Q31. Arrange the following prominent passes of the Western Ghats in the correct sequential order from North to South:
A. Pal Ghat
B. Thal Ghat
C. Bhor Ghat
D. Shencottah Gap
A. Pal Ghat
B. Thal Ghat
C. Bhor Ghat
D. Shencottah Gap
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 31–40 of 58 questions
Q32. Which of the following geographic features is officially recognized as the highest mountain peak in the Peninsular Plateau region of India?
Explanation
Anamudi, located in the Anaimalai Hills of Kerala, is the highest mountain peak in the Peninsular Plateau and the entire South Indian region. It reaches an elevation of approximately 2,695 meters. While Doddabetta is the highest peak of the Nilgiris and Mahendragiri is a prominent peak in the Eastern Ghats, Anamudi remains the most elevated point in the peninsular shield.
Q33. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the Coastal Plains of India:
Explanation
The Western Coastal Plain is a narrow, submerged coast characterized by high indentation, which provides excellent natural conditions for deep-water ports and harbours. Conversely, the Eastern Coastal Plain is much broader and features extensive river deltas. Because the eastern coast is relatively straight and lacks deep indentations, it is less suited for the development of natural deep-water ports compared to the west.
Q34. Match List-I with List-II:
| Coastal Section | Corresponding Region |
|---|---|
| A. Konkan Coast | i. Kerala |
| B. Malabar Coast | ii. Maharashtra-Goa |
| C. Coromandel Coast | iii. Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh |
| D. Northern Circar | iv. Odisha-Andhra Pradesh |
Explanation
The Konkan Coast covers the northern section of the western plains in Maharashtra and Goa, while the Malabar Coast lies further south in Kerala. On the eastern side, the Coromandel Coast spans the southern maritime reaches of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The Northern Circar refers to the northern part of the eastern coastal plains, primarily covering Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Q35. Consider the following statements about the major West-flowing rivers of the Peninsular plateau:
I. They typically do not form vast deltas at their mouths.
II. They form deep estuaries due to the steep gradient of the Western Ghats.
III. They carry a massive, unmanageable load of alluvium compared to East-flowing rivers.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. They typically do not form vast deltas at their mouths.
II. They form deep estuaries due to the steep gradient of the Western Ghats.
III. They carry a massive, unmanageable load of alluvium compared to East-flowing rivers.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The major west-flowing rivers of the Peninsular Plateau, like the Narmada and Tapi, flow through steep gradients before reaching the Arabian Sea.
Q36. The Lakshadweep Islands, located in the Arabian Sea, are geologically formed primarily from:
Explanation
The Lakshadweep Islands are coral islands, formed by the accumulation of coral polyps over long periods.
Q37. Which of the following geographical oceanic channels is correctly paired with the regions it separates?
Explanation
The Nine Degree Channel separates Minicoy Island from the rest of Lakshadweep. The Eight Degree Channel separates Minicoy from the Maldives, and the Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman and Nicobar groups, so the other pairs are wrong.
Q38. India’s only confirmed active volcano is located in which distinct part of the country?
Explanation
India’s only confirmed active volcano is on Barren Island in the Andaman Sea. Narcondam is a dormant volcano.
Q39. Consider the following statements regarding the immense economic significance of India’s physiographic divisions:
I. The northern plains provide the primary and most expansive agricultural base of the country.
II. The peninsular plateau acts as the definitive storehouse of major mineral resources.
III. The Himalayas serve as a critical source of rich forest wealth and perennial river systems.
IV. The coastal plains are completely barren and virtually devoid of any agricultural or economic utility.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. The northern plains provide the primary and most expansive agricultural base of the country.
II. The peninsular plateau acts as the definitive storehouse of major mineral resources.
III. The Himalayas serve as a critical source of rich forest wealth and perennial river systems.
IV. The coastal plains are completely barren and virtually devoid of any agricultural or economic utility.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The northern plains are the main agricultural base, the peninsular plateau is a storehouse of minerals and the Himalayas give forests and perennial rivers. The coastal plains are not barren and are useful for agriculture, ports and fishing, so IV is incorrect.
Q40. Which of the following world-renowned mountain peaks does not belong to the Greater Himalayas (Himadri)?
Explanation
Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga and Makalu are in the Greater Himalayas (Himadri). K2 lies in the Karakoram range, so it is the one not in the Greater Himalayas.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (a) B, C, A, D |
| 32 | (c) Anamudi |
| 33 | (d) The Eastern Coastal Plain is highly indented and ideal for deep-water ports. |
| 34 | (b) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv |
| 35 | (a) I and II only |
| 36 | (d) Massive biological accumulation of coral polyps |
| 37 | (a) Nine Degree Channel - Separates Minicoy Island from the rest of the Lakshadweep archipelago |
| 38 | (b) Barren Island |
| 39 | (c) IV only |
| 40 | (c) K2 (Godwin Austen) |
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.