PRELIMS

TEST SERIES 2023

PT MAXIMA
TEST: 31
GEOGRAPHY - 6
(SUB-SECTIONAL)

Climate and Biogeography of India

8448496262 iasscore.in
 DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE ASKED TO DO SO

PTS2023/PPP-01/112022/31

Test No.
GENERAL STUDIES

GEOGRAPHY - 6 31
Time Allowed: One Hour Maximum Marks: 100

INSTRUCTIONS

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1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK THAT
THIS TEST BOOKLET DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN OR MISSING PAGES OR ITEMS,
ETC. IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET.
2. Please note that it is the candidate’s responsibility to encode and fill in the Roll Number carefully
without any omission or discrepancy at the appropriate places in the OMR Answer Sheet. Any
omission/discrepancy will render the Answer Sheet liable for rejection.
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3. You have to enter your Roll Number on the test booklet in the Box provided
alongside. DO NOT write anything else on the Test Booklet.
4. This Test Booklet contains 50 items (questions). Each item is printed in English. Each item comprises four
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responses (answers). You will select the response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case you
feel that there is more than one correct response, mark the response which you consider the best. In any case,
choose ONLY ONE response for each item.
5. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided. See directions in the
Answer Sheet.
6. All items carry equal marks.
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7. Before you proceed to mark in the Answer Sheet in response to various items in the Test Booklet, you have to
fill in some particulars in the Answer Sheet as per instructions sent to you with your Admission Certificate.
8. After you have completed filling in all your responses on the Answer Sheet and the examination has concluded,
you should hand over to the Invigilator only the Answer Sheet. You are permitted to take away with you the
Test Booklet.
9. Sheets for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.
10. Penalty for wrong answers:
THERE WILL BE PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS MARKED BY A CANDIDATE IN THE OBJECTIVE
TYPE QUESTION PAPERS.
(i) There are four alternatives for the answer to every question. For each question for which a wrong answer
has been given by the candidate, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as
penalty.
(ii) If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given
answers happens to be correct and there will be same penalty as above to that question.
(iii) If a question is left blank, i.e., no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that
question.

DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE ASKED TO DO SO

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PTS2023/PPP-01/112022/31
1. Consider the following statements regarding (c) Only one pair
Indian Monsoon:
(d) No pair
1. The frequency of tropical cyclones is more
over Arabian Sea and less over Bay of
Bengal during the El Nino Modoki years 4. Consider the following statements regarding
as compared to El-Nino Years. the characteristics of monsoon rainfall in
India:
2. La Nina Modoki is characterized by
colder central Pacific being flanked by 1. There is northward shift of Inter-Tropical
warmer eastern and western Pacific. Convergence Zone (ITCZ) because the
low pressure cell attracts the southeast
Which of the statements given above is/are trades across the Equator.
correct?
2. The Arabian Sea branch of south-
(a) 1 only west monsoon wind is responsible for
(b) 2 only orographic rain along the Western
Ghats.
(c) Both 1 and 2
Which of the statements given above is/are
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
correct?

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2. Consider the following statements regarding (a) 1 only
Seasonal Rhythms in India: (b) 2 only
1. The sub-tropical westerly jet stream (c) Both 1 and 2
is responsible for bringing orographic
rainfall in northern parts of India during (d) Neither 1 nor 2
winter season.
2. The northern and central part of India
O 5. Which of the following statements is/are
develops low pressure during the hot correct regarding the monsoon of India?
weather season. 1. The production of Rabi crops depends on
Which of the statements given above is/are the amount of rainfall during south-west
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correct? monsoon season.
(a) 1 only 2. A good monsoon season helps in keeping
the food inflation in check.
(b) 2 only
3. A weakened monsoon increases the
(c) Both 1 and 2
government spending on food and loan-
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 waiver.
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Select the correct answer using the code given

3. Consider the following pairs regarding below:
Drought:
(a) 1 only
1. Meteorological Drought – It describes
a situation where there is a reduction (b) 2 and 3 only
in rainfall for a specific period below a (c) 1, 2 and 3
specific amount.
(d) 1 and 2 only
2. Hydrological Drought – It is concerned
with drying up of surface water resources
such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, 6. Which of the following factors are responsible
tanks, reservoirs etc. for the formation/strengthening of North-East
3. Ecological Drought – It takes place when Monsoon?
the productivity of a natural eco-system 1. Formation of low-pressure cells over
fails significantly as a consequence of Tibetan plateau in winter
distress induced environmental damage.
2. Weakening of the Walker Cell in the
Which of the pairs given above are matched Southern Indian Ocean
correctly?
3. Southward migration of ITCZ
(a) All the three pairs
4. Subtropical Jetstream returns back in its
(b) Only two pairs original position

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Select the correct answer using the code given Which of the above statements is/are correct?
below:
(a) 2 only
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

10. Consider the following statements:

7. Which of the following factors affect(s) the
monsoon of India? 1. Pacific Decadal Oscillations can diminish
the El Niño impacts if both Pacific Decadal
1. Somali Jet
Oscillations and El Niño–Southern
2. Subtropical westerly jet stream Oscillation are in the same phase.
3. Tropical easterly jet 2. During El Niño, Walker Circulation is
Select the correct answer using the code given shifted eastward due to the reduced east–
below: west sea surface temperature gradient
across the Pacific Ocean.

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(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(c) 2 and 3 only (a) 1 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3 (b) 2 only

O (c) Both 1 and 2
8. Which of the following is/are the reasons for
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
non-occurrence of the South-West monsoon
from March to May, despite having ample
solar insolation? 11. Which of the following can be the reason
that India doesn’t get cyclones during main
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1. ITCZ is still south of the Equator in these
months. monsoon months like July and August?
2. Sub-Tropical Jet stream blows north of (a) Sea surface Temperature is less than
the Himalayas in these months. 26.5° in these months
3. There is a strong divergence in the upper (b) Absence of Jet Streams over a large part
atmosphere over India. of India
Select the correct answer using the code given High values of vertical wind shear
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(c)
below: present between the surface and upper
(a) 2 only troposphere
(b) 3 only (d) Absence of Coriolis force which is an
(c) 1 and 2 only important factor to originate tropical
cyclone
(d) 1, 2, and 3

12. Consider the following statements with regard

9. Consider the following statements regarding to circulation over India:
Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO):
1. Over India, subtropical westerly jet (STJ)
1. Like ENSO, Madden Julian Oscillation
stream blow south of the Himalayas, all
is also an atmosphere-ocean coupled
phenomenon. through the year except in summer.

2. Unlike ENSO, which is stationary, the
MJO is an eastward moving disturbance
of clouds, rainfall, winds, and pressure
systems.
3. Unlike in ENSO, there can be an intra-
seasonal variations in MJO.
2. Tropical easterly jet (TEJ) stream blows
over peninsular India during the summer
months.
3. Tropical cyclones, that affect the coastal
regions of the country, are part of the
easterly flow.

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Which of the statements given above is/are reference, which of the following statements is
correct? incorrect?
(a) 1 and 2 only (a) These States have been classified into
two categories, based on the frequency of
(b) 2 and 3 only
occurrence of cyclone, size of population
(c) 3 only and the existing institutional mechanism
(d) 1, 2 and 3 for disaster management.
(b) All the states and UTs on the Eastern
13. Consider the following statements: Coast have been kept under Category I
i.e. Higher vulnerability States.
Assertion (A): The Arabian Sea, which
historically saw the formation of an average (c) All the states on the Western Coast except
of 1-2 cyclones per season, now reflects a Gujarat have been kept under Category
52% increase in cyclone frequency as well as II i.e. Lower vulnerability States.
increase in the wind speed. (d) None of the above.
Reason (R): Of all the global sub-basins, the
Arabian Sea is one of the fastest-warming sub- 16. Why does the Tamil Nadu coast remain dry

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basins leading to the rise in the sea surface during southwest monsoon?
temperatures over the basin.
1. It is situated parallel to the Bay of Bengal
Select the correct answer using the code given branch of southwest monsoon.
below: 2. It lies in the rain-shadow area of the
(a) Both A and R are correct and R provides Arabian Sea branch of the south-west
a suitable explanation for the A. monsoon.
(b)
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Both A and R are correct but R does not Select the correct answer from the code given
provide a suitable explanation for A. below:
(c) A is correct but R is incorrect. (a) 1 only
(d) Both A and R are incorrect. (b) 2 only
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(c) Both 1 and 2
14. Which of the following statements is/are
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
correct regarding the local storms of hot
weather season?
17. Consider the following statements:
1. Nor Westers are dreaded evening
thunderstorms in western part of India. 1. Except Himalayas, all the parts of the
country have temperature above the
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2. Kalbaisakhi and Bardoli Chheerha are

threshold level to grow the crops or plants
useful for tea, jute and rice cultivation in
throughout the year.
India.
2. Winter rainfall by temperate cyclones in
3. Mango Showers are the pre-monsoon
north India is highly beneficial for Rabi
showers which are a common
phenomenon in Kerala and coastal areas crops.
of Karnataka. 3. Sudden monsoon burst creates problem
of soil erosion over large areas in India.
Select the correct answer using the code given
below: Which of the following statements is/are correct
regarding the monsoon and the economic life
(a) 1 and 2 only
in India?
(b) 2 and 3 only
(a) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(b) 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only

15. National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (d) 1, 2 and 3

under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs
has identified 13 cyclone prone States and UTs, 18. Consider the following statements regarding
with varying levels of vulnerability. In this Western Disturbance:

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1. Saffron and Tea cultivation in the 21. Consider the following factors:
foothills of Himalayas depends on the 1. Tropic of Cancer passing through India
western disturbance.
2. The towering mountain chain in the
2. The moisture which the Western North
Disturbances carry with them comes
from the Mediterranean Sea and the 3. Long coastline of India
Atlantic Ocean. 4. Numerous Peninsular rivers flowing
throughout India
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Which of the factors given above determine
(a) 1 only
the climate of India?
(b) 2 only
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(b) 3 and 4 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4 only
19. Match the following:

