Q140. What type of climate is found in the higher Himalayas in India?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector (21 January 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Alpine
(B) Temperate
(C) Tropical
(D) Arid
Answer: (A) Alpine
Explanation: High elevations have very low temperatures, long snowy winters and brief cool summers, characteristic of an alpine climate. Temperature decreases with altitude, making conditions distinct from the warm tropical plains. Snowfall may supply water through later seasonal melting.
Q139. Why are places near the Equator generally warmer than those near the poles?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector (21 January 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) The Equator has thicker atmosphere
(B) Sun rays strike nearly perpendicular at the Equator
(C) Equator receives more rainfall
(D) Poles have more mountains
Answer: (B) Sun rays strike nearly perpendicular at the Equator
Explanation: Near the Equator, sunlight generally strikes at a high angle, concentrating energy over a smaller area. Toward the poles, oblique rays spread energy over larger surfaces. This latitude effect strongly influences temperature belts and atmospheric circulation affecting India.
Q138. What is the approximate rainfall range for tropical deciduous forests in India?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector (18 January 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) 70–200 cm
(B) Less than 50 cm
(C) 200–400 cm
(D) 50–100 cm
Answer: (A) 70–200 cm
Explanation: Tropical deciduous, or monsoon, forests generally occur where rainfall is seasonal and moderate, roughly 70–200 cm annually. Trees shed leaves during the dry season to conserve water. Wetter areas favor evergreen forest, while drier areas support thorn scrub.
Q137. Forests and scrubs in India are typically found in regions receiving approximately:
[MP Police Sub-Inspector (17 January 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) 70–100 cm of rainfall
(B) More than 200 cm of rainfall
(C) 100–200 cm of rainfall
(D) Less than 70 cm of rainfall
Answer: (D) Less than 70 cm of rainfall
Explanation: Thorn forest and scrub vegetation develop where rainfall is sparse, often below 70 cm each year. Xerophytic species conserve moisture through small leaves, thorns or deep roots. Such conditions occur in dry parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and central India.
Q136. Which state among these does NOT characteristically have tropical thorn forests?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector (16 January 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) West Bengal
(C) Rajasthan
(D) Gujarat
Answer: (B) West Bengal
Explanation: Thorn scrub vegetation thrives in drier climatic belts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and some parts of Madhya Pradesh. West Bengal is generally more humid and receives more monsoon rainfall, favoring moist deciduous, evergreen or mangrove vegetation in suitable locations.
Q135. Western disturbances, which cause winter rainfall in North India, originate from where?
[Delhi Police Constable Executive (2 January 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Bay of Bengal
(B) Arabian Sea
(C) Mediterranean Sea
(D) Indian Ocean
Answer: (C) Mediterranean Sea
Explanation: These extratropical storm systems approach India from the west after forming in and around the Mediterranean region. They bring winter rainfall to the northwestern plains and snowfall to western Himalayan mountains. Their moisture is important to wheat-growing areas.
Q134. The southwest monsoon period from ______ is known as the rainy season in most of India.
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-II (20 December 2025)]
(A) June to August
(B) May to August
(C) June to October
(D) June to September
Answer: (D) June to September
Explanation: The main southwest monsoon runs from June through September, though its onset and withdrawal dates vary by location and year. It provides the bulk of annual rainfall across much of India and supports kharif agriculture.
Q133. The Chota Nagpur plateau region receives the majority of its rainfall through which wind system?
[SSC CPO (11 December 2025, Shift 1)]
(A) Arabian Sea branch of Southwest monsoon
(B) Bay of Bengal branch of Southwest monsoon
(C) Northeastern monsoon winds
(D) None of these
Answer: (A) Arabian Sea branch of Southwest monsoon
Explanation: The cited paper’s answer key identifies the Arabian Sea branch. Chota Nagpur can also be influenced by Bay of Bengal moisture, and its rainfall reflects complex regional wind flow and terrain. Read this as the reported exam answer, not an exclusive mechanism.
Q132. According to OSDMA, approximately what proportion of Odisha’s annual rainfall occurs during June–September?
[OSSSC CRE Preliminary Exam (8 November 2025, Shift 1)]
(A) 45–50%
(B) 65–70%
(C) 75–80%
(D) 55–60%
Answer: (C) 75–80%
Explanation: Odisha receives roughly three-quarters to four-fifths of its rainfall from the summer southwest monsoon. This strongly seasonal distribution makes reservoirs and agriculture dependent on the rainy months. Cyclonic systems can contribute additional precipitation during the post-monsoon period.
Q131. From which state does the southwest monsoon enter mainland India?
[DSSSB TGT Social Science (8 November 2025, Shift 3)]
(A) Rajasthan
(B) West Bengal
(C) Gujarat
(D) Kerala
Answer: (D) Kerala
Explanation: The normal onset of the southwest monsoon over mainland India is observed along the Kerala coast, usually around early June. The monsoon reaches other states progressively through Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal branches, with considerable yearly variation.
