1. (Q901) The city of Leh is situated on the bank of which river?
(A) Sutlej
(B) Jhelum
(C) Indus
(D) Ravi
✅ Ans: (C) Indus
Explanation: Leh, the largest city in Ladakh, lies on the banks of the Indus River, which shapes its high-altitude geography in the Karakoram Range. Geography of India confirms its riverine setting.
2. (Q902) Which one of the following lakes is situated in Jammu and Kashmir?
(A) Pulicat
(B) Wular
(C) Chilika
(D) Kolleru
✅ Ans: (B) Wular
Explanation: Wular Lake, India’s largest freshwater lake, is located in Jammu and Kashmir, fed by the Jhelum River. Chilika, Pulicat, and Kolleru are coastal lakes. Geography of India highlights its Himalayan location.
3. (Q903) Siachen Glacier lies in:
(A) Zaskar Range
(B) Ladakh Range
(C) Karakoram Range
(D) Dhauladhar Range
✅ Ans: (C) Karakoram Range
Explanation: The Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, is in the Karakoram Range in Ladakh, known for its strategic importance. Geography of India specifies its rugged terrain.
4. (Q904) In India, the black soil is predominantly found in:
(A) Indo-Gangetic Plain
(B) North-East Region
(C) Deccan Plateau
(D) Coastal Andhra
✅ Ans: (C) Deccan Plateau
Explanation: Black soil (regur), formed from volcanic basalt, is widespread in the Deccan Plateau, covering Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, ideal for cotton. Geography of India details its geological origin.
5. (Q905) ‘Loo’ is a type of:
(A) Cold Wind
(B) Thunderstorm
(C) Local hot wind
(D) Sea Breeze
✅ Ans: (C) Local hot wind
Explanation: Loo is a hot, dry wind blowing in North India’s plains, especially Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, during summer. Geography of India describes its climatic impact.
6. (Q906) The word ‘monsoon’ is derived from:
(A) Japanese
(B) Arabic
(C) Sanskrit
(D) Greek
✅ Ans: (B) Arabic
Explanation: The term ‘monsoon’ comes from the Arabic word mausim, meaning “season,” referring to seasonal winds in the Indian Ocean. World Geography traces its etymology.
7. (Q907) The main river flowing in the Union Territory of Puducherry is:
(A) Kaveri
(B) Pennar
(C) Gingee
(D) Godavari
✅ Ans: (C) Gingee
Explanation: The Gingee (Sankaraparani) River is the primary river in Puducherry, supporting local agriculture and drainage. Geography of India notes its regional significance.
8. (Q908) India’s longest river that flows entirely within the country is:
(A) Brahmaputra
(B) Ganga
(C) Yamuna
(D) Godavari
✅ Ans: (D) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari (~1,465 km), flowing from Maharashtra to Andhra Pradesh, is India’s longest river entirely within its borders, unlike the transboundary Brahmaputra. Geography of India confirms its length.
9. (Q909) Which state has the maximum forest cover in India (area-wise)?
(A) Maharashtra
(B) Odisha
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Arunachal Pradesh
✅ Ans: (C) 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 verifies its forested expanse.
10. (Q910) “Mawsynram” is located in:
(A) Assam
(B) Tripura
(C) Meghalaya
(D) Manipur
✅ Ans: (C) Meghalaya
Explanation: Mawsynram in Meghalaya’s Khasi Hills is one of the wettest places on Earth, receiving heavy monsoon rainfall. Geography of India highlights its climatic uniqueness.
11. (Q911) The river Ganga flows into:
(A) Arabian Sea
(B) Bay of Bengal
(C) Indian Ocean
(D) Gulf of Mannar
✅ Ans: (B) Bay of Bengal
Explanation: The Ganga, via the Hooghly and Sundarbans Delta, empties into the Bay of Bengal, forming India’s largest delta. Geography of India maps its drainage.
12. (Q912) The Sundarbans delta is formed by which rivers?
(A) Ganga-Brahmaputra
(B) Godavari-Krishna
(C) Yamuna-Chambal
(D) Mahanadi-Baitarani
✅ Ans: (A) Ganga-Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Sundarbans Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is formed by the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers in West Bengal and Bangladesh. Geography of India details its mangrove ecosystem.
