1. The state with the highest population density in India is:
(A) Bihar
(B) Uttar Pradesh
(C) West Bengal
(D) Kerala
✅ Ans: (A) Bihar
Explanation: Bihar has the highest population density in India (~1,106 per sq.km, 2011 Census), due to its fertile Gangetic plains and large rural population. Geography of India highlights its demographic challenges.
2. Which river is known as the “Sorrow of Bengal”?
(A) Kosi
(B) Damodar
(C) Brahmaputra
(D) Subarnarekha
✅ Ans: (B) Damodar
Explanation: The Damodar River, prone to flooding in West Bengal, is called the “Sorrow of Bengal,” now controlled by the Damodar Valley Corporation. Geography of India notes its flood management. [Note: Corrected typo in question.]
3. The Great Dividing Range is located in:
(A) Africa
(B) Australia
(C) North America
(D) Europe
✅ Ans: (B) Australia
Explanation: The Great Dividing Range, a major mountain system, runs along Australia’s eastern coast, influencing climate and rivers. World Geography describes its role in Australia’s geography. [Note: Corrected typo in question.]
4. Which of the following Indian rivers flows into the Arabian Sea?
(A) Ganga
(B) Yamuna
(C) Narmada
(D) Mahanadi
✅ Ans: (C) Narmada
Explanation: The Narmada flows westward from Amarkantak into the Arabian Sea, forming an estuary, unlike the east-flowing Ganga or Mahanadi. Geography of India details its rift valley course.
5. The only volcanic island in India is:
(A) Great Nicobar
(B) Minicoy
(C) Barren Island
(D) Little Andaman
✅ Ans: (C) Barren Island
Explanation: Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is India’s only active volcanic island, located in the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India notes its geological activity.
6. The headwaters of the Ganga river are at:
(A) Gomukh
(B) Gangotri
(C) Kedarnath
(D) Rudraprayag
✅ Ans: (A) Gomukh
Explanation: The Ganga, as the Bhagirathi, originates at Gomukh in the Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand, at ~4,000 m. Geography of India traces its Himalayan source.
7. Which city is called the “Silicon Valley of India”?
(A) Pune
(B) Bengaluru
(C) Hyderabad
(D) Chennai
✅ Ans: (B) Bengaluru
Explanation: Bengaluru, Karnataka, is known as the “Silicon Valley of India” for its IT industry and tech hubs. Geography of India highlights its economic significance.
8. The ‘Karakoram Pass’ connects:
(A) India and Nepal
(B) India and China
(C) India and Afghanistan
(D) India and Bhutan
✅ Ans: (B) India and China
Explanation: The Karakoram Pass in Ladakh connects India to China’s Xinjiang region, a historic trade route. Geography of India notes its high-altitude strategic importance.
9. The oldest oil refinery in India is located at:
(A) Barauni
(B) Digboi
(C) Guwahati
(D) Mathura
✅ Ans: (B) Digboi
Explanation: Digboi in Assam, established in 1901, is India’s oldest oil refinery, known as the “Oil City.” Geography of India emphasizes its historical role in oil production.
10. The desert festival of India is held in:
(A) Jodhpur
(B) Jaipur
(C) Jaisalmer
(D) Bikaner
✅ Ans: (C) Jaisalmer
Explanation: The Jaisalmer Desert Festival in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert showcases Rajasthani culture with camel races and folk performances. Geography of India describes its tourism appeal.
11. Which of the following states does not have an international border?
(A) Assam
(B) Haryana
(C) Mizoram
(D) Tripura
✅ Ans: (B) Haryana
Explanation: Haryana is landlocked and shares no international border, unlike Assam (Bhutan, Bangladesh), Mizoram (Myanmar, Bangladesh), and Tripura (Bangladesh). Geography of India lists border states.
12. Kharif crops are sown in:
(A) June-July
(B) October-November
(C) January-February
(D) March-April
✅ Ans: (A) June-July
Explanation: Kharif crops, like rice and cotton, are sown in June-July with the monsoon onset, harvested in autumn. Geography of India explains India’s cropping seasons.
