1. (Q601) The smallest state in India in terms of area is:
(A) Goa
(B) Sikkim
(C) Tripura
(D) Mizoram
✅ Ans: (A) Goa
Explanation: Goa, with an area of ~3,702 sq.km, is India’s smallest state by area, compared to Sikkim (~7,096 sq.km), Tripura (~10,486 sq.km), and Mizoram (~21,081 sq.km). Geography of India highlights its coastal compactness.
2. (Q602) The oldest landmass of India is:
(A) Indo-Gangetic Plain
(B) Peninsular Plateau
(C) Himalayas
(D) Thar Desert
✅ Ans: (B) Peninsular Plateau
Explanation: The Peninsular Plateau, part of the ancient Gondwana Land, is India’s oldest landmass, composed of stable cratonic rocks, unlike the younger Himalayas. Geography of India notes its geological stability.
3. (Q603) The Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats meet at:
(A) Anamalai Hills
(B) Nilgiri Hills
(C) Cardamom Hills
(D) Palni Hills
✅ Ans: (B) Nilgiri Hills
Explanation: The Eastern and Western Ghats converge at the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, forming a biodiversity-rich junction. Geography of India describes their topographic linkage.
4. (Q604) Which of the following soils is best for rice cultivation?
(A) Laterite Soil
(B) Red Soil
(C) Black Soil
(D) Alluvial Soil
✅ Ans: (D) Alluvial Soil
Explanation: Alluvial soil, found in the Indo-Gangetic plains, is fertile and water-retentive, ideal for rice cultivation, unlike laterite or black soils. Geography of India explains soil-crop suitability.
5. (Q605) Which among the following Indian rivers is not snow-fed?
(A) Ganga
(B) Yamuna
(C) Godavari
(D) Brahmaputra
✅ Ans: (C) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari, a peninsular river, originates in the Western Ghats, not from Himalayan glaciers, unlike the snow-fed Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra. Geography of India classifies river sources.
6. (Q606) Which state is known as the “Land of the Rising Sun” in India?
(A) Arunachal Pradesh
(B) Sikkim
(C) Mizoram
(D) Nagaland
✅ Ans: (A) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh, India’s easternmost state, is called the “Land of the Rising Sun” due to its location where the sun rises first. Geography of India highlights its geographical position.
7. (Q607) Which river has the largest river basin in India?
(A) Yamuna
(B) Godavari
(C) Krishna
(D) Ganga
✅ Ans: (D) Ganga
Explanation: The Ganga has India’s largest river basin (~861,452 sq.km), covering multiple states and supporting vast agriculture. Geography of India compares basin sizes.
8. (Q608) Which state is the leading producer of tea in India?
(A) Assam
(B) Kerala
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) West Bengal
✅ Ans: (A) Assam
Explanation: Assam, with its Brahmaputra Valley, leads in tea production, especially Assam tea, due to its humid climate. Geography of India notes its plantation economy.
9. (Q609) Which is the easternmost state of India?
(A) Manipur
(B) Nagaland
(C) Arunachal Pradesh
(D) Mizoram
✅ Ans: (C) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China, Bhutan, and Myanmar, is India’s easternmost state, located at ~97°30′E. Geography of India defines its longitudinal extent.
10. (Q610) In which of the following states is the Silent Valley located?
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Kerala
(C) Karnataka
(D) Andhra Pradesh
✅ Ans: (B) Kerala
Explanation: Silent Valley National Park, a biodiversity hotspot in the Western Ghats, is in Kerala’s Palakkad district. Geography of India highlights its conservation significance.
11. (Q611) “Pench National Park” is located in:
(A) Chhattisgarh
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Jharkhand
✅ Ans: (C) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Pench National Park, primarily in Madhya Pradesh (with parts in Maharashtra), is known for its tiger population and inspiration for The Jungle Book. Geography of India notes its ecological role.
12. (Q612) The Palk Strait separates India from:
(A) Bangladesh
(B) Sri Lanka
(C) Maldives
(D) Myanmar
✅ Ans: (B) Sri Lanka
Explanation: The Palk Strait, between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, connects the Bay of Bengal to the Gulf of Mannar. Geography of India details its maritime boundary.
