440 UPSC previous-year questions in Indian Geography, with answers and concise explanations, grouped by topic. Showing the 120 most recent — open a topic for the rest.
Read the Indian Geography notesConsider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana': I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector. II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels. III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
All three statements accurately describe components of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which targets one crore rooftop installations, grassroot-level training, and creation of over three lakh skilled workers.
Consider the following statements: Statement I: In India, State Governments have no power for making rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor minerals even though such minerals are located in their territories. Statement II: In India, the Central Government has the power to notify minor minerals under the relevant law. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Why
Under the MMDR Act, State Governments do have the power to frame rules for grant of concessions for minor minerals; only the power to notify what constitutes a minor mineral rests with the Central Government.
Consider the following statements: Statement I: Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter. Statement II: Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
The USA is the world's largest ethanol producer (using corn), not Brazil, so Statement I is wrong; Statement II is factually correct that Brazil uses sugarcane as its principal feedstock.
Consider the following pairs: Country – Resource-rich in I. Botswana : Diamond II. Chile : Lithium III. Indonesia : Nickel In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
Why
All three pairs are correctly matched: Botswana is a world leader in diamonds, Chile holds the largest lithium reserves, and Indonesia is the top global producer of nickel.
Consider the following types of vehicles: I. Full battery electric vehicles II. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles III. Fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles How many of the above are considered as alternative (powertrain) vehicles?
Why
All three, full battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles, are classified as alternative powertrain vehicles because none rely solely on conventional internal combustion engines.
Consider the following activities: I. Production of crude oil II. Refining, storage and distribution of petroleum products III. Marketing and sale of petroleum products IV. Production of natural gas How many of the above activities are regulated by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board in our country?
Why
PNGRB regulates only the midstream and downstream activities, specifically refining/storage/distribution and marketing/sale of petroleum products, while upstream production of crude oil and natural gas is outside its purview.
Consider the following statements: I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member. II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified. III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
India joined the Minerals Security Partnership and the 2023 MMDR amendment did empower the Centre to exclusively auction critical mineral blocks, but India is not self-sufficient in all 30 critical minerals it has identified.
Consider the following statements: Statement I: Some rare earth elements are used in the manufacture of flat television screens and computer monitors. Statement II: Some rare earth elements have phosphorescent properties. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Why
Rare earth elements like europium and terbium are phosphorescent and are used in display screens precisely because of this property, so Statement II explains Statement I.
In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements: I. Cobalt II. Graphite III. Lithium IV. Nickel How many of the above usually make up battery cathodes?
Why
Cobalt, Lithium, and Nickel are standard cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries; Graphite is used in the anode, not the cathode.
Consider the following materials:
Which of the above can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
Why
All four materials, agricultural residues, corn grain, wastewater treatment sludge, and wood mill waste, are approved feedstocks for Sustainable Aviation Fuel under internationally recognised pathways.
One of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, powered by hydrogen?
Why
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles combine hydrogen with oxygen in an electrochemical reaction, producing only water vapour (and heat) as exhaust, making them zero tailpipe emission vehicles.
Consider the following:
How many of the above are considered "Distributed Energy Resources"?
Why
All four, battery storage, biomass generators, fuel cells, and rooftop solar PV units, qualify as Distributed Energy Resources because they generate or store energy at or near the point of consumption.
Recently, the term "pumped-storage hydropower" is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following?
Why
Pumped-storage hydropower is the dominant technology for large-scale, long duration energy storage, water is pumped uphill when power is surplus and released through turbines when demand rises.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms of value.
Statement-II: Switzerland has the second largest gold reserves in the world. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Why
Switzerland is a major gold refining and exporting hub (Statement-I is correct), but it does not hold the second largest gold reserves in the world, that distinction belongs to Germany or other countries (Statement-II is incorrect).
Consider the following heavy industries:
Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?
Why
Green hydrogen is a key decarbonisation pathway for all three hard-to-abate industries, fertilizers (replacing grey hydrogen in ammonia synthesis), oil refining (hydrotreating), and steel (direct reduction of iron).
With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements:
How many of the above statements are correct?
Why
All three statements are correct: green hydrogen can fuel internal combustion engines, be blended with natural gas for heat or power, and power fuel cell electric vehicles.
Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?
