Q21. The Central Highlands region of the Peninsular Plateau is distinctly bounded on the south by which of the following mountain ranges?
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 21–30 of 58 questions
Q22. Consider the following statements regarding the Aravalli Range:
I. It represents one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world.
II. It extends continuously from Gujarat to Delhi without any geographical breaks or gaps.
III. Guru Shikhar is recognized as the highest peak in this mountain range.
IV. It acts as a major climatic barrier, significantly contributing to the aridity of western Rajasthan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It represents one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world.
II. It extends continuously from Gujarat to Delhi without any geographical breaks or gaps.
III. Guru Shikhar is recognized as the highest peak in this mountain range.
IV. It acts as a major climatic barrier, significantly contributing to the aridity of western Rajasthan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Aravalli Range is one of the world’s oldest fold mountain systems, featuring Guru Shikhar as its highest peak. While it acts as a significant climatic barrier influencing the aridity of Rajasthan, it is not a continuous range. Over millions of years, it has been heavily eroded and now exists as a series of disjointed hills and ridges stretching towards Delhi.
Q23. Identify the odd one out among the following Indian rivers based on their point of origin in the Peninsular Plateau:
Explanation
The Gandak is a major Himalayan river that originates in the high mountains of Nepal and flows into the Ganga. In contrast, the Chambal, Betwa, and Son rivers all originate within the Peninsular Plateau region, specifically from the Central Highlands. These peninsular rivers generally flow northward to join the Yamuna or Ganga, following the natural slope of the ancient plateau.
Q24. The highly eroded, deep, and dissected topography of the Malwa plateau, particularly evident in the Chambal valley, is famous for which geographical feature?
Explanation
The Chambal valley is famous for its extensive badland topography, characterized by deep ravines and gullies. This highly dissected landscape was formed by intense water erosion on the soft alluvial deposits of the Malwa plateau. The resulting network of narrow, steep-sided valleys makes the land unsuitable for agriculture and is a unique geomorphological feature of the semi-arid regions of central India.
Q25. Which of the following options best describes the general elevation and primary slope of the Deccan Plateau?
Explanation
The Deccan Plateau is a massive triangular landmass that exhibits a distinct tilt in its geological structure. It is generally elevated higher on its western side, where the Western Ghats are located, and slopes gently towards the east. This eastward slope is clearly evidenced by the flow of major rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, which drain into the Bay of Bengal.
Q26. Consider the following statements regarding the Deccan Trap region:
I. It is fundamentally of volcanic origin.
II. It is composed predominantly of extensive basaltic rock formations.
III. It covers significant geographical parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
IV. The constituent rocks have denuded over time, forming highly fertile regur (black) soil.
V. The primary volcanic formation took place intensely during the Precambrian era.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is fundamentally of volcanic origin.
II. It is composed predominantly of extensive basaltic rock formations.
III. It covers significant geographical parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
IV. The constituent rocks have denuded over time, forming highly fertile regur (black) soil.
V. The primary volcanic formation took place intensely during the Precambrian era.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Deccan Trap is a large volcanic province in west-central India, composed of thick basaltic lava flows. It primarily covers Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat, forming fertile black soil, also known as regur, through millions of years of denudation. However, this volcanic activity occurred during the late Cretaceous period, not the Precambrian era, making it much younger than the underlying shield.
Q27. The black soil region of the Deccan Plateau is considered exceptionally suitable for cotton cultivation primarily because:
Explanation
Black soil, or regur soil, is exceptionally suited for cotton cultivation due to its high clay content and remarkable moisture retention capacity. During the dry season, the soil develops deep cracks, which aid in aeration. This self-ploughing characteristic, combined with its ability to hold water for long periods, provides the ideal conditions required for the sustained growth of cotton crops.
Q28. A student notes that cities situated on the windward western side of the Western Ghats (like Mumbai) receive significantly more rainfall than cities on the leeward eastern side (like Pune). This specific precipitation phenomenon is a classic example of:
Explanation
The significant difference in rainfall between the windward side of the Western Ghats and the leeward side is a result of the orographic effect. Moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea are forced to rise by the mountain barrier, leading to heavy precipitation on the western slopes. As the air descends on the eastern side, it becomes drier, creating a rain-shadow area.
Q29. The Western Ghats physically behave as a continuous mountain escarpment. What is the approximate average elevation of the Western Ghats?
Explanation
The Western Ghats form a continuous and formidable mountain wall along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau. They are significantly higher than the Eastern Ghats, with an approximate average elevation ranging between 900 and 1600 meters. This elevation increases progressively from north to south, culminating in high peaks like Anamudi, which play a crucial role in determining India’s regional monsoon.
Q30. All of the following are significant, traversable mountain passes located within the Western Ghats EXCEPT:
Explanation
Thal Ghat, Bhor Ghat, and Pal Ghat are critical mountain passes that allow transportation across the rugged Western Ghats. In contrast, the Haldighati Pass is located in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan. It is historically significant but does not belong to the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats passes are essential for connecting the coastal plains with the interior regions of the plateau.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (c) Vindhya Range |
| 22 | (b) I, III and IV |
| 23 | (a) Gandak |
| 24 | (b) Badland topography (Ravines) |
| 25 | (b) It is elevated higher in the west and slopes gently towards the east. |
| 26 | (a) I, II, III and IV |
| 27 | (d) It possesses high moisture retention capacity due to its clayey nature. |
| 28 | (c) Orographic effect |
| 29 | (b) 900 to 1600 meters |
| 30 | (d) Haldighati Pass |
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.