Valleys
Q220. Which river forms the Dhuandhar Falls near Jabalpur?
[SSC GD Constable, 5 May 2026, Shift 3 (2026)]
(A) Tapi
(B) Kaveri
(C) Narmada
(D) Godavari
Answer: (c) Narmada
Explanation: The Narmada plunges at Dhuandhar near Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh after cutting through its famous marble-rock gorge. This fall lies within the river’s west-flowing valley between the Vindhyan and Satpura mountain systems.
Mountain Peaks
Q219. Which peak–height pairing is incorrect?
[RRB Technician Grade I, 13 March 2026 (2026)]
(A) Kangchenjunga – 8,598 metres
(B) Dodda Betta – 2,637 metres
(C) Nanga Parbat – 7,026 metres
(D) Anamudi – 2,695 metres
Answer: (c) Nanga Parbat – 7,026 metres
Explanation: Nanga Parbat stands at approximately 8,126 metres, not 7,026 metres. It is one of the high Himalayan giants near the western end of the mountain system. The other choices reproduce commonly quoted approximate heights from the examination.
Plateaus
Q218. Most major peninsular rivers flow eastward; which pair is an exception?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 24 March 2026, Shift 3 (2026)]
(A) Godavari and Krishna
(B) Kaveri and Krishna
(C) Mahanadi and Kaveri
(D) Narmada and Tapi
Answer: (d) Narmada and Tapi
Explanation: The Narmada and Tapi flow generally westward through structural depressions toward the Arabian Sea. In contrast, the eastward tilt of much of the Deccan Plateau sends the Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi and Kaveri into the Bay of Bengal.
Physical Divisions
Q217. Which three major river systems chiefly deposited India’s Northern Plains?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 25 March 2026, Shift 3 (2026)]
(A) Mahanadi, Ganga and Brahmaputra
(B) Krishna, Godavari and Yamuna
(C) Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra
(D) Narmada, Tapi and Kaveri
Answer: (c) Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems and their tributaries deposited huge quantities of Himalayan sediment in a foreland basin. Their alluvial accumulation formed the fertile Northern Plains, which differ in origin from the ancient crystalline Peninsular Plateau.
Southern and Central Hills
Q216. Which landform marks the western side of the Malda Gap separating the main plateau from the Meghalaya uplands?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I, 16 June 2026, Shift 2 (2026)]
(A) Rajmahal Hills
(B) Meghalaya Plateau
(C) Aravalli Range
(D) Bundelkhand Plateau
Answer: (a) Rajmahal Hills
Explanation: The Rajmahal Hills form the northeastern edge of the Chota Nagpur uplands. Alluvium-filled lowlands around the Malda or Garo–Rajmahal Gap separate the main Peninsular Block from its northeastern extension, represented by the Meghalaya Plateau.
Physical Divisions
Q215. Which is NOT one of the major peninsular rivers listed?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 27 March 2026, Shift 1 (2026)]
(A) Ganga
(B) Narmada
(C) Krishna
(D) Godavari
Answer: (a) Ganga
Explanation: The Ganga is principally a Himalayan river originating in Uttarakhand and traversing the Northern Plains. Narmada, Krishna and Godavari are peninsular rivers, with drainage and valleys strongly influenced by the older hard-rock topography of central and southern India.
Islands
Q214. Lakshadweep’s islands are chiefly formed from which material?
[DSSSB PRT, 31 March 2026, Shift 3 (2026)]
(A) Sand dunes
(B) Granite rocks
(C) Coral deposits
(D) Volcanic rocks
Answer: (c) Coral deposits
Explanation: Lakshadweep is a coral archipelago in the Arabian Sea. Skeletal calcium carbonate accumulated through reef-building organisms creates its islands and atolls, many of which enclose lagoons. This geological origin contrasts with the partly volcanic Andaman island chain.
Plateaus
Q213. What are the two principal subdivisions of the Peninsular Plateau?
[DSSSB MTS, 19 April 2026, Shift 1 (2026)]
(A) Eastern and Western Coastal Plains
(B) Western and Eastern Ghats
(C) Central Highlands and Deccan Plateau
(D) Northern Plains and Coastal Plains
Answer: (c) Central Highlands and Deccan Plateau
Explanation: The Peninsular Plateau is broadly divided into the Central Highlands to the north and the Deccan Plateau to the south. Its ancient crystalline rocks and uplifted relief contrast with the recently deposited alluvium of the Northern Plains.
Southern and Central Hills
Q212. Which of these states is especially associated with the Eastern Ghats?
[DSSSB MTS, 27 April 2026, Shift 1 (2026)]
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Assam
(C) Punjab
(D) Gujarat
Answer: (a) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: The Eastern Ghats run intermittently along the eastern margin of the peninsula and occupy extensive parts of Andhra Pradesh. Their local ranges include Nallamala, Velikonda and Palakonda, while major east-flowing rivers cut gaps through the hills.
Islands
Q211. Which Indian coastal region lies closest to the Lakshadweep group?
[DSSSB MTS, 24 April 2026, Shift 1 (2026)]
(A) Malabar Coast
(B) Eastern Coast
(C) Konkan Coast
(D) Kannad Coast
Answer: (a) Malabar Coast
Explanation: The Lakshadweep archipelago lies in the Arabian Sea off Kerala’s Malabar Coast, separated from the mainland by open water. Its coral islands are markedly different from the Andaman and Nicobar island group situated east of the Indian peninsula.
