Geography MCQs for UPSC Prelims
Q1. The Western Ghats World Heritage property is made up of component sites distributed across how many Indian States?
- A. Three
- B. Four
- C. Five
- D. Six
Q2. Which one of the following water bodies, linked to the Black Sea by the Kerch Strait, is regarded as the world's shallowest sea?
- A. Sea of Marmara
- B. Aegean Sea
- C. Sea of Azov
- D. Caspian Sea
Q3. With reference to the regime governing passage through the straits connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, which one of the following statements is correct?
- A. Under the Montreux Convention of 1936, passage through the straits is administered jointly by all Black Sea littoral states.
- B. The straits are treated as international waters open to warships of all nations without restriction under UNCLOS.
- C. Türkiye may close the straits to merchant ships of all nations even in peacetime.
- D. Under the Montreux Convention of 1936, Türkiye controls the passage of vessels through the Bosporus and the Dardanelles.
Q4. According to the July 2026 assessment of Jammu & Kashmir, the recurring pattern of short-duration, high-intensity cloudburst events through June–July 2026 was observed across how many named districts/locations of the region?
- A. Three
- B. Four
- C. Five
- D. Seven
Q5. A 'western disturbance', whose interaction with monsoon currents can intensify rainfall over Jammu & Kashmir, is best described as which one of the following?
- A. A tropical cyclone that forms over the Arabian Sea and moves northeastward into the Kashmir Valley
- B. A monsoon low-pressure depression that develops over the Bay of Bengal and travels westward across the Gangetic plains
- C. A localised convective thunderstorm system that develops seasonally over the Thar Desert
- D. An extratropical storm originating over the Mediterranean region, carried eastward by the westerlies to bring non-monsoonal precipitation to northwest India
Q6. The catastrophic Kashmir floods marked by a Jhelum breach and the submergence of Srinagar — repeatedly cited as the benchmark comparison for the July 2026 crisis — occurred in which year?
- A. 2014
- B. 2010
- C. 2013
- D. 2016
Q7. The inundation of Srinagar during the catastrophic 2014 Kashmir floods — the principal comparative reference for the 2026 event — was primarily caused by the breaching/overflowing of which one of the following rivers?
- A. Chenab
- B. Tawi
- C. Lidder
- D. Jhelum
Q8. Consider the following statements distinguishing a cloudburst from ordinary heavy rainfall:
1. The IMD defines a cloudburst as 100 mm or more of rain within one hour over a limited area, whereas ordinary heavy rain is assessed over a full day.
2. Unlike widespread monsoon rainfall, a cloudburst is highly localised, typically affecting an area of only about 20–30 sq km.
3. A cloudburst, unlike normal rainfall, can occur only during the winter months.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The IMD defines a cloudburst as 100 mm or more of rain within one hour over a limited area, whereas ordinary heavy rain is assessed over a full day.
- Unlike widespread monsoon rainfall, a cloudburst is highly localised, typically affecting an area of only about 20–30 sq km.
- A cloudburst, unlike normal rainfall, can occur only during the winter months.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q9. With reference to a cloudburst, consider the following:
1. It is a convective phenomenon associated with towering cumulonimbus clouds and strong updrafts.
2. It is commonly triggered by orographic lifting when moisture-laden air is forced up steep terrain.
3. Himalayan cloudburst-like days have risen markedly over the past two decades.
4. It is caused primarily by western disturbances during the peak winter season.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified as features of a cloudburst?
- It is a convective phenomenon associated with towering cumulonimbus clouds and strong updrafts.
- It is commonly triggered by orographic lifting when moisture-laden air is forced up steep terrain.
- Himalayan cloudburst-like days have risen markedly over the past two decades.
- It is caused primarily by western disturbances during the peak winter season.
- A. 1 and 4
- B. 2, 3 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q10. Regarding rainfall recorded across Jammu & Kashmir during July 19–24, 2026, consider the following:
1. Reasi recorded the highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at 473.2 mm.
2. Kulgam recorded the highest cumulative rainfall within the Kashmir Valley.
3. Udhampur recorded the second-highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at about 417 mm.
4. Srinagar recorded the highest rainfall in the entire Union Territory, at about 473 mm.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- Reasi recorded the highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at 473.2 mm.
