1. (Q651) The “Pink City” of India is:
(A) Jodhpur
(B) Jaipur
(C) Udaipur
(D) Ajmer
✅ Ans: (B) Jaipur
Explanation: Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is called the “Pink City” due to its pink-hued buildings, constructed for the 1876 visit of Prince Albert. Geography of India highlights its cultural significance.
2. (Q652) Which river is known as “Dakshina Ganga”?
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Mahanadi
(D) Cauvery
✅ Ans: (B) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari, South India’s longest river, is called “Dakshina Ganga” for its cultural and agricultural importance, flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India notes its peninsular role.
3. (Q653) The forest which grows in areas of heavy annual rainfall is:
(A) Evergreen
(B) Deciduous
(C) Thorny
(D) Alpine
✅ Ans: (A) Evergreen
Explanation: Evergreen forests, thriving in regions with over 200 cm annual rainfall, like the Western Ghats, retain green foliage year-round. Geography of India contrasts them with deciduous or thorny forests.
4. (Q654) Which of the following is the longest river in the world?
(A) Amazon
(B) Yangtze
(C) Mississippi
(D) Nile
✅ Ans: (D) Nile
Explanation: The Nile (~6,650 km), flowing through Northeast Africa, is the world’s longest river, though the Amazon is sometimes debated due to its volume. World Geography confirms its length.
5. (Q655) The largest glacier in India is:
(A) Gangotri
(B) Zemu
(C) Siachen
(D) Bara Shigri
✅ Ans: (C) Siachen
Explanation: Siachen Glacier (~76 km) in Ladakh is India’s largest, located in the Karakoram Range, known as the world’s highest battlefield. Geography of India highlights its strategic importance.
6. (Q656) Bhakra Dam is built on which river?
(A) Ravi
(B) Beas
(C) Sutlej
(D) Yamuna
✅ Ans: (C) Sutlej
Explanation: Bhakra Dam in Himachal Pradesh, one of India’s highest gravity dams, is built on the Sutlej River, supporting irrigation and power. Geography of India details its infrastructure role.
7. (Q657) The state known as the “Spice Garden of India” is:
(A) Kerala
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Karnataka
(D) Andhra Pradesh
✅ Ans: (A) Kerala
Explanation: Kerala, with its Western Ghats climate, is the “Spice Garden of India,” leading in production of pepper, cardamom, and cloves. Geography of India notes its spice economy.
8. (Q658) Which of the following is the most fertile soil?
(A) Laterite
(B) Black
(C) Alluvial
(D) Red
✅ Ans: (C) Alluvial
Explanation: Alluvial soil, found in the Indo-Gangetic plains, is the most fertile due to its rich nutrients and water retention, ideal for crops like rice and wheat. Geography of India explains soil fertility.
9. (Q659) In which state is the Gir Forest located?
(A) Maharashtra
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Gujarat
(D) Rajasthan
✅ Ans: (C) Gujarat
Explanation: Gir Forest in Gujarat is the last habitat of the Asiatic lion, a key biodiversity reserve. Geography of India highlights its conservation significance.
10. (Q660) The river Indus originates from:
(A) Mansarovar
(B) Gangotri
(C) Yamunotri
(D) Amarkantak
✅ Ans: (A) Mansarovar
Explanation: The Indus originates near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, flowing through Ladakh into Pakistan. Geography of India traces its transboundary course.
11. (Q661) The “Valley of Flowers” is located in which state?
(A) Sikkim
(B) Himachal Pradesh
(C) Uttarakhand
(D) Jammu & Kashmir
✅ Ans: (C) Uttarakhand
Explanation: The Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas, known for its alpine flora. Geography of India notes its ecological beauty.
12. (Q662) Sunderbans are located in the delta of which river?
(A) Ganga
(B) Godavari
(C) Krishna
(D) Cauvery
✅ Ans: (A) Ganga
Explanation: The Sundarbans, a mangrove forest, lies in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta in West Bengal and Bangladesh, a UNESCO site. Geography of India describes its tidal ecosystem.
13. (Q663) Kaziranga National Park is famous for:
(A) Lions
(B) One-horned Rhinoceros
(C) Elephants
(D) Tigers
✅ Ans: (B) One-horned Rhinoceros
Explanation: Kaziranga in Assam is renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros population, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Geography of India highlights its conservation success.