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Type of Climate Areas
22. In what ways the Inter Tropical Convergence
1. Monsoon with A. West coast of Zone causes the formation of Southwest
dry summer India south of Monsoon in India?
Mumbai
1. Due to its northward shift, the trade
2. Monsoon with B. Coromandel winds of the southern hemisphere cross
dry winter coast of Tamil
O the equator.
Nadu
2. In July, its position is around 20°N-
3. Monsoon with C. Ganga Plains 25°N latitudes that encourages the
short dry season development of thermal low over north
4. Steppe climate D. North-western and northwest India.
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Gujarat 3. Its northward shift causes the withdrawal
of the westerly jet stream from over the
Select the correct answer from the code given
North Indian Plain.
below:
Select the correct answer from the code given
(a) 1-A, 2-D, 3-C, 4-B
below:
(b) 1-D, 2-C, 3-B, 4-A
(a) 1 and 2 only
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(c) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D

(b) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-D
(c) 1 and 3 only

20. With respect to Retreating Monsoon season, (d) 1, 2 and 3

consider the following statements:
1. The season is marked by the fall in 23. Which of the following experiments for
the study of Monsoon has been carried out
temperature.
exclusively by India?
2. The intensity of rain in this season
decreases southwards. (a) MONTBLEX

3. October heat is a common feature of this (b) MONEX

season. (c) ISMEX
Which of the above statements is/are correct? (d) Monsoon-77
(a) 1 and 2 only
24. Which of the following statements is/are
(b) 3 only
correct?
(c) 1 and 3 only
1. A negative Southern Oscillation Index is
(d) 1, 2 and 3 good for the Indian Monsoon.

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2. During La Nina, the walker cell over the 2. During the positive phase of the
Pacific Ocean shifts to the central regions ‘Equatorial Indian Ocean Oscillation
of the Pacific Ocean from the western (EQUINOO),’ there is enhanced cloud
Pacific region. formation and rainfall in the western
part of the equatorial ocean near the
Select the correct answer using the codes given
African coast.
below:
3. The onset of the southwest monsoon is
(a) 1 only coincided with the onset of the Warm
(b) 2 only Somali Current.

(c) Both 1 and 2 Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 and 2 only
25. Consider the following statements: (b) 2 only

Assertion (A): The Bay of Bengal branch of (c) 1 and 3 only

the South-West monsoon is responsible for (d) 1, 2 and 3
much of the rainfall in the Gangetic Plains.

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Reason (R): Bay of Bengal branch of the 28. Consider the following statements regarding
southwest monsoon is stronger than the ‘IFLOWS-Mumbai’:
Arabian Sea branch. 1. It is an Integrated Flood Warning System
Select the correct answer using the code given developed by IIT-Mumbai in coordination
below: with Municipal Corporation of Greater
Mumbai.
(a) Both A and R are correct and R provides
a suitable explanation for the A.
O 2. It will make possible to have an estimate
of the flood inundation three days in
(b) Both A and R are correct but R does not advance, along with immediate weather
provide a suitable explanation for A. updates.
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(c) A is correct but R is incorrect. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(d) Both A and R are incorrect. (a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
26. What are the criteria used to declare weak
monsoon condition by India Meteorological (c) Both 1 and 2
Department? (d) Neither 1 nor 2
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1. Wind speed between 23 to 32 knots

2. Rainfall less than half the normal over 29. Which of the following statements is/are
the sea correct about monsoon theory in India?

3. Spatial distribution of rainfall remains 1. Hailey’s classical theory is based on

dry, isolated or scattered for two differential heating of land and water as
consecutive days the main driving force of the monsoon
winds.
Select the correct answer using the code
2. Jet stream theory suggests the presence
below:
of the westerly jet stream to the north of
(a) 1 and 2 only the Himalayas and the tropical easterly
jet stream over the Indian peninsula
(b) 2 only
during summer.
(c) 1 and 3 only
Select the correct answer using the code
(d) 2 and 3 only below:
(a) 1 only
27. Which of the following statements is/are
(b) 2 only
correct?
(c) Both 1 and 2
1. Positive Indian Ocean Dipole is good for
the Indian Monsoon. (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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30. Which of the following statements regarding 33. Which of the following climatic regions are
the Cloud bursts is/are correct? found in India, according to the Koeppen’s
Scheme?
1. Cloud bursts in India are exclusive to the
mountainous regions. 1. Steppe climate

2. If 10 cm rainfall is received at a station 2. Tropical Savannah

in one hour, the rain event is termed as 3. Polar type
cloud burst. Select the correct answer using the code given
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
below: (a) 2 only
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
34. Consider the following statements regarding
the Mechanism of Weather in the Winter

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31. Which of the following are the participating Season:
institutions in Monsoon Mission?
1. In winter months, the weather conditions
1. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology over India are generally influenced by
2. India Meteorological Department the distribution of pressure in Central
and Western Asia rather than Southern
3. Indian National Centre for Ocean and Eastern Asia.
Information Services
2. The southern branch of the jet stream
4. National Centre for Medium Range
Weather Forecast
O exercises an important influence on the
winter weather in India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code
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below: (a) 1 only
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only
(b) 1, 3, and 4 only (c) Both 1 and 2
(c) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
35. What is the role of Mascarene High in
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influencing the Indian Climate?

32. Consider the following statements:
1. Assertion (A): Increased snow cover
over the Himalaya and Tibetan plateau
weakens the South-West Monsoon of
India.
2. Reason (R): Increased snow cover over the
Himalaya and Tibetan plateau increase
the albedo effect.
Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
(a) Both A and R are correct and R provides
a suitable explanation for the A.
(b) Both A and R are correct but R does not
provide a suitable explanation for A.
(c) A is correct but R is incorrect.
(d) Both A and R are incorrect.
(a) It is responsible for cross equatorial
flow of monsoon current through south
Arabian Sea.
(b) It is responsible for the upcoming of
North-East monsoon in India.
(c) It is responsible for facilitating Tropical
Cyclones in India.
(d) It is responsible for the winter rain in
North-West India.
36. Consider the following statements regarding
Tropical Evergreen Forest:
1. It is found in the warm and humid areas
with high annual precipitation.
2. In India, these forests are found in
the deltas of Godavari, Mahanadi and
Krishna Rivers.

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Which of the statements given above is/are (ICAR) as a type of Indian soils based on US
correct? Taxonomy of soils?
(a) 1 only (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 only (b) 2 and 4 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

37. Consider the following statements: 40. Consider the following pairs:
1. Off shore trough, a shallow trough of Types of Forests Areas where they are
low pressure is observed along west found
coast of India, and is responsible for the 1. Tropical thorn South-West Punjab
strengthening of the monsoon in terms of forests
rainfall.
2. Moist deciduous Foothills of Himalayas
2. Off shore vortex is created along the forest
west coast of India due to the orographic
barrier of Western Ghats. 3. Tropical Evergreen Eastern slope of the

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Western Ghats
Which of the statements given above is/are 4. Southern mountain Satpura and the Maikal
correct? forests ranges
(a) 1 only Which of the above pairs is/are correctly
(b) 2 only matched?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (a) Only one pair
O (b) Only two pairs
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Only three pairs
38. Which of the following statements is/are (d) All the four pairs
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correct regarding Types of Forests in India?
1. Main species of Semi Evergreen forest 41. Which of the following statements is incorrect
are white cedar, hollock and kail. regarding the Laterite Soil?
2. Shisham, kusum, and hurra are the main (a) It is found in the region of heavy
species of Tropical thorn forests. rainfall.
3. In context of Southern Mountain forests, (b) It becomes soft when wet and hardens
vegetation is temperate in the higher when dry.
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regions, and subtropical on the lower

regions of the Western Ghats. (c) It is formed due to decomposition of rocks
and contains iron oxide.
Select the correct answer using the code given
below: (d) It is unfavourable for producing rubber
and coconut.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only 42. Consider the following statements:
(c) 1 and 2 only 1. Soil acidity is determined by pH
measurement during a routine soil test.
(d) 1 and 3 only
2. The availability of iron and aluminium
in soil increases with the increase in soil
39. Consider the following soil type: acidity.
1. Vertisols 3. In India, acidic soil is found in all the
2. Mollisols north-eastern states.
3. Alfisols Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
4. Ultisols
(a) 1 only
Which of the soil type given above are classified
by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (b) 2 and 3 only

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(c) 1 and 2 only Types of Soil Areas where
they are found
(d) 1, 2 and 3
1. Laterite Soil: Hilly areas of
Odisha and Assam,
43. Which of the following statements regarding
Kerala, Karnataka
the Red soil is correct?
2. Regur Soil: Madhya Pradesh,
(a) The fine-grained red and yellow soils are
Gujarat, Andhra
normally fertile.
Pradesh
(b) This type of soil is formed as a result of 3. Red and Rajasthan,
weathering of sedimentary rocks. Yellow Soil: Gujarat
(c) The soil develops a reddish colour due to and parts
a wide diffusion of iron in hydrated form, of Maharashtra
and yellow when it is anhydrous. 4. Alluvial Soil: Brahamaputra
(d) They are generally rich in nitrogen, valley
phosphorous and humus. Which of the above pairs is/are correctly
matched?
44. Consider the following information about a

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(a) All the four pairs
soil type of India:
(b) Only three pairs
1. These type of soils are the second-largest
soil type found in India. (c) Only two pairs
2. They swell and become sticky when wet (d) Only one pair
and shrink when dried.
3. They are generally rich in lime, iron, 47. Which of the following statements regarding
magnesia and alumina.

above?
O
Which of the following soils is being described
the forests in India is incorrect?
(a) Area-wise, Madhya Pradesh has the
largest forest cover in the country.
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(a) Regur Soil (b) Tropical and subtropical monsoon forests
(b) Alluvial Soil cover about 50% of the Total Forest Area
of the country.
(c) Red Soil
(c) Forests are included in the Concurrent
(d) Arid Soil List in the (Seventh Schedule) of the
Constitution of India.
45. Which of the following statements is/are (d) Semi-evergreen forests are found in the
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correct regarding types of soil? Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar

1. Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Islands, and the Eastern Himalayas.
Pradesh and Kerala are more suitable for
tree crops like cashewnut. 48. Consider the following statements regarding
2. Yellow and red soils are also found in the montane temperate forests of India:
parts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. 1. In the North, there are three layers of
3. Arid soil is rich in nitrogen but lacks Wet Montane temperate forests; the
phosphate content. higher layer has mainly coniferous, the
middle layer has oak trees and the lowest
Select the correct answer from the code given
layer is covered by rhododendrons.
below:
2. The Moist montane temperate type
(a) 1 and 2 only of forests spreads from the Western
(b) 2 and 3 only Himalayas to the Eastern Himalayas in
India.
(c) 1 and 3 only
Which of the above statements is/are
(d) 1, 2 and 3 incorrect?
(a) 1 only
46. Consider the following pairs regarding the
type of soils and their distribution in India: (b) 2 only

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(c) Both 1 and 2 50. The tree shed their leaves completely with
the beginning of the dry season. Tendu
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
and amaltas, are the common trees of these
forests. They are can be found in severe and
49. Consider the following statements regarding extremely variable climates characterized by
Agro-forestry: low annual rainfall, 5-6 dry months within the
1. Agroforestry deals with the practice of annual cycle, and nutrient-poor soil.. These
integrating trees, crops and livestock on forests are found in the rainier parts of the
the same plot of land. peninsular plateau and the plains of Bihar
and Uttar Pradesh.
2. Biodiversity in Agro-forestry systems
is typically lower than conventional Which of the following type of forest is described
agricultural systems. in the above passage?
3. India has become the first nation in the (a) Tidal and Mangrove Forests
world to adopt an Agro forestry policy.
(b) Tropical Thorn Forests
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(c) Dry Deciduous Forests
(a) 1 only
(d) Montane Forests

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(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

™™™™™
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Test No.

IAS Prelims - 2023

31
PTS2023/PPP-01/112022/31

GENERAL STUDIES

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GEOGRAPHY - 6
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Answer Key
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Q. 1 (c) Q. 11 (c) Q. 21 (a) Q. 31 (d) Q. 41 (d)

Q. 2 (c) Q. 12 (d) Q. 22 (d) Q. 32 (a) Q. 42 (d)

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Q. 3 (a) Q. 13 (a) Q. 23 (a) Q. 33 (d) Q. 43 (a)

Q. 4 (c) Q. 14 (b) Q. 24 (d) Q. 34 (c) Q. 44 (a)

Q. 5 (b) Q. 15 (b) Q. 25 (c) Q. 35 (a) Q. 45 (a)

Q. 6 (b) Q. 16 (c) Q. 26 (b) Q. 36 (a) Q. 46 (b)

Q. 7 (d) Q. 17 (d) Q. 27 (a) Q. 37 (c) Q. 47 (b)

Q. 8 (b) Q. 18 (c) Q. 28 (b) Q. 38 (d) Q. 48 (d)

Q. 9 (d) Q. 19 (d) Q. 29 (c) Q. 39 (d) Q. 49 (b)

Q. 10 (b) Q. 20 (b) Q. 30 (b) Q. 40 (c) Q. 50 (c)

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1. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
 Both statements are correct
El Nino Modoki and Indian Monsoon
 The two important meteorological events
as far Indian sub-continent is concerned
are monsoons (southwest monsoon and
northeast monsoon) and cyclones, which
generally form during the pre-monsoon
(March-May) and the post-monsoon season
(October–December).
 And the two important phenomena which
influence the Indian Ocean are the El Nino
and Southern Oscillation (popularly known
as ENSO) and the recently discovered
Indian Ocean Dipole.
 El Nino can further be classified into
two types— traditional El Nino which is
characterized by strong anomalous warming
in the eastern equatorial Pacific and the El
Nino Modoki that is associated with strong
anomalous warming in the central tropical
Pacific and cooling in the eastern and
western tropical Pacific.
O India experience heat waves and
 If El Nino over the Pacific Ocean increases
in intensity this year, monsoon onset over
Kerala would be severely impacted and El
Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole events will
SC
be important factors.
 It has been noticed that the frequency
of tropical cyclones are more over
Arabian Sea and less over Bay of Bengal
during the El Nino Modoki years as
compared to El-Nino Years.
 La Nina Modoki is the counter part of
GS
El Nino Modoki and is characterized by
colder central Pacific being flanked by
warmer eastern and western Pacific.
 Over Bay of Bengal, there is a reduction
in the magnitude of low level convergence,
during La-Niña Modoki years compared to
the canonical La-Niña years; this suppresses
the formation of severe cyclonic storm.
Topic: Climate of India
Subtopic: Indian Monsoon and El Nino
Modoki
2. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
 Both statements are correct
Seasonal Rhythms in India
 Cold Weather Season
 During this season sun is over the tropic
of Capricorn and is characterized by
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high-pressure conditions over the north
Indian plains.
 The northern parts of the country have
a mean temperature below 21°C and
January is the coldest month.
 The most important weather condition
of this season is the western disturbance
which provides rainfall and snowfall to
northern parts of the country.
 On reaching the Indian sub-
continent these are obstructed by
the Himalayas and are responsible
for orographic rainfall or frontal
rainfall in northern parts of
India including states of J&K,
Himachal, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi,
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, etc.
 The amount of rainfall decreases from
RE
the west towards the east and from the
north towards the south.
 Hot Weather Season
 This season is characterized by high
temperature and low humidity.
 The northern and central parts of
are characterized by low pressure
which attracts moisture-laden
winds from the Arabian Sea and the
Bay of Bengal towards the Indian
sub-continent on a local or regional
scale.
 These winds cause some precipitation
and are called pre-monsoonal showers
which are named differently in different
parts of India.
Topic: Climate of India
Subtopic: Seasons of India
3. Correct Option: (a)
Explanation:
 All pairs are correctly matched
Meteorological Drought
 It describes a situation where there is a
reduction in rainfall for a specific period
(days, months, seasons or year) below a
specific amount (long term average for a
specific time).
 The Indian Meteorological Department
(IMD) has defined drought as a situation
occurring in any area when the mean
annual rainfall is less than 75% of the
normal rainfall.
Hydrological drought
 It is associated with reduction of water.
A meteorological drought often leads to
hydrological drought.
2

 Surface-water Drought is concerned with
drying up of surface water resources such
as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, tanks,
reservoirs etc.
 Ground-water drought is associated with the
fall in the ground water level. This happens
due to excessive pumping of ground water
without compensatory replenishment and
creates more or less irreversible ground
water drought even in normal rainfall
conditions.
Ecological drought
 It takes place when the productivity of
a natural eco-system fails significantly
as a consequence of distress induced
environmental damage.
Agricultural drought
 It is concerned with the impact of
meteorological/hydrological drought on crop
yield.
 When soil moisture and rainfall conditions
are not adequate enough to support a
healthy crop growth to maturity thereby
causing extreme moisture stress and wilting
Soil Moisture Drought
O
of major crop area, it leads to agricultural
drought.
SC
 This is a situation of inadequate soil
moisture particularly in rain-fed areas
which may not support crop growth.
 This happens in the event of a meteorological
drought when the water supply to soil is less
and water loss by evaporation is more.
Socio-Economic Drought
GS
 It reflects the reduction of availability of food
and income loss on account of crop failures
endangering food and social security of the
people in the affected areas.
Topic: Climate of India
Subtopic: Types of Drought
4. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
 Both statements are correct
Characteristics of Indian Monsoon
 During April and May when the sun shines
vertically over the Tropic of Cancer, the
large landmass in the north of Indian Ocean
gets intensely heated. This causes the
formation of an intense low pressure in the
north-western part of the subcontinent.
 Since the pressure in the Indian Ocean in
the south of the landmass is high as water
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gets heated slowly, the low pressure cell
attracts the southeast trades across the
Equator.
 These conditions help in the northward shift
in the position of the ITCZ.
 The southwest monsoon may thus, be seen
as a continuation of the southeast trades
deflected towards the Indian subcontinent
after crossing the Equator.
 The shift in the position of the ITCZ is also
related to the phenomenon of the withdrawal
of the westerly jet stream from its position
over the north Indian plain, south of the
Himalayas.
 There seem to be two rain-bearing systems
in India.
 First originate in the Bay of Bengal
RE
causing rainfall over the plains of north
India.
 Second is the Arabian Sea current of
the southwest monsoon which brings
rain to the west coast of India. Much of
the rainfall along the Western Ghats is
orographic as the moist air is obstructed
and forced to rise along the Ghats.
Topic: Indian Monsoon
Subtopic: Characteristics of Indian
Monsoon
5. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The production
of Kharif crops depends on the amount of
rainfall during south-west monsoon season.
Economic Impact of Monsoon on India
 India gets around 70 percent of its annual
rainfall during the monsoon season, which
also affects the yield of some key Kharif or
summer crops like rice, pulses and oilseeds
such as soybeans.
 Around 50% of India’s total food output
comes in the form of summer crops. A
delayed monsoon can lead to supply issues
and even accelerate food inflation.
 In a good monsoon season, farm output goes
up, boosting demand for consumer goods as
well as income of rural people.
 All of this leads to a stronger economic
outlook that in turn help lift equities,
especially of companies selling goods in
rural areas.
 However, a poor monsoon season weakens
demand for FMCG products, tractors, two-
wheelers, rural housing. Also, it forces the
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government to spend on the import of food
as well as take measures like farm loan
waivers.
 A good Monsoon season leads to bumper
farm output that keeps food prices under
control. This is so because food accounts for
50% of the country’s consumer price index,
which is closely monitored by RBI.
Topic: Indian Monsoon
Subtopic: Economic Impact of Monsoon on
India
6. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
 Option (b) is correct
Formation of the North-East Monsoon
 The north-east monsoon, commonly known
as winter monsoon blows from land to sea.
 As the Sun moves southwards due to which,
the following phenomena occur.
 ITCZ moves southward.
Formation of the High-Pressure

