1. The term ‘Monsoon’ is originated from :
(a) Arabic Language
(b) Spanish
(c) Hindi
(d) English
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (a) Arabic Language
- The term ‘Monsoon’ comes from the Arabic word ‘mausim’ which means ‘season’.
- Historically, Monsoons were seen as times of the year when the wind changes direction and this causes rain to fall in South and Southeast Asia.
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2. Assertion(A): India is a Monsoonal Country.
Reason (R): The high Himalayas impart its climatic distinctiveness.
Code :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996, 1998, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998]
Ans. (a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- India has a mostly monsoonal climate, which includes all the features of a monsoon climate.
- The tall Himalayas in the north act as a barrier to keep out cold winds from the north, while trapping the monsoon winds and forcing them to drop moisture in the area.
- Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
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3. Assertion (A): India has a tropical Monsoon type climate.
Reason (R): India is located exactly between the tropical latitudes.
Code :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the Correct explanation of (A).
(b) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(c) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (b) (A) is true, but (R) is false
- India has a tropical monsoon climate and it is located between 8o 4′ to 37o 6′ north.
- It is not located between the tropical latitudes of 23o 30′ north to 23o 30′ south.
- So statement A is correct and R is wrong.
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4. In which of the following States does the Monsoon arrive first?
(a) Assam
(b) West Bengal
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Kerala
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (d) Kerala
- In India, the rainy season first arrives in Kerala.
- India gets almost all of its rain (91%) from the south-western monsoon, which starts in Kerala and occurs from June to September each year.
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5. The general direction of the flow of summer monsoon in India is –
(a) from South to North
(b) from South West to South East
(c) from South East to South West
(d) from South West to North East
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012, Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (d) from South West to North East
- In the summer, the monsoon winds blow from the south west to the north east.
- During the winter, as the monsoon winds retreat, they blow from the north east to the south west.
- India gets the most rainfall from the southwest monsoon.
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6. Monsoon originates by which of the following winds in India?
(a) South-West winds
(b) South-East winds
(c) North-East winds
(d) North-West winds
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]
Ans. (a) South-West winds
- In the summer, the monsoon winds come from the southwest and move northeast.
- During the winter, the winds reverse and move from the northeast to the southwest.
- The southwest monsoon brings the most rain to India.
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7. High temperature and low pressure over the Indian subcontinent during the summer season draw air from the Indian Ocean leading to the in-blowing of the :
(a) South East monsoon
(b) SouthWest monsoon
(c) Trade winds
(d) Westerlies
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]
Ans. (b) SouthWest monsoon
- In India, the rains are mostly caused by the southwest monsoon.
- This is due to the warmer temperatures and lower pressure that is found in the Indian subcontinent during the summertime.
- This draws air from the nearby Indian Ocean.
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8. Which one of the following is the driest place?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Delhi
(c) Leh
(d) Bengaluru
[56th to 59th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2015]
Ans. (c) Leh
- Out of the options, Leh gets the least amount of rain.
- It is the driest of the four places.
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9. The January isotherm taken as a basis for dividing India into tropical and subtropical zones is :
(a) 21oC
(b) 18oC
(c) 12oC
(d) 15oC
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]
Ans. (b) 18oC
- The temperature of 18 degrees Celsius in January is used to decide if a place in India is in a tropical or subtropical zone.
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10. In which part of India is the daily range of temperature highest?
(a) Eastern coastal areas.
(b) Interior areas of Chhattisgarh plain
(c) Andaman island
(d) Desert areas of Rajasthan.
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (d) Desert areas of Rajasthan.
- In the deserts of Rajasthan, the temperature changes a lot from day to day.
- This is a common trait of desert climates, where it is hot during the day but very cold during the night.
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11. What are the months for monsoon normally in Tamil Nadu?
(a) March-April
(b) June-July
(c) September-October
(d) November-December
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]
Ans. (d) November-December
- The three months from October to December are known as the North East Monsoon season in India.
- This is the season when it rains heavily in the South, particularly in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Tamil Nadu.
- Tamil Nadu is particularly affected by this monsoon season and in 2004 the region was hit by a Tsunami on December 26th.
