UP Police SI 2026 — Geography of India (20 Practice MCQs)
Sharpen your exam readiness with this curated set of 20 MCQs on Geography of India for UP Police SI 2026. Each question is followed by a detailed explanation to help you understand the reasoning — not just memorise answers.
Section: General Knowledge & Current Affairs | Topic: Geography of India | Questions: 20 | Difficulty: Mixed (Easy to Hard)
Q1. Which river is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar'?
- A) Ganga
- B) Kosi
- C) Gandak
- D) Son
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Kosi
The Kosi river is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent, devastating floods caused by its meandering course and heavy silt load from the Himalayas.
The Kosi river is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent, devastating floods caused by its meandering course and heavy silt load from the Himalayas.
Q2. The Western Ghats runs parallel to which coast?
- A) Eastern Coast
- B) Western Coast
- C) Northern Himalayan region
- D) Deccan Plateau
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Western Coast
The Western Ghats (Sahyadri) run parallel to the Western (Malabar) Coast of India, extending from Gujarat in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south over ~1,600 km.
The Western Ghats (Sahyadri) run parallel to the Western (Malabar) Coast of India, extending from Gujarat in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south over ~1,600 km.
Q3. Which state receives the highest rainfall in India?
- A) Assam
- B) Meghalaya
- C) Kerala
- D) Maharashtra
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Meghalaya
Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world (~11,872 mm), followed by Cherrapunji (also in Meghalaya).
Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world (~11,872 mm), followed by Cherrapunji (also in Meghalaya).
Q4. The Godavari river originates from:
- A) Western Ghats in Maharashtra
- B) Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh
- C) Satpura Range in MP
- D) Amarkantak in MP
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Western Ghats in Maharashtra
The Godavari, the longest peninsular river, originates from Trimbak Plateau near Nasik in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and flows eastward to the Bay of Bengal.
The Godavari, the longest peninsular river, originates from Trimbak Plateau near Nasik in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and flows eastward to the Bay of Bengal.
Q5. India shares the longest border with which country?
- A) China
- B) Pakistan
- C) Bangladesh
- D) Nepal
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) Bangladesh
India's longest land border is with Bangladesh (~4,156 km), followed by China (~3,488 km), Pakistan (~3,323 km), Nepal (~1,751 km), and Bhutan (~699 km).
India's longest land border is with Bangladesh (~4,156 km), followed by China (~3,488 km), Pakistan (~3,323 km), Nepal (~1,751 km), and Bhutan (~699 km).
Q6. Which soil is most suitable for cotton cultivation?
- A) Alluvial soil
- B) Black (Regur) soil
- C) Red soil
- D) Laterite soil
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Black (Regur) soil
Black soil (Regur or cotton soil) is most suitable for cotton. It has high clay content, retains moisture well, and is rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and MP.
Black soil (Regur or cotton soil) is most suitable for cotton. It has high clay content, retains moisture well, and is rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and MP.
Q7. The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
- A) 6
- B) 7
- C) 8
- D) 9
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) 8
The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Q8. Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
- A) Wular Lake
- B) Dal Lake
- C) Chilika Lake
- D) Vembanad Lake
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Wular Lake
Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India. Chilika (Odisha) is the largest brackish water (coastal lagoon) lake.
Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India. Chilika (Odisha) is the largest brackish water (coastal lagoon) lake.
Q9. The Deccan Plateau is bounded by the Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, and:
- A) Vindhya and Satpura ranges in the north
- B) Aravalli Range in the west
- C) Himalayan foothills in the north
- D) Thar Desert in the west
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Vindhya and Satpura ranges in the north
The Deccan Plateau is bounded by the Western Ghats to the west, Eastern Ghats to the east, and the Vindhya-Satpura ranges to the north.
The Deccan Plateau is bounded by the Western Ghats to the west, Eastern Ghats to the east, and the Vindhya-Satpura ranges to the north.
Q10. The Palk Strait separates India from:
- A) Sri Lanka
- B) Maldives
- C) Myanmar
- D) Bangladesh
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Sri Lanka
The Palk Strait (about 53 km wide) separates the Indian state of Tamil Nadu from the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The Gulf of Mannar is to the south.