14. (Q664) Which one of the following is a west-flowing river?
(A) Yamuna
(B) Godavari
(C) Krishna
(D) Mahi
✅ Ans: (D) Mahi
Explanation: The Mahi River, originating in Madhya Pradesh, flows west into the Arabian Sea, unlike the east-flowing Godavari and Krishna. Geography of India classifies its drainage.
15. (Q665) The highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills is:
(A) Anamudi
(B) Doddabetta
(C) Kalsubai
(D) Mahendragiri
✅ Ans: (B) Doddabetta
Explanation: Doddabetta (2,637 m) in Tamil Nadu is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills, part of the Western Ghats. Geography of India contrasts it with Anamudi (2,695 m).
16. (Q666) National Remote Sensing Centre is located at:
(A) Bengaluru
(B) New Delhi
(C) Hyderabad
(D) Dehradun
✅ Ans: (C) Hyderabad
Explanation: The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), under ISRO, is in Hyderabad, focusing on satellite data analysis. Geography of India notes its role in geospatial technology.
17. (Q667) Which Indian state is known as the “Land of Forests”?
(A) Chhattisgarh
(B) Jharkhand
(C) Arunachal Pradesh
(D) Madhya Pradesh
✅ Ans: (B) Jharkhand
Explanation: Jharkhand, with ~30% forest cover and rich biodiversity, is called the “Land of Forests,” linked to its tribal and mineral wealth. Geography of India highlights its ecological identity.
18. (Q668) Which of the following passes connects Srinagar to Leh?
(A) Banihal
(B) Zojila
(C) Rohtang
(D) Shipki La
✅ Ans: (B) Zojila
Explanation: Zojila Pass in Ladakh connects Srinagar to Leh, a critical Himalayan route often closed in winter. Geography of India notes its strategic importance.
19. (Q669) The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through:
(A) Tripura
(B) Jharkhand
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Gujarat
✅ Ans: (C) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer passes through eight states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram, but not Uttar Pradesh. Geography of India maps its path.
20. (Q670) Which Indian city is known as the “City of Lakes”?
(A) Srinagar
(B) Nainital
(C) Bhopal
(D) Udaipur
✅ Ans: (D) Udaipur
Explanation: Udaipur, Rajasthan, is the “City of Lakes” due to its picturesque lakes like Fateh Sagar and Pichola. Geography of India highlights its tourism appeal.
21. (Q671) The Vindhya range separates:
(A) North and South India
(B) East and West India
(C) Himalayas and Deccan
(D) Coastal and Plateau regions
✅ Ans: (A) North and South India
Explanation: The Vindhya Range in central India separates the Indo-Gangetic plains (North) from the Deccan Plateau (South). Geography of India describes its geographical divide.
22. (Q672) The Western Ghats are highest in:
(A) Kerala
(B) Karnataka
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Maharashtra
✅ Ans: (A) Kerala
Explanation: The Western Ghats reach their highest point at Anamudi (2,695 m) in Kerala, a biodiversity hotspot. Geography of India notes its elevation gradient.
23. (Q673) The Lakshadweep Islands are made of:
(A) Igneous rocks
(B) Coral atolls
(C) Sand dunes
(D) Volcanic rocks
✅ Ans: (B) Coral atolls
Explanation: Lakshadweep Islands are coral atolls formed by coral reef growth in the Arabian Sea, not volcanic or igneous in origin. Geography of India describes their formation.
24. (Q674) Which river forms the Jog Falls?
(A) Godavari
(B) Sharavathi
(C) Krishna
(D) Cauvery
✅ Ans: (B) Sharavathi
Explanation: Jog Falls, India’s second-highest waterfall, is formed by the Sharavathi River in Karnataka’s Western Ghats. Geography of India highlights its scenic prominence.
25. (Q675) Which region receives rainfall from both the southwest and northeast monsoons?
(A) Kerala
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Odisha
✅ Ans: (B) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: Tamil Nadu receives rainfall from the southwest (summer) and northeast (winter) monsoons, supporting dual cropping seasons. Geography of India explains its monsoon patterns.