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12. The Indian monsoon is indicated by seasonal displacement because of
(a) Different temperatures of land and sea
(b) Cold wind of middle Asia
(c) Excess similarity of temperature
(d) None of the above
[39th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (a) Different temperatures of land and sea
- The Indian monsoon is caused by the temperature difference between the land and the sea. Important ideas about why monsoon happens include seasonal displacement are :
- The Thermal concept : It suggests that the main cause of the yearly cycle of the Indian monsoon is the different temperatures between land and sea.
- Dynamic Concept : Flohn suggested the idea that monsoon is caused by the changing of the winds and pressure belts in the atmosphere throughout the year.
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13. Consider the following statements :
1. The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India.
2. The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]
Ans. (c) 1 and 2
- Rainfall decreases from east to west because the air is drier.
- The south of India is close to the sea, so it gets rain earlier and for a longer time than the north.
- Both of these things are true.
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14. Which of the following regions is not affected much by the Arabian Sea branch of Monsoon?
(a) The Western Ghat
(b) Deccan Plateau
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Chhattisgarh Basin
(e) None of these
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (d) Chhattisgarh Basin
- The Arabian sea branch of monsoon splits into two parts when it hits the Western Ghats.
- The first branch runs alongside the Aravali range, which causes very little rainfall and then mixes with the Bay of Bengal branch in North India.
- The second part is blocked by the Vindhya mountain, which causes rainfall in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and the western part of Chhattisgarh.
- This means that the Chhattisgarh basin does not get much rain from the Arabian sea branch of monsoon.
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15. Amritsar and Shimla are almost on the same latitude, but their climate diff erence is due to-
(a) The difference in their altitudes
(b) Their distance from sea
(c) Snowfall in Shimla
(d) Pollution in Amritsar
[53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (a) The difference in their altitudes
- Amritsar and Shimla are almost at the same latitude, but their climates are different because Amritsar is located 768 feet above sea level and Shimla is 7866.10 feet above sea level.
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16. Which one of the following type of climate is found in Chhattisgarh state ?
(a) Humid South-East
(b) Sub Humid transitional
(c) Sub Humid Littoral
(d) Sub Humid continental
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (a) Humid South-East
- The hot and humid climate of South-East India is found in West Bengal, Chota Nagpur, Odisha, southern Chhattisgarh, and northeastern Andhra Pradesh.
- The sub-humid climate is in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar.
- The sub-humid littoral climate is in the Coromandel region.
- The sub-humid continental climate is in the upper Gangetic Plains.
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17. Which of the following places experience a humid climate?
1. Ahmedabad
2. Kochi
3. Ludhiana
4. Tezpur
Select the correct answer from the code given below :
Code :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 4 only
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (d) 2 and 4 only
- Kochi and Tezpur are much more humid than Ahmedabad and Ludhiana due to their higher rainfall.
- Kochi gets 3228mm of rain, Ahmedabad gets 800mm, Ludhiana gets 730mm and Tezpur gets 1600mm.
- All this rain makes the climate in Kochi and Tezpur more humid.
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18. The decline of monsoon is indicated by
(i) Clear Sky
(ii) Pressure condition in the Bay of Bengal
(iii) Rising temperature on land
Select your answer using the following code –
(a) only i
(b) i and ii both
(c) i, ii and iii
(d) ii and iii both
[40th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1995]
Ans. (c) i, ii and iii
- When the monsoon season arrives from the north, it warms up the land slightly.
- Low pressure covers the Bay of Bengal and the sky is clear.
- All of these statements are accurate.
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19. Consider the following statements :
(1) The winds that blow between 30º N and 60º S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies.
(2) The moist air masses that cause winter rains in the North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]
Ans. (b) 2 only
- The Westerlies wind, which comes from the Mediterranean Sea, travels between 30 and 60 degrees north and south of the equator.
- In the winter months, these winds bring rain to northern and north-western India.
- These winds are not part of the monsoon and are instead caused by the Westerlies Jet Stream.
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20. As per Koppen’s classification of climate, which one of the following is the suitable description of North-East India including North Bengal?
(a) Tropical monsoon rainforest (Amw)
(b) Sub-tropical monsoon rainforest (Am)
(c) Tropical wet and dry climate (Monsoon Savannah)(Aw)
(d) Humid sub-tropical climate with dry winter (Cwg)
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (d) Humid sub-tropical climate with dry winter (Cwg)
- Koppen’s Climate Classification says that Humid Subtropical Climate with Dry Winter is the best way to describe North-East India, including North Bengal and Ganga Plain.
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21. With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’ sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/ are correct?