- Kulgam recorded the highest cumulative rainfall within the Kashmir Valley.
- Udhampur recorded the second-highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at about 417 mm.
- Srinagar recorded the highest rainfall in the entire Union Territory, at about 473 mm.
- A. 1 and 4
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q11. Which one of the following was the designated nodal agency responsible for issuing rainfall forecasts and weather warnings for the Kashmir Valley during the July 2026 floods?
- A. The Central Water Commission, the sole authority for all weather forecasting in India
- B. The National Remote Sensing Centre, which alone issues every rainfall alert in the Himalayas
- C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar
- D. The National Disaster Management Authority, the exclusive forecaster of monsoon rainfall
Q12. Consider the following statements about the Jhelum river and its drainage:
1. The Jhelum originates from the Verinag spring in Anantnag district, while the Lidder joins it as a tributary near Khanabal.
2. The Jhelum flows through Wular Lake — one of the largest freshwater lakes in India — before entering Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
3. After leaving the Kashmir Valley the Jhelum drains independently into the Arabian Sea without joining any larger river system.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Jhelum originates from the Verinag spring in Anantnag district, while the Lidder joins it as a tributary near Khanabal.
- The Jhelum flows through Wular Lake — one of the largest freshwater lakes in India — before entering Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
- After leaving the Kashmir Valley the Jhelum drains independently into the Arabian Sea without joining any larger river system.
- A. 1 and 3 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q13. The Jhelum, the principal river of the Kashmir Valley whose overflow drives Valley floods, has an approximate total length of about how many kilometres?
- A. About 725 km
- B. About 1,100 km
- C. About 400 km
- D. About 1,450 km
Q14. The Ken-Betwa Link Project is primarily aimed at addressing chronic water scarcity in which one of the following regions?
- A. The Malwa region
- B. The Baghelkhand region
- C. The Bundelkhand region
- D. The Vidarbha region
Q15. Which one of the following is recognised as the first inter-basin river-linking project to be taken up for implementation under the National Perspective Plan?
- A. The Ken-Betwa link
- B. The Par-Tapi-Narmada link
- C. The Godavari-Cauvery link
- D. The Mahanadi-Godavari link
Q16. The Ken and the Betwa, the two rivers linked under the Ken-Betwa Link Project, are both tributaries of which one of the following rivers?
- A. The Ganga
- B. The Yamuna
- C. The Chambal
- D. The Son
Q17. The Ken-Betwa Link Project is implemented under the administrative aegis of which one of the following Union Ministries?
- A. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- B. The Ministry of Earth Sciences
- C. The Ministry of Jal Shakti
- D. The Ministry of Rural Development
Q18. Consider the following statements regarding the National Perspective Plan (1980) for interlinking of rivers:
1. Its Himalayan Component envisages storages on the principal tributaries of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.
2. Its Peninsular Component accounts for 16 of the 30 links identified for feasibility reports.
3. The Ken-Betwa link falls under the Himalayan Component of the plan.
4. The National Water Development Agency was established in 1982 to conduct feasibility studies.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correctly stated?
- Its Himalayan Component envisages storages on the principal tributaries of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.
- Its Peninsular Component accounts for 16 of the 30 links identified for feasibility reports.
- The Ken-Betwa link falls under the Himalayan Component of the plan.
- The National Water Development Agency was established in 1982 to conduct feasibility studies.
- A. 1 and 4 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 4 only
Q19. The National Perspective Plan (NPP) for interlinking of rivers, formulated in 1980, was originally prepared by which one of the following?
- A. The Central Water Commission
- B. The then Union Ministry of Irrigation
- C. The National Water Development Agency
- D. The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti
Q20. Consider the following pairs of Indian World Heritage Sites and their categories:
1. Khangchendzonga National Park — Mixed site
2. Kaziranga National Park — Natural site
3. Great Himalayan National Park — Natural site
4. Sun Temple, Konark — Natural site
Which of the pairs given above is/are NOT correctly matched?