Why
Both ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and rutile (TiO₂) are titanium-bearing minerals found in the heavy mineral sands of India's Kerala and Tamil Nadu coasts.
With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements:
How many of the above statements are correct?
Why
Some coastal thermal plants do use seawater for cooling, some are sited in water-stressed districts, and private sector companies do own coal-based thermal plants in India, so all three statements are incorrect.
About three-fourth of world's Cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by:
Why
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) produces approximately 70–75% of the world's cobalt, making it by far the dominant global supplier.
In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO)?
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Why
The CCO maintains coal statistics, monitors captive block development, and hears objections to coal acquisition notifications, but it does not track delivery timelines of coal to end users.
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given below is/are correct?
Why
Only Statement 2 is correct, Cochin International Airport in Kerala was the world's first fully solar-powered international airport; Statement 1 is wrong (Rajasthan hosts the largest solar park) and Statement 3 is wrong.
With reference to India, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
Monazite is rich in rare earths and thorium, but it does not occur in all Indian coastal sands (only select beaches), and only government bodies are permitted to process or export it.
With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Both statements are false, solar-powered systems can drive both surface and submersible pumps, as well as both centrifugal and piston-type pumps.
According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?
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Why
India's National Biofuel Policy permits surplus/damaged food crops and non-food crops for ethanol; cassava, damaged wheat, rotten potatoes, and sugar beet qualify, while oilseeds like groundnut and horse gram do not.
Consider the following minerals:
In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals?
Why
Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, Chromite, Kyanite, and Sillimanite are designated as major minerals, while Bentonite is classified as a minor mineral.
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
PNGRB was not the first regulatory body set up by India; PNGRB does ensure competitive gas markets and appeals against its decisions do lie before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity.
With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Sand is indeed classified as a minor mineral; however, rule-making powers for minor minerals vest with the State Governments (not the Centre), while States also have anti-illegal-mining powers, so statements 1 and 3 are correct.
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Coal nationalisation was carried out under Indira Gandhi in the 1970s; coal blocks are now allocated through competitive auctions (not lottery), and India continues to import significant quantities of coal.
With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements:
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
Why
India is not the largest manufacturer of silicon wafers (China dominates), and solar tariffs are determined through competitive bidding processes overseen by state electricity regulators, not by SECI.
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
State Governments do have the power to auction non-coal mines; Andhra Pradesh has gold mines (Ramagiri); Rajasthan does have iron ore deposits, making only statement 3 correct.
It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry?
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Why
Statements 2 and 3 are the real limitations, high technology requirements and large-scale facility concerns; Statement 1 is wrong because algae can be grown in inland ponds and bioreactors.
With reference to India, consider the following pairs: Organization — Union Ministry I. The National Automotive Board — Ministry of Commerce and Industry II. The Coir Board — Ministry of Heavy Industries III. The National Centre for Trade Information — Ministry of Micro, Small and Enterprises How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Why
The National Automotive Board is under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the Coir Board is under the Ministry of MSME, and the National Centre for Trade Information is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, all three pairs are wrongly matched.
With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
CSR rules explicitly exclude activities that benefit the company or its employees from counting as CSR; however, the Companies Act does prescribe a minimum CSR spend of 2% of average net profits for eligible companies.
In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?
Why
The Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour and Employment is the nodal agency that collects and publishes data on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments, and lay-offs.
Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. II. 'Kavach' is an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany. III. 'Kavach' system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section. Which of the statements given above are not correct?
Why
NRP targets 2030, not 2028, and Kavach was indigenously developed by Indian industry without German collaboration; RFID tags on tracks is a correct feature of Kavach.
Consider the following airports:
In the recent past, which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield projects?
Why
Donyi Polo Airport (Itanagar) and Kushinagar International Airport are Greenfield projects, while Vijayawada International Airport is an expansion of an existing facility.
Consider the following pairs: Port : Well known as
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Why
Kamarajar Port (formerly Ennore) is indeed the first major port registered as a company, and Mundra is the largest privately owned port; Vishakhapatnam is not the largest container port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port holds that distinction.
With reference to India's projects on connectivity, consider the following statements:
How many of the above statements are correct?
Why
The East-West Corridor connects Silchar (Assam) and Porbandar (not Dibrugarh and Surat); the Trilateral Highway ends at Mae Sot (not Chiang Mai); and the BCIM corridor connects Kolkata (not Varanasi) with Kunming, all three statements are wrong.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: India accounts for 32% of global export of goods.
