- The UNFCCC was formed at — (IAS 2010)
- Stockholm UN Conference on the Human Environment, 1972
- Rio de Janeiro UN Conference on Environment and Development, 1992
- Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development, 2002
- Copenhagen Climate Conference, 2009
Show answer
Answer: (B) Rio de Janeiro UN Conference on Environment and Development, 1992
It opened for signature at the Rio Earth Summit (1992).
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - The westerlies are stronger and steadier in the southern hemisphere because — 1. It has less land 2. The Coriolis force is greater there (UPSC 2011)
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 2
- Neither
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 only
The Coriolis force is equal at equal latitudes in both hemispheres; the reason is only the open ocean.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - The migratory Siberian crane used to visit which park in India?
- Sultanpur
- Ranganathittu
- Vedanthangal
- Keoladeo
Show answer
Answer: (D) Keoladeo
Keoladeo (Bharatpur) — also a Ramsar site and World Heritage site.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Under the old numbering, which national highway passed through all three of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha? (UPSC 2007)
- Old NH-4
- Old NH-5
- Old NH-6
- Old NH-7
Show answer
Answer: (C) Old NH-6
The Kolkata-Hazira route; now numbered NH-53.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which of these is NOT a goal of sustainable development?
- Repairing past environmental damage and preventing future damage
- Promoting conservation of natural resources
- Keeping social equity and justice out of the goal and limiting development chances to a few
- Meeting the needs of a growing population without harming the environment
Show answer
Answer: (C) Keeping social equity and justice out of the goal and limiting development chances to a few
Equity and inclusion are at the heart of sustainable development.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Choose the correct statements on biomagnification — 1. Poisons such as DDT enter the chain and accumulate at every trophic level. 2. Their amount is greater at higher trophic levels.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither
Show answer
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Fish-eating birds can carry DDT at concentrations millions of times that of the water.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Statements — 1. India’s density is about five times the world average. 2. From 1901 to 2011 India’s density grew about five times. Correct —
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 2
- Neither
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
India (382) is over 7 times the world average (≈ 51); 77 in 1901 → 382 is ≈ 5 times.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Warm dry (summer) climate, mild wet winters and evergreen oaks — which region is this? (UPSC 2010)
- Mediterranean region
- Eastern China
- Central Asia
- Atlantic coast of North America
Show answer
Answer: (A) Mediterranean region
Dry summer, wet winter — the Mediterranean region.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which of these west-flowing rivers flows between two mountain ranges? (UPPCS 2012)
- Sharavati
- Narmada
- Mahi
- Sabarmati
Show answer
Answer: (B) Narmada
The Narmada flows in a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - The state that gets the most rain from the winter (north-east) monsoon?
- Assam
- West Bengal
- Tamil Nadu
- Odisha
- What are the targets of India's NDC 2035 (2026)?
- Intensity down 45%, 50% non-fossil capacity
- Intensity down 47%, ~60% non-fossil capacity
- Total emissions to fall from 2030
- Net zero by 2050
Show answer
Answer: (B) Intensity down 47%, ~60% non-fossil capacity
45% / 50% were the 2030 targets (2022); net zero is 2070.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - In which year was India’s second Antarctic station, "Maitri", set up?
- 1983
- 1989
- 1993
- 2012
Show answer
Answer: (B) 1989
Dakshin Gangotri 1983, Maitri 1989, Bharati 2012.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which forest covers the largest area in India? (IAS 2010)
- Montane wet temperate
- Sub-tropical dry evergreen
- Tropical moist deciduous
- Tropical wet evergreen
Show answer
Answer: (C) Tropical moist deciduous
Among the options, tropical deciduous forests are the most widespread.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - UNEP's "Champions of the Earth" award succeeded which award?
- Sasakawa Prize
- Global 500 Roll of Honour
- Right Livelihood Award
- Whitley Award
Show answer
Answer: (B) Global 500 Roll of Honour
After Global 500 (1987–2003) came Champions of the Earth from 2005.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which planet rotates on its axis the other way (east to west)?