O
belt over Tibet due to cooling of the
Plateau. This leads to the end of the
Somali Jet and Tropical Easterly
Jet stream.
SC
 Subtropical Jetstream returns
back in its original position i.e.
over Indian Peninsula, south of the
Himalayas.
 The Walker Cell, which was
formed and strong in summer, gets
weakened.
GS
 All these factors aid the movement of the
North-East Trade wind and cold air mass
from the Siberia and Tibet into India and
the Bay of Bengal. This is called North-East
Monsoon (due to reversal of wind).
 This cold and moisture-free wind when
blows over the Bay of Bengal, its humidity
increases and thus the rainfall over Tamil
Nadu.
Topic: Climate of India
Subtopic: North-East Monsoon
7. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 Option (d) is correct
Factors Affecting Indian Monsoon
 Jet Stream Theory
 This theory tries to explain the
establishment of both the NE and SW
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Monsoons as well their unique features
like bursting and variability. The jet
streams are a system of upper-air
westerlies. It gives rise to slowly moving
upper-air waves, with 250 knots winds
in some air streams.
 Over India, a subtropical westerly jet
develops in the winter season which
is replaced by the tropical easterly
jet in the summer season. The high
temperature over the Tibetan Plateau,
as well as over Central Asia in general,
during the summer is believed to be the
critical factor leading to the formation
of the tropical easterly jet over India
in summer. The mechanism affecting
monsoon is that the westerly jet causes
high pressure over northern parts of the
subcontinent during the winter. This
RE
results in the north to south flow of the
winds in the form of the NE Monsoon.
With the northwards shift of the vertical
sun, this jet shifts northwards too. The
intense heat over the Tibetan Plateau,
coupled with associated terrain features
of high altitude of the plateau, etc.
generate the tropical easterly jet over
Central India. This jet creates a low
pressure zone over the northern Indian
plains influencing the wind flow towards
these plains, assisting the establishment
of the SW Monsoon.
 Somali current and Somali jet stream
 During June-July-August due to
creation of high pressure at Mascrene
high basin, air diverges due to which it
goes towards horn of Africa. Here it is
divided into two parts - one goes towards
Africa and another goes towards Indian
subcontinent.
 It is a low level jet stream (appear only
in summer)
 Its occurrence predicts good
monsoon in India.
 Somali jet Stream is a low level jet
stream which flows from Somalia to
Indian mainland
Topic: Climate of India
Subtopic: Factors Affecting Indian
Monsoon
8. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
 Option (b) is correct
Indian Monsoon
 The months of April and May are
generally dry and rainless in spite of high
4

temperatures (low pressure on land) and
high evaporation.
 The reasons for the absence of the S-W
monsoon in March-May are as follows:
 During the summer season in the Northern
Hemisphere, low-pressure areas develop at
the ground surface near north-west India
due to intense heating of ground surface
during April, May, and June.
 As the position of the upper air jet
stream i.e. Sub-Tropical Jet stream
(STJ) is maintained above the surface
low pressure to the south of Himalayas,
the dynamic anti-cyclonic conditions
(strong divergence) persist over north-
west India.
 The winds descending from the upper air
.
 Based on the place of convective activity
the period of MJO is divided into 1-8 phases
with each phase roughly last for 7 to 8
days. Since the MJO is the most important
mode of tropical intra-seasonal variability
with potentially important influences on
monsoon activity in the Asian regions on
extended range time scale (beyond 7 days to
on 1 month), the capability of statistical or
numerical models in capturing MJO signal
is very crucial in capturing the active/break
cycle of monsoon.
Distinct from ENSO
 Unlike ENSO, which is stationary, the
MJO is an eastward moving disturbance
of clouds, rainfall, winds, and pressure
that traverses the planet in the tropics
and returns to its initial starting point

RE
high pressure [because of the ridge of STJ]
in 30 to 60 days, on average.
obstructs the ascent of winds from the
surface low-pressure areas, with the result  This atmospheric disturbance is distinct
that the weather remains warm and dry. from ENSO, which once established, is
Topic: Climate of India associated with persistent features that last
several seasons or longer over the Pacific
Subtopic: Indian Monsoon Ocean basin. There can be multiple MJO
events within a season, and so the MJO is
9. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
O best described as intra-seasonal tropical
climate variability (i.e. varies on a week-to-
week basis).
All statements are correct The MJO can produce impacts similar
SC
 
to those of ENSO, but which appear only
MJO
in weekly averages before changing,
 The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) is rather than persisting and therefore
one of the most important atmosphere- appearing in seasonal averages as is
ocean coupled phenomena in the the case for ENSO.
tropics, which has profound influence on
Indian Summer Monsoon. The MJO is the
leading mode of tropical intra-seasonal
GS

climate variability and is characterized

by organization on a global spatial scale
with a period typically ranging from 30-60
days, which was discovered by Madden and
Julian in 1971 in a published paper. It has
the following characteristics:
 MJO is a massive weather event
consisting of deep convection coupled
with atmospheric circulation, moving
slowly eastward over the Indian and
Pacific Oceans.
 MJO is an equatorial traveling pattern Topic: Climate of India
of anomalous rainfall that is planetary Subtopic: MJO vs. ENSO
in scale.
 Each cycle lasts approximately 30–60 10. Correct Option: (b)
days. Also known as the 30-60 day
oscillation, 30-60 day wave, or intra- Explanation:
seasonal oscillation (ISO).
 Statement 1 is incorrect: If both ENSO
 The MJO involves variations in wind, sea and the PDO are in the same phase, it is
surface temperature (SST), cloudiness, believed that El Niño/La Nina impacts may
and rainfall. be magnified.

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 Statement 2 is correct: During El Niño,
Walker Circulation is weakened and shifted
eastward owing to reduced east–west sea
surface temperature gradient across the
Pacific Ocean.
Pacific Decadal Oscillations (PDO)
 PDO is a long-term ocean fluctuation of
the Pacific Ocean, which waxes and wanes
approximately every 20 to 30 years.
 Just like El Nino/La Nina in the tropical
Pacific, PDO has a signature for a longer
time (on the decadal scale) in the sea
surface temperatures and its interaction
with the atmosphere, which in turn affects
the northeast Indian summer monsoon.
 PDO can intensify or diminish the impacts
of ENSO according to its phase. If both
ENSO and the PDO are in the same
phase, it is believed that El Niño/
La Nina impacts may be magnified.
Conversely, if ENSO and the PDO are out of
phase, it has been proposed that they may
offset one another, preventing “true” ENSO
impacts from occurring.
Walker Circulation
O 
 The Walker Circulation refers to an east-
west circulation of the atmosphere above
SC
the tropical Pacific, with air rising above
warmer ocean regions (normally in the
west), and descending over the cooler ocean
areas (normally in the east). Its strength
fluctuates with that of the Southern
Oscillation. The characteristics of the Walker
Circulation were largely determined by the
coupling between the tropical atmosphere
GS
and oceans. Walker Circulation is closely
tied to that of the Southern Oscillation and
El Niño. During an El Niño, the weakening
Walker Circulation causes widespread
drought in Indonesia/maritime continent,
drought in north eastern Brazil, severe
floods in Peru and Ecuador, and in south-
eastern Brazil and northern Argentina.
During a La Niña, the Walker Circulation
intensifies and leads to rainfall anomalies
with reverse sign compared to El Niño.
 During El Niño, Walker Circulation is
weakened and shifted eastward owing
to reduced east–west sea surface
temperature gradient across the
Pacific Ocean. This suppresses broad-
scale convection over the western Pacific
and eastern Indian Ocean and leads to
weaker South Asian monsoon.
Topic: Climate of India
Subtopic: Pacific Decadal Oscillations and
Walker Circulation
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11. Correct Option: (c)
.
Explanation:
 Option (c) is correct
Tropical cyclones
 Tropical cyclogenesis requires several
favourable precursor environmental
conditions.
 Warm Ocean waters (of at least 26.5°
throughout sufficient depth at least on
the order of 50 m).
 Relatively moist layers near the height
of 5 km.
 Non-negligible amount of Coriolis force,
pre-existing near surface disturbance.
 Low values of vertical wind shear between
RE
the surface and upper troposphere.
Situation in July and August
 In July and August, winds on the surface
are westerly/south-westerly to the south of
monsoon trough and south easterly/ easterly
to its north and are generally stronger over
the seas than the Land areas.
The upper winds are westerly/south-
westerly to the south and south easterly/
Easterly to the north of this trough region.
Westerly winds increase with height and

reach a maximum speed of 20-25 knots
between 900 to 800 hPa levels. Easterly
winds strengthen with height from 200 hPa
reaching a maximum at 100 hPa. Speeds
are between 60 to 80 knots over peninsula
at 150 /100 hPa level or even at lower height
(around 200 hPa) in the southern latitude.
 This results in high values of vertical
wind shear which is unfavourable for
Tropical cyclogenesis. So, we don’t get
cyclones during main monsoon months
like July and August.
Topic: Climate of India
Subtopic: Situation in July and August over
India
12. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 All statements are correct
Circulation over India
 The Subtropical westerly jet streams are
located approximately over 27°-30° north
latitude. Over India, these jet streams blow
south of the Himalayas, all through the year
except in summer.
 The western cyclonic disturbances
experienced in the north and north-western
6