13. Which Indian state has the largest number of national parks?
(A) Karnataka
(B) Assam
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Maharashtra
✅ Ans: (C) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Madhya Pradesh has ~9 national parks, including Kanha and Bandhavgarh, due to its diverse forests. Geography of India highlights its conservation efforts.
14. The Bhagirathi joins the Alaknanda at:
(A) Rudraprayag
(B) Devprayag
(C) Karnaprayag
(D) Vishnuprayag
✅ Ans: (B) Devprayag
Explanation: The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda merge at Devprayag in Uttarakhand to form the Ganga River. Geography of India notes its religious significance in the Panch Prayag.
15. Which of the following lakes is not a saltwater lake?
(A) Sambhar
(B) Chilika
(C) Pulicat
(D) Wular
✅ Ans: (D) Wular
Explanation: Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is a freshwater lake, while Sambhar, Chilika, and Pulicat are brackish or saline. Geography of India describes its Jhelum River connection.
16. Which river is known as the “Lifeline of Madhya Pradesh”?
(A) Godavari
(B) Narmada
(C) Tapti
(D) Chambal
✅ Ans: (B) Narmada
Explanation: The Narmada, flowing through Madhya Pradesh, supports agriculture, water supply, and projects like Sardar Sarovar, earning its title. Geography of India emphasizes its regional role.
17. The state known as the “Sugar Bowl of India” is:
(A) Uttar Pradesh
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Punjab
(D) Haryana
✅ Ans: (A) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Uttar Pradesh, with its fertile Gangetic plains, leads in sugarcane production, making it the “Sugar Bowl of India.” Geography of India cites its agricultural dominance.
18. Which mountain range is the source of the Tapi River?
(A) Satpura
(B) Vindhya
(C) Aravalli
(D) Western Ghats
✅ Ans: (A) Satpura
Explanation: The Tapi (or Tapti) River originates in the Satpura Range near Multai, Madhya Pradesh, flowing west to the Arabian Sea. Geography of India traces its course.
19. The longest river in the world is:
(A) Amazon
(B) Nile
(C) Yangtze
(D) Mississippi
✅ Ans: (B) Nile
Explanation: The Nile (~6,650 km), flowing through northeastern Africa, is the world’s longest river. World Geography notes its historical and economic significance.
20. The Standard Meridian of India passes through:
(A) Mumbai
(B) Chennai
(C) Allahabad
(D) Mirzapur
✅ Ans: (D) Mirzapur
Explanation: The 82.5°E longitude, passing through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, defines Indian Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30). Geography of India explains its time zone standardization.
21. Which among the following is a west-flowing river?
(A) Krishna
(B) Cauvery
(C) Mahanadi
(D) Narmada
✅ Ans: (D) Narmada
Explanation: The Narmada flows west from Amarkantak to the Arabian Sea, unlike the east-flowing Krishna, Cauvery, and Mahanadi. Geography of India highlights its rift valley path.
22. The Cherrapunji region is famous for:
(A) Highest temperature
(B) Tea plantations
(C) Limestone caves
(D) Highest rainfall
✅ Ans: (D) Highest rainfall
Explanation: Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, though surpassed by Mawsynram, is famous for its extremely high rainfall due to orographic effects. Geography of India notes its monsoon climate.
23. Which river is called “The Ganga of the South”?
(A) Krishna
(B) Mahanadi
(C) Godavari
(D) Cauvery
✅ Ans: (C) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari, South India’s longest river, is called “Dakshina Ganga” for its cultural and agricultural importance. Geography of India emphasizes its peninsular role.
24. The youngest mountain range in India is:
(A) Western Ghats
(B) Satpura
(C) Aravalli
(D) Himalayas
✅ Ans: (D) Himalayas
Explanation: The Himalayas, formed by the India-Eurasia tectonic collision, are India’s youngest mountain range, still rising. Geography of India classifies them as fold mountains.
25. The Zojila Pass connects:
(A) Srinagar and Leh
(B) Manali and Leh
(C) Gangtok and Lhasa
(D) Kalimpong and Bhutan
✅ Ans: (A) Srinagar and Leh
Explanation: Zojila Pass in Ladakh connects Srinagar to Leh, a critical route for trade and military access. Geography of India notes its high-altitude significance.