- Mars
- Venus
- Jupiter
- Mercury
- Correct statements about Jammu & Kashmir — 1. It borders Bangladesh. 2. Jammu is its winter capital. 3. It is famous for saffron (zafran).
- 1 only
- 1 and 3
- 2 and 3
- All three
Show answer
Answer: (C) 2 and 3
J&K does not border Bangladesh.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which is the correct decreasing order of primary productivity per unit area? (IAS 2013)
- Oceans > lakes > grasslands > mangroves
- Mangroves > grasslands > lakes > oceans
- Mangroves > oceans > grasslands > lakes
- Grasslands > mangroves > lakes > oceans
Show answer
Answer: (B) Mangroves > grasslands > lakes > oceans
The open ocean, poor in nutrients, is the least productive.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which statement(s) is/are wrong? 1. Latitude is the angular distance east or west of the Equator. 2. Parallels get longer towards the poles. 3. Parallels of latitude are not parallel.
- 1 only
- 1 and 2
- 3 only
- All three
Show answer
Answer: (D) All three
Latitude is north–south distance, parallels shrink towards the poles and all of them are parallel — all three are wrong.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Medium radio waves are reflected by which layer of the ionosphere?
- D layer
- E layer
- F layer
- Ozone layer
Show answer
Answer: (B) E layer
The E layer returns medium waves, the F layer short waves.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - In 2025 the largest producers of bauxite and manganese respectively are —
- Australia, China
- Guinea, South Africa
- India, Gabon
- Jamaica, Brazil
Show answer
Answer: (B) Guinea, South Africa
USGS MCS 2026 — bauxite: Guinea (150 Mt); manganese: South Africa.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes →
- Choose the correct statements — 1. IWAI develops, maintains and regulates national waterways. 2. IWAI was set up on 27 October 1986.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
- The correct order of climate regions when travelling from Zaire (DR Congo) to the Netherlands — 1. Equatorial 2. Mediterranean 3. Hot desert 4. West European (UPPCS 2002)
- 1, 3, 2, 4
- 1, 4, 2, 3
- 2, 3, 4, 1
- 3, 2, 1, 4
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1, 3, 2, 4
Congo forest (Af) → Sahara (BW) → Mediterranean coast (Cs) → western Europe (Cfb).
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Choose the correct statements — 1. The first fossil of Australopithecus was found in India’s Siwalik range. 2. The short-lived human species descended from Australopithecus are called prehistoric humans.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 2
- Neither
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
The Siwaliks yielded Ramapithecus; the first Australopithecus fossil came from South Africa.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - How many Indian states have a coastline? (IAS 2008)
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Show answer
Answer: (C) 9
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which pair of feature and region is correctly matched? (IAS 2013)
- Abyssinian Plateau — Arabia
- Atlas Mountains — North-West Africa
- Guiana Highlands — South-West Africa
- Okavango Basin — Patagonia
Show answer
Answer: (B) Atlas Mountains — North-West Africa
Abyssinia (Ethiopia) is in Africa, the Guiana Highlands in South America, the Okavango in the Kalahari (Botswana).
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - How do winds blow in a northern-hemisphere anticyclone?
- Inward, anticlockwise
- Outward, clockwise
- Inward, clockwise
- Outward, anticlockwise
Show answer
Answer: (B) Outward, clockwise
High pressure at the centre pushes air out; Coriolis turns it right, giving a clockwise flow.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which scrub vegetation does NOT belong to the Mediterranean region?
- Chaparral
- Maquis
- Mallee
- Caatinga
Show answer
Answer: (D) Caatinga
The caatinga is the tropical thorn scrub of north-eastern Brazil.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - From when did BS-VI emission norms apply across India?
