Advanced Quiz – 17 October 2026 | General Studies

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The southwest monsoon normally reaches Kerala around 1 June, marking the beginning of the main monsoon season over India. The actual onset date varies from year to year.

Statement 2 is correct: The moisture-laden Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon encounters the Western Ghats, producing substantial orographic rainfall along their windward slopes.

Statement 3 is correct: Tamil Nadu receives a significant share of its annual rainfall during the northeast monsoon season, particularly from October to December.

Statement 4 is incorrect: Southwest monsoon winds generally blow from the ocean towards the Indian landmass, bringing moisture and rainfall. Land-to-sea winds are characteristic of the prevailing northeast monsoon circulation over much of India.

Additional Information:

• The southwest monsoon season generally extends from June to September.
• The southwest monsoon has two major branches: the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch.
• The Western Ghats create a rain-shadow region over parts of the Deccan Plateau.
• The northeast monsoon is especially important for Tamil Nadu and adjoining southeastern coastal regions.
• The retreating monsoon season is associated with cyclonic disturbances over the Bay of Bengal.

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Himalayas are young fold mountains formed mainly through the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. They remain tectonically active.

Statement 2 is correct: The Northern Plains were formed largely through the deposition of alluvium carried by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems and their tributaries.

Statement 3 is correct: The Peninsular Plateau is an ancient geological region consisting predominantly of igneous and metamorphic rocks, including granite and gneiss.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The Western Ghats are generally higher and more continuous than the Eastern Ghats. The Eastern Ghats are comparatively discontinuous and have been dissected by several east-flowing rivers.

Additional Information:

• The Himalayas are commonly divided into Himadri, Himachal and Shiwalik ranges.
• The Northern Plains contain Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar and Khadar regions.
• The Peninsular Plateau is broadly divided into the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
• Anamudi, located in Kerala, is the highest peak of the Western Ghats.
• The Western and Eastern Ghats meet in the Nilgiri Hills.

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Bhagirathi originates at Gaumukh, near the snout of the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. The river is known as the Ganga after the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda at Devprayag.

Statement 2 is correct: The Yamuna joins the Ganga at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. This confluence is popularly known as the Triveni Sangam.

Statement 3 is correct: The Narmada originates near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and flows westward through a rift valley before draining into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The Godavari originates near Trimbakeshwar in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra but flows eastward and drains into the Bay of Bengal.

Additional Information:

• The Godavari is the longest river of Peninsular India and is often called the Dakshin Ganga.
• The Narmada and Tapi are major west-flowing Peninsular rivers.
• The Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri drain into the Bay of Bengal.
• The Narmada flows between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges.
• The Ganga is India’s longest river flowing within the country, while the Indus and Brahmaputra have longer total courses extending beyond India.

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Black soil, also called regur soil, is suitable for cotton cultivation because of its high moisture-retention capacity. It is widespread in the Deccan region.

Statement 2 is correct: Alluvial soils occur extensively across the Northern Plains, where rivers deposit sediments containing sand, silt and clay.

Statement 3 is correct: Laterite soils form in regions experiencing high temperatures and heavy rainfall, where intense leaching removes soluble minerals and leaves concentrations of iron and aluminium compounds.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The reddish colour of red soils is primarily associated with iron oxides, not high humus content. Red soils are often relatively poor in humus.

Additional Information:

• Black soils are common in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and parts of the Deccan Plateau.
• Alluvial soils are broadly classified into Bhangar (older alluvium) and Khadar (newer alluvium).
• Laterite soils are found in parts of the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and other high-rainfall regions.
• Red and yellow soils are widespread in parts of the eastern and southern Peninsular Plateau.
• Arid soils are common in western Rajasthan and generally have low humus and moisture content.

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Tropic of Cancer (approximately 23°30′ N) passes through eight Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.

Statement 2 is correct: India’s Standard Meridian is 82°30′ E longitude. It passes near Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh and forms the basis of Indian Standard Time (IST), which is UTC+5:30.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal and adjoining eastern Indian Ocean waters, not in the Arabian Sea. The Lakshadweep Islands are located in the Arabian Sea.

Statement 4 is correct: The Palk Strait is a shallow stretch of water between southeastern India and northern Sri Lanka. It connects the Bay of Bengal region with Palk Bay.

Additional Information:

• India extends approximately from 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N latitude on the mainland.
• India’s mainland extends approximately from 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E longitude.
• Indira Point in the Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost point of Indian territory.
• Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of mainland India.
• The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands.
• The Nine Degree Channel separates Minicoy from the main Lakshadweep group.
• The Eight Degree Channel lies between Minicoy and the Maldives.