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Geography & Environment · Indian Geography

Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & Islands: 83 previous year questions

UPSC has asked 83 questions on Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & Islands between 1995 and 2026: CDS 29 · CSE 22 · CAPF 13 · NDA 8 · CISF (LDCE) 5 · Geo-Scientist 4 · EPFO (APFC) 2. 61 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 22 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.

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Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.

CAPF2026Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·6

Consider the following statements about a geographical feature: 1. The feature is in close proximity to the Malacca Strait. 2. The Government of India proposed an international container transhipment port in this region. 3. The region is one of the most critical nesting grounds for the endangered leatherback sea turtle. 4. The region is home to dense forest, rich coral reefs and sea grass meadows. Which one among the following geographical features is described above?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Galathea Bay (Great Nicobar): near the Malacca Strait, site of the proposed International Container Transhipment Port, key leatherback turtle nesting ground, with dense forest, coral reefs and sea grass
CAPF2026Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·6

Consider the following statements regarding the Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 1. There are 836 islands/islets/rocky outcrops. 2. The group of islands is divided by the Ten Degree Channel. 3. The Union Territory is home to tribes such as Koya, Malmi, Melacheri and Aminidivi. 4. There are more than two major ports in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Correct: 836 islands/islets/rocky outcrops; Andaman and Nicobar groups divided by the Ten Degree Channel | NOT: Koya, Malmi, Melacheri, Aminidivi (Lakshadweep communities); NOT: more than two major ports
CDS2026 · 1Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·3

Consider the following statements regarding the Northwestern Himalayas: 1. Karewa formations in Kashmir consist of thick deposits of glacial clay and other materials embedded with moraines. 2. Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri in Ladakh are freshwater lakes. 3. River Jhelum exhibits meanders in the Kashmir Valley. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Correct: Karewas of Kashmir are thick glacial clay deposits embedded with moraines; the Jhelum meanders in the Kashmir Valley | NOT: Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are not freshwater lakes
CDS2026 · 1Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 14·4

Match List-I with List-II and select the answer using the codes given below the Lists : List-I (Forest Research Institute) List-II (Location) A. Tropical Forest Research Institute 1. Prayagraj B. Rain Forest Research Institute 2. Jorhat C. Himalayan Forest Research Institute 3. Jabalpur D. Forest Research Centre for Eco-Rehabilitation 4. Shimla Codes : A B C D

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Tropical Forest Research Institute - Jabalpur; Rain Forest Research Institute - Jorhat; Himalayan Forest Research Institute - Shimla; Forest Research Centre for Eco-Rehabilitation - Prayagraj
CISF (LDCE)2026Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·6

Consider the following statements regarding Lakshadweep: 1. Lakshadweep, the smallest Union Territory of India, is an archipelago consisting of coral islands and reefs. 2. Lakshadweep consists of 36 islands in all, of which only 6 are inhabited. 3. The main occupations of the inhabitants are fishing, coconut cultivation and coir twisting. 4. Lakshadweep coconut is branded as an organic product. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Correct: Lakshadweep is the smallest UT, a coral archipelago; main occupations fishing, coconut cultivation, coir twisting; its coconut is branded organic | NOT: of 36 islands 10 are inhabited, not 6
CISF (LDCE)2026Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·6

Match List I with List II and select the answers using the code given below the Lists: List I (Mountain Peak) List II (Location) A. Saddle Peak 1. North Andaman B. Mount Diavolo 2. Middle Andaman C. Mount Koyob 3. South Andaman D. Mount Thullier 4. Great Nicobar

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Saddle Peak - North Andaman; Mount Diavolo - South Andaman; Mount Koyob - Middle Andaman; Mount Thullier - Great Nicobar
CDS2025 · 2Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·6

Match List–I with List–II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists: List–I (Island/Nation) List–II (Tectonic Plate) A. Comoros 1. North American Plate B. Baffin Island 2. African Plate C. Sri Lanka 3. Eurasian Plate D. Andaman Islands 4. Indo–Australian Plate Code : A B C D

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Comoros - African Plate; Baffin Island - North American Plate; Sri Lanka - Indo-Australian Plate; Andaman Islands - Eurasian Plate
CDS2024 · 2Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·3

Which of the following pairs of Himalayan Glaciers and their location is/are correctly matched Glacier Region 1. Siachen Nubra Valley Region 2. Chungphar Kumaon-Garhwal Region 3. Zemu Central Nepal Region 4. Gasherbrum Pir Panjal Range Select the answer using the code given below :

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Correct pairs: Siachen - Nubra Valley region; Chungphar - Kumaon-Garhwal region | NOT: Zemu (Sikkim, not Central Nepal), Gasherbrum (Karakoram, not Pir Panjal)
CISF (LDCE)2024Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·4

