Q81. The Wular Lake, India’s largest freshwater lake, was formed primarily due to:
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 81–90 of 462 questions
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Q82. Which of the following is the largest coastal lagoon in India, recognized globally for its high ecological importance?
Explanation
Chilika Lake in Odisha is the largest coastal lagoon in India and is internationally important for its ecology and birds.
Q83. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Chilika Lake was the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Statement II: It hosts a significant population of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement I: Chilika Lake was the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Statement II: It hosts a significant population of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
Chilika was the first Indian wetland to be recognised under the Ramsar Convention, and it supports a significant population of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. Both statements are correct.
Q84. The salinity of Chilika Lake undergoes significant seasonal variation. Which of the following is the best reason for this phenomenon?
Explanation
The salinity of Chilika varies with the season because freshwater from rivers mixes with seawater that enters through the channel. Rivers bring freshwater in the monsoon and the sea water dominates in the dry months.
Q85. Which of the following represents the correct sequence of natural lakes from North to South in India?
Explanation
India’s natural lakes are distributed across the country from the northern mountains to the eastern coast. Wular and Dal lakes are located in the northernmost region of Jammu and Kashmir. Moving southwards, Sambhar Lake is situated in the desert state of Rajasthan. Further towards the southeast, Chilika Lake is found along the coastal plains of the state of Odisha.
Q86. The Wular Lake acts as a natural flood reservoir. This cause-and-effect mechanism is directly associated with which river?
Explanation
Wular Lake plays a critical role in the hydrology of the Kashmir Valley. It is directly fed by the Jhelum river and serves as a natural flood control reservoir. During periods of heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt, the lake absorbs the excess discharge from the river. This process helps in regulating the flow and preventing severe flooding in the downstream areas.
Q87. The Tulbul Navigation Project, which was a subject of dispute between India and Pakistan, is located at the mouth of which lake?
Explanation
The Tulbul Navigation Project is a major water control structure located at the mouth of Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir. The project was designed by India to regulate the flow of the Jhelum river and maintain a minimum water depth for navigation. However, it became a point of contention with Pakistan, which raised objections under the Indus Water Treaty.
Q88. Which of the following statements about Wular Lake is incorrect?
Explanation
Wular Lake is the largest freshwater lake in India, situated in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. Its size changes according to the seasons and the inflow from the Jhelum river. While it exhibits fluvial characteristics, its primary origin is tectonic. It was formed by crustal subsidence rather than being exclusively an abandoned meander of the Indus.
Q89. Consider the following rivers:
I. Mendha
II. Rupangarh
III. Khari
Which of the above statement(s) regarding rivers that feed the Sambhar Lake is/are correct?
I. Mendha
II. Rupangarh
III. Khari
Which of the above statement(s) regarding rivers that feed the Sambhar Lake is/are correct?
Explanation
Sambhar Lake is an endorheic salt lake in Rajasthan that receives water from several seasonal rivers. These rivers carry dissolved salts from the surrounding drainage basin into the lake. Key tributaries that feed this system include the Mendha, Rupangarh, and Khari rivers. Together, they maintain the water level and contribute to the high salinity required for commercial salt production.
Q90. Sambhar Lake is geographically located in which state and holds what conservation status?
Explanation
Sambhar Lake is geographically situated in the state of Rajasthan, near the city of Jaipur. It is recognized as India’s largest inland salt lake and plays a vital role in the regional economy. Due to its ecological significance as a habitat for flamingos and other migratory birds, it has been designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 81 | (a) Tectonic activity |
| 82 | (c) Chilika Lake |
| 83 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct |
| 84 | (d) Mixing of inland river freshwater and seawater inflows |
| 85 | (a) Wular, Dal, Sambhar, Chilika |
| 86 | (c) Jhelum |
| 87 | (d) Wular Lake |
| 88 | (a) Formed exclusively as an ox-bow lake of the Indus |
| 89 | (d) I, II and III |
| 90 | (a) Rajasthan, Ramsar Wetland Site |
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.