- 1 April 2017
- 1 April 2018
- 1 April 2020
- 1 October 2020
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 April 2020
BS-VI fuel reached Delhi in 2018; nationwide from 1 April 2020.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - The threatened marine animal dugong belongs to which group? (IAS 2009)
- Amphibian
- Bony fish
- Shark
- Mammal
Show answer
Answer: (D) Mammal
Called the "sea cow" — a herbivorous marine mammal.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Choose the correct statements about a black hole — 1. It is a body of extreme density. 2. Its gravity is very weak. 3. Even light cannot escape from it.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
- All three
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 and 3
Its gravity is extremely strong, not weak.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes →
- Causes of floods — 1. Excessive rain 2. Snowmelt 3. High tide
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All
Show answer
Answer: (D) All
All three can suddenly spread water over land.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which state has the largest number of Scheduled Tribes?
- Assam
- Odisha
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
Show answer
Answer: (C) Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh (≈ 1.53 crore), then Maharashtra and Odisha.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which of these is NOT a natural harbour? (based on UPPCS 2007)
- Mumbai
- Mormugao
- Kochi
- Chennai
Show answer
Answer: (D) Chennai
Chennai is artificial — walls built in the open sea.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Consider — 1. India’s northernmost point is Indira Col and southernmost Indira Point. 2. India lies between 8°4′ and 37°5′ N latitude and 69°7′ and 98°24′ E longitude. Which is/are NOT correct?
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (B) Only 2
The correct extent is 8°4′–37°6′ N and 68°7′–97°25′ E.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - The state with the largest forest area and the state with the highest forest percentage (ISFR 2023) are, respectively:
- Arunachal, Manipur
- Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram
- Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya
- Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal
Show answer
Answer: (B) Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram
Madhya Pradesh 77,073 sq km; Mizoram 85.34%.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Correct statements on sustainable agriculture — 1. It is a mixed system of crop production and animal husbandry. 2. It is profitable only in the short term. 3. It makes farming economically self-supporting.
- 1 only
- 1 and 2
- 1 and 3
- All
- Suitable soil-conservation practices — 1. crop rotation 2. sand fences 3. terracing 4. windbreaks (IAS 2010)
- 1, 2 and 3
- 2 and 4
- 1, 3 and 4
- All of these
Show answer
Answer: (D) All of these
All four are accepted measures — sand fences stop drifting sand in deserts.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Choose the correct statements about plutonic rocks — 1. They form at great depth. 2. Their crystals are very small. 3. Granite is an example.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
- 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 and 3
Slow cooling makes the crystals large.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which state has India’s largest area of alkaline (sodic) soil?
- Gujarat
- Haryana
- Punjab
- Uttar Pradesh
Show answer
Answer: (D) Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh leads in alkaline soil; Gujarat in saline soil.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - In a grassland, what shape does the pyramid built from the count of organisms at each trophic level take?
- Inverted
- Upright
- Sometimes upright, sometimes inverted
- None of these
Show answer
Answer: (B) Upright
Grass plants are the most numerous and consumers decrease upward — so upright.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes →
- The Namchik-Namphuk coalfield is in which state?
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Meghalaya
- Manipur
- Mizoram
Show answer
Answer: (A) Arunachal Pradesh
A Tertiary coalfield of the north-east (Changlang district). (UPSC 2008)
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Of groundnut, sesame and pearl millet, which are mainly rain-fed? (IAS 2012)
- Groundnut and sesame
- Sesame and pearl millet
- Pearl millet only
- All three
Show answer
Answer: (D) All three
All three are Kharif crops of dry areas.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - In which months does Tamil Nadu get its main monsoon rain?
- March-April
- June-July
- July-August
- October-December
Show answer
Answer: (D) October-December
The retreating / north-east monsoon picks up moisture over the Bay of Bengal.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - True statements about weathering — 1. Rocks weakening and breaking where they lie is weathering. 2. It is of three kinds — physical, chemical and biological. 3. It supplies material for erosion.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
- All three
- Which statement(s) about earth movements is/are false? 1. They are mainly of two kinds. 2. Slow movements build continents and mountains. 3. Sudden movements cause earthquakes and volcanoes.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
- None
Show answer
Answer: (D) None
All three statements are true, so none is false.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which desert has the highest population density? (UPPCS 2008)
- Sahara
- Thar
- Gobi
- Kalahari
- In the seismic map in force (IS 1893:2016), which is the highest-hazard zone?