Statement-II: Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India's 'Production-linked Incentive' scheme. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Why
India's share in global merchandise exports is far less than 32%, so Statement-I is factually wrong, while the PLI scheme has indeed been utilised by both domestic and foreign firms.
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Indo-Sri Lanka trade has not consistently increased and Bangladesh (not Nepal) is India's largest South Asian trading partner, but textiles are genuinely a major component of India-Bangladesh trade.
With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS), which of the following statements is/are correct?
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Why
TRIMS prohibits quantitative import restrictions by foreign investors and does not directly regulate foreign investment itself, but it applies only to trade in goods, not services.
Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?
Why
Vegetable oils (especially palm oil) consistently top India's agricultural import bill in value terms, far exceeding pulses, spices, and fresh fruits.
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
India imports more edible oil than it produces domestically, but custom duties are indeed levied on imported edible oils, so only statement 1 is correct.
Consider the following statements about turmeric during the year 2022–23: I. India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric in the world. II. More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in India. III. Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are major turmeric producing States in India. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
All three statements are correct, India leads global turmeric production and export, cultivates over 30 varieties, and the four named states are the primary growing regions.
Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission: I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers. II. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Both statements accurately describe the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, which targets rural poor holding low-productivity indigenous breeds and promotes their scientific conservation.
With reference to the Digital India—Land Records Modernization Program, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
All three features, central funding, cadastral map digitisation, and transliteration of Records of Rights, are components of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme.
Consider the following statements:
How many of the above statements are correct?
Why
Niger (Ramtil) receives MSP, is a Kharif oilseed, and is traditionally used as cooking oil by tribal communities in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, making all three statements correct.
Which one of the following best describes the concept of 'Small Farmer Large Field'?
Why
Small Farmer Large Field is a cooperative model where marginal farmers form groups to synchronise key farming operations, achieving scale benefits without surrendering land ownership.
Consider the following statements:
How many of the above statements are correct?
Why
Only statement 1 is correct, India does have more arable land than China, but China's irrigated-area proportion and per-hectare productivity are both higher.
Which of the following are nitrogen-fixing plants?
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Why
Alfalfa, chickpea, and clover are leguminous plants that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules; amaranth, purslane, and spinach are not nitrogen-fixers.
Consider the following States: Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura How many of the above are generally known as tea-producing States?
Why
All four states, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Tripura, produce tea, though in varying quantities.
"System of Rice Intensification" of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in:
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Why
SRI uses fewer seeds (wider spacing), alternate wetting and drying reduces anaerobic conditions that produce methane, and water savings lower pump electricity consumption, all three benefits apply.
With reference to the "Tea Board" in India, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
Tea Board is a statutory body under the Tea Act, 1953, with HQ in Kolkata (not Bengaluru) and overseas offices including Dubai and Moscow; it is under the Ministry of Commerce, not Agriculture.
How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? 1) Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are pre-dominant. 2) Conventional chemical farming can cause increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming. 3) Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions. 4) Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Why
Statements 1, 2, and 4 correctly distinguish permaculture from conventional farming; statement 3 is incorrect because permaculture can actually be better suited to semi-arid regions.
In the context of India's preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
All three statements are correct: CCAFS leads Climate-Smart Villages, CCAFS operates under CGIAR (headquartered in Montpellier, France), and ICRISAT (Hyderabad) is a CGIAR centre.
Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?
Why
Sugarcane has an extremely high water requirement of about 1500–2000 mm, making it the least water-efficient among these crops.
Consider the following statements: 1) Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree. 2) Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia. 3) In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce. 4) India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa. 5) Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
Moringa is not a legume and tamarind is native to tropical Africa (not South Asia), so statements 1 and 2 are wrong; statements 3, 4, and 5 are correct.
Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?
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Why
Kisan Credit Card covers short-term credit for farm asset maintenance, household consumption, and post-harvest expenses, not long-term capital purchases like tractors or house/cold storage construction.
With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Black gram (urad) is grown in both kharif and rabi seasons; green-gram accounts for far less than half of pulse production, and rabi pulse production has not decreased.
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
MSP procurement is limited and targeted, not unlimited; and market prices can and do rise above MSP in good harvest years, making both statements incorrect.
