GK Riyaz

Topics / Geography

Geography of India: 37 questions with answers

Geography questions often come down to a mental map: where a river rises, which channel separates two island groups, which soil suits which crop. This set uses the NCERT India: Physical Environment and Contemporary India textbooks, and UNESCO descriptions of natural World Heritage sites.

We avoid figures that change with each new survey, such as production rankings. Measurements that textbooks treat as settled, like the standard meridian, appear with their source page.

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All geography questions

Options are listed alphabetically. Open "Show answer" to see the answer, our explanation and the source we checked it against.

  1. geo-001What is India's area, as given in the NCERT Class XI geography textbook?

    1. 1.85 million sq km
    2. 2.4 million sq km
    3. 3.28 million sq km
    4. 4.12 million sq km
    Show answer

    Answer: 3.28 million sq km

    NCERT gives India's area as 3.28 million sq km, about 2.4 per cent of the world's land surface.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Chapter 1 (India: Location) (PDF page 5). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  2. geo-002By area, where does India rank among the countries of the world, according to NCERT?

    1. Fifth largest
    2. Ninth largest
    3. Seventh largest
    4. Third largest
    Show answer

    Answer: Seventh largest

    NCERT describes India, with 3.28 million sq km, as the seventh largest country in the world.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Chapter 1 (India: Location) (PDF page 5). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  3. geo-003Which longitude has been selected as India's standard meridian?

    1. 68° 07' E
    2. 75° 00' E
    3. 82° 30' E
    4. 88° 30' E
    Show answer

    Answer: 82° 30' E

    Standard meridians are chosen in multiples of 7° 30' of longitude, and 82° 30' E was selected for India. NCERT gives this as the reason for the choice.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Chapter 1 (India: Location) (PDF page 2). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  4. geo-004Indian Standard Time is ahead of Greenwich Mean Time by how much?

    1. 4 hours 30 minutes
    2. 5 hours
    3. 5 hours 30 minutes
    4. 6 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: 5 hours 30 minutes

    NCERT states that IST is ahead of GMT by 5 hours and 30 minutes, which follows from the 82° 30' E standard meridian (82.5 ÷ 15 = 5.5 hours).

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Chapter 1 (India: Location) (PDF page 2). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  5. geo-005How far towards the sea does India's territorial limit extend from the coast?

    1. 12 nautical miles
    2. 200 nautical miles
    3. 24 nautical miles
    4. 3 nautical miles
    Show answer

    Answer: 12 nautical miles

    NCERT says India's territorial limit extends up to 12 nautical miles, about 21.9 km, from the coast.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Chapter 1 (India: Location) (PDF page 2). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  6. geo-006Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and which other water body?

    1. Gulf of Kachchh
    2. Gulf of Khambhat
    3. Gulf of Mannar
    4. Ten Degree Channel
    Show answer

    Answer: Gulf of Mannar

    NCERT notes that Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Chapter 1 (India: Location) (PDF page 5). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  7. geo-007Which is the highest peak of the Peninsular plateau?

    1. Anaimudi
    2. Dodabetta
    3. Guru Shikhar
    4. Mahendragiri
    Show answer

    Answer: Anaimudi

    NCERT names Anaimudi (2,695 m), on the Anaimalai hills of the Western Ghats, as the highest peak of the Peninsular plateau, followed by Dodabetta (2,637 m) in the Nilgiris.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Structure and Physiography (PDF page 7). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  8. geo-008In Maharashtra, the Western Ghats are known locally by which name?

    1. Cardamom hills
    2. Mahadeo hills
    3. Nilgiri hills
    4. Sahyadri
    Show answer

    Answer: Sahyadri

    NCERT lists the local names of the Western Ghats: Sahyadri in Maharashtra, the Nilgiri hills in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and the Anaimalai and Cardamom hills in Kerala.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Structure and Physiography (PDF page 6). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  9. geo-009Which water body separates the Andaman group of islands from the Nicobar group?

