1. With reference to the Aral Sea crisis, consider the following statements:
- The upward movement of Earth’s crust in the Aral Sea region is primarily caused by tectonic activity.
- The loss of water mass due to human intervention has led to mantle uplift, similar to glacial isostatic rebound.
- The Soviet-era diversion of rivers was the principal cause of the Aral Sea’s shrinkage.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect – The uplift is not tectonic, but due to mantle response to water loss.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct – The mantle rises when surface mass is reduced, such as after the diversion of Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers by the Soviet-era, which was the primary cause for the shrinkage of the Aral Sea.
2. Consider the following rivers:
- Amu Darya
- Syr Darya
- Ural River
- Volga River
These rivers were reportedly diverted in the 1960s, which allegedly led to the desiccation of the Aral Sea. Which of the given options are correct in line with this statement?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 4
[D] Only 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
The Aral Sea desiccated majorly because of the diversion of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for agricultural irrigation by the Soviet Union in the 1960s. The Ural and Volga rivers are not directly related to the drying of the Aral Sea.
3. Which rivers are exclusively allocated to India under the Indus Waters Treaty?
[A] Indus, Chenab, Jhelum
[B] Yamuna, Ganga, Gomti
[C] Ravi, Beas, Sutlej
[D] Brahmaputra, Teesta, Subansiri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ravi, Beas, Sutlej]
Notes:
India has recently suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed on 19 September 1960 between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank as a mediator. The treaty governs the use of six rivers in the Indus River system: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Pakistan was given full rights over the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. India retained exclusive use of the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. India could use western rivers for limited domestic, agriculture, and hydroelectric purposes under strict rules. This agreement gave about 80% of the total water flow to Pakistan and 20% to India. A Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was formed to oversee the treaty and ensure annual meetings for data exchange and cooperation.
4. Consider the following statements with reference to the recent discovery of Stegodon Ganesa fossils in Maharashtra:
- Stegodon Ganesa is an extinct species believed to be an ancestor of modern-day African elephants.
- The fossils were discovered near the confluence of the Wardha and Penganga rivers in the Chandrapur district.
- These remains are believed to be from the early Holocene epoch.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect because Stegodon Ganesa is believed to be the ancestor of modern-day Asiatic elephants, not African elephants. Statement 2 is correct- The fossils were indeed found at the confluence of the Wardha and Penganga rivers in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. Statement 3 is incorrect because the discovered fossils date back to the late Pleistocene epoch, not the early Holocene epoch.
5. Consider the following primary drivers of heatwaves identified in the 2022 study on South Asia:
- Short-lived atmospheric Rossby waves
- Moisture-rich soil conditions
- Advection of heat from north-western regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan
- Sudden warming of the ocean currents
Select the correct answer using the code below:
[A] 1 and 3 only
[B] 2 and 4 only
[C] 1, 3 and 4 only
[D] 2 and 3 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 3 only]
Notes:
The 2022 study on heatwaves in South Asia identified short-lived atmospheric Rossby waves and the advection of heat from north-western regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan as the primary drivers. It noted that moisture-rich soil conditions and sudden warming of the ocean currents don’t significantly influence the occurrence of heatwaves.
6. Consider the following statements:
- Statement-I: The Kosi River is one of the major rivers in Nepal and flows into India, contributing significantly to the Ganges River system.
- Statement-II: The Kosi River is known for its unpredictable flooding patterns, which often result from its high sediment load.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[A] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
[B] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
[C] Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
[D] Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I]
Notes:Statement-I:- This statement is correct.
- The Kosi River originates in Tibet, flows through Nepal, and enters India, significantly contributing to the Ganges River system.
Statement-II:
- This statement is correct.
- The Kosi River is notorious for its flooding due to its high sediment load, which alters its course and affects nearby regions.
7. Consider the following:
- Teesta River
- Yarlung Zangbo River
- Brahmaputra River
Which of the above is/are not transboundary rivers?
[A] Only 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] 1, 2 and 3
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [None]
Notes:- The Teesta River flows through India and Bangladesh, playing a crucial role in irrigation and hydropower.
- The Yarlung Zangbo, originating in Tibet, flows through India and merges into the Brahmaputra, which traverses India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
- The Brahmaputra River is one of the major rivers in the world, known for its vast basin and significant cultural and economic importance in the regions it flows through. All three rivers cross international borders, making them transboundary rivers.
8. What is the name of river formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers in Odisha?
[A] Baitarani river
[B] Brahmani river
[C] Rushikulya river
[D] Indravati river
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brahmani river]
Notes:
The bridge over the Brahmani river near Brahmabarada remains unfinished after eight years, causing inconvenience to over 20 villages in Rasulpur and Jajpur blocks. The Brahmani River, flowing through Odisha, is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers. It flows through Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, draining a total area of 39,033 sq.km. before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The river is 799 km long, with 541 km in Odisha, and forms part of a large delta with the Mahanadi and Baitarani rivers. The Brahmani delta includes Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, home to estuarine crocodiles.
9. Consider the following pairs of rivers and their drainage characteristics:
| River | Drainage Characteristic |
|---|
| Dnipro River | Caspian Sea |
| Volga River | Black Sea |
| Rhine River | North Sea |
| Mekong River | South China Sea |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] Only three pairs
[D] All four pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two pairs]
Notes:- The Dnipro River flows into the Black Sea, making this pair incorrect.
- The Volga River is the longest river in Europe and empties into the Caspian Sea, making this pair incorrect as well.
- The Rhine River drains into the North Sea.
- The Mekong River flows into the South China Sea.
10. Which of the following Rivers is/are tributaries of the River Indus?
- Chenab
- Beas
- Ravi
- Sutlej
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All four]
Notes:- The major tributaries of the Indus River are the Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers.
