2009 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies
Question 81: Geography
In which one of the following places is the Shompen tribe found ?
aNilgiri Hills
bNicobar Islands
cSpiti Valley
dLakshadweep Islands
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Shompen are one of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups of India, living in the forests of Great Nicobar Island in the Nicobar Islands. They are semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers who have kept largely apart from outsiders. The Nilgiri Hills are home to the Toda, Kota and others, and the other options have no Shompen.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) The Nilgiri Hills have the Toda, Kota and Badaga communities.
- (b) Right: the Shompen live on Great Nicobar in the Nicobar Islands.
- (c) Spiti Valley is the home of Buddhist Himalayan communities.
- (d) Lakshadweep has no Shompen.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.