    1. Eight Degree Channel
    2. Gulf of Mannar
    3. Palk Strait
    4. Ten Degree Channel
    Show answer

    Answer: Ten Degree Channel

    NCERT explains that the Bay of Bengal islands fall into two groups, the Andaman in the north and the Nicobar in the south, separated by the Ten Degree Channel.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Structure and Physiography (PDF page 9). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  10. geo-010Where is Barren Island, described by NCERT as the only active volcano in India?

    1. In Lakshadweep
    2. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
    3. In the Gulf of Kachchh
    4. Off the Konkan coast
    Show answer

    Answer: In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    NCERT notes that some smaller islands of the Andaman and Nicobar group are volcanic, and that Barren Island, the only active volcano in India, is located there.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Structure and Physiography (PDF page 9). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  11. geo-011Lakshadweep and Minicoy are islands in which sea?

    1. Andaman Sea
    2. Arabian Sea
    3. Bay of Bengal
    4. Gulf of Mannar
    Show answer

    Answer: Arabian Sea

    NCERT describes the Arabian Sea islands as Lakshadweep and Minicoy, scattered between about 8°N and 12°N latitude.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Structure and Physiography (PDF page 9). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  12. geo-012Which is the largest river system of Rajasthan, west of the Aravali?

    1. Banas
    2. Chambal
    3. Luni
    4. Mahi
    Show answer

    Answer: Luni

    NCERT describes the Luni as the largest river system of Rajasthan west of the Aravali. It originates near Pushkar in two branches, the Saraswati and the Sabarmati.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Drainage System (PDF page 8). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  13. geo-013The Ganga rises in which glacier?

    1. Chemayungdung glacier
    2. Gangotri glacier, near Gaumukh
    3. Satopanth glacier
    4. Yamunotri glacier
    Show answer

    Answer: Gangotri glacier, near Gaumukh

    NCERT says the Ganga rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, where it is known as the Bhagirathi.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Drainage System (PDF page 5). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  14. geo-014At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi meets which river, after which the combined stream is called the Ganga?

    1. Alaknanda
    2. Mandakini
    3. Ramganga
    4. Yamuna
    Show answer

    Answer: Alaknanda

    NCERT notes that the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag and is known as the Ganga thereafter. The Alaknanda rises in the Satopanth glacier above Badrinath.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Drainage System (PDF page 5). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  15. geo-015Which river does NCERT describe as the westernmost and longest tributary of the Ganga?

    1. Gandak
    2. Ghaghara
    3. Son
    4. Yamuna
    Show answer

    Answer: Yamuna

    NCERT says the Yamuna rises in the Yamunotri glacier on the Banderpunch range and joins the Ganga at Prayag.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Drainage System (PDF page 6). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  16. geo-016In southern Tibet, the Brahmaputra is known by which name, meaning "the purifier"?

    1. Dihang
    2. Jamuna
    3. Siang
    4. Tsangpo
    Show answer

    Answer: Tsangpo

    NCERT traces the Brahmaputra from the Chemayungdung glacier near Lake Mansarovar; across Tibet it is the Tsangpo, and it emerges from the foothills as the Siang or Dihang.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Drainage System (PDF page 6). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  17. geo-017Which is the largest Peninsular river system, also called the Dakshin Ganga?

    1. Godavari
    2. Kaveri
    3. Krishna
    4. Mahanadi
    Show answer

    Answer: Godavari

    NCERT calls the Godavari the largest Peninsular river system. It rises in Nasik district of Maharashtra and drains into the Bay of Bengal.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Drainage System (PDF page 7). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  18. geo-018The Kaveri rises in which hills of Karnataka?

    1. Anaimalai hills
    2. Brahmagiri hills
    3. Javadi hills
    4. Nallamala hills
    Show answer

    Answer: Brahmagiri hills

    NCERT states that the Kaveri rises in the Brahmagiri hills (1,341 m) of Kodagu district in Karnataka and is about 800 km long.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Drainage System (PDF page 8). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  19. geo-019The Mahanadi rises near Sihawa in which state?