parts of the country are brought in by this
westerly flow.
 In summer, the subtropical westerly jet
stream moves north of the Himalayas with
the apparent movement of the sun.
 An easterly jet stream blows over peninsular
India, approximately over 14°N during the
summer months.
 Tropical cyclones occur during the southwest
monsoon, as well as, in October-November,
and are part of the easterly flow. These
disturbances affect the coastal regions of
the country.
Topic: Climate of India
Subtopic: Wind circulation over India
13. Correct Option: (a)
Explanation:
 Option (a) is correct
Increase in the frequency and devastation
of the Tropical cyclones
O 
 Over the last few decades, there has
been an increase in the frequency and
intensity of tropical cyclones forming over
the North Indian Ocean. According to a
recent study, the Arabian Sea, which
SC
historically saw the formation of an
average of 1-2 cyclones per season,
now reflects a 52% increase in cyclone
frequency. In contrast, cyclone frequency
over the Bay of Bengal has reduced by 8%,
with a decrease in intensity as well.
 While many climatologists are convinced
GS
of and link human activity-induced climate
change as a contributing factor, the full
extent to which anthropogenic factors affect
cyclones is yet to be understood.
 Global temperatures are predicted to rise by
1.5°C in the next few decades. Projections
show that a sustained trend of warming could
result in more frequent and devastating
cyclones, with a larger proportion being
very severe storms or worse.
 Of all the global sub-basins, the Arabian
Sea is one of the fastest-warming sub-
basins. A recent study found that the sea
surface temperatures before cyclones
have been 1.2-1.4°C in the Arabian
Sea in recent years as opposed to sea
surface temperatures four decades
ago – an observation that coincides with
the unpredictable and worsening cyclonic
trends in the sub-basin.
 Globally, climatologists have observed
an increasing trend in the intensity of
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cyclones over the last four decades, with
the proportion of severe cyclones of the total
occurring, increasing by around 5% every
decade. According to some modelling
studies, with an estimated 2°C increase
in global temperatures by 2100, and
a subsequent increase in sea surface
temperatures, there could well be as
much as a 5% increase in maximum
cyclonic wind speeds, which would
cause unimaginable devastation.
Topic: Indian Climate
Subtopic: Tropical Cyclone
14. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Nor Westers are
RE

dreaded evening thunderstorms in Bengal
and Assam.
 Statement 2 is correct: Kalbaisakhi and
Bardoli Chheerha are useful for tea, jute
and rice cultivation.
Statement 3 is correct: Mango Showers
are the pre-monsoon showers in Kerala and
the coastal areas of Karnataka.
Local Storms of Hot Weather Season
Mango Shower: Towards the end of

summer, there are pre-monsoon showers
which are common phenomena in
Kerala and coastal areas of Karnataka.
Locally, they are known as mango showers
since they help in the early ripening of
mangoes.
 Blossom Shower: With this shower, coffee
flowers blossom in Kerala and nearby
areas.
 Nor Westers: These are dreaded evening
thunderstorms in Bengal and Assam. Their
notorious nature can be understood from
the local nomenclature of ‘Kalbaisakhi’, a
calamity of the month of Baisakh. These
showers are useful for tea, jute and rice
cultivation. In Assam, these storms are
known as “Bardoli Chheerha”.
 Loo: Hot, dry and oppressing winds blowing
in the Northern plains from Punjab to Bihar
with higher intensity between Delhi and
Patna.
Topic: Summer season in India
Subtopic: Local Storms
15. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
 Option (b) is correct
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National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project
(NCRMP)
 The Project has identified 13 cyclone prone
States and Union Territories (UTs), with
varying levels of vulnerability.
 These States/UT have further been classified
into two categories, based on the frequency
of occurrence of cyclone, size of population
and the existing institutional mechanism
for disaster management. These categories
are:
 Category I: Higher vulnerability States
i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil
Nadu and West Bengal.
 Category II: Lower vulnerability States
i.e. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa,
Pondicherry, Lakshadweep, Daman and
Diu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Topic: Indian Climate
Subtopic: National Cyclone Risk Mitigation
Project
16. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
O Subtopic: Economic impact of Monsoon
 Both statements are correct
Tamil Nadu Coast
SC
 The Tamil Nadu coast remains dry during
southwest monsoon.
 There are two factors responsible for it:
 The Tamil Nadu coast is situated parallel
to the Bay of Bengal branch of southwest
monsoon.
GS
 It lies in the rain-shadow area of the
Arabian Sea branch of the south-west
monsoon
Topic: Indian Climate
Subtopic: Monsoon
17. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 All statements are correct
Monsoons and the Economic Life in
India
 Monsoon is that axis around which revolves
the entire agricultural cycle of India. It is
because about 64 per cent people of India
depend on agriculture for their livelihood
and agriculture itself is based on southwest
monsoon.
 Except Himalayas, all the parts of the
country have temperature above the
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threashold level to grow the crops or
plants throughout the year.
 Regional variations in monsoon climate help
in growing various types of crops.
 Variability of rainfall brings droughts
or floods every year in some parts of the
country.
 Agricultural prosperity of India depends
very much on timely and adequately
distributed rainfall. If it fails, agriculture
is adversely affected particularly in those
regions where means of irrigation are not
developed.
 Sudden monsoon burst creates problem
of soil erosion over large areas in
India.
Winter rainfall by temperate cyclones
RE

in north India is highly beneficial for
rabi crops.
 Regional climatic variation in India is
reflected in the vast variety of food, clothes
and house types.
Topic: Indian Monsoon
18. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
 Both statements are correct
Western Disturbance (WD)
 A western disturbance (WD) is an extra-
tropical storm which originates in the
Mediterranean region. The disturbance
travels from the “western” to the eastern
direction.
 A WD is associated with rainfall, snowfall
and fog in northern India. Upon its arrival
in Pakistan and northern India, clouds
along with rain and snow also arrive. The
moisture which WDs carry with them
comes from the Mediterranean Sea
and/or from the Atlantic Ocean.
 This precipitation during the winter
season has great importance in agriculture
particularly for rabi crops including wheat.
It is estimated that India gets close to 5-10%
of its total annual rainfall from temperate
cyclones.
 Also, Saffron cultivation along with
tea cultivation in the foothills of
Himalayas is depending on the western
disturbance.
Topic: Indian Climate
Subtopic: Western Disturbance
8
19. Correct Option: (d)

.
the Peninsula. The retreating southwest
monsoon season is marked by clear
Explanation: skies and rise in temperature. The land
 Option (d) is correct is still moist.

Climatic Regions of India according to  Owing to the conditions of high temperature

and humidity, the weather becomes rather
Koeppen’s Scheme
oppressive. This is commonly known as
Type of Climate Areas the ‘October heat’. In the second half of
October, the mercury begins to fall rapidly,
Amw—Monsoon West coast of India south of
particularly in northern India.
with short dry Goa, South of Mumbai,
season  The weather in the retreating monsoon
As – Monsoon Coromandel coast of Tamil is dry in north India but it is associated
with dry summer Nadu with rain in the eastern part of the
Peninsula. Here, October and November
Aw – Tropical Most of the Peninsular
savannah plateaus, south of the Tropic are the rainiest months of the year.
of Cancer Topic: Indian Climate
Bwhw – Semi-arid North-western Gujarat, some Subtopic: Season of Retreating Monsoon
steppe climate parts of western Rajasthan

RE
and Punjab
Bwhw – Hot Extreme western Rajasthan 21. Correct Option: (a)
desert Explanation:
Cwg – Monsoon Ganga plain, Eastern
with dry winter Rajasthan, Assam and Malwa  Option (a) is correct
Plateau Factors Determining the Climate of
Dfc – Cold humid Arunachal Pradesh India
winter with short
summer
E – Polar type Jammu and Kashmir,
O  India’s climate is controlled by a number of
factors which are as following:
Himachal Pradesh and  Latitudinal location
SC
Uttarakhand
 Distance from the Sea
Topic: Indian Climate
 The Himalayas
Subtopic: Koeppen’s Scheme
 Physiography
Monsoon Winds
20. Correct Option: (b) 
 Upper Air Circulation
Explanation:
GS

 El Nino and La Nina

 Statement 1 is incorrect: The retreating
southwest monsoon season is marked by
clear skies and rise in temperature.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The weather in
the retreating monsoon is dry in north India
but it is associated with rain in the eastern
part of the Peninsula.
Season of Retreating Monsoon
 The months of October and November are
known for retreating monsoons. By the
end of September, the southwest monsoon
becomes weak as the low pressure trough of
the Ganga plain starts moving southward
in response to the southward march of the
sun.
 By the beginning of October, the low
pressure covers northern parts of the Bay
of Bengal and by early November, it moves
over Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
 By the middle of December, the centre of
low pressure is completely removed from
 Tropical Cyclones and Western
Disturbances
 The Tropic of Cancer passes through the
central part of India in east-west direction.
Thus, northern part of the India lies in
sub-tropical and temperate zone and the
part lying south of the Tropic of Cancer
falls in the tropical zone. The tropical zone
being nearer to the equator, experiences
high temperatures throughout the year
with small daily and annual range. Area
north of the Tropic of Cancer being away
from the equator, experiences extreme
climate with high daily and annual range of
temperature.
 The Himalayan Mountains: The towering
mountain chain provides an invincible
shield to protect the subcontinent from the
cold northern winds.
 Rivers do not determine the climate of
India.

