Q40. Which group of states receives rain from the northeast monsoon during October–December?
[SSC CGL Tier I (17 July 2023, Shift 1)]
(A) Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh
(B) Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh
(C) Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka
(D) Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal
Answer: (A) Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Northeast monsoon circulation is important for Tamil Nadu and adjoining southeastern peninsular areas, with additional rainfall in parts of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The wind picks up moisture over the Bay of Bengal during the retreating season.
Q39. Withdrawal of the monsoon begins in ______ Indian states by early September.
[SSC CHSL 2022 Tier I (16 March 2023, Shift 4)]
(A) Southeastern
(B) Northeastern
(C) Southwestern
(D) Northwestern
Answer: (D) Northwestern
Explanation: The southwest monsoon generally starts withdrawing from northwestern India before retreating from other regions. Seasonal cooling weakens the low-pressure trough over northern plains. By late autumn, much of India is under drier northeasterly flow.
Q38. Which season in India is called the transition season?
[SSC CHSL 2022 Tier I (14 March 2023, Shift 2)]
(A) Retreating Monsoon
(B) Advancing Monsoon
(C) Cold Weather
(D) Hot Weather
Answer: (A) Retreating Monsoon
Explanation: Retreating monsoon marks the seasonal transition from summer monsoon rains toward winter weather. Southwest winds weaken, skies clear and temperatures gradually change. Meanwhile, the southeast coast may receive fresh rainfall from northeast monsoon circulation.
Q37. Which monsoon causes torrential rain on Tamil Nadu coast and parts of southern Andhra Pradesh, southeast Karnataka and Kerala in October–November?
[SSC CHSL memory-based (13 March 2023)]
(A) Southwest monsoon
(B) Northeast monsoon
(C) Southeast monsoon
(D) Northwest monsoon
Answer: (B) Northeast monsoon
Explanation: Northeast monsoon winds gather moisture while passing over the Bay of Bengal and bring important post-summer rainfall to southeastern India. This season differs from the June–September southwest monsoon that supplies most of the country’s annual precipitation.
Q36. Mawsynram in the ______ part of the Khasi Hills receives exceptionally high average rainfall.
[SSC GD Constable 2022 (13 February 2023, Shift 1)]
(A) Southern
(B) Northern
(C) Western
(D) Eastern
Answer: (A) Southern
Explanation: Mawsynram is located on the southern side of the Khasi Hills facing moisture-laden Bay of Bengal winds. Orographic uplift produces extensive condensation and rainfall there. Its position relative to the hill slopes is the crucial geographical factor.
Q35. The climate of India is described broadly as the ______ type.
[SSC GD Constable 2022 (7 February 2023, Shift 4)]
(A) Monsoon
(B) Cool
(C) Dry
(D) Arid
Answer: (A) Monsoon
Explanation: Seasonal reversal of prevailing winds produces marked wet and dry periods over much of India, making monsoon the broad climatic description. Regional variation remains strong: Rajasthan is arid, coasts are humid, and the Himalayas have cold mountain climates.
Q34. Which mountain range obstructs southwest monsoon winds coming from the Arabian Sea while they flow toward the ITCZ?
[SSC GD Constable 2022 (6 February 2023, Shift 4)]
(A) Great Himalayan Range
(B) Western Ghats
(C) Aravalli Range
(D) Eastern Ghats
Answer: (B) Western Ghats
Explanation: The Arabian Sea branch encounters the steep western slopes of the Western Ghats. Forced ascent cools the moist winds and causes orographic rain on the coastal side. Interior plateau districts lie in the comparatively drier rain-shadow zone.
Q33. Approximately how many days does the Indian monsoon last, from early June to mid-September?
[SSC GD Constable 2022 (2 February 2023, Shift 4)]
(A) 200–240 days
(B) 100–120 days
(C) 60–80 days
(D) 260–280 days
Answer: (B) 100–120 days
Explanation: The main southwest monsoon season typically lasts around 100–120 days across much of India. It begins over Kerala in early June and generally lasts until September. Its progress and rainfall amounts differ considerably across regions and from year to year.
Q32. What are violent summer thunderstorms in West Bengal called?
[SSC GD Constable 2022 (24 January 2023, Shift 4)]
(A) Loo
(B) Kalbaisakhi
(C) Retreating monsoon
(D) Mango showers
Answer: (B) Kalbaisakhi
Explanation: Kalbaisakhi, also called Norwesters, consists of intense pre-monsoon thunderstorms common in West Bengal and nearby eastern areas. They can bring strong gusts, lightning and heavy local showers. Loo is instead the hot, dry wind of northern India.
Q31. As the Sun shifts southward during October–November, which trough over India’s northern plains weakens?
[SSC GD Constable 2022 (10 January 2023, Shift 4)]
(A) Upper-level trough
(B) Monsoon trough
(C) Lee trough
(D) Inverted trough
Answer: (B) Monsoon trough
Explanation: The monsoon trough is a seasonal low-pressure zone over northern India. As land cools in autumn, it becomes weaker and the southwest monsoon retreats. A high-pressure pattern then becomes more dominant across the northern plains.