What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?
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Why
Zero tillage preserves crop residues (avoiding burning), allows direct seeding into undisturbed soil, and keeps organic matter intact which enhances carbon sequestration, all three are valid advantages.
With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Bud chip settling technology does save seed material and tissue culture settlings are used in sugarcane; single-budded setts actually have lower germination and poorer survival than multi-budded setts.
Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past?
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Why
All four factors, MSP as a price floor, government procurement/trading, buffer stock management, and PDS subsidies, together influence domestic rice prices in India.
In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?
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Why
Public investment means spending on productive assets, computerisation of credit societies, social capital, and government cold storage qualify; MSP fixing, free electricity, and loan waivers are subsidies/interventions, not capital investments.
What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture?
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Why
Rock phosphate and other sparingly soluble phosphatic fertilizers are not effectively applied through fertigation, so statement 2 is incorrect; statements 1, 3, and 4 are valid advantages.
In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture?
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Why
Crop diversification, legume intensification (natural nitrogen fixation), and tensiometer-guided irrigation are eco-friendly practices; vertical farming is resource-intensive and not classified as eco-friendly agriculture in the Indian context.
"The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days and 50 to 100 centimeters of rainfall for its growth. A light well-drained soil capable of retaining moisture is ideally suited for the cultivation of the crop." Which one of the following is that crop?
Why
The description of 50–100 cm rainfall, frost sensitivity, 210 frost-free days, and light well-drained soil closely matches cotton cultivation requirements.
What is the use of biochar in farming?
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Biochar improves growing media in vertical farms, its porous structure provides habitat for beneficial nitrogen-fixing microbes, and its high porosity retains moisture, all three uses are well-established.
With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?
Why
Land reforms in India were primarily aimed at abolishing intermediaries and redistributing surplus land to landless and near-landless cultivators.
The economic cost of food grains to the Food Corporation of India is Minimum Support Price and bonus (if any) paid to the farmers plus:
Why
FCI's economic cost equals MSP/bonus plus procurement incidentals (handling, mandi charges) and distribution costs for moving grain to PDS outlets.
With reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in India in the last five years, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Why
Rice has the highest Kharif acreage and cotton area exceeds sugarcane, but jowar area does not exceed total oilseeds area and sugarcane acreage has not steadily declined.
Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?
Why
India has been the world's largest rice exporter for most of the past decade, consistently ahead of Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan.
As per the NSSO 70th Round 'Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households', consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given below is/are correct?
Why
Rajasthan had the highest share of agricultural households in its rural households, and Kerala's farm households predominantly earned from non-farm sources; the stated OBC share percentage in statement 2 is inaccurate.
Consider the following:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced the Minimum Support Price for which of the above?
Why
MSP under CCEA covers barley, finger millet (ragi), groundnut, and sesamum among this list; arecanut, coffee, and turmeric are not covered under the standard MSP announcement.
With references to organic farming in India, consider the following statements:
Which of the following given above is/are correct?
Why
NPOP is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (not Rural Development), so statement 1 is wrong; APEDA is indeed the NPOP secretariat and Sikkim became India's first fully organic state in 2016.
With references to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of 'Conservation Agriculture' assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture?
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Why
Conservation Agriculture's three pillars are minimum tillage, permanent soil cover using crop residues, and crop rotations; avoiding monocultures or plantation crops are not part of its formal definition.
With reference to the 'Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA)', which of the following statements is/are correct?
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Why
GACSA was launched at the 2014 UN Climate Summit in New York (not Paris 2015), and India was not among its founders; only statement 2 is correct, GACSA membership is voluntary with no binding commitments.
With reference to agriculture soils consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Organic matter increases water-holding capacity (statement 1 is wrong); soil is integral to the sulphur cycle (statement 2 is wrong); prolonged irrigation does cause waterlogging and salinization (statement 3 is correct).
Consider the following statements: The nation-wide 'Soil Health Card Scheme' aims at:
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Why
The Soil Health Card Scheme's primary objective is to advise farmers on nutrient deficiencies so they apply only the required fertilizers; irrigation expansion and bank loan assessment are not its aims.
Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture?
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Why
Zero tillage and crop residue mulching both reduce evaporation and retain soil moisture; gypsum improves soil structure but is not primarily a water-conservation measure.
