50 Geography MCQs Set 18 with Answers for UPSC, SSC, and Competitive Exams

1. (Q851) The Amarnath cave is located in which range?

(A) Zanskar
(B) Pir Panjal
(C) Dhauladhar
(D) Karakoram
✅ Ans: (B) Pir Panjal

Explanation: The Amarnath Cave, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, is located in the Pir Panjal Range in Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh), known for its ice lingam. Geography of India specifies its Himalayan location.


2. (Q852) Which among the following is the oldest mountain range in India?

(A) Himalayas
(B) Satpura
(C) Aravalli
(D) Vindhya
✅ Ans: (C) Aravalli

Explanation: The Aravalli Range, stretching across Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat, is India’s oldest mountain range, formed during the Precambrian era, predating the younger Himalayas. Geography of India highlights its geological age.


3. (Q853) The river which has no delta at its mouth is:

(A) Mahanadi
(B) Narmada
(C) Ganga
(D) Krishna
✅ Ans: (B) Narmada

Explanation: The Narmada forms an estuary at the Arabian Sea, not a delta, due to its rift valley flow, unlike the Ganga, Mahanadi, and Krishna, which form deltas at the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India explains its estuarine mouth.


4. (Q854) The island formed by volcanic eruption in India is:

(A) Majuli
(B) Little Andaman
(C) Barren Island
(D) Rameswaram
✅ Ans: (C) Barren Island

Explanation: Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is India’s only active volcanic island, formed by volcanic eruptions. Geography of India notes its geological significance.


5. (Q855) River Damodar is a tributary of which river?

(A) Ganga
(B) Yamuna
(C) Godavari
(D) Mahanadi
✅ Ans: (A) Ganga

Explanation: The Damodar, known as the “Sorrow of Bengal,” is a tributary of the Ganga, joining it via the Hooghly in West Bengal. Geography of India classifies its drainage system.


6. (Q856) Hirakud Dam is constructed across which river?

(A) Godavari
(B) Mahanadi
(C) Krishna
(D) Cauvery
✅ Ans: (B) Mahanadi

Explanation: Hirakud Dam, one of India’s largest, is built on the Mahanadi River in Odisha, supporting irrigation and power generation. Geography of India details its infrastructure role.


7. (Q857) Indira Point is located in which island group?

(A) Lakshadweep
(B) Nicobar
(C) Andaman
(D) Maldives
✅ Ans: (B) Nicobar

Explanation: Indira Point, India’s southernmost point (~6°45′N), is in the Nicobar Islands, part of the Andaman and Nicobar Union Territory. Geography of India confirms its insular location.


8. (Q858) Which Indian river crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice?

(A) Narmada
(B) Mahi
(C) Tapi
(D) Godavari
✅ Ans: (B) Mahi

Explanation: The Mahi River, flowing through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice due to its meandering path. Geography of India maps its unique course.


9. (Q859) The famous ‘Valley of Flowers’ is located in:

(A) Sikkim
(B) Uttarakhand
(C) Arunachal Pradesh
(D) Himachal Pradesh
✅ Ans: (B) 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 highlights its biodiversity.


10. (Q860) Which soil is rich in iron and aluminium but poor in nitrogen and humus?

(A) Alluvial Soil
(B) Black Soil
(C) Red Soil
(D) Laterite Soil
✅ Ans: (D) Laterite Soil

Explanation: Laterite soil, found in high-rainfall areas like the Western Ghats, is rich in iron and aluminium due to leaching but lacks nitrogen and humus. Geography of India explains its tropical formation.


11. (Q861) The river known as the “Dakshina Ganga” is:

(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Cauvery
(D) Mahanadi
✅ Ans: (B) Godavari

Explanation: The Godavari, revered as the “Dakshina Ganga” (Southern Ganga), is a major peninsular river due to its length and cultural significance. Geography of India notes its sacred status.


12. (Q862) The Cardamom Hills are part of which range?

(A) Aravalli
(B) Eastern Ghats
(C) Western Ghats
(D) Vindhya
✅ Ans: (C) Western Ghats

Explanation: The Cardamom Hills in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are part of the Western Ghats, known for spice plantations. Geography of India distinguishes them from the Eastern Ghats.


13. (Q863) “Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary” is famous for which animal?

(A) Elephant
(B) Tiger
(C) One-horned rhinoceros
(D) Asiatic lion
✅ Ans: (C) One-horned rhinoceros

Explanation: Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal is renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros population, similar to Assam’s Kaziranga. Geography of India highlights its conservation focus.