1. The IOD phenomenon is characterized by a difference in sea surface temperature between in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.
2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino impact on the monsoon.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (b) 2 only
- The Indian Ocean Dipole, also known as the ‘Indian Nino’, is a change in the temperature of the Indian Ocean where the western part gets warmer and then colder than the eastern part.
- This can affect an El-Nino’s impact on the monsoon, so Statement 2 is correct.
- Therefore, Option (b) is the correct answer.
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22. According to Koppen’s climatic classification, the climate of North Bihar may be explained as:
(a) Cwg
(b) Aw
(c) CA’w
(d) CB’w
(e) None of the above / More than one of the above
[63rd B.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (a) Cwg
- Koppen’s Climate Classification suggests that the climate in North Bihar is Cwg.
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23. Arrange the following seasons in Chronological order accounting to Hindu Calendar :
(i) Autumn
(ii) Summer
(iii) Spring
(iv) Rainy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) (ii), (iv), (iii) and (i)
(b) (iii), (ii), (iv) and (i)
(c) (iv), (ii), (i) and (iii)
(d) (i), (iv), (ii) and (iii)
[U.P.R.O. / A.R.O. (Pre) 2021]
Ans. (b) (iii), (ii), (iv) and (i)
- According to Indian tradition, the year is divided into bimonthly in six bimonthly seasons as follows :
| Seasons |
Months as per English Calendar |
| Spring |
March & April |
| Summer |
May & June |
| Rainy |
July & August |
| Autumn |
September & October |
| Pre-winter |
November & December |
| Winter |
January & February |
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Rainfall
1. India gets maximum rainfall mainly from –
(a) North-East Monsoon
(b) Retreating Monsoon
(c) South-West Monsoon
(d) Convectional rainfall
[48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (c) South-West Monsoon
- When the Sun is over the Tropic of Cancer in April and May, the northern part of the Indian Ocean gets really hot.
- This makes a low pressure in the northwest part of the country and causes the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone to move north.
- The southwest monsoon is like the southeast trades, which continue after passing the Equator and reach India.
- There are two rain systems that come with the southwest monsoon.
- The first is from the Bay of Bengal which brings rain to northern India and the second is from the Arabian Sea which brings rain to the west coast.
- The Indian Meteorological Department reported that in 2019, the southwest monsoon provided more than 110% of India’s annual rainfall.
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2. The state which receives maximum rainfall due to North-East monsoon is
(a) Assam
(b) West Bengal
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Odisha.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]
Ans. (c) Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu is in the southeastern part of India.
- Most of its yearly rainfall happens during the northeastern monsoon season, usually making up about half of the total rainfall.
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3. Which of the following States gets the highest average annual rainfall?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Sikkim
(c) Kerala
(d) Jammu and Kashmir
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]
Ans. (b) Sikkim
- When the question was asked option (b) was correct, but according to data provided by Metrological department for the year 2019.
| State/UTs |
Average Annual Rainfall (mm) |
| Arunachal Pradesh |
2433.3 |
| Sikkim |
2740.0 |
| Kerala |
3119.2 |
| Jammu & Kashmir |
1324.1 |
- Notably, the highest average annual rainfall occurs in Kerala (3119.2 mm).
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4. Which among the following pairs of places have the most marked differences in total annual rainfalls even though located approximately along the same latitude?
(a) Bengaluru and Chennai
(b) Mumbai and Visakhapatnam
(c) Ajmer and Shillong
(d) Nagpur and Kolkata.
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (c) Ajmer and Shillong
- Ajmer and Shillong are both located on the same latitude, which is 26 to 27 degrees North.
- However, in 2018, Ajmer had an annual rainfall of 423.4 mm per year, while Shillong in the East Khasi District had a rainfall of 5065.8 mm per year.
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5. The average annual temperature of a meteorological station is 26° C, its average annual rainfall is 63 cm and the annual range temperature is 9° C. The station in question is:
(a) Allahabad
(b) Chennai
(c) Cherrapunji
(d) Kolkata
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2002]
Ans. (b)
- Data from the Indian Meteorology Station shows that the average temperature in Chennai is 24°C in winter and 30°C in summer.
- The average rainfall is around 60-70 cm.
- For all of Tamil Nadu, the average temperature is 26°C with an annual rainfall of 63 cm and an annual temperature range of 9°C.
- Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
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6. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the given Indian cities in the decreasing order of their normal annual rainfall?