- Zone I
- Zone III
- Zone IV
- Zone V
Show answer
Answer: (D) Zone V
Zones run II–V; the Zone VI map announced in November 2025 was withdrawn in March 2026.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - "Extreme climate, scanty rain and people who were nomadic herders" — which region does this describe best? (UPSC 2013)
- African savanna
- Central Asian steppe
- North American prairie
- Siberian tundra
Show answer
Answer: (B) Central Asian steppe
The Central Asian steppe — extreme continental climate and a tradition of nomadic herding.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which two Indian sites are currently on the Ramsar Convention's Montreux Record?
- Chilika and Loktak
- Keoladeo and Loktak
- Keoladeo and Chilika
- Wular and Sambhar
Show answer
Answer: (B) Keoladeo and Loktak
Chilika was removed from the list in 2002 after its recovery.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Shortage of which two elements in Indian soils usually lowers yield per hectare?
- Nitrogen only
- Phosphorus and nitrogen
- Potassium and sulphur
- Aluminium and iron
Show answer
Answer: (B) Phosphorus and nitrogen
Most Indian soils are poor in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes →
- The "Great Artesian Basin" is in which country?
- United States
- Australia
- Russia
- Brazil
Show answer
Answer: (B) Australia
In the central lowlands of Australia.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which of these seas/gulfs has the highest salinity?
- Persian Gulf
- Red Sea
- Mediterranean Sea
- Caribbean Sea
Show answer
Answer: (B) Red Sea
Strong evaporation and almost no rivers make the Red Sea the saltiest (up to about 40‰).
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - The process by which rocks break up where they lie is called —
- Attrition
- Erosion
- Weathering
- Abrasion
- Correct descending order of length? (IAS 2003)
- Godavari-Mahanadi-Narmada-Tapi
- Godavari-Narmada-Mahanadi-Tapi
- Narmada-Godavari-Tapi-Mahanadi
- Narmada-Tapi-Godavari-Mahanadi
Show answer
Answer: (B) Godavari-Narmada-Mahanadi-Tapi
1,465 > 1,312 > 851 > 724 km.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which layer of the Earth is liquid?
- Upper mantle
- Lower mantle
- Outer core
- Inner core
Show answer
Answer: (C) Outer core
S waves do not pass through the outer core — the proof that it is liquid.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - From which geological period is the story of human evolution traced?
- Tertiary period
- Ice age
- Primate
- Homo sapiens
Show answer
Answer: (A) Tertiary period
Primates and Homo sapiens are groups of living things, not periods.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - The main crude-oil producing regions of India are —
- Brahmaputra valley, Gujarat coast, western offshore, eastern offshore
- Malabar coast, Konkan coast, Ganga valley, Maharashtra coast
- Eastern coast, Narmada valley, western coast, Maharashtra coast
- Ganga valley, Kaveri delta, Konkan, Saurashtra
Show answer
Answer: (A) Brahmaputra valley, Gujarat coast, western offshore, eastern offshore
Assam, the Cambay basin, Mumbai High and K-G-Cauvery — the four main oil regions.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which of these is the longest railway?
- Trans-Caucasian
- Trans-Indian
- Southern Transcontinental
- Trans-Siberian
Show answer
Answer: (D) Trans-Siberian
Moscow to Vladivostok, ≈ 9,289 km.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - What type of galaxy is our Milky Way?