13. (Q913) The largest lagoon in India is:
(A) Pulicat Lake
(B) Vembanad Lake
(C) Kolleru Lake
(D) Chilika Lake
✅ Ans: (D) Chilika Lake
Explanation: Chilika Lake in Odisha, a brackish coastal lagoon, is India’s largest by area, known for its biodiversity and Ramsar status. Geography of India confirms its coastal significance.
14. (Q914) Which among the following cities is located on the banks of river Krishna?
(A) Vijayawada
(B) Bengaluru
(C) Nagpur
(D) Chennai
✅ Ans: (A) Vijayawada
Explanation: Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh lies on the Krishna River, a key commercial and cultural hub. Geography of India notes its riverine location.
15. (Q915) Tehri Dam is built on which river?
(A) Bhagirathi
(B) Alaknanda
(C) Ganga
(D) Yamuna
✅ Ans: (A) Bhagirathi
Explanation: Tehri Dam, one of India’s tallest, is on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, a major tributary of the Ganga. Geography of India details its hydropower role.
16. (Q916) Which mountain pass connects India to China in Sikkim?
(A) Zojila
(B) Shipki La
(C) Nathu La
(D) Rohtang Pass
✅ Ans: (C) Nathu La
Explanation: Nathu La Pass in Sikkim connects India to China’s Tibet region, a historic trade route in the Himalayas. Geography of India highlights its strategic importance.
17. (Q917) Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is in:
(A) Arunachal Pradesh
(B) Meghalaya
(C) Nagaland
(D) Assam
✅ Ans: (B) Meghalaya
Explanation: Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills is a UNESCO site, protecting the endangered red panda and citrus indica. Geography of India notes its biodiversity.
18. (Q918) Which one is not a Himalayan river?
(A) Sutlej
(B) Yamuna
(C) Godavari
(D) Gandak
✅ Ans: (C) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari is a peninsular river, originating in Maharashtra, while Sutlej, Yamuna, and Gandak are Himalayan rivers feeding the Ganga system. Geography of India classifies their origins.
19. (Q919) The Satpura range originates in:
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Gujarat
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Maharashtra
✅ Ans: (C) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: The Satpura Range originates in Madhya Pradesh, extending across central India, forming a divide between the Narmada and Tapi rivers. Geography of India maps its location.
20. (Q920) Which Indian state has the largest number of islands?
(A) Kerala
(B) Gujarat
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
✅ Ans: (D) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Explanation: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with over 500 islands, have the largest number in India, compared to Kerala’s or Gujarat’s smaller coastal islands. Geography of India confirms their insular extent.
21. (Q921) What is the largest physiographic division of India?
(A) The Himalayas
(B) The Great Plains
(C) The Peninsular Plateau
(D) The Coastal Plains
✅ Ans: (C) The Peninsular Plateau
Explanation: The Peninsular Plateau, covering ~43% of India’s land area, is the largest physiographic division, encompassing the Deccan and other plateaus. Geography of India defines its expanse.
22. (Q922) Which of the following rivers does not originate in India?
(A) Ganga
(B) Brahmaputra
(C) Yamuna
(D) Godavari
✅ Ans: (B) Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Brahmaputra originates in Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo, entering India in Arunachal Pradesh, unlike the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari, which start in India. Geography of India traces its transboundary flow.
23. (Q923) The Indian desert lies mostly in which state?
(A) Gujarat
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Punjab
(D) Haryana
✅ Ans: (B) Rajasthan
Explanation: The Thar Desert, also called the Great Indian Desert, is primarily in Rajasthan, covering ~60% of its area, extending into Gujarat. Geography of India maps its arid region.
24. (Q924) River Krishna originates in:
(A) Nasik
(B) Trimbak
(C) Mahabaleshwar
(D) Amarkantak
✅ Ans: (C) Mahabaleshwar
Explanation: The Krishna River originates in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, in the Western Ghats, flowing east into the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India confirms its source.
25. (Q925) Which city is located on the bank of river Tapti?
(A) Indore
(B) Surat
(C) Nagpur
(D) Nashik
✅ Ans: (B) Surat
Explanation: Surat, a major port city in Gujarat, lies on the Tapti (Tapi) River, supporting its trade and industry. Geography of India notes its riverine location.