    1. Chhattisgarh
    2. Jharkhand
    3. Madhya Pradesh
    4. Odisha
    Show answer

    Answer: Chhattisgarh

    NCERT says the Mahanadi rises near Sihawa in Raipur district of Chhattisgarh and runs through Odisha to the Bay of Bengal.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Drainage System (PDF page 7). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  20. geo-020Which river, flowing through a rift valley on the eastern margin of the Chotanagpur Plateau, was once known as the "sorrow of Bengal"?

    1. Damodar
    2. Hugli
    3. Subarnarekha
    4. Teesta
    Show answer

    Answer: Damodar

    NCERT describes the Damodar flowing through a rift valley to join the Hugli. Once called the sorrow of Bengal, it has been tamed by the Damodar Valley Corporation.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Drainage System (PDF page 6). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  21. geo-021Which of these rivers drains into the Arabian Sea rather than the Bay of Bengal?

    1. Godavari
    2. Krishna
    3. Mahanadi
    4. Narmada
    Show answer

    Answer: Narmada

    NCERT says about 23 per cent of India's drainage area, including the Indus, Narmada, Tapi, Mahi and Periyar, discharges into the Arabian Sea; the rest goes to the Bay of Bengal.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Drainage System (PDF page 3). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  22. geo-022Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, which receive over 1,080 cm of rain a year, are in which hills?

    1. Cardamom Hills of Kerala
    2. Garo Hills of Assam
    3. Khasi Hills of Meghalaya
    4. Patkai Hills of Nagaland
    Show answer

    Answer: Khasi Hills of Meghalaya

    NCERT contrasts Cherrapunji and Mawsynram in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, with over 1,080 cm of rain a year, with Jaisalmer, which rarely gets more than 9 cm.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Climate (PDF page 3). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  23. geo-023Pre-monsoon showers in Kerala and coastal Karnataka that help mangoes ripen early are locally called what?

    1. Blossom showers
    2. Kalbaisakhi
    3. Loo
    4. Mango showers
    Show answer

    Answer: Mango showers

    NCERT explains that these pre-monsoon showers are known as mango showers. Blossom showers help coffee flowers bloom.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Climate (PDF page 9). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  24. geo-024What are the dreaded evening thunderstorms of Bengal and Assam called locally?

    1. Chinook
    2. Kalbaisakhi
    3. Mango showers
    4. Western disturbances
    Show answer

    Answer: Kalbaisakhi

    NCERT says the name Kalbaisakhi means a calamity of the month of Baisakh. The showers are useful for tea, jute and rice cultivation.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Climate (PDF page 9). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  25. geo-025By about which date does the southwest monsoon set in over the Kerala coast?

    1. 1 July
    2. 1 June
    3. 15 June
    4. 15 May
    Show answer

    Answer: 1 June

    NCERT says the southwest monsoon sets in over the Kerala coast by 1st June and reaches Mumbai and Kolkata between 10th and 13th June.

    Source: NCERT, Class XI, India: Physical Environment: Climate (PDF page 5). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  26. geo-026Which soil does NCERT call the most widely spread and important soil in India?

    1. Alluvial soil
    2. Black soil
    3. Laterite soil
    4. Red soil
    Show answer

    Answer: Alluvial soil

    NCERT says the entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil, deposited by the three Himalayan river systems, the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.

    Source: NCERT, Class X, Contemporary India II: Resources and Development (PDF page 7). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  27. geo-027Black soil is also known as regur soil and is ideal for growing which crop?

    1. Cotton
    2. Jute
    3. Rice
    4. Tea
    Show answer

    Answer: Cotton

    NCERT says black soil is ideal for growing cotton and is also called black cotton soil.

    Source: NCERT, Class X, Contemporary India II: Resources and Development (PDF page 7). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  28. geo-028The name "laterite" comes from the Latin word "later". What does it mean?

    1. Brick
    2. Leaf
    3. Red
    4. Wet
    Show answer

    Answer: Brick

    NCERT explains that laterite is derived from the Latin later, meaning brick. Laterite soil develops under tropical and subtropical climates.