- Spiral
- Elliptical
- Irregular
- Spherical
- Acid rain is caused mainly by which pollutants? (IAS 2013)
- CO₂ and nitrogen
- Ozone and CO₂
- CO and CO₂
- Oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide
Show answer
Answer: (D) Oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide
They dissolve in water to form nitric and sulphuric acids.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes →
- Which of these capitals lie north of the Tropic of Cancer? 1. Kolkata 2. Agartala 3. Bhopal 4. Aizawl 5. Ranchi
- 1, 2 and 4
- 2 and 4
- 1, 3 and 5
- All
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 and 4
Agartala (≈ 23.8° N) and Aizawl (≈ 23.7° N) are north; Bhopal (≈ 23.26°) and Ranchi (≈ 23.34°) lie just south of the Tropic (≈ 23.44°).
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Where is the daily range of temperature greatest?
- East coast
- Interior of the Chhattisgarh plain
- Andaman islands
- Desert of Rajasthan
Show answer
Answer: (D) Desert of Rajasthan
Dry air and sand — very hot days, cold nights.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - In the new 2024 count, how long is India's coastline?
- 7,516.6 km
- 8,118 km
- 11,098.81 km
- 15,106.7 km
Show answer
Answer: (C) 11,098.81 km
Earlier 7,516.6 km; the new count used a finer scale and new technology (no land was added). 15,106.7 km is India's land border.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Köppen climate of the Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu?
- Amw
- As
- Aw
- Cwg
Show answer
Answer: (B) As
Dry summer, winter rain (from the NE monsoon) — As.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which of these has the largest catchment area? (UPPCS 2009)
- Narmada
- Mahanadi
- Godavari
- Krishna
Show answer
Answer: (C) Godavari
Godavari ≈ 3.13 lakh sq km.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which is/are characteristic(s) of Indian coal? 1. High ash content 2. Low sulphur content 3. Low ash fusion temperature
- 1 and 2
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
- All
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 and 2
The ash of Indian coal has a high fusion temperature, so statement 3 is wrong. (UPSC 2013)
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - The Itaipu dam on the Paraná is a joint project of which two countries? (IAS 2005)
- Brazil and Peru
- Paraguay and Ecuador
- Brazil and Paraguay
- Colombia and Paraguay
Show answer
Answer: (C) Brazil and Paraguay
Itaipu is one of the world’s largest hydroelectric dams.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which region is marked by warm dry summers, mild wet winters and evergreen oaks? (UPSC 2010)
- Mediterranean region
- Eastern China
- Central Asia
- Atlantic coast of North America
Show answer
Answer: (A) Mediterranean region
Dry summer, wet winter — the Cs climate.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Statements — 1. Cherrapunji and Mawsynram get India's highest rainfall. 2. Cherrapunji has a bare rocky surface with almost no vegetation. Correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither
Show answer
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Heavy rain washes the soil away, leaving bare rock.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Statements — 1. Kerala has no east-flowing rivers. 2. Madhya Pradesh has no west-flowing rivers. Correct? (IAS 2009)
- 1 only
- Both 1 and 2
- 2 only
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
In Kerala the Kabini-Bhavani flow east; in MP the Narmada-Tapi flow west.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes →
- Which statement about the "Bhabar" is correct?
- Rivers form marshes here
- Rivers disappear into the pebbles and boulders here
- It is new alluvium flooded every year
- It is high, old alluvium
Show answer
Answer: (B) Rivers disappear into the pebbles and boulders here
Marsh — Terai; new alluvium — Khadar; old — Bhangar.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - By the Brundtland Commission, sustainable development means —
- Meeting present needs without compromising future generations' needs
- Postponing present needs to save everything for the future
- Raising only the economic growth rate
- Using up all resources at once
Show answer
Answer: (A) Meeting present needs without compromising future generations' needs
Our Common Future (1987).
