Physical geography is the most relevant to understanding the natural characteristics of a region. Its varied landscapes, from north Himalayas to southern plains, provide an interesting study of geographical features. Whether you are preparing for a competitive exam or just desirous of enhancing your knowledge, practicing MCQs is the best way for testing and reinforcing your perception. This blog post covers 50 MCQs on the physical geography of India, in addition to the detailed explanation to help you understand better.
1. Which is the highest peak in India?
a) Nanda Devi
b) Kangchenjunga
c) Mount Everest
d) K2
Answer: b) Kangchenjunga
Explanation: Kangchenjunga, located on the border between India and Nepal, is the highest peak in India, standing at 8,586 meters (28,169 feet). It is the third-highest mountain in the world.
2. The river known as the “Sorrow of Bengal” is?
a) Ganges
b) Brahmaputra
c) Mahanadi
d) Damodar
Answer: d) Damodar
Explanation: The Damodar River is often referred to as the “Sorrow of Bengal” due to its frequent floods, which have caused significant damage to the surrounding areas.
3. The Thar Desert is located in which state?
a) Rajasthan
b) Gujarat
c) Haryana
d) Punjab
Answer: a) Rajasthan
Explanation: The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is located primarily in the state of Rajasthan. It extends into parts of Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
4. Which of the following is the largest river in India by discharge?
a) Ganges
b) Godavari
c) Yamuna
d) Brahmaputra
Answer: a) Ganges
Explanation: The Ganges River is the largest in India by discharge, with an average discharge of about 38,000 cubic meters per second.
5. Which is the longest mountain range in India?
a) Aravalli Range
b) Satpura Range
c) Western Ghats
d) Himalayas
Answer: d) Himalayas
Explanation: The Himalayan mountain range is the longest mountain range in India, stretching from Jammu and Kashmir in the northwest to Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast.
6. Which Indian state is known as the “Land of Clouds”?
a) Sikkim
b) Meghalaya
c) Assam
d) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: b) Meghalaya
Explanation: Meghalaya, meaning “abode of clouds” in Sanskrit, is known for its high rainfall and is often referred to as the “Land of Clouds.”
7. The “Blue Mountains” of India are also known as?
a) Aravallis
b) Nilgiri Hills
c) Western Ghats
d) Satpura Range
Answer: b) Nilgiri Hills
Explanation: The Nilgiri Hills, located in the southern part of India, are known as the “Blue Mountains” due to the bluish appearance created by the vegetation in the area.
8. The Deccan Plateau is bordered by which mountain range to the north?
a) Aravallis
b) Eastern Ghats
c) Western Ghats
d) Satpura Range
Answer: c) Western Ghats
Explanation: The Deccan Plateau is bordered to the north by the Western Ghats, a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of India.
9. Which is the smallest state in India by area?
a) Goa
b) Sikkim
c) Mizoram
d) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: a) Goa
Explanation: Goa is the smallest state in India by area, covering an area of just 3,702 square kilometers.
10. Which of the following rivers does NOT flow into the Bay of Bengal?
a) Ganges
b) Godavari
c) Krishna
d) Narmada
Answer: d) Narmada
Explanation: The Narmada River flows into the Arabian Sea, not the Bay of Bengal. The other rivers mentioned, like the Ganges, Godavari, and Krishna, flow into the Bay of Bengal.
11. Which plateau is known as the “roof of the world”?
a) Tibetan Plateau
b) Deccan Plateau
c) Chota Nagpur Plateau
d) Malwa Plateau
Answer: a) Tibetan Plateau
Explanation: The Tibetan Plateau is known as the “roof of the world” due to its high elevation, with an average altitude of over 4,500 meters (14,800 feet).
12. The Sunderbans delta is formed by which river system?
a) Ganges and Brahmaputra
b) Godavari and Krishna
c) Indus and Chenab
d) Narmada and Tapi
Answer: a) Ganges and Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Sunderbans delta is formed by the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, located in the northeastern part of India and Bangladesh.
13. Which Indian state has the highest percentage of forest area?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Arunachal Pradesh
c) Chhattisgarh
d) Kerala
Answer: b) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh has the highest percentage of forest cover in India, with approximately 79% of its area under forest.
14. Which is the largest island of India?
a) Andaman Island
b) Lakshadweep
c) Majuli
d) Kavaratti
Answer: a) Andaman Island
Explanation: The Andaman Islands are the largest islands in India, located in the Bay of Bengal.
15. The Chambal River flows through which state?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Rajasthan
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The Chambal River flows through three states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
16. Which of the following is NOT a major river of the Peninsular India?
a) Godavari
b) Krishna
c) Narmada
d) Ganges
Answer: d) Ganges
Explanation: The Ganges is a river that flows primarily through Northern India, whereas the Godavari, Krishna, and Narmada are major rivers in Peninsular India.
