20 Important NDA Geography Questions with Answers
Here are 20 NDA-style Geography MCQs (India + World), with four options each, the correct answer, and a one-line explainer. They reflect the current syllabus and commonly tested facts.
1) India’s highest peak (within India’s territory) is:
a) Nanda Devi
b) Kangchenjunga
c) Kamet
d) Saltoro Kangri
Answer: b) Kangchenjunga — At ~8,586 m, it’s India’s highest (Everest lies on Nepal–China border).
2) The standard meridian of India (for IST) is:
a) 75°E
b) 80°E
c) 82°30′E
d) 90°E
Answer: c) 82°30′E — Runs near Mirzapur (UP); IST = UTC +5:30.
3) The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
a) 7
b) 8
c) 9
d) 10
Answer: b) 8 — Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, WB, Tripura, Mizoram.
4) The longest peninsular river of India is:
a) Krishna
b) Godavari
c) Mahanadi
d) Narmada
Answer: b) Godavari — ~1,465 km, also called Dakshin Ganga.
5) The largest delta in the world is formed by:
a) Indus
b) Ganga–Brahmaputra
c) Godavari–Krishna
d) Amazon
Answer: b) Ganga–Brahmaputra — The Sundarbans delta spans India–Bangladesh.
6) The only active volcano in India is on:
a) Lakshadweep
b) Car Nicobar
c) Barren Island (Andaman Sea)
d) Minicoy
Answer: c) Barren Island — India’s only confirmed active volcano.
7) The ‘Palghat Gap’ connects:
a) Maharashtra–Goa
b) Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh
c) Tamil Nadu–Kerala
d) Gujarat–Rajasthan
Answer: c) Tamil Nadu–Kerala — Low mountain pass in the Western Ghats aiding movement and monsoon winds.
8) The highest peak of the Western Ghats is:
a) Dodabetta
b) Anamudi
c) Kalsubai
d) Kudremukh
Answer: b) Anamudi — ~2,695 m in Kerala.
9) ‘Nathu La’ is a pass between:
a) Uttarakhand & Tibet
b) Sikkim & Tibet
c) Himachal & Tibet
d) Arunachal & Myanmar
Answer: b) Sikkim & Tibet — Strategic Himalayan pass on the ancient Silk Route.
10) Which coastal current brings nutrient-rich cold water along southwest Africa?
a) Brazil Current
b) Benguela Current
c) Agulhas Current
d) Canary Current
Answer: b) Benguela Current — Cold eastern boundary current causing upwelling off Namibia.
11) The place with the highest average annual rainfall in India is generally recorded at:
a) Cherrapunji
b) Mawsynram
c) Agumbe
d) Mahabaleshwar
Answer: b) Mawsynram — Known for extreme orographic rainfall due to Khasi Hills.
12) Black (Regur) soils of the Deccan are best known for:
a) Wheat
b) Cotton
c) Tea
d) Jute
Answer: b) Cotton — Clayey, moisture-retentive soils derived from basalt.
13) During El Niño years, Indian summer monsoon rainfall tends to:
a) Increase strongly
b) Remain unchanged
c) Weaken below normal
d) Shift to October–November
Answer: c) Weaken below normal — Warmer central/eastern Pacific alters Walker circulation.
14) The strait separating India and Sri Lanka is:
a) Strait of Hormuz
b) Palk Strait
c) Sunda Strait
d) Malacca Strait
Answer: b) Palk Strait — Between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.
15) ‘Tsangpo’ in Tibet is known in India as:
a) Indus
b) Brahmaputra
c) Sutlej
d) Jhelum
Answer: b) Brahmaputra — Enters Arunachal as Siang/Dihang, then Assam as Brahmaputra.
16) Which of the following is NOT a coral reef area of India?
a) Gulf of Kachchh
b) Gulf of Mannar
c) Chilika Lagoon
d) Lakshadweep
Answer: c) Chilika Lagoon — A brackish water lagoon; reefs occur in Kachchh, Mannar, Lakshadweep, Andamans.
17) The Indian state with the longest coastline is:
a) Andhra Pradesh
b) Tamil Nadu
c) Gujarat
d) Maharashtra
Answer: c) Gujarat — Owing to the Kachchh and Kathiawar peninsulas with many inlets.
18) The retreat of the southwest monsoon from North India generally begins in:
a) September
b) July
c) August
d) October
Answer: a) September — Withdrawal proceeds south-eastward; Northeast monsoon follows in Oct–Nov over TN.
19) As of now, the number of States and Union Territories in India is:
a) 29 States & 7 UTs
b) 28 States & 8 UTs
c) 27 States & 9 UTs
d) 26 States & 10 UTs
Answer: b) 28 States & 8 UTs — Post J&K reorganisation (J&K & Ladakh as UTs).
20) If it is 12:00 noon at 82°30′E (IST), the local solar time at 90°E would be approximately:
a) 12:15 pm
b) 12:30 pm
c) 1:00 pm
d) 11:30 am
Answer: b) 12:30 pm — 7.5° east of IST ≈ 30 minutes ahead (15° = 1 hour).
Cracking NDA Geography needs more than facts—it needs strategy. Build concepts, practice PYQs, and take timed mocks with Doon Defence Dreamers. Explore courses: www.doondefencedreamers.com
