Q1. Based on macro-level geomorphological features, into how many major physiographic divisions is India traditionally classified?
Physiographic Divisions of India: RAS Prelims MCQs
58 RAS Prelims MCQs on the physiographic divisions of India cover the Himalayas, the northern plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the coastal plains and the islands. Peaks, passes, the Bhabar and Terai belts, the Central Highlands and the Lakshadweep and Andaman groups are asked as facts and matches, with the explanations tying each feature to its region.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 58 questions
Q2. Read the given statements and select the correct option.
Statement I: The Himalayas were formed as a direct consequence of the convergence and collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
Statement II: The upliftment of the Himalayas occurred rapidly in a single geological phase during the Pleistocene epoch.
Statement I: The Himalayas were formed as a direct consequence of the convergence and collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
Statement II: The upliftment of the Himalayas occurred rapidly in a single geological phase during the Pleistocene epoch.
Explanation
The Himalayan mountains emerged through the intense convergence and collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, causing the Tethys Ocean sediments to uplift. However, this massive geological upliftment did not occur as a single rapid event. Instead, the range developed through multiple distinct phases over millions of years, starting from the Cretaceous period through the Pleistocene epoch.
Q3. Which of the following statements regarding the Trans-Himalayan region is incorrect?
Explanation
The Trans-Himalayan region is located immediately to the north of the Great Himalayan range, not to its south. This geological zone primarily encompasses major mountain chains such as the Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar, and Kailash ranges. It is composed of ancient marine sedimentary rocks supported by granitic basements and represents a crucial transition between the Indian subcontinent and Tibet.
Q4. Match List-I with List-II:
| Mountain Peak | Mountain Range |
|---|---|
| A. K2 (Godwin Austen) | i. Karakoram Range |
| B. Rakaposhi | ii. Ladakh Range |
| C. Kamet | iii. Zaskar Range |
| D. Dhaulagiri | iv. Greater Himalayas |
Explanation
Mount K2 is the highest peak of the Karakoram range, while Rakaposhi is a prominent feature within the Ladakh range. Kamet serves as a major summit in the Zaskar range, and Dhaulagiri is located within the Greater Himalayas. Understanding these specific peaks and their respective ranges is essential for identifying the complex topography across the northern frontiers.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Karakoram Range:
I. It forms India’s frontiers with Afghanistan and China.
II. The massive Siachen and Biafo glaciers are located in this range.
III. It is classified geologically as a sub-range of the Lesser Himalayas.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It forms India’s frontiers with Afghanistan and China.
II. The massive Siachen and Biafo glaciers are located in this range.
III. It is classified geologically as a sub-range of the Lesser Himalayas.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Karakoram range serves as a critical geographic frontier between India, Afghanistan, and China. This high-altitude region hosts some of the world’s most massive non-polar glaciers, including the Siachen and Biafo glaciers. Geologically, it is classified as a Trans-Himalayan range, being distinct from and situated further north of the Lesser Himalayas, which are located much further south.
Q6. Which of the following major rivers flows northwestward between the Ladakh range and the Zaskar range?
Explanation
The Indus river flows through a structurally significant longitudinal valley situated between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges. This major river system moves in a northwestward direction through Ladakh before entering Pakistan. The physical positioning of the river between these two prominent Trans-Himalayan mountain chains determines its initial drainage pattern and the surrounding mountainous landscape of the high-altitude cold desert.
Q7. Consider the following statements about the Eastern Himalayas:
I. The altitude of the Eastern Himalayas rises very rapidly from the adjoining plains.
II. The region receives substantially higher rainfall compared to the Western Himalayas.
III. The natural treeline is found at a higher altitude in the Eastern Himalayas than in the West.
IV. It is characterized by thick, dense forests and exceptionally high biological diversity.
V. The Shivalik range is structurally more prominent and distinct here than in the western sector.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. The altitude of the Eastern Himalayas rises very rapidly from the adjoining plains.
II. The region receives substantially higher rainfall compared to the Western Himalayas.
III. The natural treeline is found at a higher altitude in the Eastern Himalayas than in the West.
IV. It is characterized by thick, dense forests and exceptionally high biological diversity.
V. The Shivalik range is structurally more prominent and distinct here than in the western sector.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
In the eastern sector of the Himalayas, the Shivalik range is notably less prominent and often merges with other mountain features compared to its distinct presence in the west. The Eastern Himalayas are characterized by a rapid rise in altitude from the plains, higher rainfall, and a higher treeline. They possess dense forests and high biodiversity, distinguishing them from the western mountains.
Q8. What is the primary environmental cause for the exceptionally high biodiversity found in the Eastern Himalayas?
Explanation
The exceptional biodiversity found in the Eastern Himalayas is primarily driven by the region’s unique environmental conditions. These include extremely high annual precipitation, high levels of humidity, and a vast range of altitudinal zones. Such diverse climatic conditions allow for the coexistence of varied ecosystems, ranging from tropical rainforests at the foothills to alpine meadows at much higher mountain elevations.
Q9. The vast stretch of the North Indian Plains has been formed primarily by the interplay of which three major river systems?
Explanation
The vast North Indian Plains were created through the combined depositional activities of three major Himalayan river systems.
Q10. Identify the correctly matched pair regarding the longitudinal subdivisions of the North Indian Plains:
Explanation
Bhangar represents the older alluvium of the northern plains, forming an upland terrace situated above the reach of regular annual floods. It is characterized by the presence of calcareous deposits known as Kankar. In contrast, the Bhabar is a porous pebble belt, the Terai is a marshy tract, and the Khadar consists of newer, fertile floodplains near the river.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Six |
| 2 | (a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 3 | (c) It lies immediately to the south of the Great Himalayan range. |
| 4 | (a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv |
| 5 | (a) I and II only |
| 6 | (b) Indus |
| 7 | (c) V only |
| 8 | (b) A unique combination of high precipitation, humidity, and a wide array of altitudinal zones. |
| 9 | (b) Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra |
| 10 | (a) Bhangar - The extensive older alluvium terrace containing calcareous nodules called Kankar |
Key facts from Physiographic Divisions of India
- India is divided into six major physiographic divisions on the basis of macro-level features.
- Barren Island in the Andaman Sea has India’s only confirmed active volcano.
- The northern plains were built by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra; the sequence of belts is Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar and Khadar.
- The Central Highlands are bounded on the south by the Vindhya Range; the Malwa plateau has badland ravines.
- K2 is in the Karakoram, not the Greater Himalayas; Gangotri and Yamunotri glaciers lie in the Greater Himalayas.
- The Lakshadweep Islands are coral islands; the highest peak of the Aravallis is Guru Shikhar, of the Satpuras Dhupgarh and of the Nilgiris Doddabetta.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Physiographic Divisions of India?
This page has 58 practice MCQs on Physiographic Divisions of India (Indian Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Where is India’s only active volcano?
On Barren Island in the Andaman Sea, part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Narcondam Island nearby is a dormant volcano, and the Andaman volcanic arc is part of the Indo-Burmese island chain.
What is the Bhabar?
A narrow, porous belt of pebbles and boulders along the foot of the Shivalik hills, where streams sink underground. South of it lies the marshy Terai, where the water comes out again.
What is the highest peak of the Aravallis?
Guru Shikhar, near Mount Abu in Rajasthan. The Aravallis are among the oldest fold mountains in the world, and Guru Shikhar rises to about 1,722 metres and is a common answer in questions on the highest peaks of Indian mountain ranges.