Islands
Q210. In which year were the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands renamed Lakshadweep?
[DSSSB MTS, 9 May 2026, Shift 1 (2026)]
(A) 1956
(B) 1961
(C) 1987
(D) 1973
Answer: (d) 1973
Explanation: The island group’s official collective name became Lakshadweep in 1973. Located in the Arabian Sea west of Kerala, it consists of coral islands and atolls. Minicoy lies south of the Nine Degree Channel, distinct from the northern clusters.
Plateaus
Q209. Which mountain range forms the northern border of the Deccan Plateau among these options?
[DSSSB MTS, 28 April 2026, Shift 2 (2026)]
(A) Aravalli Range
(B) Eastern Ghats
(C) Satpura Range
(D) Western Ghats
Answer: (c) Satpura Range
Explanation: The Satpuras occupy the northern flank of the Deccan highlands, south of the Narmada corridor. The Western and Eastern Ghats mark other margins of the plateau. This arrangement helps explain the peninsula’s triangular physiographic outline.
Plateaus
Q208. Which description correctly states the Deccan Plateau’s general slope?
[DSSSB MTS, 19 April 2026, Shift 2 (2026)]
(A) Higher east and gently sloping west
(B) Higher west and gently sloping east
(C) Lower south and sloping north
(D) Higher north and sloping south
Answer: (b) Higher west and gently sloping east
Explanation: The Deccan Plateau generally has greater elevation along its western margin near the Western Ghats and descends toward the Bay of Bengal. This broad gradient guides large rivers such as Krishna and Godavari eastward.
Coastal Region
Q207. Chilika, a famous coastal lagoon, lies along which stretch of India’s shore?
[DSSSB MTS, 8 March 2026, Shift 2 (2026)]
(A) Coromandel Coast
(B) Malabar Coast
(C) Andhra Coast
(D) Odisha Coast
Answer: (d) Odisha Coast
Explanation: Chilika is a vast brackish lagoon on Odisha’s Bay of Bengal coastline, south of the Mahanadi delta. A sandy barrier helps separate it from the sea. The lagoon is part of the broad, depositional Eastern Coastal Plain.
Plateaus
Q206. Which river provides the conventional northern limit for the Deccan Plateau?
[DSSSB Court Attendant, 5 June 2026, Shift 2 (2026)]
(A) Mahanadi
(B) Narmada
(C) Chambal
(D) Damodar
Answer: (b) Narmada
Explanation: The Deccan Plateau extends mainly south of the Narmada Valley. This west-flowing river occupies a rift depression between Vindhyan uplands and the Satpuras. The plateau’s northern boundary is therefore often explained through the Narmada–Satpura region.
Coastal Region
Q205. Which is India’s largest brackish-water coastal lagoon among these?
[SSC GD Constable, 29 April 2026, Shift 1 (2026)]
(A) Vembanad Lake
(B) Pulicat Lake
(C) Chilika Lake
(D) Sambhar Lake
Answer: (c) Chilika Lake
Explanation: Chilika Lake is a large brackish coastal lagoon on Odisha’s eastern shore. A narrow barrier separates much of it from the Bay of Bengal. Sambhar is an inland salt lake, whereas Vembanad and Pulicat occupy other coastal settings.
Valleys
Q204. Which of the following is a major freshwater lake of the Kashmir Valley?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I, 14 June 2026, Shift 2 (2026)]
(A) Wular Lake
(B) Loktak Lake
(C) Chilika Lake
(D) Dal Lake
Answer: (a) Wular Lake
Explanation: Wular lies in Jammu and Kashmir’s valley basin and receives water from the Jhelum River. Its extent varies considerably with season. Loktak belongs to Manipur, while Chilika is a brackish lagoon on Odisha’s coast.
Physical Divisions
Q203. Which soil mainly makes up India’s Northern Plains?
[SSC MTS 2025 Cycle, 5 February 2026, Shift 2 (2026)]
(A) Black soil
(B) Laterite soil
(C) Yellow soil
(D) Alluvial soil
Answer: (d) Alluvial soil
Explanation: The Northern Plains have thick layers of river-deposited alluvium, brought chiefly by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems. Repeated flooding renews sediments in low-lying tracts. The region contrasts with the rocky surface of the Peninsular Plateau.
Physical Divisions
Q202. What is the younger alluvium regularly deposited on river floodplains called?
[DSSSB Court Attendant, 6 June 2026, Shift 2 (2026)]
(A) Khadar
(B) Terai
(C) Bhangar
(D) Bhabar
Answer: (a) Khadar
Explanation: Khadar denotes relatively recent alluvial deposits on active floodplains, often renewed by seasonal flooding. Bhangar represents older alluvium above normal flood levels; Bhabar is a porous foothill belt, and Terai is the wetter zone farther south.
Coastal Region
Q201. Between which two major geographical features are India’s western coastal plains found?
[DSSSB MTS, 27 April 2026, Shift 1 (2026)]
(A) Peninsular Plateau and Bay of Bengal
(B) Malabar and Konkan coasts
(C) Eastern Coast and Western Ghats
(D) Western Ghats and Arabian Sea
Answer: (d) Western Ghats and Arabian Sea
Explanation: The Western Coastal Plain is a narrow, elongated belt between the steep Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Its Konkan, Kannad and Malabar sectors include beaches, estuaries and backwaters. The eastern plain is generally broader and more deltaic.
