1. The headquarters of the Geological Survey of India is located in:
(A) Mumbai
(B) Kolkata
(C) Hyderabad
(D) New Delhi
✅ Ans: (B) Kolkata
Explanation: The Geological Survey of India (GSI), established in 1851, is headquartered in Kolkata. Geography of India by Majid Husain highlights its role in mapping India’s mineral resources.
2. India lies entirely in which hemisphere?
(A) Northern and Eastern
(B) Southern and Western
(C) Northern and Western
(D) Southern and Eastern
✅ Ans: (A) Northern and Eastern
Explanation: India is located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere (above the Equator) and Eastern Hemisphere (east of the Greenwich Meridian). Geography of India defines its coordinates between 8°4’N to 37°6’N and 68°7’E to 97°25’E.
3. The only active volcano in India is found in:
(A) Lakshadweep
(B) Barren Island
(C) Car Nicobar
(D) Little Andaman
✅ Ans: (B) Barren Island
Explanation: Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands hosts India’s only active volcano, with recent eruptions recorded. Geography of India notes its location in the Andaman Sea.
4. The highest peak in South India is:
(A) Anamudi
(B) Doddabetta
(C) Mahendragiri
(D) Nilgiri
✅ Ans: (A) Anamudi
Explanation: Anamudi (2,695 m) in Kerala’s Western Ghats is the highest peak in South India. Geography of India describes its location in the Anaimalai Hills.
5. The southernmost tip of the Indian Union is:
(A) Kanyakumari
(B) Indira Point
(C) Point Calimere
(D) Minicoy
✅ Ans: (B) Indira Point
Explanation: Indira Point in the Nicobar Islands is the southernmost point of India, while Kanyakumari is the mainland’s southern tip. Geography of India clarifies its position at 6°45’N.
6. The river known as the “Ganga of the South” is:
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Cauvery
(D) Mahanadi
✅ Ans: (B) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari, also called ‘Dakshina Ganga,’ is South India’s longest river, vital for agriculture. Geography of India emphasizes its cultural and economic significance.
7. Which Indian state has the longest coastline?
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Gujarat
✅ Ans: (D) Gujarat
Explanation: Gujarat’s coastline (~1,600 km) is the longest in India, supporting ports like Kandla and Mundra. Geography of India highlights its maritime economy.
8. The largest saline water lake in India is:
(A) Wular
(B) Chilika
(C) Vembanad
(D) Sambhar
✅ Ans: (B) Chilika
Explanation: Chilika Lake in Odisha, a brackish lagoon, is India’s largest saline water lake, known for its biodiversity. Geography of India notes its Ramsar site status. [Note: The provided sample incorrectly lists Sambhar; Chilika is larger by area.]
9. The Kaziranga National Park is situated on the floodplains of which river?
(A) Teesta
(B) Manas
(C) Brahmaputra
(D) Barak
✅ Ans: (C) Brahmaputra
Explanation: Kaziranga National Park in Assam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies along the Brahmaputra River, supporting one-horned rhinos. Geography of India describes its wetland ecosystem.
10. Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
(A) Vembanad
(B) Wular
(C) Chilika
(D) Kolleru
✅ Ans: (B) Wular
Explanation: Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is India’s largest freshwater lake by area, fed by the Jhelum River. Geography of India notes its ecological and flood-control roles.
11. The “Blue Mountains” of India refer to:
(A) Nilgiris
(B) Aravallis
(C) Western Ghats
(D) Eastern Ghats
✅ Ans: (A) Nilgiris
Explanation: The Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, part of the Western Ghats, are called the “Blue Mountains” due to their blue haze from eucalyptus trees. Geography of India highlights their scenic beauty.
12. Which river originates from the Nasik district in Maharashtra?
(A) Godavari
(B) Krishna
(C) Mahanadi
(D) Narmada
✅ Ans: (A) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari originates near Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra, flowing eastward to the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India traces its peninsular course.
