CDS Geography – Important MCQs (with Answers & Explanations)
Q1. The highest point of the Nilgiri Hills is:
a) Kalsubai
b) Sale
c) Doda Betta
d) Pushpagiri
Answer: c) Doda Betta
Doda Betta (2,637 m) is the highest peak of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu.
Q2. A prominent break in the continuity of the Sahyadris is:
a) Doda Betta
b) Anamudi Peak
c) Anaimalai Hills
d) Palghat Gap
Answer: d) Palghat Gap
Palghat Gap (Kerala–Tamil Nadu border) is a major pass in the Western Ghats.
Q3. The longest of all the Indus tributaries is:
a) Ravi
b) Beas
c) Chenab
d) Jhelum
Answer: c) Chenab
Chenab is about 960 km long, making it the longest tributary of the Indus.
Q4. The second largest river system in India, next to the Ganga, is:
a) Godavari
b) Krishna
c) Brahmani
d) Baitarni
Answer: a) Godavari
Known as the “Dakshin Ganga,” it is the largest river system of peninsular India.
Q5. The Tropic of Cancer passes through India ___ of the Equator.
a) at right angles
b) to the North
c) to the South
d) 90° to the South
Answer: b) to the North
The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) divides India into two almost equal parts.
Q6. The Himalayas are considered a type of:
a) Relief mountains
b) Submarine mountains
c) Volcanic mountains
d) Tectonic mountains
Answer: d) Tectonic mountains
The Himalayas are young fold mountains formed by tectonic plate collision.
Q7. The famous Naki (Nakki) Lake is in:
a) Nainital
b) Mussorie
c) Rishikesh
d) Pushkar
Answer: a) Nainital
Nakki Lake is a popular hill-station lake in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
Q8. The original home of the gypsies was:
a) Egypt
b) Russia
c) India
d) Persia
Answer: c) India
Linguistic studies confirm gypsies (Roma people) trace their origin to India.
Q9. The Himalayan forests include:
a) European Oak forests
b) Coniferous forests
c) Alpine vegetation
d) All the three
Answer: d) All the three
The Himalayas show vegetation from subtropical to alpine due to altitudinal variation.
Q10. The “River of Sorrow” rising in the Kamarpet hill (Chhotanagpur Plateau) is:
a) Mahanadi
b) Damodar
c) Krishna
d) Godavari
Answer: b) Damodar
The Damodar is called the “Sorrow of Bengal” due to frequent floods.
Q11. ____ is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea.
a) Cochin
b) Mumbai
c) Mangalore
d) Surat
Answer: a) Cochin
Kochi is historically a major port and trade centre on the Arabian Sea.
Q12. The state least affected by sea erosion is:
a) Kerala
b) Odisha
c) Gujarat
d) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: a) Kerala
Though coastal, Kerala’s natural barriers reduce large-scale erosion compared to Odisha or Gujarat.
Q13. The smallest Union Territory of India (area-wise) is:
a) Lakshadweep
b) Puducherry
c) Daman and Diu
d) Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Answer: a) Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep covers just 32 sq km, making it the smallest UT.
Q14. The total area of the Republic of India is:
a) 2.3 million sq km
b) 3.3 million sq km
c) 4.3 million sq km
d) 5.3 million sq km
Answer: b) 3.3 million sq km
India’s area is approx. 3.287 million sq km.
Q15. Blue Mountain peak is located in:
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Kerala
c) Mizoram
d) Karnataka
Answer: c) Mizoram
The Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) is the highest peak of Mizoram.
Q16. The Khasi and Jaintia Hills are located in:
a) Arunachal Pradesh
b) Meghalaya
c) Manipur
d) Nagaland
Answer: b) Meghalaya
These hills form part of the Meghalaya Plateau.
Q17. The mountain peak where the Tsangpo–Brahmaputra makes a hairpin bend is:
a) Saramati
b) Shillong
c) Namcha Barwa
d) Karbi
Answer: c) Namcha Barwa
Namcha Barwa (7,782 m) is near the Great Bend of the Brahmaputra in Tibet.
Q18. Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in NE India, is in:
a) Assam
b) Arunachal Pradesh
c) Manipur
d) Tripura
Answer: c) Manipur
Loktak Lake is famous for its floating “phumdis.”
Q19. The Outer Himalayas correspond with:
a) Karakoram range
b) Shiwalik range
c) Kailas range
d) Hindukush range
Answer: b) Shiwalik range
The Shiwaliks form the outermost range of the Himalayas.
Q20. The mangrove forests are present in:
a) Eastern Ghats
b) Sunderbans
c) Western Ghats
d) Aravallis
Answer: b) Sunderbans
Sunderbans (West Bengal) have the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem.