26. (Q676) Loktak Lake is famous for:
(A) Flamingos
(B) Floating National Park
(C) Coral Reefs
(D) Oil Reserves
✅ Ans: (B) Floating National Park
Explanation: Loktak Lake in Manipur hosts Keibul Lamjao, the world’s only floating national park, home to the Sangai deer. Geography of India notes its unique ecosystem.
27. (Q677) What is the major crop of the Rabi season?
(A) Rice
(B) Maize
(C) Wheat
(D) Jowar
✅ Ans: (C) Wheat
Explanation: Wheat, sown in winter (October-November) and harvested in spring, is the primary Rabi crop in North India. Geography of India outlines cropping seasons.
28. (Q678) The soil formed by weathering of basalt rocks is:
(A) Red Soil
(B) Alluvial Soil
(C) Black Soil
(D) Laterite Soil
✅ Ans: (C) Black Soil
Explanation: Black soil (regur) forms from the weathering of basaltic rocks in the Deccan Plateau, ideal for cotton. Geography of India explains its volcanic origin.
29. (Q679) The Wular Lake is located in:
(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) Uttarakhand
(C) Jammu & Kashmir
(D) Sikkim
✅ Ans: (C) Jammu & Kashmir
Explanation: Wular Lake, India’s largest freshwater lake, is in Jammu & Kashmir, fed by the Jhelum River. Geography of India highlights its ecological role.
30. (Q680) Which river forms the boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra?
(A) Narmada
(B) Tapi
(C) Godavari
(D) Wainganga
✅ Ans: (B) Tapi
Explanation: The Tapi (Tapti) River forms part of the boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, flowing west to the Arabian Sea. Geography of India notes its course.
31. (Q681) The headquarters of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is in:
(A) Hyderabad
(B) Chennai
(C) Bengaluru
(D) Thiruvananthapuram
✅ Ans: (C) Bengaluru
Explanation: ISRO’s headquarters is in Bengaluru, overseeing India’s space missions and research. Geography of India notes its scientific significance.
32. (Q682) The highest dam in India is:
(A) Bhakra Nangal
(B) Hirakud
(C) Tehri
(D) Sardar Sarovar
✅ Ans: (C) Tehri
Explanation: Tehri Dam (~260.5 m) in Uttarakhand on the Bhagirathi River is India’s highest, used for power and irrigation. Geography of India details its engineering scale.
33. (Q683) Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is located in:
(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) Uttarakhand
(C) Sikkim
(D) Arunachal Pradesh
✅ Ans: (B) Uttarakhand
Explanation: Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand, a UNESCO site, surrounds India’s second-highest peak, known for its biodiversity. Geography of India highlights its conservation status.
34. (Q684) Which Indian river flows through a rift valley?
(A) Krishna
(B) Narmada
(C) Godavari
(D) Yamuna
✅ Ans: (B) Narmada
Explanation: The Narmada flows through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, forming an estuary at the Arabian Sea. Geography of India notes its geological uniqueness.
35. (Q685) Which of the following rivers is a tributary of the Yamuna?
(A) Ghaghara
(B) Chambal
(C) Gandak
(D) Kosi
✅ Ans: (B) Chambal
Explanation: The Chambal, originating in the Vindhya Range, is a major Yamuna tributary, unlike Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi (Ganga tributaries). Geography of India classifies river systems.
36. (Q686) What type of rainfall is caused by the Western Disturbances?
(A) Frontal rainfall
(B) Cyclonic rainfall
(C) Orographic rainfall
(D) Convectional rainfall
✅ Ans: (A) Frontal rainfall
Explanation: Western Disturbances, bringing winter rain to Northwest India, cause frontal rainfall due to the interaction of air masses. Geography of India explains monsoon dynamics.
37. (Q687) The city known as the “Gateway of India” is:
(A) Kolkata
(B) Chennai
(C) Mumbai
(D) Kochi
✅ Ans: (C) Mumbai
Explanation: Mumbai, with its historic Gateway of India monument, is called the “Gateway of India” for its port and economic significance. Geography of India notes its coastal identity.
38. (Q688) Which one of the following ports is not on the west coast of India?
