Political and Physical Divisions of India MCQs
1. What is the total geographical area of India?
India covers an area of 3.28 million square kilometers, making it the 7th largest country in the world.
2. How many States and Union Territories are there in India currently?
India currently has 28 States and 8 Union Territories (following the merger of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli).
3. Which latitude divides India into almost two equal parts?
The Tropic of Cancer (23°30' N) passes through the middle of the country.
4. The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
It passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
5. Which is the southernmost point of the Indian Union?
Indira Point in the Great Nicobar island is the southernmost point of the Indian Union.
6. Which is the largest state in India by area?
Rajasthan is the largest state in terms of area, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
7. Which state has the longest coastline in India?
Gujarat has the longest coastline of approximately 1,600 km.
8. What is the Standard Meridian of India?
The longitude 82°30' E, passing through Mirzapur (UP), is taken as the Standard Meridian for Indian Standard Time (IST).
9. Which state separates Nepal and Bhutan?
The small state of Sikkim lies between Nepal to the west and Bhutan to the east.
10. The boundary line between India and China is called?
The McMahon Line demarcates the boundary between India (Arunachal Pradesh) and China (Tibet).
11. Which is the oldest mountain range in India?
The Aravalli Range is the oldest fold mountain system in India.
12. The highest peak of the Peninsular India (South India) is?
Anamudi (2,695 m) in the Anaimalai Hills is the highest peak in South India.
13. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are separated by which channel?
The 10 Degree Channel separates the Andaman group of islands from the Nicobar group.
14. Which state shares its boundary with the maximum number of states?
Uttar Pradesh shares borders with 8 states and 1 Union Territory (Delhi).
15. The Lakshadweep islands are formed by?
Lakshadweep islands are of coral origin (Atolls).
16. The Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats meet at?
The Eastern and Western Ghats converge at the Nilgiri Hills.
17. Which is the highest peak in India (undisputed territory)?
Kangchenjunga (Sikkim) is the highest peak in India located in undisputed territory. K2 is in PoK.
18. The Palk Strait separates India from?
The Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar separate India from Sri Lanka.
19. Which state is the smallest in India by area?
Goa is the smallest state in India with an area of about 3,702 sq km.
20. The Himalayas are an example of which type of mountains?
The Himalayas are young fold mountains formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
21. The highest peak of the Aravalli Range is?
Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) near Mount Abu is the highest peak of the Aravalli Range.
22. Which river flows through a Rift Valley?
The Narmada and Tapi rivers flow through rift valleys created by faulting.
23. Which state does NOT share an international border?
Haryana is a landlocked state that does not share a border with any other country.
24. The only active volcano in India is located in?
Barren Island in the Andaman & Nicobar group is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia.
25. The longitudinal difference between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh causes a time lag of approximately?
There is a longitudinal difference of about 30 degrees, which corresponds to a time difference of roughly 2 hours.
26. Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills are located in which state?
These hills form the Meghalaya plateau.
27. Which is the largest physiographic division of India?
The Peninsular Plateau is the oldest and largest physiographic unit of India.
28. Which Union Territory is the smallest in area?
Lakshadweep is the smallest Union Territory with an area of just 32 sq km.
29. The Northern part of the Western Coastal Plain is known as?
The northern section of the west coast (Mumbai-Goa) is called the Konkan coast.
30. Highest peak of Satpura range is?
Dhupgarh (1,350 m) near Pachmarhi is the highest point of the Satpura Range.
31. Which river is known as 'Dakshin Ganga' (Ganga of the South)?
The Godavari is the longest river in Peninsular India and is often called 'Dakshin Ganga'.
32. The 'Cold Desert' in India is located in?
Ladakh is a cold desert lying in the Great Himalayas.
33. Duncan Passage is situated between?
Duncan Passage separates South Andaman Island from Little Andaman.
34. India accounts for what percentage of the world's total geographical area?
India accounts for about 2.4% of the total geographical area of the world.
35. Which state has the largest forest cover in India?
In terms of area, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in India.
36. The northernmost point of India is known as?
Indira Col in the Siachen Muztagh is the northernmost point of India.
37. Which state shares a border with Bangladesh on three sides?
Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on its north, south, and west.
38. The highest peak of the Eastern Ghats is?
Jindhagada (also known as Armakonda) in Andhra Pradesh is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats (1690 m). Note: Mahendragiri is often cited in older texts but is lower.
