Geography MCQs for Prelims – 1st July 2025

Welcome to today’s curated set of MCQs from the Geography segments, specially aligned with the evolving trend of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. These questions are not just a quiz, but a resource designed to familiarize you with the exact nature of questions asked in Prelims — where static concepts are tested through a current affairs lens.

Each question below is framed using recent developments in the news and backed by clear, concise explanations to help you link dynamic events with foundational knowledge.

Use this as a daily revision tool to refine your understanding, build context, and learn how UPSC frames conceptual questions from contemporary issues.

 Click Here to read the Current Affairs Total (CAT) Magazine for January 2025- April 2025.

 

QUESTION 1 Consider the following statements about the origin and course of the River Ganga:

1. The Ganga originates from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand.
2. At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet to form the Ganga.
3. The Ganga flows through five Indian states before entering Bangladesh.
4. The river enters the Bay of Bengal through the Sundarbans Delta.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. One only
2. Two only
3. Three only
4. All four

Answer: d

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Bhagirathi River, considered the main headstream of the Ganga, originates from the Gangotri Glacier at Gomukh in Uttarakhand.

Statement 2 is correct: Devprayag, in Uttarakhand, is the confluence point where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet and officially become the Ganga.

Statement 3 is correct: The Ganga flows through the following five states:

1. Uttarakhand
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. Bihar
4. Jharkhand (very briefly, near Sahebganj)
5. West Bengal

After West Bengal, it enters Bangladesh as the Padma River.

Statement 4 is correct: The Ganga (Padma in Bangladesh) along with the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) and Meghna rivers forms the Sundarbans Delta, and it discharges into the Bay of Bengal through this delta, which is the largest delta in the world.

QUESTION 2 Consider the following statements about environmental concerns related to the Yamuna:

1. The Yamuna is among the most polluted rivers in India.
2. The major stretch of pollution lies downstream of Delhi.
3. The Yamuna Action Plan was launched with Japanese assistance.
4. The National Mission for Clean Ganga also covers Yamuna's conservation.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. One only
2. Two only
3. Three only
4. All four

Answer: d

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Yamuna is highly polluted. Despite originating from the pristine Yamunotri Glacier, it becomes severely polluted due to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and solid waste.

Statement 2 is correct: Delhi contributes a significant portion of untreated domestic sewage into the Yamuna. As a result, the stretch downstream of Delhi (towards Mathura and Agra) is among the most critically polluted sections. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels fall sharply, making it ecologically dead in parts.

Statement 3 is correct: The Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) was launched in 1993 by the Government of India with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It was implemented in multiple phases to address sewage treatment, wastewater management, and public awareness in key cities along the Yamuna.

Statement 4 is correct: The Namami Gange programme (under the National Mission for Clean Ganga) recognizes that the Ganga cannot be cleaned without addressing its tributaries, especially the Yamuna. As a result, projects for the cleaning of Yamuna in Delhi and Mathura have been included.

 

QUESTION 3 Which of the following statements about the Brahmaputra River Basin are correct?

1. The Brahmaputra basin receives both southwest and northeast monsoon rainfall.
2. It is prone to annual flooding and erosion.
3. It supports one of the richest biodiversity zones in the world.
4. It flows through only two Indian states.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. One only
2. Two only
3. Three only
4. All four

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The basin receives heavy rainfall from the southwest monsoon (June–September) and supplementary rainfall from the northeast monsoon, especially in Arunachal Pradesh and the eastern Himalayas.

Statement 2 is correct: The Brahmaputra is known for devastating annual floods, particularly in Assam. Due to its braided channels and heavy sediment load, the river causes bank erosion, changing its course frequently.

Statement 3 is correct: The Eastern Himalayan region, including the Brahmaputra basin, is a global biodiversity hotspot. It houses species-rich ecosystems like the Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The Brahmaputra flows through 3 Indian states:

1. Arunachal Pradesh (as Dihang)
2. Assam (as Brahmaputra)
3. Also touches West Bengal

 

QUESTION 4 Consider the following hydropower and irrigation projects:

1. Bhakra-Nangal Project
2. Baglihar Hydroelectric Project
3. Kishanganga Project
4. Salal Project

How many of the above are built on the tributaries of the Indus River?

1. One only
2. Two only
3. Three only
4. All four

Answer: d

Explanation:

1. Bhakra-Nangal → Built on Sutlej
2. Baglihar Project → Built on Chenab
3. Kishanganga Project → Built on Kishanganga (Neelum), a tributary of the Jhelum
4. Salal Project → Built on the Chenab River

 

QUESTION 5 With reference to the Cauvery River system, consider the following statements:

1. The Cauvery originates in Kerala and flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
2. The Mettur Dam is located in Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery River.
3. The river forms a delta near Kaveripattinam before entering the Bay of Bengal.
4. The dispute over Cauvery water sharing is mainly between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. One only
2. Two only
3. Three only
4. All four

Answer: b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Cauvery originates from Talakaveri in Karnataka, not Kerala.

Statement 2 is correct: Mettur Dam is in Tamil Nadu.

Statement 3 is correct: The river forms a delta near Kaveripattinam (near Nagapattinam) before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The primary dispute is between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, not Kerala.