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Topic: Climate of India
Subtopic: Factors Determining the Climate
of India
22. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 Option (d) is correct
Inter Tropical Convergence Zone
 The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
is a low pressure zone located at the equator
where trade winds converge, and so, it is a
zone where air tends to ascend.
 In July, the ITCZ is located around 20°N-
25°N latitudes (over the Gangetic plain),
sometimes called the monsoon trough.
This monsoon trough encourages the
development of thermal low over north and
northwest India.
 By this time, the westerly jet stream
withdraws from the Indian region.
In fact, meteorologists have found an
interrelationship between the northward
O
shift of the equatorial trough (ITCZ) and the
withdrawal of the westerly jet stream from
over the North Indian Plain. It is generally
believed that there is a cause and effect
relationship between the two.
SC
 Due to the shift of ITCZ, the trade winds of
the southern hemisphere cross the equator
between 40° and 60°E longitudes and start
blowing from southwest to northeast due
to the Coriolis force. It becomes southwest
monsoon.
In winter, the ITCZ moves southward, and
GS

so the reversal of winds from northeast to
south and southwest, takes place. They are
called northeast monsoons.
Topic: Indian Monsoon
Subtopic: Role of Inter Tropical Convergence
Zone
23. Correct Option: (a)
Explanation:
 Option (a) is correct
Projects to understand monsoon
 First attempt was made during the
International India Ocean Expedition (HOE)
from 1962 to 1965. It was organized jointly
by the International Council of Scientific
Unions (ICSU), Scientific Committee on
Ocean Research (SCOR) and UNESCO with
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
joining the meteorology program.
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.
ISMEX
 Two more experiments were conducted,
jointly, by India and the erstwhile USSR
with limited participation from other
countries.
 These experiments are known as the Indo-
Soviet Monsoon Experiment (ISMEX) in
1973 and Monsoon-77 in 1977 respectively.
MONEX (Monsoon Experiment)
 Data collection effort was made under the
aegis of MONEX
 It was organized jointly by many researching
organizations and the World Meteorological
Organisation (WMO) under their World
Weather Watch (WWW) program.
 It is so far the largest scientific effort made
to understand monsoons.
RE
MONTBLEX
 It was the first national effort to
understand the meteorological
phenomenon in 1990.
 This was known as Monsoon Trough Boundary
Layer Experiment (MONTBLEX).
Topic: Projects to understand monsoon
Subtopic: MONTBLEX
24. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Southwest
monsoon winds are weaker due to negative
Southern Oscillation Index.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: During the
appearance of El-Nino or negative SOI, the
ascending branch of the Walker cell shifts
to the central regions of the Pacific Ocean
from the west pacific region.
Walker cell and Indian Monsoon
 It is observed that there is an east-west
atmospheric circulation over the tropical
oceanic regions. Such circulation in the
Pacific Ocean is generally called walker
cell. However, many scientists use the term
‘walker cell’ for all east-west circulations in
different oceans.
 Walker cell is associated with southern
oscillation and its strength fluctuates with
that of the Southern Oscillation Index
(SOI).
 With a high positive SOI, there would
be a zone of low atmospheric pressure
over Australia and the Indonesian
archipelago. The rising air from this
region deflects in the upper atmosphere
in both directions towards Africa and
South America.
10
 .
 In the Indian Ocean, the air descends  The Arabian Sea is larger than the Bay
down at high-pressure zone from of Bengal, and
where surface winds blow as Southwest
monsoon towards the Indian sub-  The entire Arabian Sea current advances
continent in summers. towards India, whereas only a part of
the Bay of Bengal current enters India,
 During La-Nina Indian ocean branch the remainder proceeding to Myanmar,
of walker cell get strengthen and Thailand and Malaysia.
surface winds are more intense. La
Topic: Indian Monsoon
Nina condition is generally associated
with good monsoon. Subtopic: Division of Southwest Monsoon
 During the appearance of El-Nino or
negative SOI, the ascending branch 26. Correct Option: (b)
of the Walker cell shifts to the central
regions of the Pacific Ocean from the Explanation:
west pacific region.  Option (b) is correct
 In a result, the Indian Ocean cell shifts Criteria for describing activity of
towards the east. The surface winds or
southwest monsoon
Southwest monsoon winds are weaker than

RE
normal conditions. Descriptive
Specification
Topic: Indian Monsoon term
Subtopic: Walker cell and Indian Monsoon Weak
monsoon Rainfall less than half the normal.
Normal Rainfall half to less than 1½ times
25. Correct Option: (c) monsoon the normal
Explanation: Rainfall 1 ½ to 4 times the normal.

 R is incorrect: Arabian Sea branch is

O
roughly three times stronger than the Bay
of Bengal branch.
SC
Division of Southwest Monsoon
 The southwest monsoon arrives in two
branches: the Bay of Bengal branch and
the Arabian Sea branch. The latter extends
toward a low-pressure area over the Thar
Desert, measuring roughly three times
stronger than the Bay of Bengal
branch.
GS
Active
The rainfall in at least two stations
should be 5 cm, if that sub-division
is along the west coast and 3 cm, if
monsoon it is elsewhere.
Rainfall in that sub-division
should be fairly widespread to
widespread.
Rainfall more than 4 times the
normal.
The rainfall in at least two stations
should be 8 cm if the sub-division is
Vigorous

along the west coast and 5 cm if it

 The Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal
branch are the two branches of south-west
monsoon in India.
 The Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon
causes rainfall in the Western Ghat,
Mumbai, Gujarat and Central India.
 The Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon
causes rainfall in North-East India and the
Ganga Plain.
 The two branches merge with each other
mostly around Delhi to form a single current.
Both the branches reach Delhi more or less
at the same time.
 The combined current gradually extends
to west Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab,
Rajasthan and finally to Himachal Pradesh
and Kashmir.
 Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon is much
powerful than the Bay of Bengal branch for
two reasons:
monsoon
is elsewhere.
Rainfall in that sub-division
should be fairly widespread or
widespread.
Spatial distribution of rainfall
remains dry, isolated or scattered
for two consecutive days.
Mean actual rainfall of that
particular sub-division remains less
than the normal for the consecutive
Subdued two days.
Monsoon The Forecast issued for the next 48
hrs on the particular day for the
sub-division is also dry, isolated
or scattered. Upon satisfying all
the above criteria simultaneously,
monsoon activity be described as
subdued on the second day.
Topic: Monsoon
Subtopic: Criteria for describing activity of
southwest monsoon

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27. Correct Option: (a)
Explanation:
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Cold Somali
Current is coincided with the onset of the
onset of the southwest monsoon.
Role of Indian Ocean Dipole in South-
West Monsoon
 Indian Ocean Dipole is a recently discovered
phenomenon that has a significant influence
on Indian monsoons.
 Indian Ocean Dipole is an SST (Sea
Surface Temperature) anomaly that occurs
occasionally in Northern or Equatorial
Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
 The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is defined
by the difference in sea surface temperature
between two areas (or poles, hence a dipole)
– a western pole in the Arabian Sea (western
Indian Ocean) and an eastern pole in the
eastern Indian Ocean south of Indonesia.
 With a positive IOD winds over the Indian
Ocean blow from east to west (from Bay of
Bengal towards Arabian Sea). This results
in the Arabian Sea as much warmer and
O 
eastern Indian Ocean around Indonesia
becoming colder and dry.
 In the negative dipole year, reverse happens
SC
which makes Indonesia much warmer and
rainier.
 Positive IOD is good for Indian
Monsoons as more evaporation occurs
in warm water.
 Similar to ENSO, the atmospheric component
of the IOD is named as Equatorial Indian
GS
Ocean Oscillation (EQUINOO) (Oscillation
of pressure cells between Bay of Bengal and
Arabian Sea).
 During the positive phase of the
‘Equatorial Indian Ocean Oscillation
(EQUINOO),’ there is enhanced cloud
formation and rainfall in the western
part of the equatorial ocean near
the African coast while such activity is
suppressed near Sumatra.
Role of Somali Jet
 The progress of the southwest monsoon
towards India is greatly aided by the onset of
the Somali jet that transits Kenya, Somalia,
and the Sahel.
 It strengthens permanent high near
Madagascar and also helps to drive S-W
monsoons towards India at a greater pace
and intensity
 As the strong winds drive away the
surface coastal waters towards the
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.
east, extremely cold water (Cold Somali
Current) from the depths of the sea rise
upwards to preserve the continuity of
air-mass.
Topic: Monsoon
Subtopic: Factors affecting Monsoon
28. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: It has been
developed by Ministry of Earth Sciences
(MoES).
 Statement 2 is correct: IFLOWS-Mumbai
can make possible to have an estimate of
the flood inundation three days in advance,
along with immediate weather updates.
RE
IFLOWS-Mumbai
 IFLOWS-Mumbai is a state of art Integrated
Flood Warning system for Mumbai to
enhance the resilience of the city of Mumbai
by making it possible to have an estimate of
the flood inundation three days in advance,
along with immediate weather updates.
It is developed by Ministry of Earth
Sciences (MoES) in coordination with
Municipal Corporation of Greater
Mumbai.
 It is built on a modular structure comprised
of seven modules, namely Data Assimilation,
Flood, Inundation, Vulnerability, Risk,
Dissemination Module and GIS based
Decision Support System.
 It will provide early warning for flooding
specially during high rainfall events and
cyclones which would include alerts on
rainfall information, tide levels, storm
surge for low-lying areas anticipated to be
affected.
 These systems are significant since many
Indian cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi,
Kolkata etc. have been experiencing urban
flooding with increased periodicity.
Topic: Floods
Subtopic: IFLOWS-Mumbai
29. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
 Both statements are correct
Monsoon Theory
 Hailey’s classical theory based on differential
heating of land and water as the main
driving force of the monsoon winds.
 Thermal theory is based around theory
basic high pressure and low pressure and
change in direction due to ferrel’s laws
12

