π Chapter 01 Β· Previous Year Questions
India Location & Physiography β Previous Year Questions
10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers on India’s location and physiography.
π‘ Tip: Geography questions repeat frequently. Master the key data points and comparisons.
π 10 Previous Year Questions
With reference to India’s physiographic divisions, consider the following statements:
1. The Himalayas are fold mountains formed by the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates.
2. The Northern Plains are formed by alluvial deposits of Himalayan rivers.
3. The Peninsular Plateau is the youngest landmass of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. The Himalayas are fold mountains formed by the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates.
2. The Northern Plains are formed by alluvial deposits of Himalayan rivers.
3. The Peninsular Plateau is the youngest landmass of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1 only
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Answer: A) 1 and 2 onlyStatements 1 and 2 are correct. The Himalayas are fold mountains formed by the collision of Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Northern Plains are formed by alluvial deposits of Himalayan rivers. Statement 3 is incorrect β the Peninsular Plateau is the OLDEST landmass of India (part of ancient Gondwana land), not the youngest.
The southernmost point of India is:
A) Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
B) Indira Point, Great Nicobar Island
C) Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep
D) Pamban Island, Tamil Nadu
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Answer: B) Indira Point, Great Nicobar IslandIndira Point on Great Nicobar Island (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) is the southernmost point of India at 6Β°45’N. Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) is the southernmost point of the Indian mainland. Indira Point was submerged during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
The Chhota Nagpur Plateau is known as the “Ruhr of India” because of its:
A) Agricultural productivity
B) Rich mineral resources (coal, iron ore, mica)
C) Dense forest cover
D) Large population
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Answer: B) Rich mineral resourcesThe Chhota Nagpur Plateau (Jharkhand) is called the “Ruhr of India” because of its rich mineral resources β coal, iron ore, mica, bauxite, copper. The Ruhr region in Germany is famous for its coal and steel industry. The Damodar Valley in Chhota Nagpur is called the “Ruhr Valley of India.”
The Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site because they are:
A) The highest mountains in India
B) One of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspots
C) The source of all major Indian rivers
D) The oldest mountain range in India
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Answer: B) One of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspotsThe Western Ghats were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 because they are one of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspots. They have exceptional biodiversity β thousands of plant species, hundreds of bird species, and many endemic species. They are also the source of major peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery).
The Deccan Trap is associated with which type of rock formation?
A) Sedimentary rocks
B) Volcanic (basaltic) lava flows
C) Metamorphic rocks
D) Alluvial deposits
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Answer: B) Volcanic (basaltic) lava flowsThe Deccan Trap is formed by volcanic (basaltic) lava flows that occurred ~65 million years ago (Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary). The lava cooled to form black basaltic rock, which weathered to form black cotton soil (regur). The Deccan Trap covers large parts of Maharashtra, MP, and Gujarat.
The Lakshadweep Islands are of which origin?
A) Volcanic origin
B) Coral origin (atolls)
C) Continental shelf origin
D) Tectonic origin
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Answer: B) Coral origin (atolls)Lakshadweep Islands are of coral origin β they are atolls (ring-shaped coral reefs). They are located in the Arabian Sea. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are of volcanic/tectonic origin. Lakshadweep is the smallest Union Territory of India with 36 islands (11 inhabited). Kavaratti is its capital.
The Bhabar zone in the Northern Plains is characterised by:
A) Marshy land where rivers reappear
B) Porous gravel where rivers disappear underground
C) Old alluvium with Kankar nodules
D) New alluvium deposited by floods
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Answer: B) Porous gravel where rivers disappearThe Bhabar zone is a narrow belt (8-16 km) at the foothills of the Himalayas where rivers deposit coarse gravel and pebbles. The rivers disappear underground in this porous zone. South of Bhabar is the Terai zone where rivers reappear as springs. Bhangar = old alluvium with Kankar. Khadar = new alluvium.
The Anamudi peak (2,695m), the highest peak in South India, is located in:
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Kerala
C) Karnataka
D) Andhra Pradesh
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Answer: B) KeralaAnamudi (2,695m) is located in Kerala in the Western Ghats. It is the highest peak in South India and the highest peak in India outside the Himalayas. It is located at the junction of three ranges β Anaimalai, Palani, and Cardamom Hills. It is part of the Eravikulam National Park.
The Kayals (backwaters) are a characteristic feature of which coastal region?
A) Konkan Coast
B) Malabar Coast (Kerala)
C) Coromandel Coast
D) Northern Circars
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Answer: B) Malabar Coast (Kerala)Kayals (backwaters) are a characteristic feature of the Malabar Coast in Kerala. They are lagoons separated from the sea by narrow sand bars. Kerala has about 1,500 km of backwaters. They are used for fishing, transportation, and tourism (houseboat tourism). Vembanad Lake is the largest backwater lake in Kerala.
The Guru Shikhar peak is the highest point of which mountain range?
A) Vindhya Range
B) Satpura Range
C) Aravalli Range
D) Nilgiri Hills
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Answer: C) Aravalli RangeGuru Shikhar (1,722m) is the highest peak of the Aravalli Range, located in Rajasthan (near Mount Abu). The Aravalli Range is the oldest fold mountain range in India, running in a NE-SW direction. Dhupgarh (1,350m) is the highest peak of the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh.