Q110. Which districts are arranged in ascending order of average southwest monsoon rainfall?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination (2 February 2025)]
(A) Jalore, Jaipur, Kota
(B) Jaisalmer, Banswara, Rajsamand
(C) Nagaur, Dholpur, Ajmer
(D) Churu, Baran, Bhilwara
(E) Question not attempted
Answer: (A) Jalore, Jaipur, Kota
Explanation: Rainfall generally increases from drier western Rajasthan toward more humid southeastern districts, although local relief also matters. The official key orders Jalore below Jaipur and Jaipur below Kota, matching the west-to-southeast precipitation gradient in the state.
Q109. Which statements about Mediterranean climate are correct?
(1) It receives winter rainfall.
(2) Pressure belts shift southward around northern winter solstice.
[UPPSC PCS Prelims 2024, GS Paper I (22 December 2024)]
(A) Neither 1 nor 2
(B) Only 1
(C) Only 2
(D) Both 1 and 2
Answer: (D) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Mediterranean regions usually have dry summers and rainy winters because prevailing wind belts migrate seasonally. In Northern Hemisphere winter, westerly weather systems move equatorward and deliver rainfall. The mechanism is a standard comparison with India’s monsoon climate.
Q108. In Kerala and coastal Karnataka, the pre-monsoon shower is known as ______.
[SSC MTS (11 November 2024, Shift 1)]
(A) Kalbaisakhi
(B) Bardoisila
(C) Mango shower
(D) Blossom shower
Answer: (C) Mango shower
Explanation: Mango showers are late-summer pre-monsoon rains of Kerala and coastal Karnataka. They coincide with fruit maturation and offer relief from heat. Kalbaisakhi is a separate thunderstorm phenomenon associated primarily with eastern India before the full monsoon.
Q107. Pre-monsoon showers in Kerala and coastal Karnataka are locally called what?
[SSC MTS (11 November 2024, Shift 1)]
(A) Kalbaisakhi
(B) Bardoisila
(C) Mango showers
(D) Blossom showers
Answer: (C) Mango showers
Explanation: Mango showers are short-lived pre-monsoon rains, often occurring in April and May along the southwestern peninsula. They are associated with early mango ripening. Kalbaisakhi and Bardoisila instead refer to seasonal storms in eastern and northeastern India.
Q106. Which state lies in the rain shadow of the Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon?
[SSC MTS (11 November 2024, Shift 3)]
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Gujarat
(C) Goa
(D) Kerala
Answer: (A) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: The Western Ghats intercept moisture from Arabian Sea monsoon winds and produce strong rainfall along their western slopes. Tamil Nadu generally lies on the leeward side of this branch and receives major rainfall later from northeast monsoon winds.
Q105. In northwestern India, the term Mahawat is associated with which season?
[SSC MTS (5 November 2024, Shift 2)]
(A) Post-monsoon rain
(B) Summer rain
(C) Winter rainfall
(D) Main rainy season
Answer: (C) Winter rainfall
Explanation: Mahawat refers to useful winter showers in parts of northwestern India, often resulting from western disturbances. These systems travel eastward from the Mediterranean region. Their moisture benefits wheat, mustard and other winter-grown rabi crops.
Q104. In which state are pre-monsoon Norwesters locally called Bardoisila?
[SSC MTS (22 October 2024, Shift 1)]
(A) Bihar
(B) Assam
(C) Odisha
(D) Goa
Answer: (B) Assam
Explanation: In Assam, the severe pre-monsoon storms known as Norwesters are locally termed Bardoisila. They develop in warm weather when unstable air produces strong winds, lightning and rainfall. Bengal uses the related term Kalbaisakhi for such storms.
Q103. Which state or union territory belongs to the areas of inadequate rainfall in India?
[SSC MTS (21 October 2024, Shift 3)]
(A) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
(B) Haryana
(C) Ladakh
(D) Meghalaya
Answer: (C) Ladakh
Explanation: Ladakh is a high-altitude cold desert situated behind formidable Himalayan rain barriers. Its limited moisture supply contrasts with wet Meghalaya and the oceanic islands. The resulting low rainfall and freezing conditions create a distinctive arid mountain environment.
Q102. Which region is categorized among the areas of inadequate rainfall in India?
[SSC MTS (21 October 2024, Shift 3)]
(A) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
(B) Haryana
(C) Ladakh
(D) Meghalaya
Answer: (C) Ladakh
Explanation: Ladakh lies in the rain shadow north of major Himalayan mountain ranges and receives very limited precipitation. The high-altitude cold desert has a much drier climate than Meghalaya or the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, both influenced by moist monsoonal conditions.
Q101. According to advancing monsoon patterns, which city receives rain after 15 June?
[SSC MTS (14 October 2024, Shift 2)]
(A) Jaipur
(B) Imphal
(C) Bengaluru
(D) Hyderabad
Answer: (A) Jaipur
Explanation: Jaipur lies farther northwest than the other listed cities, so the southwest monsoon generally reaches it later. Imphal, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are more directly exposed to earlier monsoon progression, although exact onset dates change from year to year.