Consider the following information: Waterfall – Region – River
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
Why
Only Hundru Falls on the Subarnarekha in Chota Nagpur is correctly matched; Dhuandhar is in the Jabalpur region (not Malwa), and Gersoppa (Jog Falls) is on the Sharavati, not the Netravati.
With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct?
Why
From west to east, the correct order of Himalayan tributaries joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj is Gomati, then Ghaghara, then Gandak, and finally Kosi.
Consider the following statements:
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Why
Only statement 1 is correct, the Jhelum does pass through Wular Lake; Kolleru Lake is fed by the Krishna and Godavari floodwaters but not directly by Krishna alone, and Kanwar Lake was formed by the meandering of the Gandak is actually correct too, however official answer is only one, as statement 2 is considered incorrect (Kolleru is fed by seasonal streams, not directly by Krishna) and statement 3 is debated.
Consider the following pairs: Wetland / Lake — Location
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Why
Hokera Wetland is in Jammu & Kashmir (not Punjab) and Sasthamkotta Lake is in Kerala (not Tamil Nadu), so only pairs 2 (Renuka Wetland – Himachal Pradesh) and 3 (Rudrasagar Lake – Tripura) are correctly matched.
Consider the following pairs: Reservoirs — States
How many pairs given above are not correctly matched?
Why
Ghataprabha reservoir is in Karnataka (not Telangana), Indira Sagar is in Madhya Pradesh (not Andhra Pradesh), and Maithon is in Jharkhand (not Chhattisgarh), three pairs are incorrectly matched; only Gandhi Sagar–Madhya Pradesh is correct.
Gandikota canyon of South India was created by which one of the following rivers?
Why
Gandikota canyon in Andhra Pradesh, often called the 'Grand Canyon of India', was carved by the Pennar (Penna) River through the Erramala hills.
With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct?
Why
The Sutlej joins the Indus directly; the Beas joins the Sutlej, and the Ravi and Jhelum join the Chenab, which then joins the Sutlej before meeting the Indus.
Consider the following rivers: 1) Brahmani 2) Nagavali 3) Subarnarekha 4) Vamsadhara Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?
Why
Nagavali and Vamsadhara both originate in the Eastern Ghats; Brahmani and Subarnarekha originate in the Chota Nagpur plateau and Jharkhand hills respectively.
With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of:
Why
Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are all saline (salt) lakes located in Rajasthan.
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
CGWA was established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and India does have the largest area under groundwater irrigation globally; the 36% figure is incorrect.
What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati?
Why
Aliyar (Tamil Nadu), Isapur (Maharashtra), and Kangsabati (West Bengal) are all water reservoirs built across rivers for irrigation and water supply.
Consider the following pairs: Glacier — River
Which of the pairs correctly matched?
Why
Bandarpunch glacier feeds the Yamuna, Bara Shigri feeds the Chenab, and Siachen glacier feeds the Nubra river; Milam feeds the Goriganga (not Mandakini) and Zemu is in Sikkim draining into the Teesta (not Manas).
Consider the following pairs: Famous Place — River
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Why
Pandharpur is situated on the Chandrabhaga (Bhima) and Tiruchirappalli on the Cauvery, but Hampi is situated on the Tungabhadra river, not the Malaprabha.
Which of the following is an Artificial Lake?
Why
Kodaikanal lake was artificially created by constructing a dam across a stream in 1863; the others are natural lakes.
With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Only statement 2 is correct, Rangeet originates in Sikkim and is a tributary of Teesta; the Teesta's source is in the Sikkim Himalayas (not the same as Brahmaputra's), and it joins the Brahmaputra in Bangladesh, not the Bay of Bengal directly.
The total fertility rate in an economy is defined as:
Why
Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is the average number of live births a woman would have over her entire reproductive lifespan, not a per-1000 or couple-specific measure.
In the context of any country, which one of the following would be considered as part of its social capital?
Why
Social capital refers to networks of trust, norms, and social ties that enable collective action; physical infrastructure and human capital metrics are distinct concepts.
Consider the following statements: Human capital formation as a concept is better explained in terms of a process which enables
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Human capital formation involves improving knowledge and skills (statement 2) which is intangible wealth (statement 4); physical/financial capital accumulation is not part of this concept.