39. Nathu La pass connects India with which country?
Nathu La is a mountain pass in Sikkim connecting India with China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
40. The 'Radcliffe Line' is the boundary between?
The Radcliffe Line was the boundary demarcation line between the Indian and Pakistani portions of the Punjab and Bengal provinces.
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- MCQS on Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019
Introduction
Physical Divisions of India – Complete SSC & UPSC Notes
India is a land of vast geographical diversity. The Indian subcontinent is divided into six major physical divisions based on relief, rock structure, slope, and geological evolution. These divisions are frequently asked in SSC and UPSC exams due to their relevance in geography, environment, and current affairs.
🔑 List of Physical Divisions of India:
- The Himalayan Mountains
- The Northern Plains
- The Peninsular Plateau
- The Indian Desert
- The Coastal Plains
- The Islands
🏔️ 1. The Himalayan Mountains
🔹 Location & Extent:
- Stretch from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh
- Length: ~2,500 km, Width varies from 150 to 400 km
🔹 Three Parallel Ranges:
| Range | Local Name | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Himadri | Greater Himalayas | Highest peaks (Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga); snow-covered |
| Himachal | Lesser Himalayas | Hill stations, dense forests |
| Shiwaliks | Outer Himalayas | Newest range; prone to erosion |
SSC PYQ: “Arrange the Himalayan ranges from North to South.”
UPSC Prelims 2016: “Which of the following is correctly matched? Shiwalik: Alluvial Deposits”
🌾 2. The Northern Plains
🔹 Location:
- Alluvial plains south of Himalayas
- Formed by Indus, Ganga & Brahmaputra rivers
🔹 Divisions:
| Region | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Bhabar | Stony belt; rivers disappear underground |
| Terai | Marshy zone with tall grasses |
| Bangar | Older alluvium, less fertile |
| Khadar | New alluvium; flood-prone but very fertile |
SSC PYQ: “Which part of the Northern Plains is most fertile?”
UPSC Mains 2015: “Explain the formation and features of the Indo-Gangetic plain.”
🪨 3. The Peninsular Plateau
🔹 Location & Structure:
- Ancient igneous landmass; very stable
- Triangle-shaped, south of Northern Plains
🔹 Sub-divisions:
| Region | Features |
|---|---|
| Deccan Plateau | Between Western & Eastern Ghats |
| Central Highlands | Malwa Plateau, Chhota Nagpur, Vindhya-Satpura |
| Ghats | Western (steep), Eastern (gentle, fragmented) |
SSC PYQ: “Which river flows westward from the Peninsular Plateau?”
UPSC Prelims 2017: “Why do rivers like Narmada and Tapi not form deltas?”
🏜️ 4. The Indian Desert (Thar)
- Located west of Aravallis (Rajasthan)
- Arid climate, sand dunes (barchans), salt lakes (Sambhar)
- Low rainfall & sparse vegetation
SSC PYQ: “The largest desert of India lies in which state?”
UPSC Prelims 2020: “Consider the following statements about the Thar Desert...”
🌊 5. The Coastal Plains
| Coast | States Covered | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Western Coast | Gujarat to Kerala | Narrow, estuaries, lagoons |
| Eastern Coast | West Bengal to Tamil Nadu | Wide, deltas, fertile |
SSC PYQ: “Chilika lake is located on which coast?”
UPSC Prelims 2018: “Match the rivers with the coastal deltas they form.”
🏝️ 6. The Islands
| Group | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar | Bay of Bengal | Volcanic origin |
| Lakshadweep | Arabian Sea | Coral origin |
SSC PYQ: “Which island group is of coral origin?”
UPSC Prelims 2021: “Which Indian islands are volcanic in origin?”
📌 Summary Table
| Division | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Himalayas | Young fold mountains; source of rivers |
| Northern Plains | Fertile alluvial lands; densely populated |
| Peninsular Plateau | Oldest rock structure; rich in minerals |
| Thar Desert | Dry climate, sand dunes |
| Coastal Plains | Ports, fisheries, fertile deltas |
| Islands | Volcanic and coral formations |
❓FAQs – People Also Ask
- Q1: How many physical divisions are there in India?
A: There are 6 physical divisions. - Q2: Which is the oldest region?
A: The Peninsular Plateau. - Q3: What makes Northern Plains fertile?
A: Alluvial soil from Himalayan rivers. - Q4: Which coast has deltas?
A: Eastern coast (Godavari, Krishna, etc.). - Q5: Which island has a volcano?
A: Barren Island (Andaman).
🎯 Tip: Revise maps regularly and practice MCQs from PYQs.