(a) Kochi–Kolkata–Delhi–Patna
(b) Kolkata–Kochi–Patna–Delhi
(c) Kochi–Kolkata–Patna–Delhi
(d) Kolkata–Kochi–Delhi–Patna
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2005]
Ans. (c) Kochi–Kolkata–Patna–Delhi
- The right answer to the question was option (c).
- The data of Rainfall Statistics showed that the cities listed had the most rain in 2019 in the following order from biggest to smallest:
| Place |
Rainfall (mm) |
| Kochi (Ernakulam) |
3380.6 |
| Kolkata |
1815.2 |
| Patna |
906.9 |
| Delhi |
546.9 |
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7. Mango shower is –
(a) Shower of mangoes
(b) Dropping of mangoes
(c) Rainfall in March-April in Bihar and Bengal
(d) Crop of mango
[43rd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (d) Crop of mango
- The pre-monsoon showers in Karnataka and Kerala are known as Mango showers, and they help the mangoes to ripen.
- They are also called April rains or summer showers.
- The thunderstorms over the Bay of Bengal are responsible for the Mango showers, and these showers help keep the mangoes from falling off the tree too soon.
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8. Among the following places which one gets the least rainfall?
(a) Leh
(b) Bikaner
(c) Jaisalmer
(d) Cherrapunji
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (a) Leh
- According to data Rainfall Statistics of India, 2019 Leh received the least rainfall in India.
- The annual rainfall for the above towns is as follows :
- Leh – 65.5 mm (Lowest rainfall in India)
- Bikaner – 300.2 cm
- Jaisalmer – 261.3 mm (Lowest rainfall in Rajasthan)
- Cherrapunji – 1100 cm (Mawsynram received the highest (2015) rainfall in the world).
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9. Which one of the following places has the lowest annual rainfall?
(a) Bellary
(b) Jaisalmer
(c) Jodhpur
(d) Leh
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008, 2009]
Ans. (d) Leh
- Data from India’s Rainfall Statistics for 2019 shows that Leh had the least amount of rain in the country.
- The yearly rainfall for these towns is listed below.
- Leh – 65.5 mm (Lowest rainfall in India)
- Bikaner – 300.2 cm
- Jaisalmer – 261.3 mm (Lowest rainfall in Rajasthan)
- Cherrapunji – 1100 cm (Mawsynram received the highest (2015) rainfall in the world).
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10. Which one of the following places has the lowest rainfall during the South-West Monsoon?
(a) Kolkata
(b) Mangalore
(c) Chennai
(d) Delhi
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (c) Chennai
- The south-western monsoon is in effect from the beginning of June to the end of September, bringing the most rain to India during this time.
- Chennai gets the least amount of rain from the south-western monsoon, but receives the most from the northeastern monsoon.
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11. Cherrapunji is located in –
(a) Assam
(b) Manipur
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Mizoram
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005, 41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]
Ans. (c) Meghalaya
- Cherrapunji is situated in Meghalaya, an Indian state in the northeast.
- It has been the place with the most rainfall after Mawsynram.
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12. The highest rainfall in India occurs in –
(a) Western Ghats, Himalayan Region and Meghalaya
(b) Madhya Pradesh and Bihar
(c) Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab
(d) Andhra Pradesh and Vidarbha
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (a) Western Ghats, Himalayan Region and Meghalaya
- The Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayan region and Meghalaya region in India get the most rain, usually more than 250 cm per year, thanks to the south-west monsoon.
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13. India has an abundant volume of rainfall but is still regarded as a thirsty land. This is due to :
(a) Rapid runoff of water
(b) Quick evaporation of rainwater
(c) Concentration of rainfall during a few months only
(d) All the above
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (d) All the above
- In India, most of the rain comes from the south-west monsoon from June to September.
- The rain that falls during this time either runs off or evaporates quickly.
- This means that India experiences a lack of rain for the other 8 months of the year.
- Despite having an annual rainfall of 1288.8 mm, India is still considered to be a dry country.
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14. Which of the following Water Management Strategies in India is cost-effective?
(a) Improvement of the fl usti system
(b) Treatment and use of wastewater
(c) Rainwater Harvesting
(d) Recycling and Re-use of Water
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]
Ans. (c) Rainwater Harvesting
- Rainwater harvesting is an economical way to manage water in India.