13. (Q613) The Indo-Gangetic Plain is mainly composed of:
(A) Igneous rocks
(B) Metamorphic rocks
(C) Alluvial soil
(D) Sedimentary rocks
✅ Ans: (C) Alluvial soil
Explanation: The Indo-Gangetic Plain is formed by alluvial soil deposited by rivers like the Ganga, making it highly fertile. Geography of India describes its depositional origin.
14. (Q614) Which of the following rivers originates outside India?
(A) Brahmaputra
(B) Yamuna
(C) Ganga
(D) Godavari
✅ Ans: (A) Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Brahmaputra originates as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet (China), unlike the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari, which originate within India. Geography of India traces its transboundary flow.
15. (Q615) Which river makes the Dhuandhar Falls near Jabalpur?
(A) Narmada
(B) Son
(C) Betwa
(D) Tapi
✅ Ans: (A) Narmada
Explanation: The Dhuandhar Falls near Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, are formed by the Narmada River, known for its “smoky” mist. Geography of India highlights its scenic beauty.
16. (Q616) The Satpura range lies between:
(A) Narmada and Tapi
(B) Godavari and Krishna
(C) Mahanadi and Godavari
(D) Yamuna and Chambal
✅ Ans: (A) Narmada and Tapi
Explanation: The Satpura Range, in central India, lies between the Narmada and Tapi rivers, forming a rift valley system. Geography of India describes its topography.
17. (Q617) Which of the following rivers is also called the ‘Twin River’ of the Ganga?
(A) Ghaghara
(B) Yamuna
(C) Son
(D) Gandak
✅ Ans: (B) Yamuna
Explanation: The Yamuna, flowing parallel to the Ganga before joining at Prayagraj, is often called its “twin” due to their shared course. Geography of India notes their confluence.
18. (Q618) Which river is known as the “Vridha Ganga”?
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Mahanadi
(D) Cauvery
✅ Ans: (B) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari, also called “Vridha Ganga” (Old Ganga), is South India’s longest river, revered for its cultural significance. Geography of India emphasizes its peninsular role.
19. (Q619) India shares its longest international border with:
(A) China
(B) Pakistan
(C) Nepal
(D) Bangladesh
✅ Ans: (D) Bangladesh
Explanation: India shares its longest international border (~4,096 km) with Bangladesh, spanning five states, including West Bengal. Geography of India maps its geopolitical boundaries.
20. (Q620) The largest producer of coal in India is:
(A) Odisha
(B) Jharkhand
(C) Chhattisgarh
(D) West Bengal
✅ Ans: (B) Jharkhand
Explanation: Jharkhand, with its Chota Nagpur Plateau mines, leads in coal production, supporting India’s energy sector. Geography of India highlights its mineral wealth.
21. (Q621) What is the name of the pass between India and China in Sikkim?
(A) Shipki La
(B) Rohtang Pass
(C) Nathu La
(D) Zojila
✅ Ans: (C) Nathu La
Explanation: Nathu La in Sikkim connects India to China’s Tibet region, a historic trade route in the Himalayas. Geography of India notes its strategic importance.
22. (Q622) Chilika Lake is connected to which of the following rivers?
(A) Mahanadi
(B) Godavari
(C) Brahmani
(D) None of these
✅ Ans: (D) None of these
Explanation: Chilika Lake, a brackish lagoon in Odisha, is not directly connected to major rivers but fed by small streams and monsoon inflows. Geography of India clarifies its coastal ecology. [Note: Sample incorrectly lists Mahanadi; corrected per Majid Husain.]
23. (Q623) Which of the following rivers flows through the Kashmir Valley?
(A) Chenab
(B) Ravi
(C) Jhelum
(D) Sutlej
✅ Ans: (C) Jhelum
Explanation: The Jhelum River flows through the Kashmir Valley, shaping Srinagar’s geography and agriculture. Geography of India details its Himalayan drainage.
24. (Q624) The state with the maximum number of rivers is:
(A) Assam
(B) Kerala
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Odisha
✅ Ans: (B) Kerala
Explanation: Kerala, with ~44 rivers, mostly short and fast-flowing from the Western Ghats, has the highest number of rivers in India. Geography of India notes its riverine density.
25. (Q625) Which of the following rivers flows westward?
(A) Godavari
(B) Krishna
(C) Mahanadi
(D) Tapi
✅ Ans: (D) Tapi
Explanation: The Tapi (Tapti) flows west from the Satpura Range into the Arabian Sea, unlike the east-flowing Godavari, Krishna, and Mahanadi. Geography of India classifies its drainage.