13. The Indian subcontinent was originally part of which supercontinent?
(A) Pangaea
(B) Gondwana
(C) Laurasia
(D) Eurasia
✅ Ans: (B) Gondwana
Explanation: The Indian subcontinent was part of Gondwana, which included Africa, Australia, and Antarctica, before drifting to collide with Eurasia. World Geography explains this tectonic history.
14. The Lakshadweep islands are made up of:
(A) Volcanic rocks
(B) Sedimentary rocks
(C) Coral atolls
(D) Igneous rocks
✅ Ans: (C) Coral atolls
Explanation: Lakshadweep consists of coral atolls formed over submerged volcanic bases in the Arabian Sea. Geography of India notes their ecological vulnerability.
15. Which mountain range forms the backbone of the Indian Peninsula?
(A) Vindhya Range
(B) Aravallis
(C) Satpura Range
(D) Western Ghats
✅ Ans: (D) Western Ghats
Explanation: The Western Ghats, running parallel to India’s west coast, are the peninsula’s backbone, influencing monsoon patterns. Geography of India describes their biodiversity hotspot status.
16. Which is the longest river in Peninsular India?
(A) Godavari
(B) Krishna
(C) Mahanadi
(D) Narmada
✅ Ans: (A) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari (~1,465 km) is the longest peninsular river, draining multiple states into the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India highlights its extensive basin.
17. The “Silent Valley” is located in:
(A) Karnataka
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Kerala
(D) Andhra Pradesh
✅ Ans: (C) Kerala
Explanation: Silent Valley National Park in Kerala’s Western Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot, protected for its pristine rainforests. Geography of India notes its conservation history.
18. Which is the only river in India that flows from east to west and forms an estuary?
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Narmada
(D) Mahanadi
✅ Ans: (C) Narmada
Explanation: The Narmada flows west from Amarkantak to the Arabian Sea, forming an estuary rather than a delta. Geography of India contrasts its unique flow with east-flowing rivers.
19. The largest delta in the world is:
(A) Amazon Delta
(B) Nile Delta
(C) Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta
(D) Mississippi Delta
✅ Ans: (C) Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta
Explanation: The Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta, spanning India and Bangladesh, is the world’s largest, known for the Sunderbans. World Geography emphasizes its size and ecological richness.
20. Which of the following soils is best suited for rice cultivation?
(A) Red Soil
(B) Laterite Soil
(C) Black Soil
(D) Alluvial Soil
✅ Ans: (D) Alluvial Soil
Explanation: Alluvial soil, found in river basins like the Ganga, is fertile and water-retentive, ideal for rice. Geography of India explains its agricultural significance.
21. Which mineral is extracted in large quantities from the Zawar mines of Rajasthan?
(A) Copper
(B) Lead and Zinc
(C) Iron
(D) Bauxite
✅ Ans: (B) Lead and Zinc
Explanation: Zawar mines in Rajasthan are a major source of lead and zinc, critical for industrial use. Geography of India details Rajasthan’s mineral wealth.
22. Which river 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, unlike the Ganga or Mahanadi, which drain into the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India notes its rift valley course.
23. What is the standard meridian of India?
(A) 75°E
(B) 80°E
(C) 82.5°E
(D) 90°E
✅ Ans: (C) 82.5°E
Explanation: The 82.5°E meridian, passing through Mirzapur, is India’s standard meridian, defining Indian Standard Time (IST). Geography of India explains its time zone role.
24. The highest rainfall in India is received by:
(A) Cherrapunji
(B) Mawsynram
(C) Agumbe
(D) Itanagar
✅ Ans: (B) Mawsynram
Explanation: Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the world’s highest average annual rainfall (~11,872 mm), surpassing Cherrapunji. Geography of India attributes this to its orographic location.
25. Which one of the following is the longest river in the world?
(A) Amazon
(B) Nile
(C) Yangtze
(D) Mississippi
✅ Ans: (B) Nile
Explanation: The Nile (~6,650 km) is the world’s longest river, flowing through northeastern Africa. World Geography notes its historical and economic importance.