- Khangchendzonga National Park — Mixed site
- Kaziranga National Park — Natural site
- Great Himalayan National Park — Natural site
- Sun Temple, Konark — Natural site
- A. 1 only
- B. 3 only
- C. 4 only
- D. 2 and 4
Q21. Consider the following statements comparing two global maritime chokepoints:
1. The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, whereas the Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
2. The Bab el-Mandeb lies between Yemen and the Djibouti–Eritrea (Horn of Africa) coast, whereas the Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman.
3. The Bab el-Mandeb is divided into two channels by Socotra Island.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, whereas the Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
- The Bab el-Mandeb lies between Yemen and the Djibouti–Eritrea (Horn of Africa) coast, whereas the Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman.
- The Bab el-Mandeb is divided into two channels by Socotra Island.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q22. Which one of the following is India's largest shipbuilding and ship-repair facility?
- A. Cochin Shipyard Limited
- B. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
- C. Hindustan Shipyard Limited
- D. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited
Q23. Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz:
1. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
2. Its shipping lanes lie exclusively within Iranian territorial waters.
3. Iran and Oman are the two states bordering its shipping lanes.
4. It is the only maritime outlet for all petroleum exported from every Persian Gulf state.
Which of the above is/are correctly stated?
- The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
- The shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz lie exclusively within Iranian territorial waters.
- Iran and Oman are the two states whose territorial waters border the Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.
- The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime outlet for all petroleum exported from every Persian Gulf state.
- A. 1 and 3 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 3 and 4 only
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q24. With reference to India's nuclear power stations, consider the following:
1. Kudankulam — Russian-design VVER pressurised water reactors.
2. Kakrapar (KAPP-3 & 4) — indigenous 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
3. Tarapur — India's first nuclear power station.
4. Rawatbhata (RAPP-7) — a Fast Breeder Reactor.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Kudankulam — Russian-design VVER pressurised water reactors.
- Kakrapar (KAPP-3 & 4) — indigenous 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
- Tarapur — India's first nuclear power station.
- Rawatbhata (RAPP-7) — a Fast Breeder Reactor.
- A. 1, 3 and 4 only
- B. 2 and 4 only
- C. 1, 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q25. India's thorium resources are contained principally in which one of the following minerals found in its beach-sand placer deposits?
- A. Ilmenite
- B. Monazite
- C. Rutile
- D. Garnet
Q26. With reference to the locations of India's monazite (thorium-bearing) placer deposits, consider the following:
1. Kerala — coastal beach sand placers.
2. Odisha — coastal beach sand placers.
3. Punjab — inland alluvial placers.
4. Jharkhand — inland placers.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Kerala — coastal beach sand placers.
- Odisha — coastal beach sand placers.
- Punjab — inland alluvial placers.
- Jharkhand — inland placers.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2 and 4
- C. 2 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q27. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, which serves as one of India's principal missile integration and launch sites, is located off the coast of which state?
- A. Odisha
- B. Andhra Pradesh
- C. Tamil Nadu
- D. West Bengal
Q28. Which one of the following correctly states the location of a major Indian nuclear power station operated by NPCIL?
- A. The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is located in Kerala.
- B. The Tarapur Atomic Power Station is located in Gujarat.
- C. The Rawatbhata (RAPS) station is located in Madhya Pradesh.
- D. The Kaiga Generating Station is located in Karnataka.
Q29. Which one of the following nuclear power stations houses India's largest-capacity individual reactor units, of 1000 MWe each?
- A. Rawatbhata (Rajasthan)
- B. Tarapur (Maharashtra)
- C. Kaiga (Karnataka)
- D. Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu)
Q30. With reference to India's Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) established or approved under Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), which of the following is/are NOT a designated SPR location?
1. Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
2. Mangaluru (Karnataka)
3. Bikaner (Rajasthan)
4. Chandikhol (Odisha)
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
- Mangaluru (Karnataka)
- Bikaner (Rajasthan)
- Chandikhol (Odisha)
- A. 1 only
- B. 3 only
- C. 2 and 4 only
- D. 3 and 4 only