 The movement of the westerly jet stream to
the north of the Himalayas and the presence
of the tropical easterly jet stream over the
Indian peninsula during summer.
 El Niño theory suggests a weak low pressure
in Indian subcontinent and strong low
pressure in Indian Ocean.
Topic: Monsoon
Subtopic: Monsoon Theory
30. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Cloud bursts
do occur at plains, however, mountainous
regions are more prone to cloud bursts due
to orography.
Cloud bursts
 If 10 cm rainfall is received at a station in
one hour, the rain event is termed as cloud
burst.
 It is very difficult to predict the cloud bursts
due to its very small scale in space and time.
O not mean that it strengthens the Monsoon)
To monitor or nowcast (forecasting few
hours lead time) the cloud burst, one needs
to have dense radar network over the cloud
burst prone areas or one need to have a very
high resolution weather forecasting models
SC
to resolve the scale of cloud burst.
 Cloud bursts do occur at plains, however,
mountainous regions are more prone to
cloud bursts due to orography.
Topic: Natural Hazards
Subtopic: Cloud bursts
GS
31. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 Option (d) is correct
Monsoon Mission
 Monsoon Mission is a national programme
launched by Ministry of Earth Sciences
(MoES) with a vision to develop state-of-
the-art dynamical prediction system for the
monsoon rainfall in different time scales.
The mission supports focused research by
national and international research groups
with definitive objectives and deliverables
to improve models in the short, medium,
extended and seasonal range scales through
setting up of a framework for generating
dynamical forecasts and improving skill
of forecasts. It also supports observational
programs which will helps the better
understanding of the atmospheric processes
related to monsoon.
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.
 The main objectives of this mission are
 To improve Seasonal and Intra-seasonal
Monsoon Forecast
 To improve Medium Range Forecast.
 Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
(IITM), Pune, India Meteorological
Department (IMD), Indian National
Centre for Ocean Information Services
(INCOIS), Hyderabad and National
Centre for Medium Range Weather
Forecast (NCMRWF), Noida are the
major participating institutions in
Monsoon Mission.
Topic: Monsoon Mission
32. Correct Option: (a)
RE
Explanation:
 Option (a) is correct
Monsoon
 Recently it has been found that there is a
positive correlation (here correlation does
between Tibetan snow cover and Indian
summer monsoon rainfall (IMR). The
seasonal monsoon wind shift and weather
associated with the heating and cooling of
the Tibetan plateau is the strongest such
monsoon on earth.
 Solar heating in late spring heats the
Indian subcontinent, making it warmer
than the Indian Ocean. It also warms the
Tibetan plateau that acts as an elevated
heat source. This drives southwest monsoon
winds towards the Indian landmass.
 The snow-monsoon teleconnection works
by altering this temperature gradient.
A mathematical model shows the
dominant effect of the Himalaya and
Tibetan plateau snow on monsoon
is because of albedo, the reflectivity
of snow. Increased snow cover over
the Himalaya and Tibetan plateau
reflects more solar radiation, resulting
in less than normal warming of the
land surface there. Consequently, the
temperature gradient decreases and
monsoon winds weaken. This means
they bring less moisture to India and
don’t penetrate as far north.
Topic: Monsoon
Subtopic: Factors affecting Monsoon
33. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 Option (d) is correct
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Climatic Regions of India according to
Koeppen’s Scheme
 The whole of India has a monsoon type of
climate. But the combination of elements of
the weather, however, reveals many regional
variations. These variations represent the
subtypes of the monsoon climate. It is on
this basis that the climatic regions can be
identified.
 Tropical savannah (Aw) is found in most
of the peninsular plateaus, south of the
Tropic of Cancer.
 Steppe climate (BShw) is found in North-
western Gujarat, some parts of western
Rajasthan and Punjab.
 Polar type (E) is found in Jammu
and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and
Uttarakhand.
Topic: Climatic Regions osf India
Subtopic: Climatic Regions of India
according to Koeppen’s Scheme
34. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
O in the onset of monsoon in India.
 Both statements are correct
Mechanism of Weather in the Winter
SC
Season
 In winter months, the weather
conditions over India are generally
influenced by the distribution of
pressure in Central and Western Asia.
 A high pressure centre in the region lying to
the north of the Himalayas develops during
GS
winter. This centre of high pressure gives
rise to the flow of air at the low level from
the north towards the Indian subcontinent,
south of the mountain range.
 All of Western and Central Asia remains
under the influence of westerly winds along
the altitude of 9-13 km from west to east.
These winds blow across the Asian continent
at latitudes north of the Himalayas roughly
parallel to the Tibetan highlands. These are
known as jet streams.
 Tibetan highlands act as a barrier in the
path of these jet streams. As a result, jet
streams get bifurcated. One of its branches
blows to the north of the Tibetan highlands,
while the southern branch blows in an
eastward direction, south of the Himalayas.
It has its mean position at 25°N in February
at 200-300 mb level. It is believed that
this southern branch of the jet stream
exercises an important influence on
the winter weather in India.
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.
Topic: Indian Climate
Subtopic: Mechanism of Weather in the
Winter Season
35. Correct Option: (a)
Explanation:
 Option (a) is correct
Mascarene High
 Mascarene High is a high-pressure area
that is found around Mascarene Islands
(in south Indian Ocean) during monsoon
period.
 This is responsible for cross equatorial
flow through south Arabian Sea and it
acts as southern hemispheric linkage. The
variation in the intensity of High Pressure
RE
causes monsoon surges across equatorial
flow. These surges are responsible for heavy
rains along the west coast.
 A stronger high pressure will produce
stronger winds or monsoon current. If there
is a delay in the formation of Mascarene
High, there is also the possibility of a delay
Topic: Monsoon
Subtopic: Role of Mascarene High
36. Correct Option: (a)
Explanation:
 Statement 2 is incorrect: These forests
are found in the western slope of the Western
Ghats, hills of the North-eastern region and
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Tropical Evergreen Forests
 These forests are found in the western
slope of the Western Ghats, hills of the
northeastern region and the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.
 They are found in warm and humid
areas with an annual precipitation
of over 200 cm and mean annual
temperature above 22 degree Celsius.
 Tropical evergreen forests are well
stratified, with layers closer to the ground
and are covered with shrubs and creepers,
with short structured trees followed by tall
variety of trees.
 In these forests, trees reach great heights
up to 60 m or above. There is no definite
time for trees to shed their leaves, flowering
and fruition.
 As such these forests appear green all the
year round. Species found in these forests
14

include rosewood, mahogany, aini, ebony,
etc.
Topic: Vegetation of India
Subtopic: Tropical Evergreen Forests
37. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
 Both statements are correct
Off shore trough
 During monsoon season a shallow trough of
low pressure is observed along west coast of
India. This is known as off-shore trough.
 This type of system quite frequently develops
off the west coast of India, anywhere from
north Kerala to south Gujarat, during
the period of southwest monsoon, and is
responsible for the strengthening of the
monsoon in terms of rainfall, in the adjacent
parts of the coastal belt.
Off shore vortex
 West coast of India has an orographic
barrier in the form of Western Ghats.
These mountains are oriented in north
O
south direction and approximately 1000
km in length and 200 km in breadth. When
monsoon winds strikes the mountains, on
SC
many occasions they do not have enough
energy to climb over Western Ghats. On
such occasions they tend to be deflected
round the mountains and return current
forms the off-shore vortex.
 These vortices are responsible for the
occurrence of heavy to very heavy rainfall
over west coast during monsoon season.
GS
Topic: Monson
Subtopic: Local variations
38. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Teak, sal,
shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul,
kusum, and sandalwood are found in the
moist deciduous forests.
Types of Forests
 The southern mountain forests include
the forests found in three distinct areas of
Peninsular India viz; the Western Ghats,
the Vindhyas and the Nilgiris. As they are
closer to the tropics, and only 1,500 m above
the sea level, vegetation is temperate in
the higher regions, and subtropical on
the lower regions of the Western Ghats,
especially in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka. The temperate forests are
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.
called Sholas in the Nilgiris, Anaimalai and
Palani hills.
 The Moist deciduous forests are more
pronounced in the regions which record
rainfall between 100 and 200 cm. These
forests are found in the northeastern states
along the foothills of Himalayas, eastern
slopes of the Western Ghats and Odisha.
Teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua,
amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood etc.
are the main species of these forests.
 The semi evergreen forests are found in
the less rainy parts of these regions. Such
forests have a mixture of evergreen and
moist deciduous trees. The undergrowing
climbers provide an evergreen character
to these forests. Main species are white
cedar, hollock and kail.
RE
Topic: Vegetation
Subtopic: Types of Forest in Indias
39. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 Option (d) is correct
Soil Types in India
 The National Bureau of Soil Survey and
the Land Use Planning an Institute
under the control of the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR) has classified
the Indian soils on the basis of their nature
and character as per the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil
Taxonomy.
 They are Inceptisols, Entisols, Alfisols,
Vertisols, Aridsols, Ultisols, and Mollisols.
Topic: Indian Geography
Sub-Topic: Soils of India
40. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
 Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Tropical
evergreen forests are found in the western
slope of the Western Ghats. Eastern slope
of the Western Ghats have Dry and Moist
deciduous forests.
Forests of India: Distribution
 Dry deciduous forest covers vast areas of
the country, where rainfall ranges between
70 -100 cm. These forests are found in
rainier areas of the Peninsula and the
plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In
the higher rainfall regions of the Peninsular
plateau and the northern Indian plain,
these forests have a parkland landscape
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with open stretches in which teak and other
trees interspersed with patches of grass are
common.
 The moist deciduous forests are found
in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal,
West Orissa, Chota Nagpur plateau, Western
Ghats (Eastern slope), Northeastern states
along the Himalayan foothills and in some
parts of Andaman and Nicobar Island.
 The southern mountain forests include
the forests found in three distinct areas
of Peninsular India viz; the Western
Ghats, the Vindhyas and the Nilgiris. The
temperate forests are called Sholas in
the Nilgiris, Anaimalai and Palani hills.
Some of the other trees of this forest of
economic significance include, magnolia,
laurel, cinchona and wattle. Such forests
are also found in the Satpura and the
Maikal ranges.
 Tropical thorn forests occur in the areas
which receive rainfall less than 50 cm. These
consist of a variety of grasses and shrubs.
It includes semi-arid areas of south west
Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
O 7).
 Tropical evergreen forests are found in
the western slope of the Western Ghats,
hills of the northeastern region and the
SC
Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They
are found in warm and humid areas with
an annual precipitation of over 200 cm and
mean annual temperature above 22oC.
Topic: Forests of India
Subtopic: Distribution
GS
41. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 Option (d) is correct
Laterite Soil
 The term is derived from the word ‘Later’
which means ‘brick’.
 Laterite soil is found in those regions of the
country which receive heavy rainfall with
an alternate dry and wet period - mainly,
near the coasts.
 This kind of soil becomes soft when wet and
hardens when dry.
 In these climatic conditions, leaching of soil
takes place, which is a process in which
fertile portion of the soil gets washed away
by heavy rains.
 They are formed from the decomposition of
rocks and contain iron oxide, which gives
them red or pink colour.
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 This type of soil is ordinarily deficient in
nitrogen and is weak in lime content; it is
acidic soil.
 It is found in several parts of the country
mainly Western and Eastern Ghats,
Vindhyas, Malwa plateau and Satpuras.
 The states where this type of soil can be
found are West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar, Meghalaya, Assam, Odisha, to name
a few.
 Laterite soil supports crops like Rice, Ragi,
Sugarcane, rubber, coconut, tea, coffee and
Cashew nuts.
Topic: Indian Geography
Sub-Topic: Soils of India
42. Correct Option: (d)
RE
Explanation:
 All statements are correct
Soil Acidity
 Soil acidity is a condition in which the soil
pH is lower than a neutral pH (less than
 Soil pH is a measure of the hydrogen (H+)
ion concentration expressed as the negative
common logarithm of H+ concentration.
 It is an index of the activity of H+ as it
interacts with soil components, nutrients in
the soil solution (water) and plants growing
in the soil.
 Repeated use of ammonium-based acid-
forming fertilizers, leaching of nitrate-N
(NO3-N) and plants taking up cations and
leaving anions all promote acidification of
the topsoil when cultivated.
 Soil acidity determined by pH
measurement during a routine soil test
is known as active acidity. This is the
concentration of H+ ions in the soil
solution when measured in a 1:1 soil-
to-water ratio mixture.
 Plant nutrients such as nitrogen (N),
phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur
(S), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and
molybdenum (Mo) have low availability at
strongly acidic pH values.
 Other nutrients such as manganese (Mn),
copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) tend to be more
available until the soil gets very acid (less
than pH 5).
 Iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) availability
increases as soil acidity increases and
Al becomes toxic to plants at pH values
less than 5.
16

