Geography of India & the World – Physical Geography of India
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)
Combined Competitive Examination (CCE)
Preliminary Examination – General Studies Paper I (Objective, 200 Marks)
Topic: Geography of India & the World
Sub Topic: Physical Geography of India
Physical Geography of India – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Explanations
Q1. India is located entirely in which hemisphere(s)?
A. Northern Hemisphere only
B. Southern Hemisphere only
C. Northern and Eastern Hemispheres
D. Northern and Western Hemispheres
Answer: C
Explanation: India lies north of the Equator and east of the Prime Meridian, placing it in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres.
Q2. The Himalayas were formed due to the collision of:
A. African and Eurasian plates
B. Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates
C. Pacific and Eurasian plates
D. Indian and African plates
Answer: B
Explanation: The Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate, leading to the uplift of the Himalayas.
Q3. Which is the northernmost physiographic division of India?
A. Northern Plains
B. Peninsular Plateau
C. Himalayan Mountains
D. Coastal Plains
Answer: C
Q4. The Himalayan ranges are arranged from north to south as:
A. Shiwalik – Himachal – Himadri
B. Himadri – Himachal – Shiwalik
C. Himachal – Shiwalik – Himadri
D. Shiwalik – Himadri – Himachal
Answer: B
Explanation: The correct order is Greater Himalaya (Himadri), Lesser Himalaya (Himachal), and Outer Himalaya (Shiwalik).
Q5. Which Himalayan range contains the highest peaks?
A. Shiwalik
B. Himachal
C. Himadri
D. Purvanchal
Answer: C
Q6. The Northern Plains of India are mainly formed by the deposits of:
A. Rivers flowing from the Peninsular Plateau
B. Rivers flowing from the Himalayas
C. Coastal rivers only
D. Underground water
Answer: B
Explanation: Rivers like Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra deposit alluvium forming the plains.
Q7. Which soil is most widely spread in India?
A. Black soil
B. Red soil
C. Alluvial soil
D. Laterite soil
Answer: C
Q8. The Peninsular Plateau is composed mainly of:
A. Sedimentary rocks
B. Metamorphic rocks
C. Igneous and metamorphic rocks
D. Volcanic ash
Answer: C
Q9. Which of the following is the oldest landmass of India?
A. Northern Plains
B. Coastal Plains
C. Peninsular Plateau
D. Himalayan Mountains
Answer: C
Q10. The Western Ghats are:
A. Higher than Eastern Ghats
B. Discontinuous and low
C. Completely eroded
D. Lower than Eastern Ghats
Answer: A
Explanation: Western Ghats are continuous and higher, forming an important climatic barrier.
Q11. Which pass connects India with Myanmar?
A. Nathu La
B. Shipki La
C. Bomdi La
D. Diphu Pass
Answer: D
Q12. The Eastern Ghats differ from the Western Ghats because they are:
A. Volcanic in origin
B. Higher in elevation
C. Discontinuous and irregular
D. Snow-covered
Answer: C
Q13. Which river forms the largest delta in the world?
A. Nile
B. Mississippi
C. Amazon
D. Ganga–Brahmaputra
Answer: D
Q14. The Sundarbans delta is formed by the rivers:
A. Ganga and Yamuna
B. Brahmaputra and Teesta
C. Ganga and Brahmaputra
D. Godavari and Krishna
Answer: C
Q15. Which plateau lies between the Aravali and Vindhya ranges?
A. Malwa Plateau
B. Deccan Plateau
C. Chotanagpur Plateau
D. Bundelkhand Plateau
Answer: A
Q16. The Deccan Plateau slopes generally from:
A. East to west
B. West to east
C. North to south
D. South to north
Answer: B
Q17. Black soil is ideal for the cultivation of:
A. Wheat
B. Rice
C. Cotton
D. Tea
Answer: C
Q18. Laterite soil is formed due to:
A. Volcanic activity
B. Glacial erosion
C. Intense leaching in high rainfall areas
D. River deposition
Answer: C
Q19. Which coastal plain is wider?
A. Western Coastal Plain
B. Eastern Coastal Plain
C. Gujarat Coastal Plain
D. Konkan Coast
Answer: B
Q20. The Chilika Lake is located on the coast of:
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. Odisha
D. West Bengal
Answer: C
Q21. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are of:
A. Continental origin
B. Volcanic origin
C. Coral origin
D. Alluvial origin
Answer: B
Q22. Barren Island in India is:
A. A coral island
B. A dormant volcano
C. An active volcano
D. A plateau island
Answer: C
Q23. Which river flows through a rift valley?
A. Ganga
B. Yamuna
C. Narmada
D. Godavari
Answer: C
Q24. The Thar Desert is mainly formed due to:
A. Volcanic activity
B. High rainfall
C. Rain shadow effect of Aravali
D. Glacial erosion
Answer: C
Q25. Which mountain range separates the Deccan Plateau from the Northern Plains?
A. Aravali Range
B. Vindhya Range
C. Satpura Range
D. Western Ghats
Answer: B
Q26. The Purvanchal Hills are an extension of:
A. Western Ghats
B. Eastern Ghats
C. Himalayas
D. Aravali Range
Answer: C
Q27. The highest peak in the Peninsular Plateau is:
A. Anamudi
B. Guru Shikhar
C. Doddabetta
D. Mahendragiri
Answer: A
Q28. Which drainage pattern is formed by hard and soft rocks arranged alternately?
A. Dendritic
B. Radial
C. Trellis
D. Rectangular
Answer: C
Q29. The Indian rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal generally form:
A. Estuaries
B. Waterfalls
C. Deltas
D. Fjords
Answer: C
Q30. Physical geography of India directly influences:
A. Language distribution
B. Political boundaries
C. Climate, vegetation, and settlement patterns
D. Administrative divisions
Answer: C
Explanation: Relief, drainage, and climate strongly affect agriculture, vegetation, and human settlement.
✅ APSC Prelims Value
✔ Strong coverage of physiographic divisions, rivers, soils, coasts
✔ Concept-based explanations for elimination
✔ Ideal for static geography questions
-
APSC Physical Geography MCQs
-
Indian physiography MCQs for APSC
-
Himalayas rivers soils MCQs India
-
APSC GS Paper I geography questions
-
Physical geography of India prelims MCQs