- To do so, embankments and tanks can be constructed, which will raise the water level.
- Tamil Nadu is the most successful state when it comes to using this method.
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15. Which of the following areas have an average of 200mm rainfall in India ?
(a) Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
(b) Jammu and Kashmir
(c) West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar
(d) Assam, Manipur, Tripura
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (b) Jammu and Kashmir
- The northern part of Zaskar range in Jammu and Kashmir and the Western part of Rajasthan get 20cm of rain per year on average.
- Option (b) is the best answer for this area, but it doesn’t apply to the whole state.
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16. By which monsoon does Jharkhand receive rainfall?
(a) North East Monsoon
(b) South West monsoon
(c) NorWester
(d) None of these
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (b) South West monsoon
- Jharkhand gets its rain during the summer season, from June to September.
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17. When there is very heavy rainfall in the Pushkar Hills, where do floods occur?
(a) Ajmer
(b) Sawai Madhopur
(c) Balotra
(d) Sojat
[R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2008]
Ans. (c) Balotra
- Balotra is a town located in the Barmer district of Rajasthan.
- It is situated on the western slope of the Pachpadra region.
- When there is a lot of rain in the Pushkar hills, floods often occur in the Balotra region.
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18. A rainy day as defined by the Indian meteorological department is a day when the rainfall at a point received is:
(a) 0.5 mm to1mm in 24 hours.
(b) 1.1 mm to 1.5 mm in 24 hours.
(c) 1.6 mm to 2mm in 24 hours.
(d) Above 2.5mm in 24 hours.
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (d) Above 2.5mm in 24 hours.
- The Indian Meteorological Department says that if it rains at least 2.5 millimeters within 24 hours, that day is classified as a rainy day.
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19. Assertion (A): The Monsoonal rainfall decreases as one goes toward the West and northwest in the Ganga plain.
Reason (R): The moisture-bearing Monsoonal winds go higher as one moves up in the Ganga plain.
In the context of the above two statements which one of the following is correct?
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- Rainfall decreases the further west and northwest you go in the Ganga plain.
- This means that from west to east, the amount of rainfall increases.
- In the west, Punjab gets 600mm of rain each year, while the Ganges plain gets 1500mm.
- In the Ganges plain, the air becomes less humid, causing the moisture from the monsoon winds to rise higher.
- This affects the amount of rain.
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20. Match list I with list II and select the correct answer using the given code.
List- I (Climatic condition) List- II (Reasons )
A. Chennai is warmer than Kolkata 1. North-East Monsoon
B. Snowfall in Himalayan 2. Altitude.
C. Rainfall decreases from West Bengal to Punjab 3. Western depressions
D. Sutlej- Ganga plain gets some rain in winter 4. Distance from the sea
5. Latitude
Code :
A B C D
(a) 1 2 4 5
(b) 4 5 1 3
(c) 5 2 4 3
(d) 5 1 3 4
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]
Ans. (c) 5 2 4 3
- Chennai is warmer than Kolkata because of its different latitude.
- Snow falls in the Himalayas because it is higher up.
- There is less rain from West Bengal to Punjab because it is farther away from the ocean.
- The Satluj-Ganga plain gets some rain in the winter due to western storms.
- So option (c) is the right answer.
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21. The hallmark of watershed development in the semiarid regions of India is the
(a) Establishment of sheds on large scale, so that the rain- water does not evaporate
(b) Undertaking of earthworks, soil conservation, moisture and recharge underground water.
(c) Drilling deep tube well so as to tap water at the rockstrata level.
(d) Setting up a system of tanks by embanking water from seasonal rivers.
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (d) Setting up a system of tanks by embanking water from seasonal rivers.
- In India’s semi-arid areas, watershed development is characterized by building tanks to hold water from seasonal rivers.
- Currently, there are around 120,000 of these tanks, which irrigate around 4.12 million hectares of farmland.
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22. How many districts in India are included in the desert development program?
(a) 11 Districts
(b) 14 Districts
(c) 17 Districts
(d) 21 Districts
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (d) 21 Districts
- In 1977-78, the Desert Development Programme was launched in five states –
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
- Haryana
- Jammu & Kashmir
- Himachal Pradesh
- In 1995-96, a few districts in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were added.
- The programme was originally running in 131 blocks of 21 districts, but now it has expanded to cover 235 blocks of 40 districts in seven states.