(A) Mormugao
(B) Kandla
(C) Cochin
(D) Paradeep
✅ Ans: (D) Paradeep
Explanation: Paradeep is on Odisha’s east coast, while Mormugao, Kandla, and Cochin are west coast ports. Geography of India maps India’s coastline ports.
39. (Q689) Ziro Valley, known for its scenic beauty, is in:
(A) Sikkim
(B) Arunachal Pradesh
(C) Nagaland
(D) Meghalaya
✅ Ans: (B) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, a UNESCO tentative site, is known for its Apatani tribal culture and scenic landscapes. Geography of India highlights its northeastern charm.
40. (Q690) The National Waterway No. 1 runs between:
(A) Kolkata and Allahabad
(B) Kochi and Kollam
(C) Ganga and Yamuna
(D) Haldia and Patna
✅ Ans: (A) Kolkata and Allahabad
Explanation: National Waterway No. 1 (NW-1) spans the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Kolkata to Allahabad, facilitating inland transport. Geography of India details its route.
41. (Q691) Where is the Koyna Dam located?
(A) Gujarat
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Karnataka
(D) Andhra Pradesh
✅ Ans: (B) Maharashtra
Explanation: Koyna Dam, on the Koyna River in Maharashtra, is a major hydroelectric project in the Western Ghats. Geography of India notes its power generation role.
42. (Q692) The Thar Desert lies to the ______ of the Aravallis.
(A) East
(B) North
(C) South
(D) West
✅ Ans: (D) West
Explanation: The Thar Desert is west of the Aravalli Range, covering western Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat. Geography of India describes its arid geography.
43. (Q693) The “Manchester of India” is:
(A) Mumbai
(B) Coimbatore
(C) Ahmedabad
(D) Surat
✅ Ans: (C) Ahmedabad
Explanation: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is the “Manchester of India” for its textile industry, historically a cotton hub. Geography of India highlights its industrial legacy.
44. (Q694) Which state has the largest number of scheduled tribes?
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Chhattisgarh
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Odisha
✅ Ans: (C) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Madhya Pradesh has the largest scheduled tribe population (~15.3 million, 2011 Census), including tribes like Gond and Bhil. Geography of India notes its tribal diversity.
45. (Q695) The largest artificial lake in India is:
(A) Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar
(B) Dhebar Lake
(C) Hussain Sagar
(D) Sardar Sarovar
✅ Ans: (A) Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar
Explanation: Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar, created by the Rihand Dam in Uttar Pradesh, is India’s largest artificial lake by area. Geography of India details its reservoir scale.
46. (Q696) In which direction do the Himalayan rivers generally flow?
(A) West to East
(B) North to South
(C) East to West
(D) South to North
✅ Ans: (B) North to South
Explanation: Himalayan rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra flow north to south from the Himalayas to the plains or seas. Geography of India maps their drainage.
47. (Q697) Which of the following rivers originates in the Western Ghats?
(A) Ganga
(B) Mahanadi
(C) Godavari
(D) Brahmaputra
✅ Ans: (C) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari originates at Trimbak in the Western Ghats, unlike the Himalayan Ganga and Brahmaputra or the Mahanadi (Chhattisgarh). Geography of India classifies its source.
48. (Q698) The source of the Sutlej River is:
(A) Gangotri
(B) Yamunotri
(C) Rakshastal
(D) Mansarovar
✅ Ans: (C) Rakshastal
Explanation: The Sutlej originates near Rakshastal in Tibet, flowing through Himachal Pradesh into Punjab. Geography of India traces its transboundary course.
49. (Q699) The confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi occurs at:
(A) Devprayag
(B) Rudraprayag
(C) Karnaprayag
(D) Nandprayag
✅ Ans: (A) Devprayag
Explanation: The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet at Devprayag in Uttarakhand, forming the Ganga River. Geography of India details its sacred confluence.
50. (Q700) Which Indian city is called the “City of Joy”?
(A) Mumbai
(B) Chennai
(C) Kolkata
(D) Bengaluru
✅ Ans: (C) Kolkata
Explanation: Kolkata, known for its vibrant culture and history, is called the “City of Joy,” popularized by Dominique Lapierre’s book. Geography of India notes its cultural identity.