The Palk Strait (about 53 km wide) separates the Indian state of Tamil Nadu from the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The Gulf of Mannar is to the south.
Q11. Which river is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar'?
- A) Ganga
- B) Kosi
- C) Gandak
- D) Son
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Kosi
The Kosi river is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent, devastating floods caused by its meandering course and heavy silt load from the Himalayas.
The Kosi river is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent, devastating floods caused by its meandering course and heavy silt load from the Himalayas.
Q12. The Western Ghats runs parallel to which coast?
- A) Eastern Coast
- B) Western Coast
- C) Northern Himalayan region
- D) Deccan Plateau
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Western Coast
The Western Ghats (Sahyadri) run parallel to the Western (Malabar) Coast of India, extending from Gujarat in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south over ~1,600 km.
The Western Ghats (Sahyadri) run parallel to the Western (Malabar) Coast of India, extending from Gujarat in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south over ~1,600 km.
Q13. Which state receives the highest rainfall in India?
- A) Assam
- B) Meghalaya
- C) Kerala
- D) Maharashtra
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Meghalaya
Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world (~11,872 mm), followed by Cherrapunji (also in Meghalaya).
Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world (~11,872 mm), followed by Cherrapunji (also in Meghalaya).
Q14. The Godavari river originates from:
- A) Western Ghats in Maharashtra
- B) Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh
- C) Satpura Range in MP
- D) Amarkantak in MP
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Western Ghats in Maharashtra
The Godavari, the longest peninsular river, originates from Trimbak Plateau near Nasik in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and flows eastward to the Bay of Bengal.
The Godavari, the longest peninsular river, originates from Trimbak Plateau near Nasik in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and flows eastward to the Bay of Bengal.
Q15. India shares the longest border with which country?
- A) China
- B) Pakistan
- C) Bangladesh
- D) Nepal
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) Bangladesh
India's longest land border is with Bangladesh (~4,156 km), followed by China (~3,488 km), Pakistan (~3,323 km), Nepal (~1,751 km), and Bhutan (~699 km).
India's longest land border is with Bangladesh (~4,156 km), followed by China (~3,488 km), Pakistan (~3,323 km), Nepal (~1,751 km), and Bhutan (~699 km).
Q16. Which soil is most suitable for cotton cultivation?
- A) Alluvial soil
- B) Black (Regur) soil
- C) Red soil
- D) Laterite soil
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Black (Regur) soil
Black soil (Regur or cotton soil) is most suitable for cotton. It has high clay content, retains moisture well, and is rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and MP.
Black soil (Regur or cotton soil) is most suitable for cotton. It has high clay content, retains moisture well, and is rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and MP.
Q17. The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
- A) 6
- B) 7
- C) 8
- D) 9
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) 8
The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Q18. Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
- A) Wular Lake
- B) Dal Lake
- C) Chilika Lake
- D) Vembanad Lake
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Wular Lake
Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India. Chilika (Odisha) is the largest brackish water (coastal lagoon) lake.
Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India. Chilika (Odisha) is the largest brackish water (coastal lagoon) lake.
Q19. The Deccan Plateau is bounded by the Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, and:
- A) Vindhya and Satpura ranges in the north
- B) Aravalli Range in the west
- C) Himalayan foothills in the north
- D) Thar Desert in the west
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Vindhya and Satpura ranges in the north
The Deccan Plateau is bounded by the Western Ghats to the west, Eastern Ghats to the east, and the Vindhya-Satpura ranges to the north.
The Deccan Plateau is bounded by the Western Ghats to the west, Eastern Ghats to the east, and the Vindhya-Satpura ranges to the north.
Q20. The Palk Strait separates India from:
- A) Sri Lanka
- B) Maldives
- C) Myanmar
- D) Bangladesh
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Sri Lanka
The Palk Strait (about 53 km wide) separates the Indian state of Tamil Nadu from the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The Gulf of Mannar is to the south.
The Palk Strait (about 53 km wide) separates the Indian state of Tamil Nadu from the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The Gulf of Mannar is to the south.
Exam Strategy for Geography of India: In UP Police SI, aim to solve Geography of India questions in 45–60 seconds each. If a puzzle question is taking over 2 minutes, skip and return later.
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