26. The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills are part of:
(A) Nagaland
(B) Assam
(C) Meghalaya
(D) Tripura
✅ Ans: (C) Meghalaya
Explanation: These hills form the Meghalaya Plateau, known for high rainfall and biodiversity. Geography of India describes their geological and cultural significance.
27. Which Indian river is also called the “Tsangpo” in Tibet?
(A) Indus
(B) Brahmaputra
(C) Ganga
(D) Sutlej
✅ Ans: (B) Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Brahmaputra is known as the Tsangpo in Tibet before entering India as the Siang in Arunachal Pradesh. Geography of India traces its trans-Himalayan course.
28. Which one of the following ports is a riverine port?
(A) Chennai
(B) Kolkata
(C) Kandla
(D) Vishakhapatnam
✅ Ans: (B) Kolkata
Explanation: Kolkata, on the Hooghly River, is a riverine port, reliant on tidal navigation. Geography of India contrasts it with coastal ports like Chennai.
29. Which plateau lies between the Aravallis and the Vindhyas?
(A) Malwa Plateau
(B) Chota Nagpur Plateau
(C) Deccan Plateau
(D) Meghalaya Plateau
✅ Ans: (A) Malwa Plateau
Explanation: The Malwa Plateau in Madhya Pradesh lies between the Aravallis and Vindhyas, known for black soil agriculture. Geography of India describes its topography.
30. The lowest point in India is:
(A) Indira Col
(B) Rann of Kutch
(C) Kuttanad
(D) Gulf of Mannar
✅ Ans: (C) Kuttanad
Explanation: Kuttanad in Kerala, below sea level, is India’s lowest point, known for its backwaters and rice cultivation. Geography of India notes its unique geography.
31. Which state in India has the highest number of national parks?
(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) Assam
(C) Karnataka
(D) Rajasthan
✅ Ans: (A) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Madhya Pradesh has the most national parks (~9), including Kanha and Bandhavgarh, rich in biodiversity. Geography of India cites its conservation efforts.
32. The confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers takes place at:
(A) Devprayag
(B) Rudraprayag
(C) Karnaprayag
(D) Vishnuprayag
✅ Ans: (A) Devprayag
Explanation: Devprayag in Uttarakhand is where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi merge to form the Ganga. Geography of India highlights its religious significance.
33. Which river is known as “Vridha Ganga”?
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Cauvery
(D) Narmada
✅ Ans: (B) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari is also called “Vridha Ganga” (Old Ganga) due to its ancient course and significance in South India. Geography of India notes its alternate nomenclature. [Note: The sample incorrectly lists Cauvery; Godavari is the correct answer based on Majid Husain’s text.]
34. The Siwalik Hills are a part of:
(A) Himachal
(B) Himalayas
(C) Eastern Ghats
(D) Satpura
✅ Ans: (B) Himalayas
Explanation: The Siwalik Hills, the outermost Himalayan range, span states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Geography of India describes their young geology.
35. The “Zero Degree Longitude” is also known as:
(A) Equator
(B) Tropic of Cancer
(C) Greenwich Meridian
(D) International Date Line
✅ Ans: (C) Greenwich Meridian
Explanation: The Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude) defines Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). World Geography explains its role in global timekeeping.
36. Which of the following countries does NOT share a land boundary with India?
(A) Afghanistan
(B) Bhutan
(C) China
(D) Sri Lanka
✅ Ans: (D) Sri Lanka
Explanation: Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait, with no land boundary, unlike Afghanistan or Bhutan. Geography of India lists India’s seven land neighbors.
37. Which state in India is known as the “Spice Garden of India”?
(A) Kerala
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Karnataka
(D) Goa
✅ Ans: (A) Kerala
Explanation: Kerala is called the “Spice Garden of India” for producing spices like pepper, cardamom, and cloves. Geography of India highlights its plantation economy.