26. Which state has the largest number of rivers?
(A) Assam
(B) Kerala
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) West Bengal
✅ Ans: (B) Kerala
Explanation: Kerala, with 44 rivers, has the highest number due to its short, fast-flowing rivers from the Western Ghats. Geography of India highlights its riverine geography.
27. Which river is associated with the Hirakud Dam?
(A) Krishna
(B) Mahanadi
(C) Yamuna
(D) Godavari
✅ Ans: (B) Mahanadi
Explanation: Hirakud Dam, one of India’s longest, is on the Mahanadi River in Odisha, aiding irrigation and flood control. Geography of India details its multipurpose role.
28. The capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is:
(A) Port Blair
(B) Kavaratti
(C) Car Nicobar
(D) Minicoy
✅ Ans: (A) Port Blair
Explanation: Port Blair is the administrative capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a key port in the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India describes its strategic location.
29. The state surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides is:
(A) Tripura
(B) Meghalaya
(C) Mizoram
(D) West Bengal
✅ Ans: (A) Tripura
Explanation: Tripura is nearly surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides, with a narrow corridor to Assam. Geography of India notes its geopolitical position in Northeast India.
30. The name of the highest peak in the Western Ghats is:
(A) Doddabetta
(B) Anamudi
(C) Agasthyamalai
(D) Nilgiri
✅ Ans: (B) Anamudi
Explanation: Anamudi (2,695 m) in Kerala’s Western Ghats is the highest peak in South India, located in the Anaimalai Hills. Geography of India highlights its prominence.
31. “Nanda Devi” is the highest peak in which state?
(A) Sikkim
(B) Uttarakhand
(C) Himachal Pradesh
(D) Jammu & Kashmir
✅ Ans: (B) Uttarakhand
Explanation: Nanda Devi (7,816 m) in Uttarakhand is India’s second-highest peak, part of the Garhwal Himalayas. Geography of India notes its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.
32. Which is the southernmost point of mainland India?
(A) Kanyakumari
(B) Indira Point
(C) Minicoy
(D) Cape Comorin
✅ Ans: (A) Kanyakumari
Explanation: Kanyakumari, also called Cape Comorin, is mainland India’s southernmost point, while Indira Point is the southernmost of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Geography of India clarifies its location.
33. The climate of India is mainly:
(A) Temperate
(B) Tropical
(C) Monsoonal
(D) Desertic
✅ Ans: (C) Monsoonal
Explanation: India’s climate is primarily tropical monsoonal, characterized by seasonal rainfall and temperature variations. Geography of India explains its monsoon-driven weather.
34. The largest river island in India is:
(A) Majuli
(B) Minicoy
(C) Car Nicobar
(D) Divar
✅ Ans: (A) Majuli
Explanation: Majuli, in Assam’s Brahmaputra River, is India’s largest river island, known for its Vaishnavite culture despite erosion. Geography of India highlights its global significance.
35. Which of the following is a landlocked state?
(A) Assam
(B) Odisha
(C) Telangana
(D) Kerala
✅ Ans: (C) Telangana
Explanation: Telangana is landlocked, surrounded by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, unlike coastal Odisha or Kerala. Geography of India lists landlocked states.
36. Which state is known for the highest literacy rate in India?
(A) Delhi
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Kerala
(D) Himachal Pradesh
✅ Ans: (C) Kerala
Explanation: Kerala has the highest literacy rate (~94%, 2011 Census) due to its strong education system and social reforms. Geography of India cites its human development achievements.
37. The Sunderbans delta is formed by which rivers?
(A) Ganga and Brahmaputra
(B) Yamuna and Ganga
(C) Teesta and Yamuna
(D) Brahmaputra and Teesta
✅ Ans: (A) Ganga and Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Sunderbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is formed by the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers in West Bengal and Bangladesh. Geography of India notes its mangrove ecosystem.