Consider the following statements regarding landscape : 1. Bhabar is a narrow belt ranging between 8 km-10 km parallel to the Shiwalik foothills at the breakup of the slope. 2. Bhabar is a belt consisting of old and new alluvial deposited by rivers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Correct: Bhabar is a narrow belt parallel to the Shiwalik foothills at the break of slope | NOT: Bhabar is pebbles and rock debris from alluvial fans, not old and new alluvium (that is Bhangar/Khadar)
NDA2024 · 2Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·6

Which statement is NOT correct with reference to Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Not correct: maximum rainfall in Andaman and Nicobar is not in March-April (it falls between May and December)
NDA2024 · 2Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·3

Which of the following pairs of Himalayan Passes and the Ranges in which they are located is/are correctly matched? 1. Zoji La – Great Himalayas 2. Banihal Pass – Pir Panjal Range 3. Photu La – Ladakh Range 4. Khardung La – Karakoram Range Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Correct pairs: Zoji La - Great Himalayas; Banihal Pass - Pir Panjal; Photu La - Ladakh Range | NOT: Khardung La (Ladakh Range, not Karakoram)
CAPF2023Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·4

Consider the following statements : 1. The Great Northern Plains are formed by basins of three distinct river systems — the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. 2. They arc one of the most densely populated areas on Earth. 3. Between the Yamuna at Delhi and the Bay of Bengal, nearly 1600 km away, there is a drop of only 200 metre* in elevation. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)All three correct: the Great Northern Plains are formed by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems, are among the most densely populated areas on Earth, and drop only about 200 metres between Delhi (Yamuna) and the Bay of Bengal, nearly 1600 km away
CSE2023Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·4

Consider the following statements: 1. Amarkantak Hills are at the confluence of Vindhya and Sahyadri Ranges. 2. Biligirirangan Hills constitute the easternmost part of Satpura Range. 3. Seshachalam Hills constitute the southernmost part of Western Ghats. How many of the statements given above are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)None correct: Amarkantak is where the Vindhya and Satpura ranges meet; Biligirirangan Hills (Karnataka) are not part of the Satpuras; Seshachalam Hills are in the Eastern Ghats
Geo-Scientist2023Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·4

Which of the following statements about river valleys is/are correct? 1. Kullu Valley is an example of strike valley. 2. Kangra Valley is a transverse valley. 3. Narmada flows in a rift valley. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Correct: the Narmada flows in a rift valley between the Vindhyas and Satpuras | NOT: Kangra Valley is a strike valley, not transverse; Kullu Valley statement not accepted by key D
NDA2023 · 2Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·4

Consider the following statements about physical features of India: 1. The southern point of the Peninsular Plateau is formed by the Nilgiri Hills where the Eastern and the Western Ghats meet 2. The Cardamom Hills may be regarded as a continuation of the Eastern Ghats Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Correct: the Nilgiri Hills, where the Eastern and Western Ghats meet, form the southern point of the Peninsular Plateau | NOT: Cardamom Hills continue the Western Ghats, not the Eastern Ghats
CDS2022 · 2Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·5

Which of the following statements about the coasts of India is/are correct ? 1. The West Coast of India is a high rocky, retreating coast. 2. The West Coast of India is dominated by erosional landforms. 3. The East Coast of India, however, is a low sedimentary coast exhibiting depositional forms. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer D (official UPSC key)West Coast: high, rocky, retreating, dominated by erosional landforms; East Coast: low, sedimentary, with depositional forms (all three correct)
CDS2019 · 2Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·4

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: List I (Peak) List II (Name of Hill) A. Anaimudi 1. Nilgiri B. Doddabetta 2. Satpura C. Dhupgarh 3. Aravali D. Guru Shikhar 4. Annamalai

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Anaimudi - Annamalai Hills; Doddabetta - Nilgiri; Dhupgarh - Satpura; Guru Shikhar - Aravali
CSE2018Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·6

Consider the following statements: [2018-I] 1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory. 2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar. 3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Barren Island volcano is active and in Indian territory (Andaman Sea), about 138 km northeast of Port Blair | NOT: 140 km east of Great Nicobar; NOT: inactive since 1991 (has erupted since)
CAPF2017Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·3

Which one of the following statements about the Himalayas is NOT correct ?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Not correct: the Himalayan Frontal Fault separates the Shiwaliks from the Indo-Gangetic plains, not the Himalaya from Tibet
CDS2017 · 2Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·4