26. (Q626) The river that is known as the “Ganga of the South” is:
(A) Krishna
(B) Cauvery
(C) Godavari
(D) Mahanadi
✅ Ans: (C) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari, also called “Dakshina Ganga,” is South India’s longest river, vital for agriculture and culture. Geography of India emphasizes its peninsular significance.
27. (Q627) The Great Indian Desert lies in which region?
(A) Eastern Rajasthan
(B) Western Rajasthan
(C) Northern Gujarat
(D) Central Maharashtra
✅ Ans: (B) Western Rajasthan
Explanation: The Thar Desert, or Great Indian Desert, is primarily in western Rajasthan, extending into Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. Geography of India describes its arid landscape.
28. (Q628) Which region is known as the “Granary of India”?
(A) Punjab-Haryana Plain
(B) Indo-Gangetic Plain
(C) Deccan Plateau
(D) Eastern Coastal Plain
✅ Ans: (A) Punjab-Haryana Plain
Explanation: The Punjab-Haryana Plain, with its fertile alluvial soils and irrigation, is India’s “Granary” due to high wheat and rice yields. Geography of India highlights its agricultural productivity.
29. (Q629) Which of the following cities is located on the banks of the Ganga?
(A) Bhopal
(B) Patna
(C) Indore
(D) Hyderabad
✅ Ans: (B) Patna
Explanation: Patna, Bihar’s capital, lies on the Ganga’s banks, a major commercial and cultural hub. Geography of India lists Ganga riverbank cities like Varanasi and Kanpur.
30. (Q630) Which of the following cities is not located on a river bank?
(A) Kolkata
(B) Chennai
(C) Varanasi
(D) Ahmedabad
✅ Ans: (B) Chennai
Explanation: Chennai, a coastal city, is not on a riverbank, unlike Kolkata (Hooghly), Varanasi (Ganga), and Ahmedabad (Sabarmati). Geography of India notes its coastal geography.
31. (Q631) India’s only active volcano is located on:
(A) Little Nicobar
(B) Barren Island
(C) Car Nicobar
(D) Minicoy Island
✅ Ans: (B) Barren Island
Explanation: Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is India’s only active volcano, located in the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India highlights its geological activity.
32. (Q632) The place where a river flows into another water body is called:
(A) Delta
(B) Basin
(C) Tributary
(D) Mouth
✅ Ans: (D) Mouth
Explanation: The mouth is where a river empties into a larger water body, like a sea or ocean, forming deltas or estuaries. Geography of India defines river morphology terms.
33. (Q633) The soil which develops in dry regions and deserts is:
(A) Alluvial
(B) Black
(C) Red
(D) Arid
✅ Ans: (D) Arid
Explanation: Arid soil, found in deserts like the Thar, is dry and low in organic matter, typical of Rajasthan’s arid regions. Geography of India describes soil distribution.
34. (Q634) The river that forms the boundary between India and Nepal is:
(A) Teesta
(B) Kosi
(C) Gandak
(D) Kali
✅ Ans: (D) Kali
Explanation: The Kali River, also called Sharda, forms part of the India-Nepal boundary in Uttarakhand. Geography of India notes its transboundary role.
35. (Q635) In which state is the Keibul Lamjao National Park located?
(A) Manipur
(B) Nagaland
(C) Mizoram
(D) Tripura
✅ Ans: (A) Manipur
Explanation: Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world’s only floating park, is in Manipur’s Loktak Lake, home to the Sangai deer. Geography of India highlights its unique ecosystem.
36. (Q636) The largest brackish water lagoon in India is:
(A) Vembanad
(B) Pulicat
(C) Chilika
(D) Kolleru
✅ Ans: (C) Chilika
Explanation: Chilika Lake in Odisha, a Ramsar site, is India’s largest brackish water lagoon, supporting diverse biodiversity. Geography of India notes its coastal significance.
37. (Q637) Which of the following is a natural harbour?
(A) Haldia
(B) Paradeep
(C) Chennai
(D) Mumbai
✅ Ans: (D) Mumbai
Explanation: Mumbai’s natural harbour, formed by its coastal geography, is one of India’s largest, unlike artificial ports like Chennai. Geography of India describes its maritime role.