17. What is the main feature of the “Brahmaputra River”?
a) It is the longest river in India.
b) It originates from the Himalayas in Tibet.
c) It is a seasonal river.
d) It flows entirely within India.
Answer: b) It originates from the Himalayas in Tibet.
Explanation: The Brahmaputra River originates from Tibet, flows through India (Assam), and then moves into Bangladesh. It is one of the major rivers of the Indian subcontinent.
18. Which mountain range separates the Deccan Plateau from the Coastal Plains of India?
a) Aravalli Range
b) Western Ghats
c) Eastern Ghats
d) Vindhya Range
Answer: b) Western Ghats
Explanation: The Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri, form the western edge of the Deccan Plateau and separate it from the coastal plains of India.
19. What is the term used for the dry region found in the central part of India?
a) Thar Desert
b) Deccan Plateau
c) Malwa Plateau
d) Gangetic Plain
Answer: c) Malwa Plateau
Explanation: The Malwa Plateau is a semi-arid region located in the central part of India, mainly in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
20. Which state is the primary location of the Kullu Valley?
a) Himachal Pradesh
b) Jammu & Kashmir
c) Uttarakhand
d) Sikkim
Answer: a) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: The Kullu Valley is located in Himachal Pradesh, in the north-western part of India. It is famous for its scenic beauty and apple orchards.
21. Which of the following is the largest river basin in India?
a) Ganges Basin
b) Godavari Basin
c) Brahmaputra Basin
d) Narmada Basin
Answer: a) Ganges Basin
Explanation: The Ganges Basin is the largest river basin in India, covering an area of about 1.1 million square kilometers and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people.
22. Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
a) Chilika Lake
b) Vembanad Lake
c) Wular Lake
d) Dal Lake
Answer: c) Wular Lake
Explanation: Wular Lake, located in Jammu & Kashmir, is the largest freshwater lake in India, covering an area of approximately 200 square kilometers.
23. The Vindhya Range runs parallel to which river?
a) Narmada
b) Yamuna
c) Godavari
d) Krishna
Answer: a) Narmada
Explanation: The Vindhya Range runs parallel to the Narmada River, dividing North India from South India.
24. Which is the largest desert in India?
a) Thar Desert
b) Kutch Desert
c) Rajasthan Desert
d) Ladakh Desert
Answer: a) Thar Desert
Explanation: The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is the largest desert in India and stretches across Rajasthan and parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.
25. Which of the following states does NOT have a coastline?
a) Odisha
b) West Bengal
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: c) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Madhya Pradesh is a landlocked state and does not have a coastline, unlike the other states listed.
26. Where are the famous Nilgiri hills located?
a) Karnataka
b) Kerala
c) Tamil Nadu
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The Nilgiri hills are located at the confluence of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, forming the Nilgiri mountain range in South India.
27. Which of the following rivers does NOT originate in the Himalayas?
a) Yamuna
b) Ganges
c) Godavari
d) Brahmaputra
Answer: c) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari is a major river in southern India and does not originate from the Himalayas. It originates from the Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
28. What is the primary factor that makes the Western Ghats a biodiversity hotspot?
a) Climate
b) Soil type
c) Rainfall
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The Western Ghats have a diverse range of climates, soils, and rainfall patterns, contributing to their high biodiversity. The range is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a recognized biodiversity hotspot.
29. Which state is the primary location of the Rann of Kutch?
a) Gujarat
b) Rajasthan
c) Maharashtra
d) Punjab
Answer: a) Gujarat
Explanation: The Rann of Kutch is located primarily in the state of Gujarat. It is famous for the Rann Utsav, a cultural festival held annually.
30. Which river is known as the ” lifeline of Rajasthan”?
a) Yamuna
b) Ganga
c) Mahi
d) Luni
Answer: d) Luni
Explanation: The Luni River is often called the lifeline of Rajasthan, as it is the primary source of water in the arid regions of the state.
31. The Satpura Range is located in which part of India?
a) Northern India
b) Southern India
c) Eastern India
d) Central India
Answer: d) Central India
Explanation: The Satpura Range is located in Central India, passing through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.
32. Which of the following is the largest saltwater lake in India?
a) Vembanad Lake
b) Chilika Lake
c) Wular Lake
d) Loktak Lake
Answer: b) Chilika Lake
Explanation: Chilika Lake, located in Odisha, is the largest brackish (saltwater) lake in India and the second-largest in Asia.
33. Which Indian river is known for forming a large delta at its mouth?
a) Narmada
b) Ganges
c) Brahmaputra
d) Godavari
Answer: b) Ganges
Explanation: The Ganges River forms the world’s largest delta, the Sundarbans Delta, in West Bengal, before flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
34. Which region in India receives the highest rainfall?
a) Shillong
b) Mawsynram
c) Darjeeling
d) Ooty
Answer: b) Mawsynram
Explanation: Mawsynram, a village in Meghalaya, holds the record for the highest average annual rainfall in the world, receiving around 11,871 mm (466.7 inches) of rain annually.