38. The Vindhya range lies mainly in which state?
(A) Gujarat
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Rajasthan
✅ Ans: (C) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: The Vindhya Range, a major central Indian range, primarily spans Madhya Pradesh, separating northern and southern India. Geography of India describes its geology.
39. Which desert lies in the western part of Rajasthan?
(A) Gobi
(B) Sahara
(C) Kutch
(D) Thar
✅ Ans: (D) Thar
Explanation: The Thar Desert, India’s only desert, occupies western Rajasthan, known for its arid climate. Geography of India notes its nomadic lifestyle and dunes.
40. The Chota Nagpur Plateau is rich in:
(A) Mica and Coal
(B) Cotton
(C) Limestone
(D) Tea and Coffee
✅ Ans: (A) Mica and Coal
Explanation: The Chota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand is a mineral-rich region, especially for mica and coal. Geography of India details its industrial significance.
41. Which island group is situated to the east of the Indian mainland?
(A) Andaman and Nicobar
(B) Lakshadweep
(C) Maldives
(D) Minicoy
✅ Ans: (A) Andaman and Nicobar
Explanation: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie east of mainland India in the Bay of Bengal. Geography of India describes their strategic and ecological roles.
42. Which of the following crops requires a lot of iron in the soil?
(A) Tea
(B) Cotton
(C) Jute
(D) Paddy
✅ Ans: (A) Tea
Explanation: Tea plantations, especially in Assam and Darjeeling, thrive in iron-rich acidic soils. Geography of India explains soil requirements for tea cultivation.
43. Siachen Glacier is located in:
(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) Uttarakhand
(C) Ladakh
(D) Sikkim
✅ Ans: (C) Ladakh
Explanation: Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, is in Ladakh, near the India-Pakistan border. Geography of India notes its strategic importance.
44. Which Indian river has its origin near Amarkantak?
(A) Godavari
(B) Mahanadi
(C) Narmada
(D) Krishna
✅ Ans: (C) Narmada
Explanation: The Narmada originates at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, flowing westward through a rift valley. Geography of India traces its source and course.
45. The smallest union territory in India by area is:
(A) Daman and Diu
(B) Chandigarh
(C) Lakshadweep
(D) Puducherry
✅ Ans: (C) Lakshadweep
Explanation: Lakshadweep (~32 sq.km) is India’s smallest union territory by area, consisting of coral islands. Geography of India contrasts its size with larger territories.
46. The city of Jaisalmer is situated in which desert?
(A) Thar
(B) Sahara
(C) Kutch
(D) Gobi
✅ Ans: (A) Thar
Explanation: Jaisalmer, known as the “Golden City,” lies in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert. Geography of India describes its desert architecture and tourism.
47. Which state has the highest number of rivers in India?
(A) West Bengal
(B) Kerala
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Andhra Pradesh
✅ 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 notes its riverine geography.
48. Which region in India is famous for laterite soil?
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Malabar Coast
(C) Ganga Basin
(D) Punjab
✅ Ans: (B) Malabar Coast
Explanation: Laterite soil, formed in high-rainfall areas, is prevalent along the Malabar Coast, including Kerala, suitable for cashew. Geography of India explains its leaching process.
49. Which lake is located in Jammu & Kashmir?
(A) Pulicat
(B) Dal
(C) Chilika
(D) Vembanad
✅ Ans: (B) Dal
Explanation: Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, is famous for its houseboats and tourism. Geography of India highlights its cultural and ecological value.
50. The Peninsular Plateau of India is made up of:
(A) Sedimentary rocks
(B) Igneous and metamorphic rocks
(C) Alluvial soil
(D) Coral limestone
✅ Ans: (B) Igneous and metamorphic rocks
Explanation: The Peninsular Plateau, including the Deccan Trap, is primarily composed of ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks. Geography of India describes its stable cratonic structure.