14. (Q864) Which of the following is a west-flowing river?

(A) Godavari
(B) Cauvery
(C) Krishna
(D) Sabarmati
✅ Ans: (D) Sabarmati

Explanation: The Sabarmati, originating in the Aravallis, flows west into the Arabian Sea, unlike the east-flowing Godavari, Cauvery, and Krishna. Geography of India classifies its drainage.


15. (Q865) Which river flows through the city of Delhi?

(A) Ganga
(B) Ghaghara
(C) Yamuna
(D) Son
✅ Ans: (C) Yamuna

Explanation: The Yamuna River flows through Delhi, shaping its historical and modern geography, before joining the Ganga at Prayagraj. Geography of India notes its urban significance.


16. (Q866) The “Siachen Glacier” is located in:

(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) Uttarakhand
(C) Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh)
(D) Arunachal Pradesh
✅ Ans: (C) Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh)

Explanation: The Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, is in Ladakh, part of the Karakoram Range. Geography of India highlights its strategic Himalayan location.


17. (Q867) Which river flows through the Grand Canyon in the USA?

(A) Mississippi
(B) Missouri
(C) Colorado
(D) Columbia
✅ Ans: (C) Colorado

Explanation: The Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA, a globally iconic geological feature. World Geography details its erosional impact.


18. (Q868) The land between the Ganga and Yamuna is known as:

(A) Doab
(B) Terai
(C) Delta
(D) Bhabar
✅ Ans: (A) Doab

Explanation: The fertile land between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, especially in Uttar Pradesh, is called a Doab, meaning “two rivers.” Geography of India defines this physiographic term.


19. (Q869) The oldest oil refinery in India is at:

(A) Digboi
(B) Barauni
(C) Haldia
(D) Mathura
✅ Ans: (A) Digboi

Explanation: Digboi in Assam hosts India’s oldest oil refinery, operational since 1901, a pioneer in India’s petroleum industry. Geography of India notes its historical significance.


20. (Q870) Which of the following lakes is a crater lake?

(A) Loktak
(B) Lonar
(C) Vembanad
(D) Pulicat
✅ Ans: (B) Lonar

Explanation: Lonar Lake in Maharashtra, formed by a meteorite impact, is a unique crater lake, unlike Loktak (floating islands) or Vembanad (lagoon). Geography of India highlights its geological origin.


21. (Q871) Which city is located on the banks of the river Hooghly?

(A) Mumbai
(B) Hyderabad
(C) Kolkata
(D) Chennai
✅ Ans: (C) Kolkata

Explanation: Kolkata, West Bengal, lies on the Hooghly River, a distributary of the Ganga, central to its port and cultural history. Geography of India notes its riverine setting.


22. (Q872) Zojila Pass connects:

(A) Srinagar to Leh
(B) Manali to Leh
(C) Shimla to Spiti
(D) Nainital to Almora
✅ Ans: (A) Srinagar to Leh

Explanation: Zojila Pass in Ladakh connects Srinagar to Leh, a vital Himalayan route often snowbound in winter. Geography of India details its strategic importance.


23. (Q873) The southernmost point of the Indian mainland is:

(A) Cape Comorin
(B) Indira Point
(C) Kanyakumari
(D) Rameswaram
✅ Ans: (A) Cape Comorin

Explanation: Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari) in Tamil Nadu (~8°N) is India’s mainland southernmost point, while Indira Point is the southernmost including islands. Geography of India clarifies this distinction.


24. (Q874) Which of the following rivers forms the largest delta in India?

(A) Brahmaputra
(B) Godavari
(C) Ganga
(D) Mahanadi
✅ Ans: (C) Ganga

Explanation: The Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta (Sundarbans) is India’s largest, covering West Bengal and Bangladesh, known for its vast mangrove forests. Geography of India confirms its scale.


25. (Q875) The capital of Lakshadweep is:

(A) Minicoy
(B) Kavaratti
(C) Kalpeni
(D) Agatti
✅ Ans: (B) Kavaratti

Explanation: Kavaratti is the administrative capital of Lakshadweep, a coral atoll in the Arabian Sea. Geography of India notes its insular governance.


26. (Q876) The highest mountain peak in the Western Ghats is:

(A) Doddabetta
(B) Anamudi
(C) Agasthyamalai
(D) Nilgiri
✅ Ans: (B) Anamudi

Explanation: Anamudi (~2,695 m) in Kerala is the highest peak in the Western Ghats, surpassing Doddabetta (~2,637 m) in the Nilgiris. Geography of India confirms its elevation.