38. (Q638) The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was set up with assistance from:
(A) Russia
(B) USA
(C) UK
(D) Japan
✅ Ans: (B) USA
Explanation: The DVC, modeled after the Tennessee Valley Authority, was established with U.S. technical assistance for flood control and power. Geography of India details its history.
39. (Q639) Which of the following cities lies on the banks of the Yamuna?
(A) Varanasi
(B) Lucknow
(C) Agra
(D) Patna
✅ Ans: (C) Agra
Explanation: Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, lies on the Yamuna River, unlike Varanasi (Ganga) or Patna (Ganga). Geography of India lists Yamuna riverbank cities.
40. (Q640) The Mizo Hills are also known as:
(A) Patkai Hills
(B) Lushai Hills
(C) Naga Hills
(D) Manipur Hills
✅ Ans: (B) Lushai Hills
Explanation: The Mizo Hills in Mizoram, part of the Purvanchal Range, are also called Lushai Hills, known for tribal culture. Geography of India notes their northeastern geography.
41. (Q641) Which Indian state is the largest producer of groundnut?
(A) Maharashtra
(B) Gujarat
(C) Rajasthan
(D) Andhra Pradesh
✅ Ans: (B) Gujarat
Explanation: Gujarat, with its semi-arid climate and suitable soils, leads in groundnut production, especially in Saurashtra. Geography of India highlights its agricultural output.
42. (Q642) What is the capital of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu?
(A) Silvassa
(B) Diu
(C) Daman
(D) Karwar
✅ Ans: (C) Daman
Explanation: Daman is the capital of the merged Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu since 2020. Geography of India reflects post-reorganization status.
43. (Q643) Which of the following is not a tributary of the Ganga?
(A) Gandak
(B) Son
(C) Yamuna
(D) Teesta
✅ Ans: (D) Teesta
Explanation: The Teesta flows into the Brahmaputra, while Gandak, Son, and Yamuna are major Ganga tributaries. Geography of India classifies river systems.
44. (Q644) The Lakshadweep Islands are located in which sea?
(A) Bay of Bengal
(B) Arabian Sea
(C) Andaman Sea
(D) Indian Ocean
✅ Ans: (B) Arabian Sea
Explanation: Lakshadweep, a group of coral islands, lies in the Arabian Sea, west of Kerala. Geography of India notes its maritime location.
45. (Q645) Which of the following is not a hill station in the Himalayas?
(A) Mussoorie
(B) Darjeeling
(C) Shimla
(D) Ooty
✅ Ans: (D) Ooty
Explanation: Ooty is in the Nilgiri Hills (Western Ghats), while Mussoorie, Darjeeling, and Shimla are Himalayan hill stations. Geography of India distinguishes their locations.
46. (Q646) The youngest fold mountain range in the world is:
(A) Andes
(B) Rockies
(C) Himalayas
(D) Alps
✅ Ans: (C) Himalayas
Explanation: The Himalayas, formed by the India-Eurasia tectonic collision ~50 million years ago, are the world’s youngest fold mountains. World Geography contrasts them with older ranges.
47. (Q647) Which one of the following Indian rivers does not originate from a glacier?
(A) Ganga
(B) Yamuna
(C) Godavari
(D) Brahmaputra
✅ Ans: (C) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari originates in the Western Ghats, not from glaciers, unlike the glacier-fed Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra. Geography of India classifies river origins.
48. (Q648) The Sundarbans is well known for which type of forest?
(A) Alpine
(B) Tropical evergreen
(C) Tidal
(D) Deciduous
✅ Ans: (C) Tidal
Explanation: The Sundarbans, in West Bengal and Bangladesh, is known for tidal (mangrove) forests, adapted to saline tidal waters. Geography of India highlights its UNESCO status.
49. (Q649) Where is the headquarters of the Indian Meteorological Department?
(A) New Delhi
(B) Pune
(C) Kolkata
(D) Chennai
✅ Ans: (A) New Delhi
Explanation: The Indian Meteorological Department’s headquarters is in New Delhi, overseeing weather forecasting and research. Geography of India notes its administrative role.
50. (Q650) Which is the largest saline water lake in India?
(A) Wular
(B) Pulicat
(C) Chilika
(D) Sambhar
✅ Ans: (D) Sambhar
Explanation: Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is India’s largest inland saline lake, used for salt production, unlike freshwater Wular or brackish Chilika. Geography of India describes its arid ecology.