Q191. Saline and alkaline soils in Rajasthan are defined pedologically by the presence of:
Rajasthan Geography: RAS Prelims MCQs
529 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on the geography of Rajasthan are on this page, in 13 chapters. They cover location, extent and physiography, rivers and lakes, climate, natural vegetation and wildlife, soils, agriculture, livestock, irrigation, minerals, population, urbanisation, tribes and tourism. 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 191–200 of 529 questions
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Q192. Consider the following conditions:
I. Faulty agricultural practices and over-irrigation
II. High rate of evaporation in arid climates
III. Inadequate surface and subsurface drainage
IV. Capillary upward movement of water
V. Heavy application of organic farmyard manure
Which combination of the above contributes significantly to the development of soil salinity in Rajasthan?
I. Faulty agricultural practices and over-irrigation
II. High rate of evaporation in arid climates
III. Inadequate surface and subsurface drainage
IV. Capillary upward movement of water
V. Heavy application of organic farmyard manure
Which combination of the above contributes significantly to the development of soil salinity in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The development of soil salinity in Rajasthan is driven by several presidential factors, including faulty agricultural practices and over-irrigation. High evaporation rates in arid climates cause dissolved salts to rise through capillary action. When coupled with inadequate surface and subsurface drainage, these salts accumulate in the topsoil. While organic manure is beneficial, these other physical and climatic factors are the primary drivers.
Q193. The upward movement of groundwater carrying dissolved salts to the surface layer, which subsequently evaporates leaving a white saline crust, is a result of:
Explanation
The phenomenon where groundwater carrying dissolved salts moves upward to the topsoil layer is known as capillary action. In arid environments, high surface temperatures cause rapid evaporation, leaving behind a white, saline crust of minerals. This process is a major cause of soil degradation in regions with high water tables or excessive irrigation, eventually making the land unproductive for farming.
Q194. Match the physiological features of Rajasthan (List I) with their dominant soil classes (List II):
| Physiological Features | Soil Classes |
|---|---|
| A. Aravalli Hills | i. Alfisols |
| B. Hadoti Plateau | ii. Aridisols |
| C. Eastern River Plains | iii. Vertisols |
| D. Western Sandy Plains | iv. Lithosols/Inceptisols |
Explanation
Rajasthan’s physiological features are dominated by specific soil classes.
Q195. Which of the following statements regarding the Lithosols of the Aravalli region is incorrect?
Explanation
The Lithosols of the Aravalli region are characterized by a very shallow soil depth and a high concentration of gravel and unweathered rock fragments. They are highly susceptible to runoff and water erosion due to their steep locations. Consequently, they possess very poor water-holding capacity and lack deep organic topsoil, making them unsuitable for most forms of intensive and commercial agriculture.
Q196. A forest department official planning an afforestation drive on the Lithosols of the Aravalli slopes must select plant species primarily adapted to which of the following constraints?
Explanation
Afforestation on the Lithosols of the Aravalli slopes requires selecting species that can thrive despite significant constraints. These soils offer very shallow rooting depth and extremely low moisture retention due to their stony and skeletal nature. Plants must be hardy enough to survive in a thin soil layer where water drains away quickly and nutrient availability is limited by minimal weathering.
Q197. Brown soils, known for supporting significant Kharif and Rabi agriculture in the semi-arid transitional zones, are characteristically found in the basin of which river?
Explanation
Brown soils are characteristically found in the semi-arid transitional zones of Rajasthan, particularly within the Banas River basin. These soils support significant agriculture for both Kharif and Rabi seasons. They are more fertile and have better moisture retention than the desert sands of the west, making them vital for the agricultural economy of the central and eastern parts of the state.
Q198. Consider the following features of reddish-brown soils in Rajasthan:
I. They are predominantly found in Jalore, Pali, and Nagaur.
II. They have a sandy loam to clay loam texture.
III. They are virtually devoid of calcium carbonate.
IV. Their nitrogen content is naturally very high.
Which combination of the above statements is incorrect?
I. They are predominantly found in Jalore, Pali, and Nagaur.
II. They have a sandy loam to clay loam texture.
III. They are virtually devoid of calcium carbonate.
IV. Their nitrogen content is naturally very high.
Which combination of the above statements is incorrect?
Explanation
Reddish-brown soils are common in districts like Jalore, Pali, and Nagaur, featuring textures ranging from sandy loam to clay loam. However, it is incorrect to say they are devoid of calcium carbonate or have naturally high nitrogen content. In reality, these soils often contain some lime and, like most soils in Rajasthan, are typically deficient in nitrogen and organic matter.
Q199. In which of the following sets of districts is the ‘Brown Sandy’ soil predominantly distributed?
Explanation
Brown sandy soils are predominantly distributed across the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. These soils are most commonly found in a belt including districts like Jodhpur, Pali, Nagaur, and Sikar. They represent a transition between the extremely arid desert sands to the west and the more fertile alluvial or black soils found in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the state.
Q200. Which of the following approximately represents the contribution of the agriculture and allied sector to the Gross State Value Added (GSVA) of Rajasthan at constant prices (2011-12) in recent years?
Explanation
In Rajasthan, the agriculture and allied sector contributes significantly to the Gross State Value Added. At constant prices, this contribution typically ranges between twenty-eight and thirty percent annually. This sector includes crops, livestock, forestry, and fishing, with livestock being a major component. Such figures highlight the state’s heavy economic dependence on primary production despite arid climatic challenges.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 191 | (b) Accumulation of soluble salts like sodium chlorides and sulfates |
| 192 | (b) I, II, III, and IV |
| 193 | (c) Capillary action |
| 194 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-i, D-ii |
| 195 | (d) They have excellent water-holding capacity and deep organic topsoil. |
| 196 | (a) Shallow rooting depth and low moisture retention |
| 197 | (b) Banas |
| 198 | (b) III and IV only |
| 199 | (a) Jodhpur, Pali, Nagaur, and Sikar |
| 200 | (b) 28 to 30 percent |
Key facts from Rajasthan Geography
- The RPSC syllabus lists Rajasthan’s location, extent and physiography, rivers and lakes, climate, vegetation, biodiversity, soils, agriculture, livestock, irrigation, population, urbanisation and tribes.
- Many questions ask for a number or a name: the area of the State, a district’s density, the length of a canal, the home district of a mine.
- Rajasthan is the biggest State of India by area, and several chapters test the contrast between the arid west and the humid south-east.
- Minerals, irrigation and wildlife are the chapters with the most name-based questions, so keep a list of districts and projects.
- Population questions use Census 2011 figures.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Rajasthan Geography?
This page has 529 practice MCQs on Rajasthan Geography. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the Rajasthan geography set cover?
Thirteen chapters: location, extent and physiography; rivers and lakes; climate; natural vegetation, biodiversity and conservation; soils; agriculture; livestock and animal husbandry; irrigation; minerals; population; urbanisation; tribes; and tourism.
Is Rajasthan geography in the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. RPSC lists Geography of Rajasthan as a separate part of the syllabus, including location, rivers, climate, vegetation, soil, agriculture, livestock, irrigation, population, urbanisation and tribes, after the world and India sections.
How can I prepare Rajasthan geography quickly?
Keep a Rajasthan map and mark every river, dam, mine, sanctuary and fair that appears. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations and revise the numbers: area, population, density and canal lengths.