Q70. Which state among these receives important rainfall during winter?
[SSC MTS (12 September 2023, Shift 2)]
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Jharkhand
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Rajasthan
Answer: (A) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: Tamil Nadu’s coast receives substantial rainfall from northeast monsoon winds, generally October–December, making its seasonal regime unusual in India. Most other listed states depend mainly on the southwest monsoon, although Rajasthan can receive occasional winter showers.
Q69. Mango showers are mainly associated with which two Indian states?
[SSC MTS (12 September 2023, Shift 3)]
(A) Kerala and Karnataka
(B) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
(C) Kerala and Andhra Pradesh
(D) Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
Answer: (A) Kerala and Karnataka
Explanation: Mango showers are localized pre-monsoon rains common in Kerala and Karnataka. They help mangoes ripen and may support other crops before the principal summer monsoon arrives. Their timing and intensity differ from the widespread monsoon season.
Q68. Jet streams are a special form of which winds?
[SSC MTS (12 September 2023, Shift 1)]
(A) Weather fronts
(B) Atmospheric pollution
(C) Geostrophic winds
(D) Periodic water movement
Answer: (C) Geostrophic winds
Explanation: Jet streams are narrow, fast upper-atmosphere wind bands associated with strong horizontal pressure gradients and Earth’s rotation. They are broadly geostrophic in character. Changes in subtropical and tropical jet patterns are relevant to India’s seasonal monsoon circulation.
Q67. Which state first receives southwest monsoon rainfall on mainland India?
[SSC MTS (11 September 2023, Shift 3)]
(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) Kerala
(C) Telangana
(D) Rajasthan
Answer: (B) Kerala
Explanation: Kerala’s southwest coast is normally the first mainland region reached by the Arabian Sea branch of the summer monsoon. Rainfall then advances farther north and inland. Onset dates can vary considerably, depending on atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
Q66. Which factor is NOT generally listed as a direct control of India’s climate?
[SSC MTS (11 September 2023, Shift 3)]
(A) Altitude
(B) Longitude
(C) Latitude
(D) Winds
Answer: (B) Longitude
Explanation: Latitude influences incoming solar radiation, altitude cools the atmosphere, and prevailing winds transport heat and moisture. Longitude itself is not ordinarily a primary climatic control. Relief and distance from the sea also strongly affect India’s regional climate.
Q65. What largely explains the heavy summer rainfall along India’s western coast?
[SSC MTS (11 September 2023, Shift 2)]
(A) Western Ghats
(B) Easterly winds
(C) Indus River
(D) Eastern Ghats
Answer: (A) Western Ghats
Explanation: The Western Ghats intercept moist winds carried by the Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon. As air rises over their slopes, it cools and condenses, causing heavy orographic rainfall. The plateau beyond the mountains is comparatively drier.
Q64. During which months does the retreating monsoon occur in India?
[SSC MTS (8 September 2023, Shift 1)]
(A) January–February
(B) May–June
(C) October–November
(D) March–April
Answer: (C) October–November
Explanation: October and November are the main retreating monsoon months. Summer monsoon winds weaken and withdraw across the country as pressure systems shift southward. At the same time, northeast winds bring important rain to the southeastern coast, especially Tamil Nadu.
Q63. Which Indian state is associated with the pre-monsoon thunderstorms called Kaal Baisakhi?
[SSC MTS (8 September 2023, Shift 3)]
(A) West Bengal
(B) Karnataka
(C) Gujarat
(D) Haryana
Answer: (A) West Bengal
Explanation: Kalbaisakhi storms occur in West Bengal during March–May, before sustained summer monsoon rains arrive. These Norwesters can produce thunder, lightning, heavy downpours and strong gusts. They are geographically different from the dry Loo winds of northern India.
Q62. In Indian climatology, what is Mahawat?
[SSC MTS (6 September 2023, Shift 2)]
(A) Winter cold wave
(B) Summer monsoon cloudburst
(C) Cyclonic winter rainfall
(D) Hot dry summer winds
Answer: (C) Cyclonic winter rainfall
Explanation: Mahawat refers to winter showers in the northwestern Indian plains, commonly associated with eastward-moving western disturbances. The rain is agriculturally important because it supplies moisture to wheat and other rabi crops during their growing season.
Q61. Which climatic region of the world is typically identified by a seasonal reversal of winds?
[UPSC NDA-II General Ability (3 September 2023)]
(A) British type climate
(B) Mediterranean climate
(C) China type climate
(D) Monsoon climate
Answer: (D) Monsoon climate
Explanation: Monsoon climates exhibit a marked seasonal change in prevailing wind direction. Summer winds generally bring marine moisture inland, while winter circulation is more often directed from land toward sea. This reversal produces pronounced wet and dry seasons.