38. India’s highest waterfall is:
(A) Jog Falls
(B) Kunchikal Falls
(C) Shivanasamudra
(D) Dhuandhar
✅ Ans: (B) Kunchikal Falls
Explanation: Kunchikal Falls (~455 m) in Karnataka’s Western Ghats is India’s highest waterfall, though Jog Falls is more famous. Geography of India clarifies its location on the Varahi River.
39. The Narmada river flows into:
(A) Arabian Sea
(B) Bay of Bengal
(C) Indian Ocean
(D) Rann of Kutch
✅ Ans: (A) Arabian Sea
Explanation: The Narmada flows west from Amarkantak into the Arabian Sea, forming an estuary near Bharuch, Gujarat. Geography of India describes its westward course.
40. The smallest state of India by population is:
(A) Sikkim
(B) Mizoram
(C) Goa
(D) Arunachal Pradesh
✅ Ans: (A) Sikkim
Explanation: Sikkim, with ~6.10 lakh people (2011 Census), is India’s least populous state, due to its mountainous terrain. Geography of India contrasts its low density with other states.
41. Which of the following ports is located on the east coast?
(A) Kandla
(B) Mumbai
(C) Visakhapatnam
(D) Mormugao
✅ Ans: (C) Visakhapatnam
Explanation: Visakhapatnam is on India’s east coast, while Kandla, Mumbai, and Mormugao are west coast ports. Geography of India lists major eastern ports like Chennai and Paradip.
42. Which is the largest state in India by area?
(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Rajasthan
(D) Uttar Pradesh
✅ Ans: (C) Rajasthan
Explanation: Rajasthan (~342,239 sq.km) is India’s largest state by area, encompassing the Thar Desert and Aravallis. Geography of India compares its size with other states.
43. The Indian city famous for being located on the Tropic of Cancer is:
(A) Ahmedabad
(B) Kolkata
(C) Jabalpur
(D) Ranchi
✅ Ans: (C) Jabalpur
Explanation: Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh lies near the Tropic of Cancer, which passes through eight Indian states. Geography of India maps its path. [Note: Sample incorrectly lists Ahmedabad; corrected to Jabalpur per Majid Husain.]
44. Which of the following rivers originates in the Himalayas?
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Yamuna
(D) Cauvery
✅ Ans: (C) Yamuna
Explanation: The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas, while Krishna, Godavari, and Cauvery are peninsular rivers. Geography of India classifies river sources.
45. Which state in India receives rainfall from both summer and winter monsoons?
(A) Punjab
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Maharashtra
✅ Ans: (B) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: Tamil Nadu receives rainfall from the southwest (summer) monsoon and the northeast (winter) monsoon, unlike Punjab or Uttar Pradesh. Geography of India explains its dual monsoon climate.
46. The Indus river enters India in:
(A) Jammu & Kashmir
(B) Himachal Pradesh
(C) Punjab
(D) Ladakh
✅ Ans: (D) Ladakh
Explanation: The Indus enters India in Ladakh near Demchok, flowing through Jammu & Kashmir before entering Pakistan. Geography of India traces its trans-Himalayan course.
47. The Indian desert is mainly located in:
(A) Gujarat
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Haryana
(D) Punjab
✅ Ans: (B) Rajasthan
Explanation: The Thar Desert, India’s only desert, is primarily in Rajasthan, with extensions into Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. Geography of India describes its arid landscape.
48. Which state has the highest percentage of forest cover in India?
(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) Arunachal Pradesh
(C) Chhattisgarh
(D) Odisha
✅ Ans: (B) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh has the highest forest cover percentage (~79%, India State of Forest Report), due to its Himalayan and tropical forests. Geography of India notes its biodiversity.
49. The most important commercial river of India is:
(A) Ganga
(B) Godavari
(C) Krishna
(D) Brahmaputra
✅ Ans: (A) Ganga
Explanation: The Ganga is India’s most commercially important river, supporting navigation, agriculture, and cities like Kolkata. Geography of India emphasizes its economic role.
50. Which is the only Union Territory with four districts in four different states?
(A) Lakshadweep
(B) Puducherry
(C) Chandigarh
(D) Daman & Diu
✅ Ans: (B) Puducherry
Explanation: Puducherry has four districts—Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam—located in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, respectively. Geography of India details its unique administrative structure.