UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies

Question 3: Geography

With reference to India, which one of the following statements is correct?

aAbout one-third of the area of the country records more than 750 millimetres of annual rainfall

bThe dominant source of irrigation in the country is wells

cAlluvial soil is the predominant type of soil in the northern plains of the country

dThe mountain areas account for about thirty percent of the surface area of the country

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Alluvium laid down by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems covers the northern plains, and it is India's most widespread soil, about 40 percent of the land. Option (a) is wrong because most of the country, not a third, gets more than 750 mm a year. Option (b) is weak since canals and tube wells are also major sources. Mountains are usually put at about 29-30 percent, which is why this question is open to challenge.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) False: most of the country gets more than 750 mm a year; only the arid and semi-arid belts get less.
(b) Weak: canals and tube wells are also large sources, and the key does not accept this.
(c) Right: the northern plains are built of river alluvium.
(d) Mountains are commonly quoted at about 29-30 percent of the area, so this is close to true; the key still prefers (c).

Worth knowing: Mountain areas are commonly put at about 30 percent of India's area, so (d) can be argued to be correct as well.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.