UPSC Prelims 2016
Indian Geography Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 5 solved UPSC Prelims 2016 Indian Geography questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found?
- Cambay Basin
- Cauvery basin
- Krishna-Godavari Basin
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3
Shale gas is natural gas trapped within shale rock formations, and India has identified several sedimentary basins with shale gas potential. The Cambay Basin in western India (Gujarat) is one of India's oldest petroliferous basins with proven shale gas reserves. The Cauvery Basin in southern India (Tamil Nadu-Karnataka) contains organic-rich shale formations suitable for unconventional gas extraction. The Krishna-Godavari Basin on the eastern coast is another major basin where shale gas exploration has been undertaken. All three basins mentioned are part of India's identified shale gas resource regions, making Option 4 the correct answer.
Which of the following is/are tributary/tributaries of Brahmaputra?
- Dibang
- Kameng
- Lohit
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Dibang is a major left-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra that flows through the Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh before joining the main river near Pasighat.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Kameng is a significant right-bank tributary originating in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh that flows through Assam and joins the Brahmaputra downstream of Tezpur.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Lohit is an important left-bank tributary originating in eastern Tibet (China) that flows through the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh and merges with the Dibang to form the Brahmaputra in the Assam plains.
Recently, which of the following States has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to the sea by a long navigational channel?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Rajasthan
Rajasthan, a landlocked state, has explored the ambitious project of constructing an artificial inland port at Jalore to be connected to the sea (Gulf of Khambhat) through a long navigational channel. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways proposed to support this initiative. The project aims to develop inland navigation facilities in western Rajasthan, enabling transportation of minerals like limestone, gypsum, lignite, and cement products, thereby promoting socio-economic development of the region.
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Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaken?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — Godavari and Krishna
The Godavari-Krishna river linking project was recently undertaken through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme in Andhra Pradesh. This project lifts flood water from the Godavari River and pumps it through the Polavaram right canal, which empties into the Krishna River near Vijayawada. This was a significant step in India's ambitious river interlinking program aimed at creating a national water grid for better water resource management and distribution.
Consider the following pairs:
| Famous place | Region |
|---|---|
| 1. Bodhgaya | Baghelkhand |
| 2. Khajuraho | Bundelkhand |
| 3. Shirdi | Vidarbha |
| 4. Nasik (Nashik) | Malwa |
| 5. Tirupati | Rayalaseema |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 2 and 5 only
✅ Pair 2 – Correct: Khajuraho is located in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, famous for its medieval Hindu and Jain temples with intricate sculptures.
❌ Pair 1 – Incorrect: Bodhgaya is situated in the Magadh region of Bihar, not Baghelkhand. Baghelkhand is a region in eastern Madhya Pradesh.
❌ Pair 3 – Incorrect: Shirdi is located in Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) district in western Maharashtra, not in the Vidarbha region which is in eastern Maharashtra.
❌ Pair 4 – Incorrect: Nashik is located in the northwestern region of Maharashtra, not in Malwa. Malwa is a plateau region in western Madhya Pradesh.
✅ Pair 5 – Correct: Tirupati is situated in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, known for the famous Venkateswara Temple.
UPSC Prelims 2016 - Indian Geography Chapter-wise Distribution
Physical Geography of India
2 Qs (40%)Transport, Communication & Trade
1 Qs (20%)Resources of India
1 Qs (20%)Political Geography of India
1 Qs (20%)UPSC Prelims 2016 - Indian Geography Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Indian Geography questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2016?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Indian Geography in UPSC Prelims 2016?
- Physical Geography of India: 2 questions (40%)
- Transport, Communication & Trade: 1 questions (20%)
- Resources of India: 1 questions (20%)
- Political Geography of India: 1 questions (20%)