Which of the following statements in respect to the Indian Peninsular Plateau are correct? 1. The Deccan Plateau gradually rises from North to South. 2. The Malwa Plateau dominates the Vindhyan scarps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau. 3. The Western Satpuras separate the Narmada and Tapi rivers. 4. The Chota Nagpur Plateau is composed of Archaen granite and gneiss rocks. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Correct: Deccan Plateau rises from north to south; Western Satpuras separate the Narmada and Tapi; Chota Nagpur Plateau is Archaean granite and gneiss | NOT: Malwa Plateau as the eastern flank
CDS2017 · 2Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·3

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Pass) List-II (Place) A. Zoji La 1. Himachal Pradesh B. Shipki La 2. Uttarakhand C. Lipulekh 3. Jammu and Kashmir D. Nathu La 4. Sikkim

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Zoji La - Jammu and Kashmir; Shipki La - Himachal Pradesh; Lipulekh - Uttarakhand; Nathu La - Sikkim
CDS2015 · 2Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·5

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Region) List-II (State) A. Baghelkhand 1. West Bengal B. Kuttanad 2. Madhya Pradesh C. Saurashtra 3. Kerala D. Rarh 4. Gujarat Code: A B C D

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Baghelkhand - Madhya Pradesh; Kuttanad - Kerala; Saurashtra - Gujarat; Rarh - West Bengal
CSE2014Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·5

Consider the following pairs: Hills Region 1. Cardamom Hills Coromandel Coast 2. Kaimur Hills Konkan Coast 3. Mahadeo Hills Central India 4. Mikir Hills North-East India Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Correct pairs: Mahadeo Hills - Central India; Mikir Hills - North-East India | NOT: Cardamom Hills (Kerala/Tamil Nadu, not Coromandel Coast), Kaimur Hills (eastern Vindhyas, not Konkan Coast)
CAPF2013Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·4

Which one among the following statements is not correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Not correct: Vindhyans are not fold mountains (Shillong Plateau is a Peninsular outlier, Aravalli is the oldest chain, Rajmahal Highlands are lava deposits)
CSE2012Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·3

When you travel in the Himalayas, you will see the following: 1. Deep gorges 2. U-turn river courses 3. Parallel mountain ranges 4. Steep gradients causing land-sliding Which of the above can be said to be the evidence for the Himalayas being young fold mountains?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Deep gorges, U-turn river courses, parallel ranges and steep gradients causing landslides are all evidence that the Himalayas are young fold mountains
CSE2011Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·3

The Brahmaputra, Irrawady and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow through narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a "U" turn in its course to flow into India. This "U" turn is due to

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Answer B (official UPSC key)The Brahmaputra's U-turn is due to the syntaxial bending of the geologically young Himalayas
CSE2010Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·4

If there were no Himalayan ranges, what would have been the most likely geographical impact on India? 1. Much of the country would experience the cold waves from Siberia. 2. Indo-Gangetic plain would be devoid of such extensive alluvial soils. 3. The pattern of the monsoon would be different from what it is at present. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Without the Himalayas: Siberian cold waves would reach most of India, the Indo-Gangetic plain would lack its extensive alluvium, and the monsoon pattern would differ (all three)
CSE2006Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·3

Match List-I (Valley) with List-II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List-I (Valley) List-II (State) A. Markha Valley 1. Sikkim B. Dzukou Valley 2. Himachal Pradesh C. Sangla Valley 3. Jammu & Kashmir D. Yumthang Valley 4. Nagaland

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Markha Valley - Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh); Dzukou Valley - Nagaland; Sangla Valley - Himachal Pradesh; Yumthang Valley - Sikkim
CSE2005Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·4

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of hills starting from the north and going towards the south?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)North to south: Nallamalai Hills - Javadi Hills - Nilgiri Hills - Anamalai Hills
CSE2004Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·5

Match List-I (Beaches in India) with List-II (States) and select the correct answer using the codes given below: List-I (Beach) List-II (State) A. Gopinath Beach 1. Andhra Pradesh B. Lawsons Bay Beach 2. Kerala C. Devbagh Beach 3. Gujarat D. Sinquerim Beach 4. Goa 5. Karnataka

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Gopinath Beach - Gujarat; Lawsons Bay Beach - Andhra Pradesh; Devbagh Beach - Karnataka; Sinquerim Beach - Goa
EPFO (APFC)2004Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·5

Match List-I (Beach Resort) with List-II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below: List-I (Beach Resort) List-II (State) A. Digha 1. Kerala B. Covelong 2. West Bengal C. Cherai 3. Maharashtra D. Murud-Janjira 4. Tamil Nadu Codes:

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Digha - West Bengal; Covelong - Tamil Nadu; Cherai - Kerala; Murud-Janjira - Maharashtra
EPFO (APFC)2004Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & IslandsOn card GEO 11·3

Which one of the following is not a correct statement?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Not correct: the Western Himalayas are not higher than the Eastern half (Eastern Himalayas have the higher peaks)

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