Physiographic Divisions of India MCQs

🌍 MODULE 4: Indian Geography MCQs

Topic: Physiographic Divisions of India MCQs

🔷 SUB-TOPIC I: Overview of Physiographic Divisions

Q1. India is broadly divided into how many major physiographic divisions?

A. Four
B. Five
C. Six
D. Seven

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
India is divided into six major physiographic divisions:
Himalayan Mountains, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands.

Q2. Which physiographic division of India is geologically the oldest?

A. Himalayan Mountains
B. Northern Plains
C. Peninsular Plateau
D. Coastal Plains

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest landmasses of the world, composed mainly of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC II: The Himalayan Mountain System

Q3. The Himalayas were formed due to the collision of which two tectonic plates?

A. African and Eurasian plates
B. Arabian and Indian plates
C. Indian and Eurasian plates
D. Pacific and Indian plates

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The northward movement of the Indian plate led to its collision with the Eurasian plate, forming the Himalayas.

Q4. Which is the northernmost and highest Himalayan range?

A. Shiwalik
B. Himachal
C. Himadri
D. Purvanchal

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Himadri (Greater Himalaya) contains the highest peaks and remains snow-covered throughout the year.

Q5. The Shiwalik range is mainly composed of:

A. Igneous rocks
B. Metamorphic rocks
C. Unconsolidated sediments
D. Volcanic lava

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Shiwaliks consist of loose sediments brought down by Himalayan rivers.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC III: Northern Plains of India

Q6. The Northern Plains of India are formed by the deposition of alluvium brought by:

A. Peninsular rivers
B. Coastal rivers
C. Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers
D. Seasonal streams

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
These rivers deposit thick layers of fertile alluvial soil, forming the Northern Plains.

Q7. The Bhabar belt is characterized by:

A. Clayey soil
B. Floodplains
C. Pebbles and porous rocks
D. Marshy land

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Bhabar region lies south of the Shiwaliks and has coarse material where rivers disappear underground.

Q8. Khadar soil refers to:

A. Old alluvium
B. Desert soil
C. New alluvial soil deposited annually
D. Black soil

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Khadar is renewed every year by floods and is very fertile.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC IV: Peninsular Plateau

Q9. The Peninsular Plateau is primarily composed of:

A. Sedimentary rocks
B. Igneous and metamorphic rocks
C. Limestone deposits
D. Coral formations

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It is an ancient crystalline block formed through volcanic activity and erosion.

Q10. The Peninsular Plateau is broadly divided into:

A. Eastern and Western Plateaus
B. Northern and Southern Plateaus
C. Central Highlands and Deccan Plateau
D. Vindhya and Satpura Plateaus

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Narmada river roughly divides the plateau into these two parts.

Q11. The Deccan Plateau is bounded by:

A. Aravalli and Vindhya ranges
B. Satpura and Maikal ranges
C. Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
D. Nilgiri and Anaimalai hills

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Ghats form the western and eastern edges of the Deccan Plateau.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC V: Indian Desert (Thar Desert)

Q12. The Indian Desert lies mainly in which state?

A. Gujarat
B. Haryana
C. Rajasthan
D. Punjab

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Thar Desert lies west of the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan.

Q13. The main characteristic feature of the Indian Desert is:

A. Heavy rainfall
B. Dense vegetation
C. Sand dunes and low rainfall
D. Glacial deposits

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Low rainfall and sandy soil dominate the desert region.

Q14. Which river flows through the Indian Desert?

A. Ghaggar
B. Chambal
C. Luni
D. Sabarmati

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Luni flows towards the Rann of Kutch and disappears into the sand.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VI: Coastal Plains of India

Q15. The Western Coastal Plains lie between:

A. Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal
B. Western Ghats and Arabian Sea
C. Vindhya Range and Arabian Sea
D. Satpura Range and Indian Ocean

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
They are narrow plains running parallel to the Western Ghats.

Q16. Which coastal plain is wider and has extensive deltas?

A. Western Coastal Plains
B. Eastern Coastal Plains
C. Konkan Coast
D. Malabar Coast

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Large rivers form wide deltas along the eastern coast.

Q17. The Coromandel Coast is part of the:

A. Western Coastal Plains
B. Eastern Coastal Plains
C. Konkan Coast
D. Malabar Coast

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It lies along the Tamil Nadu coastline on the eastern side.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VII: Islands of India

Q18. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the:

A. Arabian Sea
B. Bay of Bengal
C. Indian Ocean
D. Red Sea

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
They are an extension of submerged mountain ranges in the Bay of Bengal.

Q19. The Lakshadweep Islands are of which origin?

