Q10. South Arcot and Ramanathapuram receive over half of their annual rainfall from which source?
[UPSC CDS General Knowledge (18 November 2018)]
(A) Southwest monsoon
(B) Northeast monsoon
(C) Bay of Bengal summer monsoon branch
(D) Western disturbances
Answer: (B) Northeast monsoon
Explanation: Both locations are in Tamil Nadu, where the northeast monsoon contributes heavily to annual rain, especially during October–December. Moisture-bearing northeasterlies cross the Bay of Bengal and strike the east coast after summer monsoon withdrawal.
Q9. Which place has the highest average rainfall among these?
[MPPSC Forest Service Mains GS (2018)]
(A) Mawsynram
(B) Cherrapunji
(C) Mahabaleshwar
(D) Amarkantak
Answer: (A) Mawsynram
Explanation: Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives extraordinary average annual rain because Bay of Bengal monsoon air rises against the Khasi Hills. Cherrapunji is another exceptionally wet nearby place, but Mawsynram leads the options according to the published examination answer.
Q8. The climate of India is broadly described as which type?
[SSC MTS (21 October 2017, Shift 3)]
(A) Dry
(B) Monsoon
(C) Arid
(D) Humid
Answer: (B) Monsoon
Explanation: India is characterized by seasonal reversal of winds, producing the principal summer monsoon and a contrasting cooler season. Although many local climates occur, such as deserts and alpine mountains, the dominant national pattern is monsoonal.
Q7. The summer monsoon normally arrives in South Bengal during which dates?
[WBCS Prelims (2017)]
(A) 1–5 June
(B) 5–10 June
(C) 10–15 June
(D) 15–20 June
Answer: (C) 10–15 June
Explanation: South Bengal usually receives monsoon onset around mid-June, influenced by the Bay of Bengal branch. The cited WBCS examination accepts 10–15 June as the normal interval. Actual timing varies with yearly atmospheric conditions.
Q6. With reference to the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which statements are correct?
(1) IOD measures a sea-surface-temperature difference between the western Indian Ocean and eastern Pacific Ocean.
(2) IOD can influence the effect of El Niño on the Indian monsoon.
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims GS Paper I (2017)]
(A) Statement 1 only
(B) Statement 2 only
(C) Both statements
(D) Neither statement
Answer: (B) Statement 2 only
Explanation: The Indian Ocean Dipole contrasts sea surface temperatures in the western and eastern Indian Ocean, not the Pacific. Its positive or negative phase can modify the effects of El Niño on India’s rainfall, so only the second statement is correct.
Q5. Which state among the options has the largest year-to-year variation in rainfall?
[WBCS Preliminary (2017)]
(A) Meghalaya
(B) Kerala
(C) Rajasthan
(D) West Bengal
Answer: (C) Rajasthan
Explanation: Rajasthan has extensive arid and semi-arid areas, where monsoon rainfall can vary dramatically between years. Wetter regions such as Meghalaya and Kerala generally receive more dependable seasonal precipitation, producing lower relative variation in annual rainfall totals.
Q4. Which region is comparatively little affected by the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon?
[CGPSC Prelims General Studies (2016)]
(A) Western Ghats
(B) Deccan Plateau
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Chhattisgarh Basin
(E) None of these
Answer: (D) Chhattisgarh Basin
Explanation: The Chhattisgarh Basin lies far inland and is influenced particularly by monsoon currents and depressions from the Bay of Bengal. The Arabian Sea branch has strongest direct effects along the west coast and on the windward Western Ghats.
Q3. West Bengal receives most of its rainfall mainly from which monsoon current?
[WBCS Preliminary (2015)]
(A) Southwest monsoon generally
(B) Bay of Bengal branch of Indian monsoon
(C) Northeast monsoon
(D) Arabian Sea branch
Answer: (B) Bay of Bengal branch of Indian monsoon
Explanation: The Bay of Bengal branch carries abundant moisture into West Bengal during the summer monsoon. Regional depressions and uplift near the Himalayan foothills strongly influence the state’s rainfall. The Arabian Sea branch is more important to India’s western coast.
Q2. Seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of which climate?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims GS Paper I (24 August 2014)]
(A) Equatorial climate
(B) Mediterranean climate
(C) Monsoon climate
(D) All of these
Answer: (C) Monsoon climate
Explanation: A monsoon climate has a characteristic seasonal shift of prevailing winds linked to changing land–sea temperature and pressure contrasts. This often produces wet summers and drier winters. Equatorial and Mediterranean climates do not have the same defining wind reversal.
Q1. Regarding La Niña and El Niño, which statements are correct?
(1) La Niña involves unusually cold equatorial Indian Ocean temperatures, whereas El Niño involves unusually warm equatorial Pacific temperatures.
(2) El Niño can harm India’s southwest monsoon, but La Niña has no monsoon effect.
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims Paper I (2011)]
(A) Statement 1 only
(B) Statement 2 only
(C) Both statements
(D) Neither statement
Answer: (D) Neither statement
Explanation: Both events are linked to temperature anomalies in the equatorial Pacific, not the Indian Ocean as the first statement claims. La Niña can also affect Indian rainfall, often favoring stronger summer monsoon conditions, so the second statement is incorrect.