26. (Q926) River Yamuna merges with Ganga at:
(A) Rishikesh
(B) Haridwar
(C) Allahabad (Prayagraj)
(D) Varanasi
✅ Ans: (C) Allahabad (Prayagraj)
Explanation: The Yamuna merges with the Ganga at Prayagraj (Allahabad), forming the sacred Triveni Sangam with the mythical Saraswati. Geography of India highlights this confluence.
27. (Q927) The Western Coastal Plain lies between:
(A) Western Ghats and Arabian Sea
(B) Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal
(C) Aravallis and Arabian Sea
(D) Vindhyas and Bay of Bengal
✅ Ans: (A) Western Ghats and Arabian Sea
Explanation: The Western Coastal Plain, including the Malabar and Konkan coasts, lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Geography of India defines its coastal geography.
28. (Q928) The soil formed by lava deposition is:
(A) Alluvial soil
(B) Red soil
(C) Black soil
(D) Laterite soil
✅ Ans: (C) Black soil
Explanation: Black soil (regur) is formed by the weathering of volcanic basalt (lava) in the Deccan Trap, ideal for cotton cultivation. Geography of India explains its volcanic origin.
29. (Q929) India’s largest producer of coal is:
(A) Odisha
(B) Jharkhand
(C) Chhattisgarh
(D) Madhya Pradesh
✅ Ans: (B) Jharkhand
Explanation: Jharkhand, particularly the Chota Nagpur Plateau, is India’s leading coal producer, with major coalfields like Dhanbad. Geography of India notes its mineral wealth.
30. (Q930) The highest peak of Eastern Ghats is:
(A) Mahendragiri
(B) Arma Konda
(C) Doddabetta
(D) Shevaroy Hills
✅ Ans: (B) Arma Konda
Explanation: Arma Konda (~1,680 m) in Andhra Pradesh is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats, surpassing Mahendragiri (~1,501 m). Geography of India confirms its elevation.
31. (Q931) Which river flows through Rajasthan but is non-perennial?
(A) Chambal
(B) Banas
(C) Ghaggar
(D) Mahi
✅ Ans: (C) Ghaggar
Explanation: The Ghaggar River, flowing through Rajasthan and Haryana, is non-perennial, often drying up before reaching the sea, unlike the perennial Chambal. Geography of India notes its intermittent flow.
32. (Q932) Which Indian river is known as “Vriddha Ganga”?
(A) Yamuna
(B) Godavari
(C) Narmada
(D) Krishna
✅ Ans: (B) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari, also called “Vriddha Ganga” (Old Ganga), is revered for its length and cultural significance in peninsular India. Geography of India highlights its nickname.
33. (Q933) The Tropic of Cancer does NOT pass through:
(A) Chhattisgarh
(B) Odisha
(C) Tripura
(D) Rajasthan
✅ Ans: (B) Odisha
Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer passes through eight states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram, but not Odisha. Geography of India maps its path.
34. (Q934) Which state has the maximum coastline in eastern India?
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Odisha
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) West Bengal
✅ Ans: (A) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Andhra Pradesh has the longest eastern coastline (~974 km), followed by Tamil Nadu (~1,076 km, partly eastern) and Odisha (~485 km). Geography of India clarifies coastal lengths.
35. (Q935) The river that originates from Brahmagiri hills is:
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Kaveri
(D) Mahanadi
✅ Ans: (C) Kaveri
Explanation: The Kaveri (Cauvery) River originates in the Brahmagiri Hills, Karnataka, flowing through Tamil Nadu. Geography of India traces its Western Ghats source.
36. (Q936) River that flows into Arabian Sea is:
(A) Mahanadi
(B) Godavari
(C) Krishna
(D) Narmada
✅ Ans: (D) Narmada
Explanation: The Narmada flows west into the Arabian Sea, forming an estuary, while Mahanadi, Godavari, and Krishna flow east into the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India classifies its drainage.
37. (Q937) The state through which the maximum number of rivers pass is:
(A) Kerala
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Assam
✅ Ans: (A) Kerala
Explanation: Kerala, with 44 rivers (e.g., Periyar, Bharathapuzha), has the highest number due to its Western Ghats topography and monsoon climate. Geography of India notes its river density.
38. (Q938) The Palk Strait separates India from:
(A) Bangladesh
(B) Maldives
(C) Myanmar
(D) Sri Lanka
✅ Ans: (D) Sri Lanka
Explanation: The Palk Strait, between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, separates the two countries, connecting the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. Geography of India maps its maritime boundary.