27. (Q877) Which Indian state is the largest producer of rice?

(A) Uttar Pradesh
(B) Andhra Pradesh
(C) West Bengal
(D) Punjab
✅ Ans: (C) West Bengal

Explanation: West Bengal, with its fertile Gangetic Delta, is India’s largest rice producer, supported by monsoon rains and irrigation. Geography of India highlights its agricultural output.


28. (Q878) The city of Jaipur is located in which geographical region?

(A) Eastern Coastal Plain
(B) Indo-Gangetic Plain
(C) Thar Desert
(D) Malwa Plateau
✅ Ans: (C) Thar Desert

Explanation: Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, lies in the semi-arid Thar Desert region, east of the Aravallis. Geography of India maps its arid geography.


29. (Q879) In which state is the Silent Valley National Park located?

(A) Karnataka
(B) Kerala
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Andhra Pradesh
✅ Ans: (B) Kerala

Explanation: Silent Valley National Park in Kerala’s Western Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot, protecting rare flora and fauna. Geography of India notes its conservation significance.


30. (Q880) Which is the longest national highway in India (as of 2024)?

(A) NH 44
(B) NH 27
(C) NH 48
(D) NH 16
✅ Ans: (A) NH 44

Explanation: NH 44, stretching from Srinagar to Kanyakumari (~3,806 km), is India’s longest national highway, connecting North to South. Geography of India details its route.


31. (Q881) Which plateau is known as the “Mineral Storehouse of India”?

(A) Malwa Plateau
(B) Chota Nagpur Plateau
(C) Deccan Plateau
(D) Meghalaya Plateau
✅ Ans: (B) Chota Nagpur Plateau

Explanation: The Chota Nagpur Plateau, primarily in Jharkhand, is rich in minerals like coal, iron, and mica, earning its nickname. Geography of India highlights its resource wealth.


32. (Q882) Which state is the leading producer of rubber in India?

(A) Kerala
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Assam
(D) Karnataka
✅ Ans: (A) Kerala

Explanation: Kerala, with its favorable climate and plantations, produces ~90% of India’s natural rubber, centered in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta. Geography of India notes its plantation economy.


33. (Q883) River Yamuna originates from:

(A) Yamunotri
(B) Gangotri
(C) Kedarnath
(D) Gomukh
✅ Ans: (A) Yamunotri

Explanation: The Yamuna originates at Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas, flowing south to join the Ganga. Geography of India traces its Himalayan source.


34. (Q884) Which Indian state has the largest area under forest cover (in sq. km)?

(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) Arunachal Pradesh
(C) Chhattisgarh
(D) Odisha
✅ Ans: (A) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover (~77,700 sq.km, per India State of Forest Report 2021), followed by Arunachal Pradesh. Geography of India confirms its forested expanse.


35. (Q885) Which Indian state has the longest coastline?

(A) Maharashtra
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Gujarat
(D) Andhra Pradesh
✅ Ans: (C) Gujarat

Explanation: Gujarat has India’s longest coastline (~1,600 km), followed by Andhra Pradesh (~974 km) and Tamil Nadu (~1,076 km). Geography of India maps coastal lengths.


36. (Q886) Which Indian river flows through Rajasthan but does not reach the sea?

(A) Chambal
(B) Luni
(C) Banas
(D) Ghaggar
✅ Ans: (B) Luni

Explanation: The Luni River, originating in the Aravallis, ends in the Rann of Kutch, not reaching the Arabian Sea, unlike the Chambal. Geography of India notes its inland drainage.


37. (Q887) The most important rice-growing region in India is:

(A) North-Western India
(B) Deccan Plateau
(C) Eastern Coastal Plains
(D) Indo-Gangetic Plain
✅ Ans: (D) Indo-Gangetic Plain

Explanation: The Indo-Gangetic Plain, with its fertile alluvial soil and irrigation, is India’s primary rice-growing region, supporting states like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Geography of India highlights its agricultural dominance.


38. (Q888) The “Dandakaranya” region is found in:

(A) Gujarat
(B) Odisha
(C) Rajasthan
(D) Tamil Nadu
✅ Ans: (B) Odisha

Explanation: The Dandakaranya region, a forested plateau, spans parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh, known for tribal populations and mineral resources. Geography of India maps its location.


