RRB NTPC Geography and Environment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
- 6
- 7
- 8 (Correct answer)
- 9
Correct answer: 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° North latitude) passes through 8 Indian states from west to east: (1) Gujarat, (2) Rajasthan, (3) Madhya Pradesh, (4) Chhattisgarh, (5) Jharkhand, (6) West Bengal, (7) Tripura, (8) Mizoram. Madhya Pradesh is the only state through which all three major latitudinal lines (Tropic of Cancer, Standard Meridian 82.5°E) both pass. The Tropic of Cancer divides India roughly into two halves and marks the northernmost point where the sun is directly overhead (on June 21, summer solstice).
Question 2: Which is the deepest lake in India?
- Vembanad Lake
- Dal Lake
- Wular Lake
- Manasbal Lake (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Manasbal Lake
Manasbal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is considered the deepest lake in India, with a maximum depth of about 13 metres.
Manasbal Lake, located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, is considered the deepest freshwater lake in India with a maximum depth of about 13 meters and an average depth of about 6 meters. It covers an area of about 2.83 sq km. The lake is famous for its lotus flowers, migratory birds, and water chestnuts. Other notable Indian lakes: Wular Lake (J&K) — largest freshwater lake; Vembanad (Kerala) — longest lake; Chilika (Odisha) — largest brackish water coastal lagoon; Dal Lake (J&K) — famous tourist lake.
Question 3: The 'Western Disturbances' that bring winter rainfall to Northwest India originate from:
- Bay of Bengal
- Arabian Sea
- Mediterranean Sea (Correct answer)
- Red Sea
Correct answer: Mediterranean Sea
Western Disturbances are extratropical cyclones that originate in the Mediterranean Sea and travel eastward, bringing rainfall and snowfall to Northwest India and Pakistan during winter.
Western Disturbances are extratropical cyclones originating over the Mediterranean Sea (sometimes also influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and Caspian Sea). They travel eastward across Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan before reaching Northwest India. During winter (December-March), these disturbances bring significant rainfall and snowfall to the western Himalayas, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Rajasthan. This rainfall is crucial for Rabi crops like wheat. The disturbances weaken as they move eastward, usually bringing less precipitation to the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
Question 4: Project Tiger was launched in India in which year?
- 1970
- 1973 (Correct answer)
- 1975
- 1980
Correct answer: 1973
Project Tiger was launched on April 1, 1973, by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to protect the Bengal tiger, starting with 9 tiger reserves.
Project Tiger was launched on April 1, 1973, by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It started with 9 tiger reserves covering 16,339 sq km. Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand was the first tiger reserve. By 2024, India has over 53 tiger reserves. India is home to over 70% of the world's wild tiger population — approximately 3,682 tigers as per the 2022 census (up from just 1,827 in 2014). The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) oversees Project Tiger. Sariska Tiger Reserve became famous as the first reserve to have tigers reintroduced after they were poached to extinction (2008).
Question 5: Which of the following is the correct sequence of rivers from west to east along India's west coast?
- Tapi, Narmada, Sabarmati, Luni
- Sabarmati, Luni, Tapi, Narmada
- Luni, Sabarmati, Narmada, Tapi (Correct answer)
- Luni, Sabarmati, Tapi, Narmada
Correct answer: Luni, Sabarmati, Narmada, Tapi
From north to south along India's western side: Luni (Rajasthan), Sabarmati (Gujarat), Narmada (drains into Gulf of Khambhat), Tapi (south of Narmada).
Rivers along India's western coast from north to south: (1) Luni — originates in Aravalli hills, drains into Rann of Kutch, Rajasthan; (2) Sabarmati — originates in Aravalli, flows through Ahmedabad, drains into Gulf of Khambhat; (3) Narmada — originates at Amarkantak, longest west-flowing river, drains into Gulf of Khambhat; (4) Tapi (Tapti) — second major west-flowing river after Narmada, originates in Satpura Range, Madhya Pradesh, flows through Maharashtra and Gujarat, drains into Gulf of Khambhat. Both Narmada and Tapi flow through rift valleys (grabens) — unique among Indian rivers.
Question 6: The Sundarbans mangrove forest, the world's largest, is spread across which two countries?
- India and Myanmar
- India and Sri Lanka
- India and Bangladesh (Correct answer)
- India and Nepal
Correct answer: India and Bangladesh
The Sundarbans mangrove delta is shared between India (West Bengal) and Bangladesh, covering approximately 10,000 sq km.
The Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest, covering approximately 10,000 sq km spread across India (about 38% in West Bengal) and Bangladesh (about 62%). It lies in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta. The Indian part is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1987) and a Tiger Reserve (1973). The Sundarbans is famous for Bengal tigers, saltwater crocodiles, Irrawaddy dolphins, and the Gangetic river dolphin. The name 'Sundarbans' is derived from the Sundari trees (Heritiera fomes) that dominate the forest. The region faces severe threat from climate change, sea-level rise, and human encroachment.
RRB NTPC Geography and Environment 1
The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?