35. What is the main characteristic of the Deccan Plateau?
a) High-altitude plains
b) Volcanic origin
c) Cold, dry climate
d) Rich in limestone deposits
Answer: b) Volcanic origin
Explanation: The Deccan Plateau is primarily of volcanic origin, formed by extensive lava flows. It is rich in basalt rock and stretches over much of southern India.
36. The Himalayas primarily formed due to the collision between which two tectonic plates?
a) African and Indian Plates
b) Eurasian and Indian Plates
c) Australian and Indian Plates
d) North American and Eurasian Plates
Answer: b) Eurasian and Indian Plates
Explanation: The Himalayas were formed as a result of the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, which started about 50 million years ago.
37. Which of the following is the smallest river basin in India?
a) Mahanadi
b) Tapi
c) Godavari
d) Ganges
Answer: b) Tapi
Explanation: The Tapi River Basin, located in western India, is one of the smallest river basins in India. It covers an area of approximately 65,000 square kilometers.
38. Which is the longest river of Peninsular India?
a) Krishna
b) Godavari
c) Mahanadi
d) Kaveri
Answer: b) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari River is the longest river in Peninsular India, stretching about 1,465 kilometers from its source in Maharashtra to its mouth in the Bay of Bengal.
39. The region known as the “Land of the Rising Sun” in India is?
a) Assam
b) Arunachal Pradesh
c) Nagaland
d) Sikkim
Answer: b) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh is known as the “Land of the Rising Sun” because it is the first place in India to see the sunrise.
40. The famous Sanchi Stupa is located in which state?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Uttar Pradesh
c) Bihar
d) Rajasthan
Answer: a) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: The Sanchi Stupa, an ancient Buddhist monument, is located in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
41. The longest coastline in India is found in which state?
a) Maharashtra
b) Gujarat
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: b) Gujarat
Explanation: Gujarat has the longest coastline in India, stretching over 1,600 kilometers along the Arabian Sea.
42. The “Land of the Seven Sisters” refers to which region of India?
a) Western Ghats
b) North-Eastern States
c) Southern Peninsula
d) Western Rajasthan
Answer: b) North-Eastern States
Explanation: The “Land of the Seven Sisters” refers to the seven states of Northeast India—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya.
43. The first national park in India, established in 1936, is?
a) Jim Corbett National Park
b) Kaziranga National Park
c) Sundarbans National Park
d) Ranthambhore National Park
Answer: a) Jim Corbett National Park
Explanation: Jim Corbett National Park, located in Uttarakhand, is the first national park established in India in 1936.
44. Which of these rivers is known for its famous “Deltas”?
a) Brahmaputra
b) Mahanadi
c) Ganges
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: All of these rivers—Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, and Ganges—form well-known deltas at their mouths, like the Sundarbans Delta (Ganges) and the Mahanadi Delta.
45. Which state is the primary location of the Great Nicobar Island?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
c) Odisha
d) West Bengal
Answer: b) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Explanation: The Great Nicobar Island is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Union Territory of India.
46. Which river is famous for flowing through the “Rajasthan Desert”?
a) Ganges
b) Yamuna
c) Luni
d) Narmada
Answer: c) Luni
Explanation: The Luni River flows through the arid regions of Rajasthan, often referred to as a “desert river.”
47. Which is the highest peak of the Western Ghats?
a) Anamudi
b) Nilgiri
c) Garo Hills
d) Cardamom Hills
Answer: a) Anamudi
Explanation: Anamudi, located in Kerala, is the highest peak in the Western Ghats, rising to 2,695 meters above sea level.
48. The “Great Indian Desert” is another name for?
a) Thar Desert
b) Kutch Desert
c) Rajasthan Desert
d) Marusthali
Answer: a) Thar Desert
Explanation: The Thar Desert is often called the Great Indian Desert and is located in the northwestern part of India, particularly in Rajasthan.
49. What is the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir?
a) Srinagar
b) Jammu
c) Leh
d) Ladakh
Answer: a) Srinagar
Explanation: Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, known for its scenic beauty and houseboats on Dal Lake.
50. Which of the following is NOT a river in Southern India?
a) Krishna
b) Kaveri
c) Narmada
d) Mahanadi
Answer: d) Mahanadi
Explanation: Mahanadi is a major river in Central India, flowing through Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The other rivers mentioned are part of South India.
Conclusion:
The MCQs set of 50, cover almost every aspect of India’s physical geography-the mountains, rivers, deserts, and forests. The explanations given for every answer provide you with insight into the country’s diverse landscape. Practicing such questions regularly will help you retain your knowledge and increase your understanding of India’s natural features. Whether for competitive exams or general knowledge, the mastery of India’s physical geography is crucial, and MCQs offer the fun and efficient way through which this can be mastered! End of Physical Geography MCQs
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