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Statements — 1. Food crops occupy more than two-thirds of the gross cropped area. 2. India’s climate suits farming all year. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both
- Neither
Show answer
Answer: (C) Both
Food crops cover ≈ 73% of the area (2022-23); temperatures allow farming all year.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - The transition zone between two ecosystems is called — (IAS 2000)
- Biome
- Biotope
- Ecotone
- Sere
Show answer
Answer: (C) Ecotone
A sere is a series of successional stages; a biotope is a habitat unit.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Correct on cloudbursts — 1. 150 mm of rain per hour 2. Clouds rise up to 15 km 3. Up to 20 mm of rain falls in a few minutes
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 3 only
- All
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 and 3
The standard is 100 mm per hour.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - About the taiga — 1. It lies between 40° and 50° in both hemispheres 2. It occurs only in North America and Eurasia 3. Winters there are very short (UPPCS 2005)
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
- All three
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
The taiga lies at 50°–70° N and its winters are long.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Choose the correct statements — 1. The Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development in 1987. 2. It has four dimensions — social, economic, cultural, environmental. 3. Agenda 21 is a binding UN action plan.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 2 and 3
- All
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 only
There are three dimensions, and Agenda 21 is non-binding (voluntary).
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Where are mangrove, evergreen and deciduous forests all found together? (IAS 2005)
- North coastal Andhra Pradesh
- South-west Bengal
- Southern Saurashtra
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Show answer
Answer: (D) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Mangroves on the island coasts, evergreen and deciduous forests inland.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - 1. The sliding of snow masses down a slope is an avalanche 2. It occurs mainly in Haridwar, Chandigarh and Jammu 3. An avalanche was the main cause of the Kedarnath disaster. Correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 2 and 3
- 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 only
At Kedarnath the main causes were heavy rain/cloudbursts and the Chorabari Lake burst.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Where does the equatorial region extend? 1. Northern South America 2. Central Africa 3. South Asia 4. South-East Asia
- 1, 2 and 4
- 2, 3 and 4
- 3 and 4
- All
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1, 2 and 4
South Asia (India etc.) is a monsoon region.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes →
- How is a "protostar" formed?
- From the energy of a black hole
- By gravitational condensation of hydrogen–helium clouds
- By the contraction of the galaxy
- From a supernova
Show answer
Answer: (B) By gravitational condensation of hydrogen–helium clouds
A gas cloud contracts under gravity to form a protostar.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Choose the correct statements — 1. Fresh water available for use is less than about 1% of all water on Earth. 2. 95% of all fresh water is in polar ice and glaciers. (IAS 2010)
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 only
Ice and glaciers hold about 68.7% of fresh water (USGS), not 95%.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which pair is not correctly matched? (IAS 2010)
- Nathu La — Arunachal Pradesh
- Lipulekh — Uttarakhand
- Rohtang — Himachal Pradesh
- Palghat — Kerala
Show answer
Answer: (A) Nathu La — Arunachal Pradesh
Nathu La is in Sikkim.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Where is the Cocos plate?
- Arabian Peninsula
- Between Central America and the Pacific plate
- North-east of Australia
- Between the Philippine and Indian plates
Show answer
Answer: (B) Between Central America and the Pacific plate
The Nazca plate is the one beside South America.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - India's first river-linking project, whose foundation stone was laid in December 2024?
- Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal
- Ken-Betwa
- Mahanadi-Godavari
- Damanganga-Pinjal
Show answer
Answer: (B) Ken-Betwa
From the Daudhan dam (Ken) to Barua Sagar (Betwa).
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - 1. A "green muffler" is a technique to reduce air pollution. 2. Tree belts planted with proper zoning in big cities can shield people from noise. Correct statements?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 2
- Neither
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
A green muffler is a belt of trees that absorbs noise.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which statement about laterite soil is correct? 1. It forms in temperate regions. 2. It is alkaline. 3. It is very rich in silica.