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23. Consider the following statements and select the correct answer using the codes given below :
Assertion (A): Inland waterways are not well developed in India.
Reason (R): Most parts of India receive rainfall only for four months in a year.
Code :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- In India, rivers and other inland waterways are not very developed.
- This is mostly because India only gets rain for four months in a year.
- This lack of water makes it difficult to develop these waterways, so both statements are true, and the second statement explains the first.
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Winter Rainfall
1. India’s Northern plains get winter rainfall due to –
(a) Western Disturbance
(b) Monsoon in Bay of Bengal
(c) Monsoon in Arabian sea.
(d) Retreating Monsoon.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (a) Western Disturbance
- In India’s northern region, winter rain is caused by a storm from the Mediterranean region known as a “western disturbance”.
- This storm brings unexpected rain to the northwest part of India.
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2. Which of the following regions of India receives winter rainfall?
(a) Odisha – Karnataka
(b) Punjab – Tamil Nadu
(c) Arunachal Pradesh – Bihar
(d) Tamil Nadu – Karnataka.
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1999]
Ans. (b) Punjab – Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu’s coastal regions get around 65-75 cm of rain in the winter season because of the North-East Monsoon.
- Punjab also experiences winter rainfall because of Western Disturbance.
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3. Winter rainfall in Tamil Nadu is mostly due to –
(a) Western disturbances
(b) South-West monsoon
(c) North-East monsoon
(d) South-East monsoon
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2010, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (c) North-East monsoon
- Tamil Nadu’s coastal regions get up to 65-75 cm of rain in the winter because of the northeast monsoon retreating.
- Punjab also gets winter rain because of something called “Western Disturbance”.
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4. Assertion (A): The northern plains of India receive some rainfall in winter.
Reason (R): North East Monsoon is active in winter.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1998]
Ans. (b) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- The coastal areas of Tamil Nadu get up to 65-75 cm of rain during the winter season because of the departing northeast monsoon.
- Punjab also gets winter rain from Western Disturbances.
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5. Of the following, the state that receives rainfall in the winter season is
(a) Kerala
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) West Bengal
(d) Orissa
[44th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2000]
Ans. (b) Tamil Nadu
- The coastal parts of Tamil Nadu get up to 65-75 cm of rain during winter because of the northeast monsoon going away.
- Winter rainfall in Punjab is also caused by Western Disturbance.
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6. Which of the following coastal region in India, receives rainfall from North Eastern monsoon ?
(a) Malabar Coast
(b) Gujarat Coast
(c) Coromandel Coast
(d) Konkan Coast
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]
Ans. (c) Coromandel Coast
- In India, the area along the Coromandel Coast gets rain from the northeast monsoon.
- Also, parts of southeastern Karnataka and Kerala get rain from the northeast monsoon.
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7. Assertion (A): Anti-cyclonic conditions are formed in winter season when atmospheric pressure is high and air temperature is low.
Reason (R): Winter rainfall in Northern India causes development of anticyclonic conditions with low temperature.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true
[I.A.S. (Pre) 200
Ans. (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
- Winter rains in northern India are caused by the western disturbance.
- This has nothing to do with the anticyclonic conditions that exist in India at that time.
- Anticyclonic conditions happen when atmospheric pressure is high and the temperature is low.
- So, statement A is correct and statement R is incorrect.
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8. Which of the following areas of India receives winter rainfall?
(a) North-West
(b) South-West
(c) North-East
(d) South-East
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]
Ans. (a & d) North-West & South-East
- In the northern part of India, it rains in the winter because of western winds.
- The southeastern coast of India also gets rain during the winter due to the northeast monsoon.
- In northern India, rain is caused by a weather system called western disturbance, which affects the regions of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh.
- During the months of October and November, the north-east monsoon brings moisture from the Bay of Bengal resulting in rainfall in Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh, southeast Karnataka and southeast Kerala.
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9. The winter rains caused by Western disturbance in the North Western Plain of India gradually decrease from:
(a) East to West
(b) West to East
(c) North to South
(d) South to North
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]
Ans. (b) West to East
- Western Disturbance is an extratropical storm that comes from the Mediterranean region and brings winter rain to the north-western parts of India.
- This rain is especially important for the Rabi crops, and it gradually decreases as it moves east.
- Western Disturbance is driven by the westerlies and brings moderate to heavy rain as well as snow to the mountainous areas of the Indian subcontinents.
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