Q150. What is the primary reason for intensification of the monsoon trough over North India by the end of May?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (25 March 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Shift in wind patterns
(B) Decrease in humidity
(C) Increase in atmospheric pressure
(D) High temperature in the region
Answer: (D) High temperature in the region
Explanation: Intense late-summer heating over northern and northwestern India strengthens a low-pressure zone called the monsoon trough. The pressure contrast with surrounding oceans favors inflow of moist air. Rising, rather than increasing, pressure would suppress the trough.
Q149. The period of southwest monsoon season in India is:
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (22 March 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) May to September
(B) June to November
(C) June to September
(D) July to December
Answer: (C) June to September
Explanation: June through September is the principal southwest monsoon period under India’s meteorological seasonal classification. Much of the annual rainfall arrives during these months. Withdrawal begins from northwest India before the country enters the post-monsoon transition.
Q148. Why did nearly 19% of India face drought or drought-like conditions by August 2025 despite earlier heavy rains?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (22 March 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) A sharp reversal led to severe rainfall deficits in many regions
(B) Excessive river damming caused water shortages
(C) Unusually high temperatures reduced rainfall
(D) Monsoon onset was delayed across all states
Answer: (A) A sharp reversal led to severe rainfall deficits in many regions
Explanation: A rainy start does not guarantee uniformly distributed rainfall. A subsequent weakening or spatial shift of monsoon activity can create large regional rainfall deficits, crop stress and water shortages. This question concerns variability within the season rather than total onset timing.
Q147. Mango showers occur in which of the following groups of states?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (19 March 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Karnataka and Kerala
(B) Bihar and West Bengal
(C) Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
(D) Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Answer: (A) Karnataka and Kerala
Explanation: Mango showers are pre-monsoon convective rains common in Kerala and Karnataka during April–May. They help mango fruits mature and provide early relief from summer heat. They should not be confused with the northeast monsoon rains of Tamil Nadu.
Q146. Which monsoon system is also known as the retreating monsoon?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (17 March 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Advancing Monsoon
(B) Western Disturbances
(C) Northeast Monsoon
(D) Southwest Monsoon
Answer: (C) Northeast Monsoon
Explanation: The retreating phase follows the weakening of southwest monsoon circulation. Northeasterly winds begin to dominate and can carry moisture across the Bay of Bengal toward Tamil Nadu. This contrasts with summer southwesterlies that provide most of India’s rainfall.
Q145. Which states suffered 30–70% below-normal rainfall in August 2025, contributing to crop stress and water shortages?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (17 March 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, UP, Punjab and the Northeast
(B) Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat
(C) Rajasthan, Haryana, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur and Tripura
(D) Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Answer: (A) Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, UP, Punjab and the Northeast
Explanation: The reported rainfall anomaly affected several northern and northeastern regions even while other parts received better precipitation. Monsoon totals can differ sharply across places and months. Deficits during the main crop-growing period may cause irrigation demand and agricultural stress.
Q144. Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, which receive very high rainfall, are located in:
[RRB Technician Grade III (10 March 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Nilgiri Hills
(B) Khasi Hills
(C) Satpura Hills
(D) Aravalli Hills
Answer: (B) Khasi Hills
Explanation: Both places lie in Meghalaya’s Khasi Hills. Moist monsoon flow from the Bay of Bengal is funneled toward steep southern slopes and forced upward, generating extreme rainfall. The Nilgiris, Satpuras and Aravallis are different mountain systems.
Q143. Which city experiences retreat of the monsoon last among the following?
[RRB Technician Grade III (9 March 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Chennai
(B) Jaipur
(C) Ahmedabad
(D) Mumbai
Answer: (A) Chennai
Explanation: Monsoon withdrawal begins over northwestern India and progressively advances toward the southern peninsula. Chennai, on the southeastern coast, is the last among the listed cities. Its important northeast monsoon rainfall can also continue after southwest monsoon withdrawal.
Q142. Rabi crops are harvested in which season?
[RRB Group D (5 February 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Summer
(B) Autumn
(C) Winter
(D) Monsoon
Answer: (A) Summer
Explanation: Rabi crops are sown in the cooler months after monsoon withdrawal and harvested mostly in spring or early summer. Wheat and mustard are examples. Winter rains from western disturbances can benefit these crops in northwestern India.
Q141. Which states in India receive medium annual rainfall of about 100–200 cm?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector (21 January 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Odisha and Bihar
(B) Western Rajasthan
(C) Ladakh
(D) Delhi and Punjab
Answer: (A) Odisha and Bihar
Explanation: Odisha and Bihar receive substantial monsoon rainfall, placing large areas in the medium-rainfall category stated in the question. Ladakh and much of western Rajasthan are much drier, while Delhi and Punjab generally record lower annual totals.