A. Volcanic
B. Continental
C. Coral
D. Glacial

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Lakshadweep islands are coral atolls formed by coral polyps.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VIII: Inter-relationship of Physiographic Divisions

Q20. Which physiographic division acts as a climatic barrier for India?

A. Peninsular Plateau
B. Coastal Plains
C. Himalayan Mountains
D. Indian Desert

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Himalayas block cold Central Asian winds and influence the monsoon.

Q21. Most mineral resources of India are found in the:

A. Northern Plains
B. Coastal Plains
C. Peninsular Plateau
D. Islands

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The plateau region is rich in coal, iron ore, bauxite, and other minerals.

Q22. Floods are most common in which physiographic division?

A. Peninsular Plateau
B. Indian Desert
C. Northern Plains
D. Islands

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Flat terrain and heavy river deposition cause frequent flooding.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC IX: Comparative Understanding

Q23. Which division is most suitable for intensive agriculture?

A. Peninsular Plateau
B. Indian Desert
C. Northern Plains
D. Himalayan region

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Fertile alluvial soil and abundant water support agriculture.

Q24. Which division has black soil ideal for cotton cultivation?

A. Northern Plains
B. Coastal Plains
C. Deccan Plateau
D. Indian Desert

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Black soil is derived from lava flows of the Deccan Trap.

Q25. Which physiographic division shows maximum variation in relief?

A. Coastal Plains
B. Northern Plains
C. Himalayan Mountains
D. Islands

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Himalayas include deep valleys, glaciers, and high peaks.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC X: Overall Significance

Q26. The physiographic divisions of India mainly influence:

A. Political boundaries
B. Climate, vegetation, and human activities
C. Language distribution
D. Administrative divisions

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Relief features shape rainfall, soil, crops, and settlement patterns.

Q27. The Peninsular Plateau slopes generally towards the:

A. North
B. West
C. East
D. South

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Most rivers of the plateau flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal.

Q28. Which division is sparsely populated due to harsh conditions?

A. Northern Plains
B. Coastal Plains
C. Indian Desert
D. Islands

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Low rainfall and extreme temperatures limit settlement.

Q29. Which physiographic division is most prone to earthquakes?

A. Peninsular Plateau
B. Coastal Plains
C. Himalayan region
D. Deccan Plateau

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Himalayas lie in an active tectonic zone.

Q30. Understanding physiographic divisions is important because it:

A. Is theoretical only
B. Has no practical use
C. Explains India’s natural diversity and resource distribution
D. Relates only to maps

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Physiography provides the foundation for understanding climate, economy, and settlement patterns.

✅ Exam Relevance Note

These Physiographic Divisions of India MCQs are strictly aligned with India-specific GK syllabi and are highly relevant for:

• UPSC & State PSC Examinations
• SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)
• Banking & Railway Exams
• UG & PG Entrance Tests
• School & Board Exams (CBSE & State Boards)
• University & Competitive Examinations across India

• Physiographic divisions of India GK

• Major physical divisions of India MCQs

• Himalayas Northern Plains Peninsular Plateau MCQs

• Indian desert coastal plains islands MCQs

• Indian geography prelims MCQs

• UPSC geography physiography questions

• SSC Indian geography MCQs

• CBSE geography physical divisions GK

⭐

The Physiographic Divisions of India MCQs provide a clear, structured, and exam-focused understanding of India’s major physical divisions—Himalayan Mountains, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands. With concept-clearing explanations and logically sequenced questions, this MCQ set strengthens fundamental geography concepts, map awareness, and analytical clarity, making it highly effective for school, university, and competitive examinations across India.

❓ FAQ Section

Q1. Why are physiographic divisions of India important for competitive exams?

They form the foundation of Indian Geography and are frequently asked in UPSC, PSC, SSC, and other exams through direct and applied questions.

Q2. How many physiographic divisions does India have?

India has six major physiographic divisions: Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands.

Q3. Which physiographic division is the oldest in India?

The Peninsular Plateau is the oldest landmass and is rich in mineral resources.

Q4. Are these MCQs useful for UPSC Prelims and State PSC exams?

Yes. The questions are NCERT-aligned, concept-based, and ideal for prelims-level practice.

Q5. Are these MCQs suitable for school and board exams?

Absolutely. They are aligned with CBSE and State Board Geography syllabi and help in quick revision and exam preparation.

🎯 Targeting Exams

These Physiographic Divisions of India MCQs are specially designed for preparation of:

• UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims)

• State Public Service Commission (PSC) Exams

• SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)

• Banking Exams (IBPS, SBI, RBI)

• Railway Recruitment Exams

• Teaching Eligibility Tests (CTET, State TETs)

• UG & PG Entrance Examinations

• School & Board Exams (CBSE & State Boards)