39. (Q939) India’s largest delta is formed by:
(A) Ganga
(B) Krishna
(C) Godavari
(D) Yamuna
✅ Ans: (A) Ganga
Explanation: The Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta (Sundarbans) is India’s largest, covering West Bengal and Bangladesh, known for its mangrove forests. Geography of India confirms its scale.
40. (Q940) “Mullaperiyar Dam” is built on which river?
(A) Kaveri
(B) Vaigai
(C) Krishna
(D) Periyar
✅ Ans: (D) Periyar
Explanation: The Mullaperiyar Dam, a colonial-era structure, is on the Periyar River in Kerala, supporting irrigation in Tamil Nadu. Geography of India details its inter-state significance.
41. (Q941) The “Thar Desert” is also called:
(A) Rann of Kutch
(B) Great Indian Desert
(C) Deccan Desert
(D) Rajasthan Desert
✅ Ans: (B) Great Indian Desert
Explanation: The Thar Desert, primarily in Rajasthan, is also known as the Great Indian Desert, encompassing the Marusthali region. Geography of India defines its nomenclature.
42. (Q942) What type of lake is Sambhar Lake?
(A) Freshwater
(B) Saltwater
(C) Glacial
(D) Oxbow
✅ Ans: (B) Saltwater
Explanation: Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is India’s largest inland saltwater lake, vital for salt production. Geography of India classifies its saline nature.
43. (Q943) Which is the largest district in India by area?
(A) Leh (Ladakh)
(B) Kutch (Gujarat)
(C) Jaisalmer (Rajasthan)
(D) Barmer (Rajasthan)
✅ Ans: (A) Leh (Ladakh)
Explanation: Leh district in Ladakh (~45,110 sq.km post-2019 reorganization) is India’s largest by area, surpassing Kutch (~45,652 sq.km, pre-reorganization). Geography of India reflects updated boundaries.
44. (Q944) Narmada and Tapi rivers drain into:
(A) Arabian Sea
(B) Bay of Bengal
(C) Indian Ocean
(D) Gulf of Mannar
✅ Ans: (A) Arabian Sea
Explanation: The Narmada and Tapi, west-flowing peninsular rivers, drain into the Arabian Sea, forming estuaries. Geography of India maps their drainage.
45. (Q945) Which of the following is not a tributary of the Ganga?
(A) Kosi
(B) Gandak
(C) Son
(D) Musi
✅ Ans: (D) Musi
Explanation: The Musi, a tributary of the Krishna in Telangana, does not join the Ganga, unlike Kosi, Gandak, and Son. Geography of India classifies river systems.
46. (Q946) Which river is known as the “River of Sorrow” in West Bengal?
(A) Kosi
(B) Damodar
(C) Gandak
(D) Teesta
✅ Ans: (B) Damodar
Explanation: The Damodar River, due to its historical flooding in West Bengal, is called the “River of Sorrow,” though flood control measures have reduced its impact. Geography of India notes its nickname.
47. (Q947) The Luni River originates in:
(A) Aravalli Hills
(B) Satpura Range
(C) Vindhya Range
(D) Deccan Plateau
✅ Ans: (A) Aravalli Hills
Explanation: The Luni River originates in the Aravalli Hills near Ajmer, Rajasthan, ending in the Rann of Kutch. Geography of India traces its arid course.
48. (Q948) The state having the largest inland saline wetland is:
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Gujarat
(C) Rajasthan
(D) Maharashtra
✅ Ans: (C) Rajasthan (Sambhar Lake)
Explanation: Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is India’s largest inland saline wetland, critical for salt production and migratory birds. Geography of India highlights its ecological role.
49. (Q949) Which river is the southernmost of the Peninsular Rivers?
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Kaveri
(D) Periyar
✅ Ans: (C) Kaveri
Explanation: The Kaveri, flowing through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (~8°N), is the southernmost major peninsular river, not Periyar (~9°N). Geography of India corrects the sample’s error per latitudinal mapping.
50. (Q950) Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet at:
(A) Devprayag
(B) Rudraprayag
(C) Nandprayag
(D) Karnaprayag
✅ Ans: (A) Devprayag
Explanation: The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers converge at Devprayag in Uttarakhand, forming the Ganga River, a sacred confluence. Geography of India details its Himalayan origin.