- 1 only
- 3 only
- 1 and 3
- None of them
Show answer
Answer: (D) None of them
Laterite forms in hot-humid regions, is acidic and loses its silica — all three statements are wrong.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which of these contaminants have been detected in drinking water in many parts of the country? 1. Arsenic 2. Sorbitol 3. Fluoride 4. Formaldehyde 5. Uranium (IAS 2013)
- 1 and 3
- 2, 4 and 5
- 1, 3 and 5
- All
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1, 3 and 5
Arsenic, fluoride and uranium all occur in groundwater.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which is the second most populous state in Census 2011? (UPPCS 2011)
- Andhra Pradesh
- Bihar
- Maharashtra
- West Bengal
Show answer
Answer: (C) Maharashtra
Maharashtra 9.28%; Bihar is third.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Choose the correct statements — 1. The Aravali is a young mountain. 2. The Cincinnati arch is a dome structure. 3. The Himalaya was formed by folding. 4. Fujiyama was built by piling of volcanic material.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 3 and 4
- 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (D) 2, 3 and 4
The Aravali is among the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes →
- Correct statements about Rajasthan — 1. It is the largest state by area. 2. Its eastern part is desert. 3. HPCL's refinery is at Pachpadra (now Balotra district).
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
- All three
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 and 3
The desert is in the west; the east has plains and plateau.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - During which Five-Year Plan did the government start planned work against drought?
- First
- Second
- Third
- Fourth
Show answer
Answer: (B) Second
1956-61, with dry-farming projects.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - When was "Rio+5", the special session of the UN General Assembly after the 1992 Earth Summit, held?
- 1995
- 1997
- 1999
- 2002
Show answer
Answer: (B) 1997
Johannesburg in 2002 was "Rio+10".
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - The world’s most important fishing grounds lie where — (IAS 2015)
- Warm and cold atmospheric currents meet
- Rivers bring large volumes of water
- Warm and cold ocean currents meet
- The continental shelf is undulating
Show answer
Answer: (C) Warm and cold ocean currents meet
E.g. the Grand Bank (Gulf Stream + Labrador) and Japan (Kuroshio + Oyashio).
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Correct statements about the dugong in India — 1. It is a herbivorous marine animal. 2. It is found along the whole coast of India. 3. It is in Schedule I of the Wildlife Act 1972. (IAS 2015)
- 1 and 2
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
- 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 and 3
It is found only in Kachchh, Mannar-Palk Bay and Andaman & Nicobar.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which tribes are found in the tundra? 1. Yukaghir 2. Sami (Lapps) 3. Inuit (Eskimo) 4. Hamites
- 1, 2 and 3
- 2, 3 and 4
- 1, 2 and 4
- All
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1, 2 and 3
The Hamites are North-West African.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Which term describes not only the space an organism occupies but also its functional role in the community? (IAS 2013)
- Ecotone
- Ecological niche
- Habitat
- Home range
Show answer
Answer: (B) Ecological niche
Niche = address + profession; the term was used by Grinnell (1917).
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Correct statements about Suess's scheme — 1. It divides the interior into three layers by chemical composition. 2. It was given by Eduard Suess. 3. Sial is the middle layer.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 2
- 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 and 2
Sial is the top layer; sima is in the middle.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - In which ocean is the Diamantina Trench? (IAS 2006)
- Pacific
- Atlantic
- Indian
- Arctic
Show answer
Answer: (C) Indian
It lies in the Indian Ocean, south-west of Australia.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes → - Choose the correct statements — 1. Ennore is the oldest and an artificial port of the east coast. 2. Mumbai is India's largest natural harbour. 3. Nhava Sheva is India's largest container port.
- 1 only
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- All
Show answer
Answer: (C) 2 and 3
The old artificial harbour is Chennai; Ennore (Kamarajar) is the first corporatised major port.
Read the full chapter in mind-map notes →
GK question sets
FAQs
Where can I find GK questions with answers?
This page lists GK questions and answers chapter by chapter — history, geography, polity, economy, science, computer and current affairs. Tap "Show answer" under any question for the answer and explanation.
Are these GK questions free?
Yes, every question and answer is free. Full mind-map notes and short tricks for each chapter are available on the site.
Where do I get 20 GK questions every day?
A fresh set is published daily — see "Today's 20 GK questions" above, or open the 10, 50 and 100 question sets.
Which exams are these questions useful for?
SSC, Railway (RRB NTPC), Banking, state PSC and all government exams that test general knowledge.