    Source: NCERT, Class X, Contemporary India II: Resources and Development (PDF page 9). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  29. geo-029Where was the first International Earth Summit held in June 1992?

    1. Johannesburg
    2. Kyoto
    3. Rio de Janeiro
    4. Stockholm
    Show answer

    Answer: Rio de Janeiro

    NCERT notes that more than 100 heads of state met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. The summit adopted Agenda 21 for sustainable development in the 21st century.

    Source: NCERT, Class X, Contemporary India II: Resources and Development (PDF page 2). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  30. geo-030Rabi crops are sown in which months?

    1. August to September
    2. June to July
    3. March to May
    4. October to December
    Show answer

    Answer: October to December

    NCERT says rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June. Wheat is a major rabi crop.

    Source: NCERT, Class X, Contemporary India II: Agriculture (PDF page 3). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  31. geo-031Slash-and-burn agriculture is known by which name in north-eastern states such as Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland?

    1. Dipa
    2. Jhumming
    3. Pamlou
    4. Zaid
    Show answer

    Answer: Jhumming

    NCERT lists regional names for this primitive subsistence farming: jhumming in those north-eastern states, Pamlou in Manipur and Dipa in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.

    Source: NCERT, Class X, Contemporary India II: Agriculture (PDF page 1). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  32. geo-032Which fibre crop does NCERT say is known as the golden fibre?

    1. Coir
    2. Cotton
    3. Jute
    4. Silk
    Show answer

    Answer: Jute

    NCERT calls jute the golden fibre. It grows well on well-drained fertile soils in flood plains where the soil is renewed every year.

    Source: NCERT, Class X, Contemporary India II: Agriculture (PDF page 9). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  33. geo-033Kaziranga National Park in Assam is home to the world's largest population of which animal?

    1. Asiatic lion
    2. One-horned rhinoceros
    3. Snow leopard
    4. Wild water buffalo
    Show answer

    Answer: One-horned rhinoceros

    UNESCO notes that Kaziranga holds the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as tigers, elephants, panthers, bears and thousands of birds.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Kaziranga National Park (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  34. geo-034The Sundarbans contain the world's largest area of which type of forest?

    1. Alpine forest
    2. Mangrove forest
    3. Thorn forest
    4. Tropical evergreen forest
    Show answer

    Answer: Mangrove forest

    UNESCO says the Sundarbans contain the world's largest area of mangrove forests, and that the habitat supports a large population of tigers adapted to an almost amphibious life.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Sundarbans National Park (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  35. geo-035According to UNESCO, how do the Western Ghats compare in age with the Himalayas?

    1. They are older than the Himalayas
    2. They are younger than the Himalayas
    3. They formed at the same time
    4. They formed in the last ten thousand years
    Show answer

    Answer: They are older than the Himalayas

    UNESCO begins its description of the Western Ghats by noting that the mountain chain is older than the Himalaya mountains.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Western Ghats (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  36. geo-036Khangchendzonga National Park, which includes the world's third highest peak, is in which state?

    1. Arunachal Pradesh
    2. Himachal Pradesh
    3. Sikkim
    4. Uttarakhand
    Show answer

    Answer: Sikkim

    UNESCO places Khangchendzonga National Park at the heart of the Himalayan range in Sikkim and notes that it includes Mount Khangchendzonga, the world's third highest peak.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Khangchendzonga National Park (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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  37. geo-037Which rare crane does UNESCO single out in its description of Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan?

    1. Black-necked crane
    2. Red-crowned crane
    3. Siberian crane
    4. Whooping crane
    Show answer

    Answer: Siberian crane

    UNESCO names the rare Siberian crane and says the park, a former duck-hunting reserve, was the only known wintering site of its central population. The page gives the number of bird species recorded as 364 in one place and 375 in another.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Keoladeo National Park (Short description; Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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Sources used on this page

Each source was opened and read on 26 October 2026.