With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
PM-SYM provides a minimum pension of ₹3,000/month at age 60 with age-specific monthly contributions, but the entry age is 18–40 years and family pension applies only to the spouse (not unmarried daughters).
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Statement 1 is incorrect as the India Sanitation Coalition is an industry-led platform, not government-WHO funded; statement 2 is also incorrect as NIUA is not an apex body in that sense.
With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements:
Which of the above statements are correct?
Why
EPF coverage applies to regular employees in eligible establishments, not all casual workers, but casual workers are entitled to statutory working hours/overtime and the government can mandate bank-wage payments.
Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the:
Why
Atal Innovation Mission was established under NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across India.
Consider the following statements: As per the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central (Amendment) Rules, 2018
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
The 2018 amendment introduced fixed-term employment (making lay-offs easier as no retrenchment compensation applies) and also provides that temporary workmen require no notice of termination.
With the reference to the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
PMKVY is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (not Labour), but it does cover soft skills, financial literacy, and alignment to NSQF.
What is the aim of the programme 'Unnat Bharat Abhiyan'?
Why
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan links higher education institutions with rural communities to identify local development challenges and apply appropriate technological solutions.
What is the purpose of 'Vidyanjali Yojana'?
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Why
Vidyanjali Yojana is a school volunteer programme that mobilises community and private sector participation to improve quality of education in government schools, not for foreign campuses or infrastructure funding.
'Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme' is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to:
Why
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme under PMKVY certifies pre-existing skills of workers (including those in construction) acquired through informal or traditional means.
Which of the following are the objectives of 'National Nutrition Mission'?
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Why
The National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan) focuses on awareness and reducing stunting, undernutrition, and anaemia; it does not promote specific food items like millets or poultry eggs.
Consider the following in respect of 'National Career Service':
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Why
The National Career Service (NCS) is an initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Employment (not DoPT) and it targets all job-seekers including educated youth, not just the uneducated.
With reference to 'National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)', which of the statements given below is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Why
NSQF allows certification through formal, non-formal, and informal learning (making statement 1 wrong), but it does aim to facilitate mobility between vocational and general education streams.
Which of the following is the best example of repeated falls in sea level, giving rise to present day extensive marshland?
Why
The Rann of Kutch is a vast salt marsh formed by repeated retreats of sea level, leaving behind an extensive low-lying saline flatland.
Among the following cities, which one lies on a longitude closest to that of Delhi?
Why
Bengaluru lies closest to Delhi's longitude (~77°E), making it the best match among the four options.
Which of the following is geographically closest to Great Nicobar?
Why
Great Nicobar Island is separated from Sumatra (Indonesia) by only about 150 km across the Strait of Malacca, making it the closest option.
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why
Only statement 3 is correct, Pulicat Lake straddles Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; the Himalayas span more than five states and the Western Ghats also cover more than five states.
Consider the following statements:
How many of the above statements are correct?
Why
All three statements are incorrect: Amarkantak is at the confluence of Vindhya and Satpura (not Sahyadri), Biligirirangan Hills are in the Eastern Ghats (not Satpura), and Seshachalam Hills are in the Eastern Ghats (not Western Ghats).
Consider the following pairs: Peak — Mountains
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Why
Only Nanda Devi–Kumaon Himalaya is correctly matched; Namcha Barwa is in Arunachal Himalaya and Nokrek is in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, not Sikkim.
Siachen Glacier is situated to the:
Why
Siachen Glacier lies in the Karakoram range, to the north of the Nubra Valley in Ladakh.
Consider the following statements:
Which of the statement given below is/are correct?
Why
Only statement 1 is correct: Barren Island is indeed an active volcano in Indian territory; it is near North Andaman (not Great Nicobar) and has erupted multiple times after 1991.
At one of the places in India, if you stand on the seashore and watch the sea, you will find that the sea water recedes from the shore line a few kilometres and comes back to the shore, twice a day, and you can actually walk on the sea floor when the water recedes. This unique phenomenon is seen at:
Why
Chandipur in Odisha is famous for its unique tidal phenomenon where the sea recedes up to 5 km twice daily, exposing the sea floor for walking.
Consider the following States:
With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?
Why
In ascending order of percentage forest cover: Maharashtra has the least, followed by Madhya Pradesh, then Odisha, and Chhattisgarh has the highest forest cover percentage among these four states.