 In India, acid soils occur in Assam,
Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, West Bengal,
Bihar Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh,
Jammu and Kashmir, M.P., Maharashtra,
Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra
Pradesh.
Topic: Soils of India
Subtopic: Soil Acidity
43. Correct Option: (a)
Explanation:
 Option (a) is correct
Red Soil
 This type of soil is formed as a result of
weathering of metamorphic and igneous
rocks.
 The soil develops a reddish colour due to
a wide diffusion of iron in crystalline and
metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it
occurs in a hydrated form.
 The fine-grained red and yellow soils are
O rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern
normally fertile, whereas coarse-grained
soils found in dry upland areas are poor in
fertility. They are generally poor in nitrogen,
phosphorous and humus.
SC
 The red soil is found in regions such as
Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand,
Odisha, some parts of Karnataka and
southeast Maharashtra.
Topic: Soils of India
Subtopic: Red Soil
GS
44. Correct Option: (a)
 Option (a) is correct
Black Soil
 Black soil covers most of the Deccan Plateau
which includes parts of Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh
and some parts of Tamil Nadu. In the upper
reaches of the Godavari and the Krishna,
and the northwestern part of the Deccan
Plateau, the black soil is very deep.
 These soils are also known as the ‘Regur
Soil’ or the ‘Black Cotton Soil’. The black
soils are generally clayey, deep and
impermeable.
 It is the second-largest soil type found
in India after alluvial soil.
 They swell and become sticky when
wet and shrink when dried. So, during
the dry season, these soil develop wide
cracks.
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.
 Thus, there occurs a kind of ‘self-ploughing’.
Because of this character of slow absorption
and loss of moisture, the black soil retains
the moisture for a very long time, which
helps the crops, especially, the rain fed ones,
to sustain even during the dry season.
 Chemically, the black soils are rich
in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina.
They also contain potash. But they lack
in phosphorous, nitrogen and organic
matter. The color of the soil ranges
from deep black to grey.
Topic: Soils of India
Subtopic: Black soil
45. Correct Option: (a)
Explanation:
RE
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Nitrogen is
insufficient and the phosphate content is
normal in Arid Soil.
Types of soil
 Red soil develops on crystalline igneous
and southern part of the Deccan Plateau.
Along the piedmont zone of the Western
Ghats, long stretch of area is occupied by
red loamy soil. Yellow and red soils are also
found in parts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh
and in the southern parts of the middle
Ganga plain.
 Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh and Kerala are more suitable for
tree crops like cashewnut. Laterite soils
are widely cut as bricks for use in house
construction. These soils have mainly
developed in the higher areas of the
peninsular plateau. The laterite soils are
commonly found in Karnataka, Kerala,
Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly
areas of Odisha and Assam.
 Arid soils range from red to brown in colour.
They are generally sandy in structure and
saline in nature. In some areas, the salt
content is so high that common salt is
obtained by evaporating the saline water.
Due to the dry climate, high temperature and
accelerated evaporation, they lack moisture
and humus. Nitrogen is insufficient and the
phosphate content is normal in Arid Soil.
Topic: Soils of India
Subtopic: Types of soil
46. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
 Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Red and
Yellow Soil is found in the in the eastern
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and southern part of the Deccan Plateau
and are also found in parts of Odisha and
Chhattisgarh and in the southern parts of
the middle Ganga plain.
Types of Soil and their areas
 The laterite soils are commonly found in
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya
Pradesh and the hilly areas of Odisha and
Assam.
 Black soil covers most of the Deccan Plateau
which includes parts of Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh
and some parts of Tamil Nadu. In the upper
reaches of the Godavari and the Krishna,
and the north western part of the Deccan
Plateau, the black soil is very deep.
 Red and Yellow Soil is found in the in
the eastern and southern part of the
Deccan Plateau and are also found in
parts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh and
in the southern parts of the middle
Ganga plain.
 Alluvial Soil are depositional soils,
transported and deposited by rivers and
streams. Through a narrow corridor in
O
Rajasthan, they extend into the plains of
Gujarat. In the Peninsular region, they are
found in deltas of the east coast and in the
river valleys.
SC
Topic: Soils of India
Subtopic: Distribution
47. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
 Option (b) is correct
GS
Forest Survey Report 2021
 Area-wise: Madhya Pradesh has
the largest forest cover in the
country followed by Arunachal
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and
Maharashtra.
 In terms of forest cover as percentage
of total geographical area, the top five
States are Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland.
 Forests are included in the Concurrent
List in the (Seventh Schedule) of the
Constitution of India.
 Through the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976
Forests and Protection of Wild Animals
and Birds were transferred from State
to Concurrent List.
 Semi-evergreen forests are found in the
Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar
Islands, and the Eastern Himalayas. Such
forests have a mixture of the wet evergreen
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.
trees and the moist deciduous trees. The
forest is dense and is filled with a large
variety of trees of both types.
 Tropical and subtropical monsoon
forests found in the plateaus, plains
and mountainous areas of the country
cover about 94% of the TFA of the
country.
Topic: Forests in India
Subtopic: Forest Survey Report 2021
48. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
 Both statements are correct
Montane temperate forests
RE
Wet
 Wet montane temperate forests occur in
the North and the South. In the North, it is
found in the region to the east of Nepal into
Arunachal Pradesh, at a height of 1800–
3000 metres, receiving a minimum rainfall
of 2000 mm. In the South, it is found in parts
of the Niligiri Hills, the higher reaches of
Kerala. The forests in the northern region
are denser than in the South. This is
because over time the original trees have
been replaced by fast-growing varieties
such as the eucalyptus. Rhododendrons and
a variety of ground flora can be found here.
 In the North, there are three layers
of forests: the higher layer has
mainly coniferous, the middle layer
has deciduous trees such as the oak
and the lowest layer is covered by
rhododendron and champa.
Moist
 This type spreads from the Western
Himalayas to the Eastern Himalayas.
The trees found in the western section
are broad-leaved oak, brown oak, walnut,
rhododendron, etc. In the Eastern
Himalayas, the rainfall is much heavier
and therefore the vegetation is also more
lush and dense. There are a large variety
of broad-leaved trees, ferns, and bamboo.
Coniferous trees are also found here, some
of the varieties being different from the ones
found in the South.
Dry
 This type is found mainly in Lahul, Kinnaur,
Sikkim, and other parts of the Himalayas.
There are predominantly coniferous trees
that are not too tall, along with broad-leaved
trees such as the oak, maple, and ash. At
higher elevation, fir, juniper, deodar, and
chilgoza can be found.
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Topic: Forests of India
Subtopic: Montane temperate forests of
India
49. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Biodiversity
in agroforestry systems is typically higher
than in conventional agricultural systems.
Agro Forestry
 Agroforestry is a land use management
system in which trees or shrubs are grown
around or among crops or pastureland. It
combines shrubs and trees in agricultural
and forestry technologies to create more
diverse, productive, profitable, healthy,
ecologically sound, and sustainable land-
use systems.
 Biodiversity in agroforestry systems is
typically higher than in conventional
agricultural systems. With two or more
interacting plant species in a given land
area, it creates a more complex habitat that
O 
can support a wider variety of birds, insects,
and other animals. Depending upon the
application.
 India has become the first nation in the
SC
world to adopt an agroforestry policy. The
National Agroforestry Policy deals with
the practice of integrating trees, crops and
livestock on the same plot of land.
Topic: Vegetation
Subtopic: Agro Forestry
GS
50. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
 Option (c) is correct
™™™™™
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.
Dry Deciduous Forest
 Dry deciduous forest covers vast areas of
the country, where rainfall ranges between
70 -100 cm. On the wetter margins, it has a
transition to the moist deciduous, while on
the drier margins to thorn forests.
 Tropical dry deciduous forests (TDFs)
can be found in severe and extremely
variable climates characterized by
low annual rainfall, 5-6 dry months
within the annual cycle, and nutrient-
poor soil. Several terms have been used
for this vegetation type such as seasonally
dry tropical forest (SDTF), tropical dry
deciduous forest, monsoon forest, caatinga,
cuabal, etc.
 These forests are found in rainier areas
of the Peninsula and the plains of Uttar
RE
Pradesh and Bihar. In the higher rainfall
regions of the Peninsular plateau and the
northern Indian plain, these forests have
a parkland landscape with open stretches
in which teak and other trees interspersed
with patches of grass are common.
As the dry season begins, the trees shed
their leaves completely and the forest
appears like a vast grassland with naked
trees all around.
 Tendu, palas, amaltas, bel, khair,
axlewood, etc. are the common trees of
these forests. In the western and southern
part of Rajasthan, vegetation cover is very
scanty due to low rainfall and overgrazing.
Topic: Vegetation
Subtopic: Dry Deciduous Forest
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