Q81. Which of the following factors is the most critical in defining the exact boundary between the arid and semi-arid regions within western Rajasthan?
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.
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Q82. Consider the following statements regarding the impact of climate change on Rajasthan:
I. There is an observable delay in the onset and an earlier withdrawal of the Southwest monsoon.
II. Total annual rainfall has increased uniformly across all the arid western districts by 50%.
III. Heatwaves have become more frequent and severe during the summer months.
IV. Unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms have increased, posing risks to Rabi crops.
V. The number of intense, short-duration rainfall events has decreased dramatically.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. There is an observable delay in the onset and an earlier withdrawal of the Southwest monsoon.
II. Total annual rainfall has increased uniformly across all the arid western districts by 50%.
III. Heatwaves have become more frequent and severe during the summer months.
IV. Unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms have increased, posing risks to Rabi crops.
V. The number of intense, short-duration rainfall events has decreased dramatically.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Climate change in Rajasthan is evident through shifts in the monsoon cycle, with frequent delays in onset and earlier withdrawals. Additionally, heatwaves are becoming more severe during summers, and there is an increase in unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms that threaten Rabi crops. However, the claim that total annual rainfall has increased uniformly by 50% across all western districts is scientifically inaccurate.
Q83. In parts of western Rajasthan, actual precipitation may occasionally be moderate in certain years, yet the region continues to exhibit severe arid conditions. Which climatological concept best explains this discrepancy?
Explanation
Aridity is not just a function of low rainfall but also of high water loss. In western Rajasthan, the potential evapotranspiration--the amount of water that would evaporate and transpire if moisture were available--is extremely high due to intense solar radiation and high temperatures. Because this potential loss far exceeds the actual precipitation received, the region remains fundamentally arid even in moderate years.
Q84. Identify the incorrectly matched pair regarding Thornthwaite’s climatic zones and their corresponding characteristics in Rajasthan.
Explanation
This pairing is incorrect because the DB’w zone, representing the semi-arid northern parts of Rajasthan, is not characterized by "extremely high" winter rainfall. Furthermore, Kharif crops are grown during the monsoon season, not based on winter rains. Thornthwaite’s DB’w actually indicates a region with a moisture deficit throughout the year and only light, sporadic rainfall, primarily during the winter and monsoon periods.
Q85. Consider the following statements regarding winter phenomena in Rajasthan:
Statement I: Frost formation is occasionally observed in the Aravalli region and northern districts of Rajasthan during intense cold waves in January.
Statement II: Nighttime temperatures dropping below the freezing point cause atmospheric moisture to sublimate onto surfaces.
Select the correct response from the options given below:
Statement I: Frost formation is occasionally observed in the Aravalli region and northern districts of Rajasthan during intense cold waves in January.
Statement II: Nighttime temperatures dropping below the freezing point cause atmospheric moisture to sublimate onto surfaces.
Select the correct response from the options given below:
Explanation
Frost formation is indeed observed in several parts of Rajasthan during peak winter, especially in the northern districts and the elevated Aravalli region. This occurs because nighttime temperatures can drop below the freezing point during intense cold waves. When this happens, the moisture in the air undergoes deposition, turning directly from a gas to solid ice crystals on surfaces like leaves and soil.
Q86. Which of the following statements regarding the movement of the Bay of Bengal monsoon branch towards Rajasthan is incorrect?
Explanation
The Bay of Bengal branch enters Rajasthan from the east and south-east, faces the eastern slopes of the Aravallis and gives rain to the Hadoti plateau and the eastern plains. Its moisture decreases, not increases, as it moves towards the west, so A is incorrect.
Q87. Match List I (Isohyet Line) with List II (Climatic Boundary/Feature in Rajasthan) and select the correct answer using the options below.
| Isohyet Line | Climatic Boundary/Feature |
|---|---|
| A. 10 cm Isohyet | i. Roughly divides the state into two equal halves along the Aravallis. |
| B. 25 cm Isohyet | ii. Generally marks the western limit of the semi-arid steppe region. |
| C. 40 cm Isohyet | iii. Divides the arid desert into purely arid and semi-arid transitional zones. |
| D. 50 cm Isohyet | iv. Represents extreme western parts of Jaisalmer border region. |
Explanation
The 10 cm isohyet represents the extreme western border, while the 25 cm line divides the arid desert into purely arid and semi-arid zones. The 40 cm isohyet marks the western limit of the steppe region, and the 50 cm line roughly bisects the state along the Aravallis. These lines are essential for mapping the rainfall gradients and ecological zones across Rajasthan.
Q88. The influence of Western Disturbances on Rajasthan’s climate is seen in all of the following ways, EXCEPT:
Explanation
Western Disturbances are primarily winter phenomena that bring light rainfall to northern India between December and February. They are not associated with the formation of tropical cyclones, which typically occur in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods over oceanic regions. Furthermore, June weather in the Thar Desert is dominated by heatwaves and the arrival of the monsoon rather than these Mediterranean-origin disturbances.
Q89. Consider the following phenomena regarding the temperature dynamics in Rajasthan:
I. Temperature inversions are common in western Rajasthan during clear, calm winter nights.
II. Extreme continentality prevents any variation between summer and winter temperatures.
III. The highest temperatures in the state are recorded in the southern tribal belt due to dense forests.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Temperature inversions are common in western Rajasthan during clear, calm winter nights.
II. Extreme continentality prevents any variation between summer and winter temperatures.
III. The highest temperatures in the state are recorded in the southern tribal belt due to dense forests.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Statement II is incorrect because continentality actually causes extreme variations between summer and winter temperatures. Statement III is also incorrect because the highest temperatures are recorded in the northern and western desert districts like Churu and Phalodi, not in the southern tribal belt. Temperature inversions, however, are a common and correct phenomenon observed in the desert during clear winter nights.
Q90. Consider the following statements regarding the monsoon trough over Rajasthan:
Statement I: The shifting of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) northward over the Thar desert creates a low-pressure trough, drawing in the monsoon winds.
Statement II: The strength and duration of the monsoon trough over Rajasthan directly dictate the intensity of rainfall received during the season.
Select the correct response from the options given below:
Statement I: The shifting of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) northward over the Thar desert creates a low-pressure trough, drawing in the monsoon winds.
Statement II: The strength and duration of the monsoon trough over Rajasthan directly dictate the intensity of rainfall received during the season.
Select the correct response from the options given below:
Explanation
The northward shift of the ITCZ over the Thar Desert creates a low-pressure trough that draws in monsoon winds, which is a fundamental meteorological process. Separately, the characteristics of this trough indeed dictate the rainfall intensity. While both statements are facts regarding the monsoon mechanism in Rajasthan, the second statement describes the result of the trough’s behavior rather than explaining why it forms.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 81 | (b) The 25 cm isohyet line |
| 82 | (b) I, III and IV |
| 83 | (c) High potential evapotranspiration significantly exceeds actual precipitation. |
| 84 | (d) DB’w - Characterized by extremely high winter rainfall suitable for Kharif crops. |
| 85 | (c) Both statements are correct and Statement II explains Statement I. |
| 86 | (a) Its moisture content increases as it moves from eastern Rajasthan towards the western desert. |
| 87 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i |
| 88 | (b) Triggering intense tropical cyclones over the Thar desert in the month of June. |
| 89 | (b) II and III |
| 90 | (d) Both statements are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I. |
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.