39. (Q889) The state which has the largest number of rivers is:

(A) Kerala
(B) Assam
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Himachal Pradesh
✅ Ans: (A) Kerala

Explanation: Kerala, with 44 rivers (e.g., Periyar, Bharathapuzha), has the highest number due to its Western Ghats topography and high rainfall. Geography of India notes its river density.


40. (Q890) Which one of the following rivers is NOT a tributary of the Ganga?

(A) Son
(B) Gandak
(C) Betwa
(D) Yamuna
✅ Ans: (C) Betwa

Explanation: The Betwa is a tributary of the Yamuna, while Son, Gandak, and Yamuna join the Ganga directly. Geography of India classifies river tributaries.


41. (Q891) The Indian desert is locally known as:

(A) Malwa
(B) Marusthali
(C) Rann
(D) Doab
✅ Ans: (B) Marusthali

Explanation: The Thar Desert, primarily in Rajasthan, is locally called Marusthali, meaning “land of the dead,” due to its arid conditions. Geography of India defines its regional name.


42. (Q892) Which one of the following national parks is a biosphere reserve?

(A) Gir
(B) Sunderbans
(C) Corbett
(D) Bandipur
✅ Ans: (B) Sunderbans

Explanation: The Sundarbans in West Bengal, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is known for its mangrove forests and Royal Bengal tigers. Geography of India highlights its conservation status.


43. (Q893) The term “Peninsular India” refers to:

(A) Plains
(B) Plateau
(C) Coastal region
(D) Island
✅ Ans: (B) Plateau

Explanation: Peninsular India refers to the Deccan Plateau and surrounding plateaus, bounded by the Western and Eastern Ghats, distinct from coastal plains. Geography of India defines its physiography.


44. (Q894) The “Luni River” originates in:

(A) Aravalli Hills
(B) Satpura Hills
(C) Vindhya Range
(D) Western Ghats
✅ Ans: (A) Aravalli Hills

Explanation: The Luni River originates in the Aravalli Hills near Ajmer, Rajasthan, flowing into the Rann of Kutch. Geography of India traces its arid course.


45. (Q895) The second longest river in India is:

(A) Yamuna
(B) Godavari
(C) Narmada
(D) Krishna
✅ Ans: (B) Godavari

Explanation: The Godavari (~1,465 km) is India’s second longest river after the Ganga (~2,525 km), followed by the Krishna (~1,400 km) and Yamuna (~1,376 km). Geography of India corrects the sample’s error (Yamuna) per verified river lengths.


46. (Q896) “Gandak” is a tributary of which river?

(A) Brahmaputra
(B) Yamuna
(C) Ganga
(D) Mahanadi
✅ Ans: (C) Ganga

Explanation: The Gandak, originating in Nepal, joins the Ganga near Patna, Bihar, as a major left-bank tributary. Geography of India classifies its drainage.


47. (Q897) River “Ravi” originates in:

(A) Kullu Hills
(B) Rohtang Pass
(C) Pir Panjal
(D) Bara Bhangal
✅ Ans: (D) Bara Bhangal

Explanation: The Ravi River originates in the Bara Bhangal region of Himachal Pradesh’s Dhauladhar Range, not Pir Panjal. Geography of India corrects the sample’s error per river source data.


48. (Q898) The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills are located in:

(A) Assam
(B) Tripura
(C) Meghalaya
(D) Nagaland
✅ Ans: (C) Meghalaya

Explanation: The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills, part of the Purvanchal Range, are in Meghalaya, known for high rainfall and tribal culture. Geography of India maps their northeastern location.


49. (Q899) “Ganga Sagar” is located at the confluence of:

(A) Ganga and Brahmaputra
(B) Ganga and Bay of Bengal
(C) Ganga and Yamuna
(D) Ganga and Teesta
✅ Ans: (B) Ganga and Bay of Bengal

Explanation: Ganga Sagar, in West Bengal’s Sundarbans, is at the confluence of the Ganga (via the Hooghly) and the Bay of Bengal, a sacred pilgrimage site. Geography of India notes its coastal significance.


50. (Q900) The soil formed by river deposition is called:

(A) Laterite soil
(B) Alluvial soil
(C) Red soil
(D) Black soil
✅ Ans: (B) Alluvial soil

Explanation: Alluvial soil, deposited by rivers like the Ganga and Indus, is fertile and widespread in India’s northern plains. Geography of India explains its sedimentary formation.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top