Q41. What is the most geomorphologically accurate definition of the ‘Bhabar’ belt?
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 41–50 of 58 questions
Q42. The critically important Gangotri and Yamunotri glaciers are located in which major division of the Himalayas?
Explanation
The Gangotri and Yamunotri glaciers are in the Greater Himalayas (Himadri), the highest and most continuous range.
Q43. Match List-I with List-II:
| Notable Geographical Feature | Associated Mountain Range |
|---|---|
| A. Highest Peak of Aravallis | i. Dhupgarh |
| B. Highest Peak of Satpuras | ii. Doddabetta |
| C. Highest Peak of Nilgiris | iii. Guru Shikhar |
| D. Highest Peak of Naga Hills | iv. Saramati |
Explanation
The highest peak of the Aravallis is Guru Shikhar, of the Satpuras Dhupgarh, of the Nilgiris Doddabetta and of the Naga Hills Saramati. This gives A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv.
Q44. Why do the Aravalli mountains systematically fail to cause significant orographic rainfall in the arid regions of Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Aravalli mountains do not produce significant orographic rainfall in western Rajasthan because their orientation is parallel to the incoming Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon. As a result, moisture-laden winds pass along the range without being forced to rise and cool. This lack of a physical barrier to obstruct the winds prevents the condensation necessary for heavy precipitation in the region.
Q45. If the massive barrier of the Himalayas were completely removed from India’s northern borders, what would be the most immediate and drastic climatic consequence?
Explanation
If the Himalayas were absent, the northern plains of India would be exposed to the frigid, bone-chilling winds blowing from Central Asia during the winter months. The mountains currently act as a massive physical barrier, protecting the subcontinent from these cold air masses and ensuring a much milder climate. Without this protection, India’s northern states would experience much harsher and colder winters.
Q46. The discontinuous mountain ranges of the Eastern Ghats finally merge with the continuous chain of the Western Ghats at which of the following specific locations?
Explanation
The Nilgiri Hills serve as the critical geographical junction where the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats finally merge. Located at the borders of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, this mountainous knot is famous for its high peaks like Doddabetta. This convergence point is ecologically significant, forming part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and supporting a unique variety of flora and fauna.
Q47. All of the following are significant, ecologically sensitive coastal lakes or lagoons situated on the East Coast of India EXCEPT:
Explanation
Chilika, Pulicat, and Kolleru are all significant water bodies situated along the East Coast of India. In contrast, Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in India and is located on the West Coast in the state of Kerala. It is a famous backwater system known for its ecological diversity and boat races, whereas the other lakes are lagoons or freshwater lakes in the east.
Q48. Which of the following strategically represents the correct sequential order of the prominent sections of the Eastern Coastal Plain moving strictly from North to South?
Explanation
The Eastern Coastal Plain is divided into three major sections from north to south. It begins with the Utkal Coast along the Odisha shoreline. Moving southward, the central portion is known as the Northern Circars, spanning parts of Andhra Pradesh. Finally, the southern stretch extending towards Tamil Nadu is called the Coromandel Coast, which is famous for its winter rainfall from retreating monsoons.
Q49. The Great Indian Desert (Marusthali) is a vast, undulating sandy plain frequently characterized by barchans. What exactly is a barchan?
Explanation
Barchans are highly distinctive, crescent-shaped sand dunes formed by the action of wind in desert environments. They are particularly common in the Great Indian Desert, also known as Marusthali. These dunes have their "horns" pointing downwind and are created by a constant wind direction. They represent a major aeolian landform in the arid, undulating sandy plains of western Rajasthan and nearby regions.
Q50. Read the given statements and select the correct option.
Statement I: The Luni is widely recognized as the only large, significant river operating in the Indian Desert region.
Statement II: It carries an abundant volume of water throughout the year and drains directly and robustly into the Arabian Sea.
Statement I: The Luni is widely recognized as the only large, significant river operating in the Indian Desert region.
Statement II: It carries an abundant volume of water throughout the year and drains directly and robustly into the Arabian Sea.
Explanation
The Luni is the most significant river in the Thar Desert of western Rajasthan. However, it is an ephemeral river that flows only during the brief monsoon season. Unlike perennial rivers, it does not carry water year-round and does not reach the Arabian Sea. Instead, the Luni river eventually disappears into the saline marshes of the Rann of Kutch in northern Gujarat.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (d) A narrow, highly porous belt of pebbles lying parallel to the Shivalik foothills. |
| 42 | (c) Greater Himalayas |
| 43 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv |
| 44 | (a) Their alignment is parallel to the direction of the Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon. |
| 45 | (c) Northern Indian plains would experience freezing winds from Central Asia in winter. |
| 46 | (a) Nilgiri Hills |
| 47 | (d) Vembanad Lake |
| 48 | (b) Utkal Coast, Northern Circars, Coromandel Coast |
| 49 | (c) A highly distinct, crescent-shaped aeolian sand dune |
| 50 | (a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. |
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.