibrous byproduct of the sugar industry and has no role in the traditional smelting or refining of iron.
Q370. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Industry | Major Challenge/Feature |
|---|---|
| A. Sugar Industry | i. Heavy reliance on electric power and scrap metal |
| B. Jute Industry | ii. Faces intense competition from synthetic packaging materials |
| C. Mini Steel Plants | iii. Decentralized shift from raw material sources to market areas |
| D. Cotton Textile | iv. Highly seasonal nature of operations and perishable raw material |
Explanation
Different Indian industries face unique logistical and economic characteristics. The sugar industry is highly seasonal and relies on perishable raw materials. The jute industry struggles with competition from synthetic packaging. Mini steel plants are characterized by their use of scrap metal and electric power. Meanwhile, the cotton textile industry has seen a decentralized shift from its original raw material sources toward regional consumer markets.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 361 | (d) They require massive land areas and fully integrate iron ore smelting in blast furnaces. |
| 362 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 363 | (b) Chhattisgarh |
| 364 | (b) I, II and III |
| 365 | (a) The Hooghly basin provides abundant fresh water required for retting the jute fibre. |
| 366 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 367 | (b) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect |
| 368 | (c) III and IV only |
| 369 | (b) Sugarcane bagasse |
| 370 | (d) A-iv, B-ii, C-i, D-iii |
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.